Evaluation of a point-of-care blood analyzer and determination of reference ranges for blood parameters in rockfish.
OBJECTIVE
To compare values of blood parameters in rockfish obtained by use of a point-of-care portable blood analyzer with values determined by a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, calculate reference ranges for various blood parameters in black rockfish, and compare values of blood parameters in clinically normal fish with those of fish with clinical abnormalities.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
41 captive adult black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) and 4 captive adult blue rockfish (Sebastes mystinus).


METHODS
Rockfish were anesthetized with tricaine methanesulfonate for collection of blood samples. Heparinized blood samples were immediately analyzed with a point-of-care analyzer. Blood sodium, potassium, chloride, urea nitrogen, and glucose concentrations; Hct; pH; partial pressure of carbon dioxide; total carbon dioxide concentration; bicarbonate concentration; base excess; and hemoglobin concentration were determined. A microhematocrit technique was used to determine PCV, and a refractometer was used to estimate total plasma protein concentration. Paired heparinized blood samples were transported to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory for analyses.


RESULTS
Data obtained with the point-of-care analyzer were reproducible; however, values for most blood parameters were significantly different from those obtained by the veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Fish with poor body condition had several blood parameter values that were lower than corresponding values in clinically normal fish.


CONCLUSIONS
Point-of-care blood analyses may prove useful in rockfish. Point-of-care data for a large number of clinically normal fish must be obtained for reference ranges to be calculated, and further assessments of clinically abnormal fish are necessary to determine the relevance of the data.
Harrenstien
Lisa A
LA
Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221, USA.
Tornquist
Susan J
SJ
Miller-Morgan
Timothy J
TJ
Fodness
Brian G
BG
Clifford
Kevin E
KE
D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000662:veterinary; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005399:Fishes / Q000097:blood*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity