Antifungal defence mechanisms of the sea urchin Echinus esculentus L

[摘要] This thesis describes an investigation of the antifungal defence mechanism of the common sea urchin. Echinus esculentus. Eleven species of marine yeasts, representing the four genera Candida, Debaryomyces, Metscbnikowia and Rhodotorula were tested as target organisms. The methods of study included : measurement of the antifungal activity of E. esculentus coelomic fluid (CF) in vitro, clearance of marine yeasts injected into the coelomic cavity, pathogenicity of marine yeasts, qualitative responses of the animals and quantitative changes in the coelomocyte profile. Before commencing these studies it was necessary to establish maintenance facilities for the sea urchins in the laboratory in Glasgow. Three recirculating artificial-seawater aquaria (RASWA) of around 76 1 working capacity were constructed. They had a system of seawater circulation, biological, chemical and physical filtration and were kept at 10

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow

[关键词] Immunology