Response of Melanomacrophage Centers in Yellowfin Seabream (Acanthopagrus Latus) Immune Organs As An Immunohistological Biomarker in Short-Term Exposure To Phenanthrene

Background: the aim of this study was to assess the changes in plasma levels of antioxidant enzymes and melano-macrophage centers (mmcs) in immune tissues as biomarkers of yellowfin seabream (acanthopagrus latus) exposed to phenanthrene (phe) for 14 days. methods: the research was carried out at khorramshahr university of marine science and technology, khorramshahr, iran in jan 2016. thirty-six immature fish were intraperitoneally injected with coconut oil (10 μl/g-bw) containing phe (70mg/kg-bw) and compared with control group (without injection). then tissue and blood samples were obtained at 1, 4, 7 and 14 d after injection. results: the sod and cat activity showed a significant decrease in fish exposed to phe up to day 7, then activity increased at day 14 in phe-treated fish (p<0.05). the size and number of mmcs in treated fish in spleen and head kidney were higher than control. conclusion: changes in these parameters (sod, cat, and mmcs) might be used as useful biomarkers for evaluating immunosuppressive phe in fish.