Innate Immune Proteins and Early Innate Immune Response of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus)

The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is susceptible to bacterial and viral infections acqired from its pond environment. The innate immune proteins mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and lysozyme were studied in two different groups of channel catfish aged 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months-old. The two groups were maintained at a mean temperature of 270C and were one-year apart in their bleedings. Dot-blot enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for MBL and turbidometry lysozyme quantitive assays were done to determine the two innate immune proteins. The greatest increases in mean MBL and mean lysozyme concentrations were seen at 4 months. Two month-old catfish were comparable with 12 month-old catfish in their concentrations of MBL and lysozyme (p \u3c 0.05). A decrease was seen at 6 and 9 months of MBL and at 9 and 12 months for lysozyme. Mean protein of 26.7 mg/ml and mean albumin/globulin ratio of 0.7 were determined for 4, 6, 9, and 12 month-old catfish. This study provided a foundation for understanding these innate immune proteins and the early immune response of channel catfish