Hematological and serum biochemical parameters of five freshwater snow trout fish species from river Jhelum of Kashmir Himalaya, India

Abstract

Fish blood is a pathophysiological indicator of the whole body function and is thus considered as an important tool in diagnosing the structural and functional status of fish. However, the blood parameters vary between species to species and it mainly depends upon the favorable environmental conditions where the species live. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the hematological and serum biochemical indices of five Schizothorax species: Schizothorax labiatus, S. plagiostomus, S. esocinus, S. curvifrons and S. niger in order to establish the resemblances and variations between these Schizothorax species which are inhabiting in river Jhelum. The hematological profile including hemoglobin (Hb), total red blood cell (RBC) count, hematocrit (Hct), white blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and erythrocyte indices: mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was analyzed from each Schizothorax sp. Statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in blood parameters among five Schizothorax spp. The results showed lowest values of hematological parameters in S. niger with respect to other species, while the highest values of hematological parameters were recorded in S. plagiostomus. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in serum biochemical levels of glucose, protein, cholesterol and urea were also noted in Schizothorax spp. The differences found in the hematological profile and serum biochemical composition in these fishes can be attributed to the individual feeding behavior, tolerance and environmentally adjustable capability of the fish. However, further study is required to correlate the present study with some other parameters such as the nutrient status of the river Jhelum where these fishes live.

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