Melatonin Modulates Leukocytes Immune Responses in Freshwater Snakes, Natrix piscator

Photoperiodic regulation of the splenocyte immune responses in the fresh water snake, Natrixpiscator

Photoperiod and melatonin are important regulators of immunity. We hypothesized that these two factors play an important role in the regulation of immune responses in the Natrix piscator. Animals were kept in either short or long days and splenocyte immune responses were studied. Respiratory burst activity of splenocytes was assessed through reduction of nitrobluetetrazolium salt while production of nitric oxide was assessed indirectly by nitrite assay. Density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate splenic lymphocytes which were utilized to study proliferation with and without mitogens. Super oxide production by splenocytes was reduced significantly in the cultures obtained from animals kept either in short or long days. Nitrite release was decreased when animals were subjected to long days. The photoperiodic alterations acted differentially on proliferations of the splenic lymphocytes. Spontaneous and mitogen-induced proliferation of splenic lymphocytes were enhanced in cultures obtained from snakes maintained in short days when compared with cultures from snakes obtained either from long day or natural day length conditions. In vitro melatonin significantly enhanced the splenic lymphocyte proliferation of the cultures obtained from animals kept in long days when compared with splenic lymphocyte proliferations of the cultures obtained from long day animals or the animals kept in natural day length conditions. We found evidence which suggest that photoperiod may influence seasonal energy budgets and induce adjustments which optimize energy allocation for costly physiological processes such as immune function. In seasonally breeding animals such as Natrix piscator, the pineal hormone melatonin assists in the suppression of reproduction and elevation of immunity, which are the crucial adaptation for perpetuation of species.

Hormonal daily variation co-varies with immunity in captive male bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Almost all physiological processes within the organism, including immune parameters and hormones, follow a circadian rhythm. These daily fluctuations are often observed in free-living organisms; however, little is known regarding hormonal and immune daily variations in anurans, particularly under laboratory conditions. This study aimed to investigate the hormonal and immune daily variation in captive-bred Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) under constant conditions (21 °C and 12:12 LD cycle). Our results showed a daily variation for plasma corticosterone (CORT), testosterone (T), and melatonin (MEL), as well as for blood leukocyte profile, phagocytic activity, and plasma bacterial killing ability (BKA). Hormonal profile and immune activity were higher at the dark when compared with the light phase; however, monocytes and lymphocytes followed the opposite pattern. Moreover, CORT was positively correlated with phagocytosis percentage of blood cells, BKA, and monocytes, while MEL and T showed a positive correlation with PP. Our results demonstrate the daily covariation of different immune variables and immunomodulatory hormones. These 24 h-day variations and covariation certainly have broad implications and need to be considered for better understanding anuran physiology both in the context of laboratory and field studies.

Photoperiodic manipulation modulates the innate and cell mediated immune functions in the fresh water snake, Natrix piscator

Objectives of the current work were to investigate the role of photoperiod and melatonin in the alteration of immune responses in a reptilian species. Animals were kept on a regimen of short or long days. Blood was obtained and leucocytes were isolated to study various innate immune responses. Lymphocytes were separated from blood by density gradient centrifugation and were used to study proliferation. Respiratory burst activity was measured through nitrobluetetrazolium reduction assay while nitric oxide production by leucocytes was assayed by nitrite assay. Lymphocytes were isolated and used to study proliferation with and without B and T cell mitogens. Photoperiodic manipulation acted differentially on leucocyte counts. Nitrite release was increased while superoxide production was decreased in cultures obtained from the snakes kept on the short day regimen. Significant enhancement of mitogen induced lymphocyte proliferation was observed in cultures from the animals kept in either long or short days compared to cultures from the animals kept in natural ambient day length. Use of in vitro melatonin showed that lymphocytes from the animals, kept in long days, were more reactive. Photoperiod induces changes in immune status which may permit adaptive functional responses in order to maintain seasonal energetic budgets of the animals. Physiological responses (like elevated immune status) are energetically expensive, therefore, animals have evolved a strategy to reduce immune functions at times when energy is invested in reproductive activities. Natrix piscator breeds from September to December and elevated pineal hormone in winter suppresses reproduction while immunity is stimulated.