Considerations of blood parameters of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides

To evaluate physiological stress resulting from environmental influences, a haematological study of a natural population of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides , was undertaken to establish a 'normal' blood profile. Several parameters including haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, erythrocyte count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, plasma protein concentration and glucose levels were investigated. Haematocrit, haemoglobin, and total plasma protein were positively correlated with fish length. Haemoglobin and haematocrit were positively correlated with fish age while mean corpuscular haemoglobin, concentration was negatively correlated with fish age. Both haemoglobin and haematocrit values were related to erythrocyte counts.     

Haematological changes in fish following aerial spraying with endosulfan insecticide for testse fly control in Botswana

Endosulfan, an insecticide highly toxic to fish, is currently applied from the air for tsetse fly control in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Although dosages are very ow (6–12 g a.i. ha⁻¹), they cause some fish mortality and affects the behaviour of survivors. In order to determine how quickly fish recover from sublethal poisoning, four haematological characteristics (erythrocyte count, leucocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and plasma protein concentration) were monitored in several species during and after six sequential applications of endosulfan (July–October 1978). In all cases, blood cel counts were significantly elevated during spraying (by up to a factor of four), while plasma protein levels were often disturbed. Total haemogobin (Hb) did not change, but the mean weight of Hb per erythrocyte declined significantly in Tilapia spp. from 59 to 39 pg. Im most instances these quantities began returning to normal before spraying ceased and reached prespray levels within six months.     

Relationships between hemorheology, erythrocyte metabolism, and von willebrand factor in athletes and patients with peripheral arterial disease

The relationship between hemorheology, erythrocyte ATP and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) concentrations, and von Willebrand factor antigen was studied in athletes and peripheral arterial disease patients. Lower blood viscosity, mainly due to a higher erythrocyte deformability, was found in athletes compared to control subjects. Higher 2,3-DPG/Ht levels in athletes were correlated with blood viscosity, erythrocyte deformability, the rigidity index, and erythrocyte suspension viscosity at low shear stress. It is suggested that these relationships might be determined by the predominance of immature erythrocytes in the blood circulation of the athletes. In the group of patients, a decrease in ATP/Ht was related to increased erythrocyte aggregation and a higher erythrocyte suspension viscosity. Moreover, the concentration of von Willebrand factor was positively correlated with the erythrocyte aggregation index, erythrocyte suspension viscosity, and plasma viscosity. The results show that alterations in erythrocyte and plasma rheology may be involved in the modification of the functional state of the vascular endothelium and the development of atherosclerosis.     

Superoxide anion generation, erythrocytes superoxide dismutase activity, and lipid peroxidation during hemoperfusion and hemodialysis in chronic uremic patients

In 11 chronic uremic patients superoxide anion generation in whole blood, both without and with opsonized zymosan stimulation, was lower than that in 11 healthy controls, while erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) activity and erythrocyte and plasma malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were elevated. During hemoperfusion (HP) and hemodialysis (HD) superoxide anion generation transiently significantly increased. Changes in the erythrocyte SOD-1 activity and plasma and erythrocyte MDA concentrations during HP suggested that this procedure exerted beneficial effects on lipid peroxidation. On the other hand, during HD erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation seemed to be enhanced even further; this phenomenon took place mainly within the dialyzer and a decrease in the erythrocyte SOD-1 activity seemed to be one of the contributing factors. Results of in vitro experiments with cross-incubation of erythrocytes and blood plasma and incubation of whole blood with cuprophan membrane suggest existence of an SOD-1 activator in the uremic blood plasma, which is possibly eliminated during HD.     

Primary and secondary stress responses to line capture in the blue mao mao

Primary and secondary stress responses were measured in wild Scorpis violaceus subjected to burst swimming from angling. Fish were blood sampled from 20 s to 30 min after hooking. Consequent rises in plasma adrenaline (14–316 nmol l⁻¹), noradrenaline (25–345 nmol l⁻¹), and cortisol (0.4–197 ng ml⁻¹) correlated with time since capture, and plasma lactate (0.1–12.2 mmol l⁻¹) reflected work done during intense exercise. Haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit also increased with exercise, and erythrocyte swelling occurred. Wild S. violaceus demonstrated a spontaneity and intensity of exercise not seen in fish acclimatized to aquarium conditions. By contrast, the stress responses of fish in captivity, despite careful husbandry, differed qualitatively and quantitatively from those in the wild. Cannulated fish had higher resting plasma cortisol concentrations (61.9±9.5 ng ml⁻¹) than did rapidly caught wild fish (<5 ng ml⁻¹) and these values were not significantly changed with burst swimming. Catecholamine secretion, possibly suppressed by cortisol, was insufficient to cause erythrocyte swelling. Erythrocyte nucleotides do not play a role in exercise, but are elevated in captive fish. It is hypothesized that primary endocrine responses are triggered by higher cortical processing of sensory information which is fundamentally different in the natural environment.     

Dietary carbohydrate/lipid ratios affect stress, oxidative status and non-specific immune responses of fingerling blunt snout bream, Megalobrama amblycephala

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary carbohydrate/lipid (CHO:L) ratios on stress, liver oxidative status and non-specific immune responses of fingerling blunt snout bream. Fish were fed six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing various CHO:L ratios for 10 weeks. After the feeding trial, fish were challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila and survival rate was recorded for the next 10 days. The lowest plasma cortisol, lactate, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were all observed in fish fed a CHO:L ratio of 5.64. They were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of fish offered the lowest CHO:L ratio, but showed little difference (P > 0.05) with those of fish fed the highest CHO:L ratio. This also held true for liver catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities, whereas the opposite was true for liver reduced glutathione contents, plasma lysozyme and alternative complement (ACH50) activities. Contrary to leucocyte counts, plasma glucose levels, liver malondialdehyde contents, blood haemoglobin contents and erythrocyte numbers all increased significantly (P < 0.05) with decreasing dietary CHO:L ratios. The highest plasma total protein and globulin content both observed in fish fed a CHO:L ratio of 2.45 was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than that of fish offered the lowest CHO:L ratio, but showed no statistical difference (P > 0.05) with that of the other groups. After challenge, fish fed the lowest CHO:L ratio obtained significantly (P < 0.05) low survival rate. However, survival rate showed little difference (P > 0.05) as dietary CHO:L ratios ranged from 3.67 to 24.20. The results of this study indicated that high dietary lipid may cause metabolic stress of fingerling blunt snout bream, as might consequently lead to the elevated liver oxidation rates, impaired liver function, depressed immunity and reduced resistance to A. hydrophila infection of this species, whereas the opposite was true for carbohydrate enriched diets.     

The haematological assessment of bacterial infection in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

The pH, pCO2 and pO2 values for diseased fish did not differ significantly from those values for healthy fish, but fish treated with terramycin showed a highly significant rise in pCO2 with a corresponding fall in pO2. Haematocrit values, as well as haemoglobin and total plasma protein concentrations were significantly lower in diseased fish while treated fish showed a significant rise in total plasma protein. Glucose concentrations fell very significantly in diseased fish and showed a significant increase in treated fish.
The plasma electrolytes, sodium, potassium and chloride, were significantly reduced in diseased fish and potassium levels also fell in treated fish. Diseased fish showed very significantly reduced erythrocyte counts. Of the three parameters MCV, MCH and MCHC, only the values for MCH in diseased fish differed significantly from those for healthy fish.     

Peculiarities of the phospholipid and fatty acid composition of erythrocyte plasma membranes of the black sea fish

The phospholipid and the fatty acid composition of the main phospholipid families of erythrocyte plasma membranes was studied in two species of cartilaginous fish: the common thrasher (Raja clavata L.) and the common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca) and in three bony fish species: the scorpion fish (Scorpaena porcus L.), the smarida (Spicara flexuosa Raf.), and the horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus Aleev). It was shown that in the studied fish, 70.0–80.0% of all membrane phospholipids were composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Phosphatidylserine, monophosphoinositide, and sphingomyelin were minor components whose content in the erythrocyte membrane fluctuated from 3.0% to 13.0%. The fatty acid phospholipids composition was represented by a large specter of acids. From saturated acids, basic for plasma membranes are palmitic (C16: 0) and stearic (C18: 0) acids. From unsaturated acids, the larger part belongs to mono-, tetra-, penta-, and hexaenoic acids in fish phospholipids. The calculation of the double bond index and of the unsaturation coefficient showed difference in the deformation ability of erythrocyte membranes of the studied fish.     

Blood dyscrasia in a teleost, Colisa fasdatus after acute exposure to sublethal concentrations of lead

Colisa fasciatus , a freshwater teleost, were exposed for 90-h to 15 mg l⁻¹ (0.79 of the96-h LC₅₀ value) lead nitrate under static test conditions. The treatment resulted in decreased ( P≤ 0.001) erythrocyte counts, haematocrits and haemoglobin contents of the moribund fish. Toxicity of the metal was also characterized by significant ( P <0.001) acceleration in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, numerical increase in the number of immature erythrocytes in circulation, lysis and degeneration of erythrocytes, and an increase in the hepatosomatic index. Leucocyte and thrombocyte counts, the number of lymphocytes, and blood clotting times were not significantly different between experimental and control fish. Haemolytic anaemia and an overt increase of circulating immature erythrocytes can be used in monitoring lead poisoning in fish.     

Hematology and recovery response in jacundá, Crenicichla saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1758) after short‐term handling stress

The objective of this study was to evaluate the hematological response of ringtail pike cichlid ornamental fish (Crenicichla saxatilis) during the recovery period after short‐term stress. The fish were previously submitted to the stress of chasing, capture and air exposure. Assayed were 24 C. saxatilis (85.2 ± 61.6 g) in three groups of eight fish; after 0.5, 6 and 24 h recovery, blood samples were collected. The total erythrocyte, relative thrombocyte and differential leukocyte counts as well as total hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, total plasma protein and the red blood cells (RBC) indices of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and MCH concentration (MCHC) were determined. Stress responses were observed after 0.5 h, although hyperglycemia remained constant during the experiment. Total lymphocyte and hemoglobin values decreased after 0.5 h in the recovery period. An increase of neutrophils and monocytosis was observed after 0.5 and 6 h, respectively. The MCHC remained stable until after 0.5 h, then varied from this time forward. MCV, MCH and erythrocyte numbers oscillated throughout the experiment. Intense stress was observed in the studied C. saxatilis, with most hematological variables not returning to their initial levels after 24 h.     

Cooperation of erythrocytes with leukocytes in immune response of a teleost <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oplegnathus fasciatus</Emphasis>

The most abundant cell type in the blood of mammals and fish is erythrocyte. Unlike mammalian erythrocyte, fish erythrocyte is nucleated. The functional differentiation of teleost erythrocyte is insufficient compared with that of mammals. Therefore, fish erythrocyte may have different functions from that of mammals. Functional interaction between erythrocyte and leukocyte was confirmed by the cDNA microarray newly constructed in this study to investigate characterization of rock bream erythrocyte. In this study, different immune related genes of erythrocytes were annotated by microarray analysis. Microarray analysis showed that a total of 338 genes were up-regulated in co-cultured erythrocytes with leukocytes by LPS stimulation when comparing to erythrocytes stimulated LPS. Many genes in erythrocyte of rock bream were up-regulated in presence of leukocytes, suggesting that erythrocytes interact with leukocytes to trigger expression of various genes associated with the immune system. Our results provide valuable information that direct and indirect immunological function of fish erythrocyte.     

Fish oil supplementation in pregnancy lowers F2-isoprostanes in neonates at high risk of atopy

The anti-inflammatory properties of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have suggested a potential role of these nutrients in dietary modification for prevention of allergic disease in early life. As oxidative stress is known to modify antigen presenting cell (APC) signalling and resulting immune responses, we examined the effects of maternal n-3 PUFA supplementation in pregnancy on markers of oxidative stress and APC function in neonates at high risk of allergy. Eighty-three pregnant atopic women were randomised to receive 4 g daily of either fish oil (n = 40) or olive oil (n = 43) capsules in a controlled trial from 20 weeks gestation until delivery. Plasma (cord blood) and urinary F2-isoprostanes were measured as markers of lipid peroxidation. Cord erythrocyte fatty acids and markers of APC function (HLA-DR expression and cytokine responses) were measured and related to levels of plasma F2-isoprostanes. Maternal fish oil supplementation lowered plasma (p < 0.0001) and urinary (p = 0.06) F2-isoprostanes. HLA-DR expression on APC was not different between the groups. In multiple regression analysis, 28.8% of the variance in plasma F2-isoprostanes was explained by positive relationships with erythrocyte arachidonic acid (AA) and monocyte HLA-DR expression and a negative relationship with erythrocyte eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This study shows that maternal supplementation with fish oil can attenuate neonatal lipid peroxidation. Clinical follow-up of these infants will help to determine if there are sustained effects on postnatal oxidative stress and expression of allergic disease.     

The effects of handling procedures,breed differences and treatment with lithium and dexamethasone on some blood parameters in sheep

Fifteen aged Merino and 15 aged Border Leicester ewes each divided into 3 groups of 5 for infusion with lithium chloride, lithium chloride plus dexamethasone and normal saline, and then subjected to 3 jugular venous blood samplings, 1 h apart, in a 3 × 3 × 2 experimental design involving times × treatments × breeds.The blood samples were examined for packed cell volumes, plasma and erythrocyte sodium and potassium concentrations, and plasma calcium concentrations.There were significant changes in packed cell volumes (PCV) 39 v. 30%; 39 v. 31%), plasma sodium concentrations (151 v. 149 mmol l⁻¹; 151 v. 148 mmol l⁻¹) and plasma potassium concentrations (5.3 v. 4.6 mmol l⁻¹; 5.3 v. 4.7 mmol l⁻¹) between Times 0 and 1 and between Times 0 and 2, respectively. There were no significant changes in plasma calcium or erythrocyte sodium or potassium concentrations associated with times. The evidence suggests that the times-effects were caused by different methods of handling the sheep immediately prior to each blood sampling, and this is discussed. The fall in PCV was greater than that recorded by other authors.There were highly significant (P < 0.01) breed differences in PCV (36 v. 31%), plasma calcium concentrations (2.0 v. 2.2 mmol l⁻¹) and erythrocyte potassium concentrations (10.1 v. 15.0 mmol l⁻¹) for Merino and Border Leicester ewes, respectively. There were no significant breed differences in plasma potassium or erythrocyte sodium concentrations.The mean plasma potassium concentration of 5.08 mmol l⁻¹ for the lithium-treated sheep was significantly higher than the means of 4.67 and 4.77 mmol l⁻¹ for lithium plus dexamethasone and saline-treated groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between the latter two means, and there were no significant treatment effects for any of the other blood constituents.     

Peculiarities of the phospholipid and fatty acid composition of erythrocyte plasma membranes of the Black Sea fish

The phospholipid and the fatty acid composition of the main phospholipids families of erythrocyte plasma membranes was studied in two species of cartilaginous fish: the common thrasher (Raja clavata L.) and the common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca) and three bony fish species: the scorpion fish (Scorpaena porcus L.), the smarida (Spicara flexuosa Raf.), and the horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus Aleev). It was shown that in the studied fish, 70.0-80.0 % of all membrane phospholipids were composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Phosphatidylserine, monophosphoinositide, and sphingomyelin were minor components whose content in the erythrocyte membrane fluctuated from 3.0 % to 13.0 %. The fatty acid phospholipids composition was represented by a large specter of acids. From saturated acids, basic for plasma membranes are palmitic (C16: 0) and stearic (C18: 0) acids. From unsaturated acids, the larger part belong to mono-, tetra-, penta-, and hexaenoic acids in fish phospholipids. The calculation of the double bond index and of the unsaturation coefficient showed difference in the deformation ability of erythrocyte membranes of the studied fish.     

Age-related changes of dietary intake and blood eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid levels in Japanese men and women

We studied the relationship between dietary intake and the blood compositions of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) in four study groups with different ages and sexes. One hundred and four subjects were recruited. Dietary records together with photographic records from 28 consecutive days were amassed and the fatty acid composition in erythrocyte membranes and plasma lipid fractions was analyzed. Fish intake in the elderly group was significantly higher than that in the young group in both men and women. The compositions of ARA in erythrocytes and plasma phospholipids in the elderly were lower than those in the young, but the ARA intake was nearly identical. In the elderly group, the percentage of dietary ARA consumed at the same time as EPA and DHA derived from fish was high. We considered that these fatty acids markedly inhibited the incorporation of dietary ARA into blood phospholipids.     

Some blood parameters of the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson)

Fifty rainbow trout of the Kamloops strain were examined for 12 haematological parameters: erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocyte count, erythrocyte diameters, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count, plasma total protein and plasma glucose concentration. The fish had been held under known environmental and dietetic conditions, and at the time of sampling were 14 months old. The majority of results for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocyte count, erythrocyte diameters, total protein and differential leukocyte count fell within narrow ranges. The total leukocyte counts and glucose levels were more widely spread. The results are discussed and compared with those already published for Idaho and Shasta strains. It is impossible to say whether the differences that were observed between Kamloops and these other varieties were due to strain alone, since other variables were present. Some problems associated with establishing normal ranges for these parameters in fish are discussed.     

The effect of chlorine toxicity on certain blood parameters of adult rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Synopsis In an effort to assess the mode of chlorine action on rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), hematocrit percentage, and hemoglobin, methemoglobin, reduced glutathione, plasma protein, and plasma hemoglobin concentrations were determined in four tests in which duplicate groups of approximately 15 fish each were exposed to 3.86, 2.47, 2.75, and 1.09 mg 1^–1 TRC1₂ for 8, 19, 20, and 29 minutes, respectively. Blood from fish exposed to chlorine was darker and thicker than that of the control. Chlorine seemed to diffuse readily through the gills, oxidizing the hemoglobin to methemoglobin and disrupting the erythrocyte membranes, resulting in hemolysis. Stress polycythemia was also due to the substantial increase of the hematocrit values and hemoglobin concentration. Hemoconcentration led to a significant rise in the reduced gluthathione and plasma protein concentrations. The hemoconcentration seemed to interfere with the blood circulation and hinder the delivery of oxygen to tissues.     

The role of ecto-ATPases of erythrocyte plasma membrane in hemodynamics of fishes

The review addresses varied aspects of physiological and biochemical mechanisms aimed at creating special rheological conditions for blood flow termed non-Newtonian blood properties. We conducted a comparative analysis of structural features and phospholipid repertoire of the erythrocyte plasma membranes and cytoskeleton, extracellular ATP pool, and ecto-ATPase enzymatic activity in nucleated and non-nucleated erythrocytes in vertebrates, as well as a study of thermal effects in nucleated red blood cells. Based on data from the literature and our own research, we hypothesize that the phenomenon of non-Newtonian blood properties is underlain by a decrease in the relative blood viscosity due to thermal hydrolysis of extracellular ATP that erythrocytes release onto their surface most actively under capillary deformation stress. We believe that in fishes an important role in this process may belong to erythrocyte plasma membrane ecto-ATPases. Due to a heat released during hydrolysis of extracellular ATP, the marginal blood plasma layer, adjoining the capillary wall, appears to warm up. This may modify the structure of the membrane bilayer and deform the cytoskeleton, thus providing special rheological conditions for blood flow. The heat-producing ability, that we found in fish nucleated erythrocytes, may serve an additional evidence for the existence of this mechanism.     

Erythrocyte supply from the spleen of exercised carp

• 1.1. Weight and hemoglobin content of the spleen of 3-year-old carp under the resting condition showed seasonal change, and those in male fish were larger than those in females at any season.
• 2.2. Weight of the spleen of 3-year-old fish of both sexes (examined in August and October) and immature fish (examined in September) showed a decrease of more than 50% during severe exercise for 60 min. Hemoglobin content per unit body weight of the same fish showed a decrease of more than 80% with the same exercise.
• 3.3. Hematocrit value and hemoglobin concentration of the blood elevated 41 and 25%, respectively, in the 3-year-old male fish, and 20 and 11%, respectively, in the 3-year-old females during the exercise for 60 min.
• 4.4. Fifty percent and 30% of the hematocrit elevations are considered to have been caused by erythrocyte supply from the spleen in the male and female fish, respectively, and 80% of the elevations in the fish of both sexes can be explained by erythrocyte supply, erythrocyte swelling and water shift out of the blood vessel.