COMPARISON OF HEMATOLOGIC REFERENCE INTERVALS BETWEEN CULTURE SYSTEM AND TYPE OF HYBRID STRIPED BASS

Objective-To determine and compare hematologic reference intervals for hybrid striped bass from different culture systems and for 2 types of hybrid. Design-Observational comparison study. Animals-Clinically nor mal sunshine bass (reciprocal hybrid striped bass, female Morone chrys ops x male M saxatilis) raised in high-density recirculating systems, sunshine bass raised in tanks with biofilters, and palmetto bass (orig inal hybrid striped bass, female M saxatilis x male M chrysops) raised in tanks with biofilters. Procedure-Hematologic reference intervals w ere determined for fish from the different production systems, followi ng the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines . Reference intervals from the 3 groups were compared. Results-Referen ce intervals were significantly different between sunshine bass in the 2 culture systems and between sunshine and palmetto bass. Many of the differences were slight, but notable differences were observed. Sunsh ine bass in recirculating systems had higher total leukocyte, lymphocy te, neutrophil, and monocyte counts than did either hybrid in tanks. P almetto bass had a greater number of neutrophils than monocytes, where as sunshine bass had more monocytes than neutrophils. Additionally, pa lmetto bass had a lower PCV and hemoglobin value than did either group of sunshine bass. Conclusions-Separate reference intervals should be developed for hybrid striped bass in different culture systems and for different types of hybrids. Clinical Relevance-Determining reference intervals for hybrid striped bass provides a tool to assess the health status of these fish.