Comparative study of the circulatory system of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) and beluga (Huso huso Linnaeus, 1758): a corrosion cast study

Abstract

The present work is the comparative study of the circulatory system in common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) and beluga (Huso huso Linnaeus, 1758) with emphasis on the heart and main blood vessels, employing the corrosion cast methodology. A thorough comparative study of the circulation system would be useful for further anatomical, physiological and pathological studies. Ten 3000 g H. huso and ten 2000 g C. carpio from a commercial fish farm were kept at 18 and 24°C, respectively, and fed commercial food. For the experiment, fish were anaesthetized then killed using an overdose of benzocain solution in ethanol; subsequent attempts were made to fill the heart and blood vessels with artificial resin fluid made on the basis of methylmetacrylate. The specimens were submerged in a waterbath (20–24°C) until polymerization of the methylmetacrylate was complete. The maceration stage was performed in a 25% solution of KOH for 24–48 h to dissolve the surrounding tissues. Finally, various parts of the heart and blood vessels were retained in their natural positions, thereby demonstrating the anatomical details of the circulatory system. The main elements such as the sinus venosus, atrium, ventricle, bulbus and conus arteriosus, dorsal aorta, subclavian artery, coelo-mesentric artery, renal artery, caudal aorta, hepatic vein, common cardinal vein and related smaller vessels were visualized to the extent that these elements could be used to represent the similarities and variations between different species in comparative anatomy but also as a description of the normal features. These can be compared to pathological situations in fish disease studies, as both species are important aquaculture candidates.