THE CELLULAR IMMUNE-RESPONSE OF RAINBOW-TROUT (SALMO-GAIRDNERI RICHARDSON) TO SHEEP RED-BLOOD-CELLS

The cellular immune response of rainbow trout, S. gairdneri, to sheep erythrocytes was investigated. Both the primary and secondary responses were measured using the migration inhibition factor (MIF), antigen-binding (ABC) and plaque-forming cell (PFC) assays. These immune function assays provide measures of both T and B cell activity. The kinetics of these 3 responses at 16.degree. C were determined by sampling fish over an 18 day period for the primary response and a 10 day period for the secondary response. The peak MIF response occurred 2 days after injection while the primary peak PFC response was observed 14 days post-injection. Two ABC peaks were observed in the primary response, 1 at 4 days and 1 at 10 days after injection. In the secondary response the peak ABC response was observed 4 days and the peak PFC response 6 days post-inoculation. The possible interrelationships of the various cell populations are discussed.