Plasma immune function parameters in elasmobranch and teleost fish collected in the Gulf of Mexico near DWH, 2010-2012

The dataset contains information on specific immune function parameters of elasmobranch and teleost species sampled in the Gulf of Mexico near the DWH site in the months following the oil spill. Immune parameters were measured in plasma collected from live animals. Data are included for 17 elasmobranch species and 6 teleost species. Specific plasma immune function parameters include activity of enzymes (lysozyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST)), levels of uric acid and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) in plasma, and percentages of protein components in plasma. Whole blood was collected from live animals, plasma immediately separated through centrifugation, and stored in liquid nitrogen until transport back to the lab, where storage continued at -80 C until analyses. Lysozyme activity was measured using a modified turbidity assay. SOD, ROS/RNS, GST and uric acid were measured using commercially available assay kits. Plasma protein profiles were determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and analysis through gel documentation software. Other information included in this data set include collection date, cruise during which samples were collected, gear used, latitude and longitude.