A SEASONAL VARIATIONS ON IMMUNE SYSTEM OF MUGIL CEPHALUS (CARL LINNAEUS 1758)

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the seasonal variations in the histology of grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) in Puducherry (site I) India, and Cuddalore (site II) Tamil Nadu, India, from the period March 2023 to February 2024. Seasonal collections of tissues were done somatically, and immune organs head kidney, spleen, and associated organs gill, liver, and muscles were assessed. The local investigated parameters in the sit II area showed variations were changed than that of the site I. These investigations showed the water contamination level in site II as the biomarkers that reveal negative impacts on the histological studies, and the physical and physiological status of the fish in the monsoon at lower temperatures. Likewise in the summer season, positive impacts were greater in both sites. There was a gradual change noted in the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods. The histological investigations revealed that fish face immunological challenges and stress conditions in deteriorated ecosystems at monsoon and are alert to monitor the environment. The variations were mainly assessed in MMC (Melano macrophage center), RBC (Red blood corpuscles), WBC (White blood corpuscles), lymphoid cells, epithelial cells, and blood vessel changes rather than other cell organelles. Overall, this study demonstrates that M.cephalusis a biomarker species in marine environments and the anomalies were indicated to discriminate the seasons and the water quality.  These are mainly impacting the immunological and physical status of the fish. More histopathological changes were observed in site II fish due to excess contamination of the coastal area.