Sains Malaysiana 52(4)(2023): 1059-1068

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2023-5204-03

Erythrocytic Nuclear Abnormalities and Leucocyte Profiles of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) Exposed to Polluted Seawater

(Keabnormalan Nukleus Eritrosit dan Profil Leukosit Siakap Asia (Lates calcarifer) Terdedah kepada Air Laut Tercemar)

SINLAPACHAI SENARAT^1,*, ANEK SOPON², JES KETTRATAD³, KITIPONG ANGSUJINDA², NATTHAWUT CHAROENPHON⁴, PAHOL KOSIYACHINDA⁵, KITIYA KONGTHONG⁶, PISIT POOLPRASERT⁷, PIYAKORN BOONYOUNG⁸ & PIYAMAT KONGTUENG⁹

¹Department of Marine Science and Environment, Faculty of Science and Fisheries Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Trang, 92150 Thailand

²Aquatic Resources Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330 Thailand

³Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University,

Bangkok, 10330 Thailand

⁴Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000 Thailand

⁵Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400 Thailand

⁶Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000 Thailand

⁷Program of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, 65000 Thailand

⁸Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110 Thailand

⁹Central Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100 Thailand

Received: 16 July 2022/Accepted: 21 March 2023

Abstract

Close to industrial activity and a major seaport in the Gulf of Thailand, Sichang Island has frequently suffered from pollution and oil spills. However, the environmental health status of the surrounding waters is relatively unknown. Between December 2017 and January 2018, we reared ninety Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) in cage nets off the island and sampled blood to investigate nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes and build leucocyte profiles. The fish were purchased locally and reared in locations where oil spills have been recorded. Environmental parameters were within the range of standard values. Erythrocyte nuclei had segmented, reniform and notched abnormalities; however, they dramatically varied after exposure. At the end of the three-month field experiment, very few micronuclei had been observed. Observed leucocytes were neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. The percentage of lymphocytes increased considerably, reaching a post-exposure peak at three months. Our data suggest that erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities of Asian seabass could be used as an early warning of toxic pollutants in the marine environment, and as a baseline environmental health indicator for Sichang Island and the surrounding area.

Keywords: Erythrocytes; fish health status; hematology; leucocyte profiling; Sichang Island

Abstrak

Terletak berhampiran dengan aktiviti perindustrian dan pelabuhan utama di Teluk Thailand, Pulau Sichang sering mengalami pencemaran dan tumpahan minyak. Walau bagaimanapun, status kesihatan persekitaran perairan sekitar tidak diketahui. Antara Disember 2017 dan Januari 2018, kami menternak sembilan puluh ikan siakap Asia (Lates calcarifer) dalam jaring sangkar di luar pulau dan sampel darah diambil untuk mengkaji keabnormalan nukleus dalam eritrosit dan membina profil leukosit. Ikan dibeli secara tempatan dan diternak di lokasi tumpahan minyak direkodkan. Parameter persekitaran berada dalam julat nilai piawai. Nukleus eritrosit mempunyai keabnormalan bersegmen, reniform dan berlekuk; walau bagaimanapun, mereka berubah secara mendadak selepas pendedahan. Pada akhir tempoh percubaan lapangan selama tiga bulan, sangat sedikit mikronukleus telah diperhatikan. Leukosit yang diperhatikan ialah neutrofil, limfosit dan monosit. Peratusan limfosit meningkat dengan ketara, mencapai kemuncak selepas pendedahan selama tiga bulan. Data kami mencadangkan bahawa keabnormalan nukleus eritrosit bagi ikan siakap Asia boleh digunakan sebagai amaran awal bahan pencemar toksik dalam persekitaran marin dan sebagai penunjuk kesihatan alam sekitar asas untuk Pulau Sichang dan kawasan sekitarnya.

Kata kunci: Eritrosit; hematologi; pemprofilan leukosit; Pulau Sichang; status kesihatan ikan

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^*Corresponding author; email: sinlapachai.s@rmutsv.ac.th