Hemocyte circularity (HC) and heat shock protein 70 kda (HSP 70) expression as stress parameters in Mytilus galloprovincialis

The present study aim of investigating, in mussel(Mytilus galloprovincialis) specimens exposed tosublethal thermic stress, the variations of twoparameters such as the hemocyte circularity (HC) andthe mantle HSP 70 expression. A cell viabilityanalyzer has been applied for valuating the hemocyteconcentration, the viability and the morphologicalcharacteristics, such as circularity and diameter. Theassays have been conducted on mussel groupsmaintained in aquaria at 18°C, then placed fordifferent times at 40°C and finally put back to theoriginal conditions. The heat stress determined asimilar increase in the HC in the different groupswhereas the recovery to the homeostasis conditionshowed some differences: the specimens moreexposed to the heat stress, indeed, exhibited a slowerability to recovering their HC value to the controlcondition. Furthermore, mussel specimens maintainedat refrigeration conditions displayed a slowprogressive increase in the HC. Concerning the HSP70 induction, the group exposed to the heat treatmentfor the shorter time developed a subsequent increasecompared with the HC variations whereas. One dayafter the treatment, the HSP 70 induction was stillevident. The cold treatment has demonstrated anyHSP 70 induction. In conclusion, hemocytes circularityand mantle HSP 70 expression could represent twoimportant stress parameters, morphological andbiochemical, immediate and late, respectively. Themarkers investigated, therefore, could find applicationin the valuating the general status of the musselhealth and, particularly, in studies concerning both themollusc immunity and their response to environmentalstress.Effects of estrogens on Mytilus[...]