Blood cells of the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.): light and electron microscopic studies.

The peripheral blood cells of the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) were studied by light and transmission and scanning electron microscopic methods. Acidophilic erythroblasts and mature erythrocytes, round, oval, and fusiform thrombocytes, neutrophils, acidophils and basophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and monocyte-macrophages were characterized. A comparison of our light and electron microscopic results was carried out. The results were discussed with those for other fish species and the main modifications from the common vertebrate haematological pattern observed being considered.