Sex variation in hematological and serum biochemical parameters of cultured Chinese silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Abstract

Hematological parameters are essential for the evaluation of both physiological and pathological changes developed in fishes due to the involvement of endogenous and exogenous factors. Among the endogenous factors, sex plays a significant role in determining the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of fish. The aim of the present study was to obtain a basic knowledge about the variation in hematological and serum biochemical parameters of cultured silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix with respect to sex. In order to establish the information, a blood sample was collected from the fishes from March to June 2018 and were analyzed by using standard techniques. Hematological parameters such as hemoglobin concentration (Hb), total red blood (RBC), total white blood cell (WBC) counts, hematocrit value (Hct), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were estimated. Hb and Hct were analyzed by using cyanmethemoglobin and microhaematocrit methods, while total RBC and WBC counts were obtained by using the Neubauer hemocytometer. The biochemical parameters total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were analyzed by means of commercial kits. Data were subjected to statistical analysis which revealed that significant (P 0.05) differences were noted in ESR, MCH, MCHC and MCV values between the sexes. Likewise, no significant (P > 0.05) difference was recorded in serum biochemical parameter values in both male and female fish. Significantly (P < 0.05), higher values of AST were recorded in female fish compared to male fish. The information generated in the present study provides a basic reference value of hematological and biochemical parameters of this species, which will be useful in monitoring the health status of fish under captivity in order to increase overall production of this species.