Elżbieta Ziomek

Haematological and Biochemical Blood Profile in Russian Sturgeon Following Propofol and Eugenol Anaesthesia

Sturgeon production involves unavoidable handling procedures inducing stress response. Clove oil is the anaesthetic commonly used in sturgeon culture to minimise stress and pain. Propofol is one of the most frequently used anaesthetic in humans. Propofol is a promising candidate anaesthetic for fish. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of propofol and eugenol on haematological and biochemical blood profile of Russian sturgeon. Determined indices covered: PCV, RBC, Hb, MCV, MCHC, MCH, leucogram, and concentration of calcium cations, inorganic phosphates, total proteins, albumins, globulins, ammonia, triacylglycerols, glucose, and the activity of creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase. Exposure to both anaesthetics caused a stress response in Russian sturgeon expressed as changes in WBC system and increased values of PCV, Hb, glucose, triacylglycerols, inorganic phosphates, calcium and ammonia. The impact of eugenol was more sever and longer being. No damage of internal organs was stated. According to our results, propofol is safe anaesthetic for Russian sturgeon.

Propiscin — A safe anaesthetic for pikeperch (Sander Lucioperca L.)

The aim of this work was to determine the impact of etomidate (Propiscin) dose (1 and 2 ml l-1) and exposure time (2 and 10 min) on the biochemical and haematological parameters of juvenile pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) [mean body length (Lc) 25.9 cm; body weight (W) 189.9 g] that were reared in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Significant changes in the mean values of total protein, globulin, calcium, magnesium, and ammonia were noted in all groups immediately following exposure. The greatest changes in the haematological indicators were observed in groups subjected to 10-min exposure at both doses of the anaesthetic. The specimens from these groups had higher values for white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Statistically significant differences in these same parameters were also noted in the groups of fish exposed to the anaesthetic for 2 min at a dose of 2 ml l-1, but they were not as pronounced. Twenty-four h following exposure to etomidate, all blood parameters in the experimental groups were comparable to those of the control group. Etomidate can be recommended as a safe, effective anaesthetic for pikeperch.

Impact of feeding juvenile tench (Tinca tinca (L.)) feeds supplemented with vegetable oils on hematological indexes and liver histology

Impact of feeding juvenile tench (Tinca tinca (L.)) feeds supplemented with vegetable oils on hematological indexes and liver histology The aim of the study was to identify the impact of feeding juvenile tench commercial feed supplemented with fish oil, linseed oil, arachide oil, and rapeseed oil on the hematology, cytology, and histology indexes of the liver. The fish were reared in a recirculating system and fed feed containing 470 g protein kg-1 feed and 120 g fat kg-1 feed (1000 g of base feed containing 70 g fat kg-1 feed was supplemented with 50 g of additional fat, i.e., fish oil (FO) or vegetable oils - linseed oil (LO), arachide oil (AO), or rapeseed oil (RO)). Statistically significant inter-group differences were noted for hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) counts, and other red blood cell indexes, including mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (P < 0.05). The lowest Ht and Hb values were noted in fish fed feed supplemented with fish oil (group FO), while the highest was noted in the tench from group AO. These differences were mainly caused by the occurrence of smaller erythrocytes in the peripheral blood of the fish from the FO group. No pathological changes were observed in the blood cells, which was in contrast to the parenchymal cells of the liver. Congestion, lipid vacuolization in hepatocytes, regressive changes in cytoplasm density, nuclear chromatin, and nucleus disintegration were observed in all fish. These changes were more pronounced in groups LO and AO. The fish from these groups were characterized by smaller hepatocytes and significantly higher nucleocytoplasmic ratios (P < 0.05).

Impact of two telemetry transmitter implantation incision suturing methods on the physiological state and condition of perch (Perca fluviatilis)

Abstract The aim of this work was to determine the impact on European perch, Perca fluviatilis L. (mean body weight – 78.33 g) of the intraperitoneal implantation of telemetry transmitters using different suturing methods. In the first experiment silk sutures were used (experiment I – group ST), while in the second tissue adhesive was used (experiment II – group GT). Following the procedure, the fish were kept for 42 days in a recirculating system. Differences in growth and condition parameters were only noted in the first week of the experiment. Specimens from group GT had lower values for DGR (daily growth rate) and SGR (specific growth rate), but a higher value for FCR (feed conversion ratio) values. For the hematological parameters, lower values of MCV (mean corpuscular volume) and PLT (blood platelets) were noted in group GT, while for the biochemical parameters, lowered ALP (alkaline phosphatase) activity and Mg (magnesium) concentrations were noted in group ST. In group ST, 33.3% of the specimens loss their tags, while in group GT 77.8% did so. Differences in incision healing were only noted in the second week, when specimens in group ST were observed to have fully closed incisions, while in group GT 50% of the incisions were open. Despite the high percentage of implantation incision healing in both groups, because of the high values of tag loss rate, neither method can be recommended for perch. It might be more effective to use tag with external antennae in this species. The method use for closing implantation incisions also must be improved to eliminate tag shedding.

Impact of sex and diet on hematological and blood plasma biochemical profiles and liver histology of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca (L.))

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the impact of diet and sex on the hematological and blood plasma biochemical profiles and the liver histology of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.) reared in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) (initial mean body weight (BW) 1.35 kg). The proximate composition of the two commercial feeds used were (protein/lipid/nitrogen-free extracts) (P/L/NFE)) P505/L118/NFE294 g kg−1 (group I) and P471/L141/NFE290 g kg−1 (group II). Neither diet nor sex had a significant impact on final fish body weight (≈ 2.0 kg). Sex was noted to significantly impact glucose content (Glu – higher in males) and cholesterol (Chol – higher in females) in the blood plasma. Diet was confirmed to have a significant impact on levels of hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and the values of these indicators were higher in group I. Sex had a significant impact on Ht, Hb, MCH, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), with higher values in male pikeperch. Diet and sex had significant impacts on the values of the pikeperch hepatosomatic index (HSI), hepatocyte size and that of their nuclei, and the values of the nucleocytoplasmic index (NCI).

Tagging juvenile European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) with passive integrated transponders (PIT) – impact on growth, condition, and physiological indexes

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the impact of intramuscular tagging with passive integrated transponders (PIT tags) on the basic condition and hematological and biochemical indexes of the blood plasma of juvenile European perch (initial body weight of approximately 80 g). Throughout the observation period, i.e., for 42 days following PIT implantation, the procedure was not noted to have had a negative impact on fish growth, condition, or feed conversion ratio. The blood plasma biochemical indicators analyzed did not differ statistically significantly between the fish tagged with PIT and the untagged control group. No significant impact from this procedure was noted in the hematological indexes tested. Only with regard to the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) parameter was the value significantly lower in the fish tagged with PIT than in the control group (P ≤ 0.05). The difference determined was 1.40 pg (28.78 vs. 30.18). The MCH level in the fish tagged with PIT most probably was within the norm for this species. High tag retention (100%) and the lack of any significant impact on condition or hematological and biochemical indexes (with the exception of MCH) permits recommending this tagging method for use in juvenile perch.

Impaired gonadal development in the sea trout (Salmo trutta) x Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) F1 hybrid females

Abstract Despite large karyotype differences between parental species, the hybrid progeny of the sea trout (Salmo trutta) females (2n = 80, FN = 100) and the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) males (2n = 58, FN = 74) may be viable and even fertile. As hybrids would pose threat to natural populations of parental species through backcrossing, gonadal development in the sea trout × Atlantic salmon hybrids has been studied in the present work. Moreover, cytogenetic investigation was performed to identify any changes in the number and structure of chromosomes that may affect gonadal differentiation and gamete production in the hybrid progeny. Eight males, two intersex individuals and one female were described among the two-year-old hybrids. Some of the hybrid males were already spermiating during the study. Predominance of the testicular component in the gonads was observed in both intersex individuals. Prevalence of males and the presence of intersex individuals together with only one female may suggest disturbances in the gonadal development only in females. Homogeneity of the chromosome number (69) and the chromosome arm number (87) in the hybrid individuals analyzed in this study suggests that unpaired chromosomes disturbed the development of ovaries but not testes.