EFFECTS OF TRIBUTYLTIN ON DEFENSE-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF OYSTER HEMOCYTES

Several defense-related activities of hemocytes from oysters (Crassostrea virginica and C. gigas) were assayed in vitro with different levels of tributyltin (0.4-400 ppb)3 to determine whether defense-related cell mechanisms were affected. Chemiluminescence, a presumptive indicator of phagocytic activity, was reduced with increasing concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) and pre-incubation with TBT appeared to eliminate chemiluminescence. Locomotion of hemocytes was also retarded by TBT, but the ability of the hemocytes to spread to an ameboid shape was not affected. In vitro salinity regulation of oceanic oyster hemocytes to lower salinities was not affected by TBT exposure and salinity regulation of estuarine oyster hemocytes to higher salinities was retarded only after a salinity change from 12 ppt to 36 ppt. © 1990 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.