Effect of tributyltin on the chemiluminescent response of phagocytes from three species of estuarine fish

The effect ofin vitro exposure to tributyltin (TBT) on the chemiluminescent (CL) responses of kidney macrophages was examined in oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau), hogchoker (Trinectes maculatus) and Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). Phagocytic activity was evaluated using a luminol-amplified chemiluminescent (CL) assay with zymosan as the stimulus. Following brief exposure to selected doses of TBT, the CL response of toadfish and hogchoker phagocytes was found to be significantly decreased at 400 g/L TBT, while the croaker phagocytic activity was significantly decreased at 40 g/L TBT. With 18 hrexposure to TBT, the effect on the CL response was noticeable at lower doses (40 g/L TBT for toadfish and 4 g/L TBT for hogchoker).