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The first record of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis, Salmonidae) blood cell characteristics and hematological profile: the influence of fish sex on leukocyte count

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Abstract

Hematological parameters of fish are useful for diagnosing pathophysiological conditions associated with metabolic perturbations in fish and therefore act as a non-specific biomarker of acute and chronic stress in the natural habitat and in aquaculture. Salmonid fish are of great importance in aquaculture; however, hematological studies of these species are scarce. This study presents the first set of data for the complete hematological profile of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis, Salmonidae). In total, seven blood cell types were identified and their characterization, range, size/surface area, and the leukocyte differential count are presented. Large numbers of immature erythrocytes and two subtypes of thrombocytes (round and prolate) were present in blood. Lymphocytes were the dominant leukocytes, followed by segmented neutrophils. Total leukocyte and segmented neutrophil counts were higher in the blood of male than female fish (P < 0.05). Here we describe, for the first time, basophilic cells in salmonid fish species. Blood cell types present in brook trout were similar to mammalian blood cells, but their morphology, number, size, and subtypes were unique to this fish species. The established reference model indicates differences in comparison with the cyprinid fish. The hematological profile described in this study will serve as an important model for examining comparative physiology of blood cells in other salmonid fish and will provide useful diagnostic criteria in aquaculture for the detection and mitigation of different pathological outcomes.

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  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 33-35, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Damir Suljević & Maja Mitrašinović-Brulić

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  1. Damir Suljević
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  2. Maja Mitrašinović-Brulić
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Correspondence to Damir Suljević.

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Suljević, D., Mitrašinović-Brulić, M. The first record of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis, Salmonidae) blood cell characteristics and hematological profile: the influence of fish sex on leukocyte count. Aquacult Int 28, 2505–2516 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-020-00603-3

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