Serum Biochemistry Reference Intervals of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> Farmed in Earthen Pond Systems in the Southern Guinea Savanna Agro-Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The monitoring of health in fish farms partly relies on the availability of exact serum biochemistry reference intervals as these data provides a base for the interpretation of tests to assess health status. Serum biochemistry reference intervals for Clarias gariepinus cultured in earthen pond system was established following evaluations of two hundred and forty healthy fish sampled across eight farms. The S.B.R.I were: Total protein 31.22-42.11 g/dl in juveniles and 38.96-43.57 g/dl in adults; Albumin 6.72-10.21 g/dl in juveniles and 6.25-8.93 g/dl in adults; Globulin 8.39-50.83 in juveniles and 24.23-33.64 g/dl in adults; Alanine aminotransferase 12.55-23.65 IU/L in juveniles and 7.35-13.72 IU/L in adults; Aspartate aminotransferase 90.62-121.64 IU/L in juveniles and 83.41-101.62 IU/L in adults; Glucose 17.04-26.22 mg/dl in juveniles and 10.17-48.93 mg/dl in adults; Cholesterol 91.09-101.24 mg/dl in juveniles and 91.40-155.87 mg/dl in adults; HDL-cholesterol 9.17-29.01 mg/dl in juveniles and 19.27-29.01 mg/dl in adults. Other results include Lactate dehydrogenase 28.06-54.03 mg/dl in juveniles and Urea 1.96-4.11 mg/dl in juvenile fish. These data will serve as a tool for the monitoring of health and nutritional condition of Clarias gariepinus farmed in ponds at the Southern Guinea Savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria.