Experimentally induced elevations in acid phosphatase activity in hemolymph of Biomphalaria glabrata (Mollusca)

Abstract

The levels of acid phosphatase activity in the hemocytes and serum of the following four groups of the pulmonate gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata were ascertained: (1) those injected with heat-killed Bacillus megaterium, (2) those challenged with sterile distilled water, (3) those shaminjected, and (4) those left untampered. It was determined that challenge with heat-killed bacteria sesulted in significant elevations in acid phosphatase activity in both cells and serum at 1, 2, and 4 hr postinjection, with the level being highest at 2 hr. Injection with water resulted in a significant elevation in cellular enzyme level at 1 hr postinjection but not at 2 and 4 hr; however, there were significant elevations at 2 and 4 hr in serum. This is interpreted to indicate that the elevated intracellular enzyme was subsequently released into serum. Sham injection resulted in significant elevations in acid phosphatase levels in hemocytes at 2 and 4 hr postinjection but no increase of enzyme activity in serum during the course of the experiment. This is interpreted to mean that this hydrolase was not released as a result of sham injection. The source of acid phosphatase was apparently the cytoplasmic granules of granulocytes, which are true lysosomes.