Application of a Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Stimulated Mitogenesis Assay in Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) to Augment Wild Fish Health Studies

The utility of a functional immune assay for smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) lymphocyte mitogenesis was evaluated. Wild populations in the Potomac River have faced disease and mortality with immunosuppression from exposure to chemical contaminants suspected component. However, validated set parameters screen wild fish is not available. Prior use ecotoxicology studies, ancillary factors influencing mitogenic response need be understood. field-tested collected three sites West Virginia as part health assessments occurring spring (pre-spawn; April–May) fall (recrudescence; October–November). Anterior kidney leukocytes were exposed lipopolysaccharide (LPS) E.coli O111:B4 or mitogen-free media proliferation measured using imaging flow cytometry advanced machine learning distinguish lymphocytes. An anti-smallmouth IgM monoclonal antibody used identify IgM+ Lymphocyte mitogenesis, proliferative responses, varied by site season positively negatively correlated such sex, age, tissue parasites, macrophage aggregates. Background IgM− lymphocytes LPS-induced both seasons at all sites, but only results demonstrate that many factors, addition contaminants, may influence proliferation.