On the Immune Response of Clarias batrachus After Immunisation with 25% SRBC Anju Panwar, Satyendra Kumar, Charu Tyagi and Yougesh Kumar* Zoology Department, DAV College, Muzafarnagar *Corresponding author: dryougeshkumar@gmail.com ABSTRACT Efect of experimental immunization with 25% sheep red blood cells (SRBC) on the immune system of Clarias batrachus was observed. The impact on immune system was studied in terms of serum proteins of the fsh. Total Serum Proteins, Albumin and Globulin were determined for the control group and the immunized group. The amount of globulin increased slightly after administering the antigen, thus decreasing the albumin globulin ratio. The results obtained are analysed and presented in this communication. Keywords: Clarias batrachus, Albumin globulin ratio, Serum protein, SRBC. INTRODUCTION The fshes are the largest vertebrate class and constitute approximately 24600 species. (Nelson, 1994). All groups of lower vertebrates possess well developed immunological capacity to respond to soluble and particulate antigens (Smith et al., 1967; Hildemann, 1970) In addition to comparative investigations, fsh also represent potential experimental model for vertebrate immunology as a whole. Extensive studies of various fsh species show that the basic mechanism of acquired immunity in the fsh and mammals are surprisingly similar (Faisal and Hetrick 1992). Foundation of immune system was laid in vertebrates in class Pisces with a prehistory in the agnathans. The study of immune system in a fsh not only enlightens about the details of a system in a particular species but also throws light on the basic pattern responsible for subsequent development of immune system in other classes of vertebrates. After immunization, fsh most often produce antibodies with specifcity and measurable afnity for the immunization antigen. Determining the serum proteins in the fsh contributes to the appraisal of the condition and the course of disease. This report is a part of the doctoral work of the frst author. It deals with the kinetics of the immune response to SRBC immunization in terms of albumin globulin ratio. MATERIALS AND METHODS The live fshes for present work were obtained from the local fsh markets and diferent water sources of Meerut and Muzafarnagar region. Fishes were fed on diferent types of food, including commercially available pelleted food, minced goat liver etc. Injured, abnormally coloured, morbid or ecto-parasitized fshes were discarded for all the observations as they might have altered the results. After a long acclimatization period the fshes kept in tanks and glass aquaria were used for observational purpose. Eight fshes were selected and divided into two groups, one of them was used as control and rest seven as experimental group. Fishes of experimental group were immunized with antigen (0.5ml of 25% SRBC). Fishes thus immunized were routinely anaesthetized and used for serum collection on day 1,5,10,15,20,25, and 30 days respectively. For SRBC, sheep blood, collected from jugular vein, with the help of sterilised syringe, was added to same amount of Alsever’s solution and then centrifuged. After discarding the supernatant the pellet was resuspended in Phosphate Bufer Saline. Fishes were immunized with 0.5 ml of 25% SRBC in PBS. For immunization purpose and for blood collection, later on, each fsh was caught manually, taken out of the aquarium and anaesthetized as per Kumar et al., (2005). Antigen was injected intraperitoneally The Scientifc Temper Vol. 12, No 1-2, January-July, 2021:pp 82-84 ISSN 0976 8653, E-ISSN 2231 6396 A Web of Science Journal Doc ID: https://connectjournals.com/03960.2021.12.82