Fish Immunology (1+1)

Unit 4- Fish Leucocytes

4.5. Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are produced in both thymus and kidney and are of 2 types namely B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. These lymphocytes function in developing specific immune mechanisms in fish. Lymphocytes contain prominent nucleus and basophilic cytoplasm with few mitochondria and ribosomes present in it. The size and number of lymphocytes vary among species and also with season. Specific antigen responses of lymphocytes differ between cells produced by each organ. There is also a belief that fish lymphocytes may involve in phagocytic activity.