| Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus acclimated to 27 °C were then held at 19, 23, 27 (control), 31 and 35 °C, and were examined for non-specific cellular and humoral responses after 12–96 h. Total leucocyte count decreased significantly when fish were transferred to 19 and 23 °C after 48 and 96 h, and when transferred to 35 °C over 12–96 h, respectively. Respiratory burst decreased significantly when fish were transferred to 19, 31 and 35 °C over 24–96 h, whereas phagocytic activity and phagocytic index decreased significantly when fish were transferred to low temperatures (19 and 23 °C) and high temperatures (31 and 35 °C) over 12–96 h. Lysozyme activity decreased significantly when fish were transferred to 19 °C after 12–96 h, but increased... |
