The immune response of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L) to the metacercariae of Cryptocotyle lingua and Rhipidocotyle johnstonei.

The humoral immune response of plaice to infestations of selected metacercariae was studied. Precipitating antibodies to both Cryptocotyle lingua and Rhipidocotyle johnstonei were demonstrated using agar gel diffusion techniques. Immunochemical investigations of these antibodies indicated they were macroglobulins, resembling immunoglobulin M (IgM) of mammals. The rate and magnitude of antibody production by the host was determined by the ambient temperature.