Effect of salinity on the immune responses and outbreak of white spot syndrome in the shrimpMarsupenaeus japonicus

Abstract

In order to understand the role of salinity in outbreaks of white spot syndrome (WSS) in the kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus, the effects of salinity variation on THC (total haemocyte count), phenoloxidase (PO) activities and outbreaks of white spot syndrome were studied. The results showed that salinity variation (increasing or decreasing salinity) could cause the changes of THC and PO activities of M. japonicus. Salinity was also an important environmental factor affecting the immune responses in M. japonicus. The further from the original salinity that M. japonicus were mantained, the weaker were the immune responses of shrimps. M. japonicus were more susceptible to WSSV under salinity stress due to changes in their immune responses.