EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON HEMATOLOGIC AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PROFILES OF HYBRID STRIPED BASS (MORONE-CHRYSOPS X MORONE-SAXATILIS)

Objective-To investigate the effect of water temperature on hematologi c and biochemical analytes in hybrid striped bass. Animals-Hybrid stri ped bass (reciprocal cross: female Morone chrysops x male M saxatilis) maintained in 2,000-L tanks with undergravel filters. Procedure-Fish were acclimated to 10, 18, 24, and 29 C water for 6 weeks prior to sam ple collection. Hematologic and serum biochemical profiles were then d etermined. Values were compared among the various temperatures, and wi th reference intervals previously determined. Results-Most values were within or slightly outside the established reference intervals. The f ollowing analytes deviated notably from the reference interval: leukoc yte, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts were lower than the reference int ervals at 10 C; glucose values were lower at 10 and 18 C; calcium valu es were higher at 10 and 18 C; and total protein, albumin, globulin ,a nd chloride values were higher at 29 C. Conclusion-Separate reference intervals should be developed for analytes which, because of temperatu re, deviate notably from the reference interval. Modifications of the established reference intervals, by including fish from varied tempera tures, should allow use of one reference interval for analytes, with o nly slight variation attributable to temperature. Clinical Relevance-D etermining the effects of temperature on the hematologic and biochemic al values helps develop clinical pathology as a diagnostic tool in fis h.