| The effects of short-term infection with the branchurian crustacean ectoparasite Argulus foliaceus, and the fish stress hormone cortisol (which is reported to stimulate mucus discharge), were studied on the mucous cell population of the head skin of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Argulus infection did not raise plasma cortisol significantly and had no effect on the number of epidermal mucous cells in the head skin. Cortisol was administered twice to groups of trout via the food, significantly elevating circulating plasma cortisol at 24 h post feeding without affecting numbers of mucous cells, and increasing the numbers of vesicles in the upper cells of the epidermis. Subsequent infection with the parasite (6 Argulus f/fish) did not affect either... |
