Evaluation of simple instruments for the measurement of blood glucose and lactate, and plasma protein as stress indicators in fish

Responses of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, to handling and confinemen t stress were used to validate the efficacy of portable instruments for mea suring blood glucose and lactate, and plasma protein. Glucose and lactate i ncreased with time and showed good linear correlation with time after distu rbance. The Advantage(TM) blood glucose and Accusport(TM) lactate meters we re similarly correlated, except that values were consistently lower than th ose obtained by established laboratory techniques. Refractometry gave highe r plasma protein values than results from biuret reagent but with excellent correlation. These findings indicate a potential role for portable instrum ents in field and hatchery locations where relative rather than absolute va lues may be used to evaluate responses to stressors.