Effects of okadaic acid on haemocytes from Mytilus galloprovincialis: A comparison between field and laboratory studies

Individuals of Mytilus galloprovincialis, contaminated with Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins, were studied with the aim to correlate the okadaic acid (OA) body burden and the percentage of damaged haemocytes by quantifying annexin V positive cells by flow cytometry. Results showed less percentage of damaged haemocytes in high OA contaminated samples. These data were compared with results of in vitro assays of mussel haemocytes exposed to increased concentrations of OA. Similarly, haemocytes exposed to the most concentrated OA solution were less damaged.