Daily rhythms after vaccination on specific and non-specific responses in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

ABSTRACTWe evaluated the daily changes in immunological and hematological factors in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after an immunization period with a subsequent challenge. Experiments were divided into two phases: Phase 1 (immunization): 144 fish were distributed into two groups with 72 fish in six tanks. One group (T1) was immunized, comprising six vaccination time points (ZT schedule = ZT2 h, ZT6 h, ZT10 h, ZT14 h, ZT18 h, ZT22 h). The same schedule was applied to the other group, but with saline solution (non-vaccinated: T2). Both groups remained in the laboratory for 30 days (considered the immunization period). Phase 2 (challenge): on day 30, both vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups were challenged with Streptococcus agalactiae (2.0 × 107 CFU mL−1) following the same ZT schedule to stimulate the immune response without leading to widespread infection and mortality. On day 45, blood and head kidney samples were collected during the same ZT schedule. The variations in time of the following paramete...