Effects of cadmium exposure on haemocyte immune function of clam Ruditapes philippinarum at different temperatures

• Published in: Marine environmental research 2024-03, Vol.195, p.106375-106375, Article 106375
• Main Authors: Ren, Jiayun, Liu, Suijun, Zhang, Qiong, Zhang, Zaiwang, Shang, Shuai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cadmium; Haemocyte mortality; Reactive oxygen species; Ruditapes philippinarum; Superoxide dismutase; Temperature
• ISSN: 0141-1136; 1879-0291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106375

Haemocytes are crucial for the immune defence of mollusks. It is important to explore the immune performance of haemocytes of mollusks under the stress of heavy metals with global warming. In order to study the effects of cadmium (Cd) exposure and temperature stress on the haemocyte immune function of clam Ruditapes philippinarum, clams were exposed to different Cd concentrations (0.05, 0.10 and 0.25 mg/L) at 20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C respectively. Haemocyte mortality, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured at day 1, day 3, day 5 and day 7. The results showed that the changes of the three indexes were not obvious when exposed to 0.05 mg/L of Cd at 20 °C, while significant differences were observed with the increase of temperature, Cd concentration and exposure time. Under a condition of relative high temperature coupling with high concentration of Cd, the clams were significantly influenced, showing an obvious synergistic effect. Selected indexes reflect the clam's response to the combined stress of temperature and Cd. Moreover, R. philippinarum might be an ideal biological index species to the Cd pollution. •Ruditapes philippinarum were exposed to different Cd concentrations at different temperature..•Haemocyte mortality, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured..•Haemocyte mortality, ROS and SOD were markedly affected by temperature and Cd concentration..•High temperature coupling with high Cd concentration tended to cause more seriously oxidative damage..