Does blood sampling from caudal vessels in fish produce parameter values different from those obtained by heart puncture?

Ivana Mikulíková,Miroslava Palíková,Hana Minářová,Ivona Toulová,Ivana Papežíková,Jana Blahová

doi:10.2754/avb202291010069

Abstract

Analyses of blood samples in ichthyology are of importance for assessment of fish health as well as fish responses to environmental stressors. The measurement results may be affected by multiple factors. This study aimed at assessment of the influence of the blood collection site by comparing dual values of indices measured in samples obtained both from the heart and puncturing caudal vessels in the same fish specimens. Our results revealed that the sampling site did not significantly influence measured variables including haematological indices, the plasma biochemistry profile, acid-base balance parameters and the phagocytic activity. To conclude, for the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) both sampling methods are interchangeable with regard to the above-mentioned indices.

Highlights

Fish blood samples are analysed for a wide range of purposes
This study aimed at assessment of the influence of the blood collection site by comparing dual values of indices measured in samples obtained both from the heart and puncturing caudal vessels in the same fish specimens
Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant differences between samples obtained by puncture of heart and caudal vessels in any tested indicator including haematological indices, plasma biochemistry profile, acid-base balance parameters and phagocytic activity (Tables 1, 2)

Summary

Introduction

Fish blood samples are analysed for a wide range of purposes. The results of analyses serve as a valuable source of information on fish health and physiology, presence and impacts of environmental stressors, and have become a useful tool for fish welfare assessment (Roche and Bogé 1996; Pikula et al 2021). A number of more or less invasive sampling techniques for blood collection from the heart, cardiac vessels, dorsal aorta, gill vessels and caudal vessels have been developed and described. These methods use cannulation or puncture of vessels and heart, gill incision and tail ablation (Ikeda et al 1985; Watson et al 1989; Lo et al 2003; Lawrence et al 2020; Salaah 2020). The aim of our study was to compare haematological indices, plasma biochemistry profile, acid-base balance parameters and phagocytic activity determined in samples obtained by puncture of caudal vessels and the heart of rainbow trout

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion