Assessment of blood chemistry reference values for cultured sturgeon hybrids (Acipenser naccarii female × Acipenser baerii male)

Abstract

Summary Blood chemistry profiles of cultured sturgeon hybrids Acipenser naccarii female × Acipenser baerii male were assessed in order to acquire basic data for evaluating fish health status on-farm. Sixty healthy fish (11.0 ± 3.2 Kg weight; 117.8 ± 8.6 cm total length) were randomly captured from 600 m3 concrete tanks and sampled from April to June. Blood samples were analyzed for the following 22 biochemical parameters using standard clinical methods: cortisol, glucose, lactate, non esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, creatinine, urea, total bilirubin, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride. Biochemical values were found to be consistent with data from the parental species A. naccarii. Cortisol, cholesterol, albumin, urea, total bilirubin, CK, LDH and magnesium were significantly affected by sampling time and the differences are probably related to sexual maturation of the fish. Blood chemistry analyses afforded an accurate evaluation of sturgeons’ health status, also providing information on their reproductive conditions. Evidence resulting from cortisol and lactate values indicated that pre-sampling operations, including capture and confinement of these large-sized fish, must be carefully managed in order to minimize handling stress. This study provides knowledge on blood chemistry of hybrid sturgeon A. naccarii × A. baerii and the results corroborate the validity of the test panel performed in evaluating the physiological functions of sturgeons. Reference values for 22 biochemical parameters were identified for the purpose of evaluating health and welfare in cultured sturgeons.