Flow Cytometric Assessment of Immune Parameters of the Manila Clam (Ruditapes philippinarum)

Abstract

Immune parameters of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum collected from four tidal flats on Anmyeon-do. Korea were optimized and evaluated at the single cell level using flow-cytometry. Homocytes were withdrawn from the sinus of each clam, and total hemocyte counts, phagocytosis rate, hemocyte mortality(HM) and DNA damage of hemocyte were analyzed. The highest hemocyte counts was recorded from the clam collected. Phagocytosis rate and hemocyte mortality of Gonam and Nudong clams were significantly higher than those of clams from Hwangdo and Bangpo. DNA damage in the clams from Nudong was higher twice than that of clams from Gonam. We suggest that the flowcytometry has a high potential for evaluation of immunity of marine bivalves