Hematological parameters may provide valuable diagnostic information in assessing the sublethal toxicological effects of waterborne contaminants in fish. However, because of size limitations, the use of hematological evaluations in small fish has been restricted. In addition, only a few techniques have been reported in the literature for obtaining blood from small fish. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate a simple and rapid technique, dorsal gill incision, for collecting blood samples from small fish. Blood samples were obtained from bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus, by caudal peduncle transection and dorsal gill incision. Analysis of the coefficients of variation in whole blood parameters indicated that the variability in samples was reduced with the dorsal gill incision technique. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase levels in caudal peduncle transection samples were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) above the levels obtained by dorsal gill incision. Dorsal gill incision is proposed as an easy and rapid alternative to currently available methods for blood sampling in small fish.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Watson et al. (1989) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: