The aim of this research was a comparative study on the isolation and culture of head kidney macrophages derived from Acipenser persicous and Rutilus frisii kutum as teleost and chondrostei species of fish. The macrophages were isolated by density gradient sedimentation, followed by adherence to a plastic surface. They exhibited strong phagocytic activity against bacteria. The effect of cell density, incubation time, FBS percentage, pH and temperatures on the cell number and viability were determined and compared. Also, the effect of light/dark regimen on viability, adherence, release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in the macrophages was determined. The results showed that the Caspian kutum macrophages were more sensitive to FBS percentage and cell density whereas the Persian sturgeon macrophages were more sensitive to pH of the cell culture media. The adherence and viability of the macrophages from both fish species firstly increased (P < 0.05) after exposure to a light/dark regimen, but then significantly decreased as did ROS and NO productions. For the first time, this study has determined the optimal conditions for primary culture of macrophages derived from sturgeons, and shows the unique effect of light on the biology of fish immune cells.
