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. 2025 May 29;9:200230. doi: 10.1016/j.cirep.2025.200230

Table 7.

Effects of ultraviolet radiation on the immune responses of various aquatic species.

Aquatic species Type of UV radiation Effects on the immune system and other biological responses References
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) UV-B Reduced lymphocyte proliferation; compromised macrophage activity; heightened vulnerability to pathogens Fajardo et al. [326]
Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) UV-B Reduced lymphocyte proliferation; compromised macrophage activity; heightened vulnerability to pathogens Mello et al. [327]
Water flea (Daphnia magna) UV-B Increased oxidative stress; modified immune response resulting in increased vulnerability to pathogens; diminished reproductive success Ivanina et al. [328]
Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) UV-A and UV-B Modified immune responses result in decreased resistance to viral infections and may cause endocrine disruption Song et al. [329]
Rohu fish (Labeo rohita) UV-B Ultraviolet B radiation adversely impacts immune responses, diminishing defence mechanisms in aquatic larvae Singh et al. [330]
High-altitude fish species UV-B Inhibition of primary and secondary immune responses due to UV-B exposure Subramani et al. [331]
Fish (species unspecified) UV-A and UV-B UV-B exposure modified immune system function in fish, resulting in immunosuppression Salo et al. [332]
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) UV-B UV-B radiation, in conjunction with varying temperatures, influenced stress and innate immune responses. Icoglu Aksakal and Ciltas [333]
Various fish species UV-B UV-B irradiation impaired non-specific and specific immune responses in fish Sharma and Chakrabarti [334]
Teleost fish UV-A and UV-B Ultraviolet radiation negatively affected immune function and heightened disease susceptibility in fish Lawrence et al. [335]
Three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) UV-B UV-B exposure reduced innate and adaptive immune responses in sticklebacks Vitt et al. [336]
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) UV-B UV-B influenced specific and nonspecific immune responses in fish Markkula et al. [337]
Marine zooplankton and ichthyoplankton UV-A and UV-B Ultraviolet radiation negatively affected immune function during the early developmental stages of marine organisms Browman et al. [338]
Three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) UV-B Ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation influences the immune system of fish by lower splenosomatic index and higher granulocyte to lymphocyte ration Vitt et al. [336]
European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) UV-B Exposure of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) to UVB radiation resulted in alterations in humoral immune parameters, indicating immune system modulation across all UVB doses (low, moderate, and high). Alves et al. [339]
Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) UV-B UVB exposure resulted in decreased total anti-protease and total peroxidase activities, indicating a modulation of the innate immune system. Alves et al. [340]
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) UV-B Effect the plasma lgM levels, lysozyme activity and complement bacteriolytic activity Jokinen et al. [341]
Indian major carp (Catla catla) UV-B UVB radiation resulted in a marked reduction of lysozyme levels in the larvae of Catla catla. Sharma et al. [342]
African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) UV-A Exposure to UV-A resulted in diminished immune responses in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), as indicated by: 1. A reduction in lysozyme (LYZ) activity, which serves as a marker for non-specific immune function; 2. A decrease in phagocytic activity (PhA), essential for pathogen defense. Hamed et al. [343]
Rutilus roach (Rutilus rutilus) UV-B UVB irradiation resulted in decreased activity of neutrophils and macrophages in Rutilus rutilus Salo et al. [344]
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) UV-B Increased UVB radiation influenced plasma immunoglobulin levels, which are essential for the adaptive immune response. Jokinen et al. [345]
Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) UVR Increase oxidative stress resulted effects the immune response of fish by damaging the cells and tissues. Araújo et al. [346]
African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) UV-A UV-A radiation adversely affects the immune system of Clarias gariepinus through the induction of oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, and tissue damage. Ibrahim [347]
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) UVR Ultraviolet radiation influences the immune response of rainbow trout by diminishing phagocytic activity while not significantly affecting T lymphocyte proliferation. Hébert et al. [348]
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) UV-B UVB radiation influences the immune system of rainbow trout, leading to a gradual decrease in their resistance to parasitic and bacterial infections. Markkula et al. [349]
Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) UV-A/ UV-B Ultraviolet radiation, specifically UVA, has a beneficial effect on immune responses and growth in Litopenaeus vannamei through the enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activity and the reduction of apoptosis-related gene expression. Fei et al. [350]
European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) UVR Ultraviolet (UV) radiation affects the immune system, particularly in the context of developing a UV-inactivated viral vaccine. Valero et al. [351]
Pacific White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) UV-A Increased concentrations of acid phosphatase (ACP), phenol oxidase (PO), and lysozyme (LZM) serve as significant indicators of innate immunity. Wang et al. [352]
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) UV-B The modifications in fatty acid composition resulting from UVB exposure and temperature stress may indirectly affect immune function and overall health in Atlantic salmon. Arts et al. [353]
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) UVR Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exerts an indirect influence on the immune system of fish through the induction of oxidative stress. Britto et al. [354]
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) UVR The detrimental impacts of UV light on the skin of rainbow trout can indirectly impair immune function by compromising the skin, an essential barrier against infection. Bullock and Coutts [355]
Caspian Sea Salmon (Salmo trutta caspius) UVR Ultraviolet (UV) radiation indirectly affects the immune system by damaging the skin, which is essential for the defense mechanisms in fish. Ghanizadeh Kazerouni† and Khodabandeh [356]
Intertidal fish UVR The physiological effects may indirectly influence the immune system by undermining overall health and energy distribution, thereby increasing the fish's vulnerability to disease. García-Huidobro et al. [357]
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) UV-B Ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation affects the immune system of fish indirectly by causing damage to skin and tissues essential for defense mechanisms. Abedi et al. [358]
African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) UV-A Ultraviolet-A (UVA) radiation affects the immune system of fish, primarily characterized by physiological and biochemical alterations. Sayed et al. [359]
Atlantic Cod Larvae (Gadus morhua) UVR Behavioural and survival impairments in larval cod resulting from UV exposure may indirectly influence overall health and resilience, potentially impacting immune function. Fukunishi et al. [360]
Freshwater Carp (Labeo rohita) UV-B Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation affects the immune system of fish, demonstrated by alterations in biochemical and physiological markers following UV-B exposure. Singh et al. [361]

UV-A: Ultraviolet-A (320-400 nm); UV-B: Ultraviolet-B (280-320 nm); UVR: Ultraviolet radiation