Z. Svobodova et al., The effect of handling and transport on the concentration of glucose and cortisol in blood plasma of common carp, ACT VET B, 68(4), 1999, pp. 265-274
The aim of this contribution was to assess the degree of stress in common c
arp (Cyprinus carpio, L.) exposed to handling and transport. Cortisol and g
lucose concentrations in blood plasma were used as stress indicators. In so
me cases, concentration of ammonia in blood plasma and relative weight of s
pleen (SST) were used as well. Within handling, an effect of time pause (0;
2 and 5 min) between catching the fish from water and blood sampling for s
tress indicators was checked. Another goal was to assess the effect of Meno
cain anaesthetics on the stress indicators. An open system of a 10-hour tra
nsport in a special long-distance live fish transport truck (Transport I a
II), and a 2-hour transport in classic transporting tanks (Transport III) w
ere compared. Temperature and oxygen concentration in water was measured du
ring transport. After handling the fish prior to blood sampling (2 and 5 mi
n pause), the cortisol concentration dropped significantly (p < 0.001) and
the glucose concentration significantly (p < 0.001) increased compared to v
alues in fish sampled immediately after catching. No effect of anaesthetics
on cortisol concentration was proved. On the contrary, the glucose concent
ration fell (p = 0.012) in the anaesthetized fish. After a 10-hour transpor
t in a special truck (Transport I), a significant (p < 0.001) decrease of t
he cortisol concentration was found, as well as a significant (p < 0.001) i
ncrease in the glucose concentration in blood plasma. In the course of 10-h
our transport in a special truck (Transport II), the majority of carp was f
ound dead. Suffocation and ammonia autointoxication due to loading the fish
with full digestive tract were the most probable causes of the fish mortal
ity. After a 2-hour transport in transporting tanks (Transport III) both th
e cortisol concentration and relative weight of spleen (SSI) dropped non-si
gnificantly while glucose concentration in blood plasma significantly (p <
0.001) increased. Results showed that both handling and transport are impor
tant stressors in the common carp. Preventive measures were proposed aimed
at alleviating the negative effects of these stressors.