Rainbow trout macrophages in vitro: morphology and phagocytic activity.

The properties of macrophages from the pronephros of Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson) were studied in vitro. We found that phagocytes obtained from the pronephros constitute a non-homogeneous cell population. Three populations with different adherence properties were examined with special emphasis on morphology and phagocytic capacity. The differentiation of the three populations in culture was similar morphologically, and their phagocytic activity showed only small variations. The methods for cell separation and culture reported here are a useful tool for gaining better understanding of how Rainbow trout macrophages function in the immune response.