Hematology and plasma chemistry reference intervals for cultured shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum).
BACKGROUND
The shortnose sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum, is an imperiled species distributed along the Atlantic coast of North America. Interest in replenishing wild stocks with hatchery-reared fish has created a need for accurate hematologic and biochemical reference intervals to evaluate the health of both fish raised in aquaculture systems and fish in the wild.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to generate hematologic and biochemistry reference intervals for healthy shortnose sturgeon.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected in heparinized tubes from 77 shortnose sturgeon raised in flow-through aquaculture systems. Whole blood and plasma samples were analyzed for hematologic and biochemical variables using standard techniques. Reference intervals were calculated as the central 95% (percentile) of data.


RESULTS
Hematologic reference intervals (n = 46) were as follows: PCV 26-46%, hemoglobin 5.7-8.7 g/dL, MCV 307-520 fL, MCH 65.9-107.1 pg, MCHC 15-30 g/dL, plasma proteins (refractometry) 2.8-6.0 g/dL, RBC count 0.65-1.09 x 10(6)/microL, total WBC count 28,376-90,789/microL, small lymphocytes 9063-56,656/microL, large lymphocytes 2122-10,435/microL, neutrophils 3758-33,592/microL, monocytes 0-7137/microL, eosinophils 0-1544/microL, thrombocyte-like cells 6863-23,046/microL, thrombocytes 32,205-122,179/microL, and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio 0.068-1.026. Plasma chemistry reference intervals (n = 77) were as follows: total protein 2.7-5.3 g/dL, albumin 0.8-1.7 g/dL, globulins 1.8-3.7 mg/dL, creatinine 0-1.4 mg/dL, total bilirubin 0-0.1 mg/dL, alkaline phosphatase 47-497 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase 90-311 U/L, sodium 124-141 mmol/L, potassium 2.9-3.7 mmol/L, chloride 106-121 mmol/L, calcium 6.6-12.1 mg/dL, magnesium 1.6-2.3 mg/dL, phosphorus 5.1-8.1 mg/dL, glucose 37-74 mg/dL, cholesterol 42-133 mg/dL, and osmolality 232-289 mOsm/kg.


CONCLUSIONS
Reference values reported here will be useful for the early detection, identification, and monitoring of disease and sublethal conditions in cultured shortnose sturgeon.
Knowles
Susan
S
Aquatic Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA. stsmith7@vt.edu
Hrubec
Terry C
TC
Smith
Stephen A
SA
Bakal
Robert S
RS
D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology; D005399:Fishes / Q000097:blood*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology; D012016:Reference Values