The effect of environmental temperature on the immune response of a marine teleost (Paralichthys dentatus).

The kinetics of the primary immune response to horse erythrocytes were studied in summer flounder ( Paralichthys dentatus). This species produced antibody over a wide temperature range. The fish were divided into five groups and the experiments carried out at environmental temperatures of 27, 22, 17, 12, and 7.5 degrees C. At the lower environmental temperatures, a corresponding delay in the appearance of circulation antibody occurred, although the magnitude and duration of the response was not appreciably affected. After immunizing at 12 degrees C, lowering the environmental temperature gradually to 8 degrees C, did not appear to inhibit an ongoing primary responses. Typical secondary responses were seen in fishes kept at warmer temperatures, but when the temperature was lowered to 8 degrees C, no anamnestic response was seen. Individual variation was most noticeable at middle temperature ranges.