Splenic and renal melanomacrophage centers in shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius) in Nuuk harbor, West Greenland
The Nuuk harbor is the largest industrial port in Greenland. It is polluted by a number of contaminants including tributyltin (TBT), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Here we analyzed melanomacrophage center (MMC) responses in the spleen and kidney of shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius) from the harbor and three reference sites in Nuuk, West Greenland. The number and area of splenic MMCs in fish from the most polluted station were significantly lower than those from the less polluted stations (p < 0.01). This suggests that the immune response differed between the fish from the contaminated site and those from the reference sites. This indicates that splenic MMCs of shorthorn sculpins could have a biomarker potential for pollutant exposure. This was, however, not the case for renal MMCs. In addition, this study showed that there were effects of body size on the splenic and renal MMC responses. Therefore, in future studies, body size of shorthorn sculpins needs to be considered when investigating splenic and renal MMC responses.
History
Publication title
Polar BiologyVolume
44Issue
10Pagination
2011-2021ISSN
0722-4060Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Springer-VerlagPlace of publication
175 Fifth Ave, New York, USA, Ny, 10010Rights statement
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2021Repository Status
- Restricted