Determination of hematology and plasma chemistry reference intervals for 3 populations of captive Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus)

Abstract

Background The imperiled status of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus), a large, long‐lived, anadromous fish found along the Atlantic coast of North America, has prompted efforts at captive propagation for research and stock enhancement. Objective The purpose of this study was to establish hematology and plasma chemistry reference intervals of captive Atlantic sturgeon maintained under different culture conditions. Methods Blood specimens were collected from a total of 119 fish at 3 hatcheries: Lamar, PA (n = 36, ages 10–14 years); Chalk Point, MD (n = 40, siblings of Lamar); and Horn Point, Cambridge, MD (n = 43, mixed population from Chesapeake Bay). Reference intervals (using robust techniques), median, mean, and standard deviations were determined for WBC, RBC, thrombocytes, PCV, HGB, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and absolute counts for lymphocytes (L), neutrophils (N), monocytes, and eosinophils. Chemistry analytes included concentrations of total proteins, albumin, glucose, urea, calcium, phosphate, sodium, potassium, chloride, and globulins, AST, CK, and LDH activities, and osmolality. Results Mean concentrations of total proteins, albumin, and glucose were at or below the analytic range. Statistical comparisons showed significant differences among hatcheries for each remaining plasma chemistry analyte and for PCV, RBC, MCHC, MCH, eosinophil and monocyte counts, and N:L ratio throughout all 3 groups. Therefore, reference intervals were calculated separately for each population. Conclusions Reference intervals for fish maintained under differing conditions should be established per population.

The Iconic Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara): A Comprehensive Assessment of Health Indices in the Southeastern United States Population

“…However, these diagnostic procedures are less frequently utilized in fishes compared to other vertebrate species, whether mammalian or not (9,10). Baseline health studies in fishes have primarily focused on aquaculture species, including salmon [Salmo salar, (11)], tilapia [Oreochromis sp., (12)], sturgeon [Acipenser spp., (13,14)], and seabass [Dicentrarchus labrax, (9)]. Reports of hematological and biochemical blood analytes are much less common for wild teleosts and elasmobranchs (15)(16)(17)(18)(19).…”

Sex-specific reference intervals of hematologic and biochemical analytes in Sprague-Dawley rats using the nonparametric rank percentile method

“…Several recent studies determined hematology and biochemistry reference intervals in Wistar rats [ 14 ], C57BL/6J mice [ 15 , 16 ], Pine voles [ 17 ], Monkeys [ 18 ], Long-tailed macaques [ 19 ], Straw-colored fruit bats [ 20 ] and Atlantic sturgeon [ 21 ]. Despite different reference values for Sprague-Dawley rats have been provided in some studies [ 5 , 6 , 9 , 22 ].…”

Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbra Pallas, 1814) plasma biochemistry and hematology reference intervals including blood cell morphology

“…Similarly, previous studies in sablefish describe that tank design and water temperature can influence survival, anatomical deformities, meat quality, and ovarian development (5–7). Moreover, studies found that blood values in sturgeon can differ among different hatcheries (19). Stress is reported to alter the fish’s ability for osmoregulation, which will affect electrolyte concentrations in the blood, often resulting in chloride loss and high glucose values (48,49).…”