Soltanian, S. & A. Gholamhosseini, 2018. Skin non-specific immune parameters in Palomino rainbow trout. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 21, No 3, 292–300.

DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.1086

Fish epidermal mucus and its components provide the first line of defense against pathogens. Little is known about mechanisms of immune defense at the mucus level in yellow phenotypes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The current study was undertaken to evaluate some mucosal immune parameters in the skin of a yellow phenotype, the Palomino variety, in comparison to the normally pigmented rainbow trout. Fish mucus was sampled for quantification of lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase, protease, esterase, total protein and antimicrobial activity. Both varieties were farmed together in the same ponds. Compared with wild coloured trout, Palomino individuals exhibited significantly higher total protein, lysozyme, protease, alkaline phosphatase, esterase and antimicrobial activities in mucus. The superior immune capabilities in Palomino trouts reported here may correlate positively with diseases resistance, hence; favour a chance for selective breeding programmes and genetic manipulation.

Key words: antimicrobial activity, epidermal mucus enzymes, lysozyme, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Palomino, skin mucosal immunity