The effect of transport on biochemical and haematological indices of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Abstract

The effect of 12 h transport on the biochemical and haematological profiles of three-years-old common carp was investigated. There was a significant increase (<I>P</I> < 0.01) in ammonia, chloride, phosphorus, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase, and a significant decrease (<I>P</I> < 0.05) in total proteins. The levels of glucose (<I>P</I> < 0.01), lactate (<I>P</I> < 0.05), alanine aminotransferase (<I>P</I> < 0.01) and calcium (<I>P</I> < 0.01) were also significantly changed, but no time-dependent relationships were found. Significant increases in haematocrit (<I>P</I> < 0.01) and metamyelocyte count (<I>P</I> < 0.05) were found. Mean corpuscular volume (<I>P</I> < 0.05) and counts of monocytes (<I>P</I> < 0.01), band neutrophils (<I>P</I> < 0.01) and segmented neutrophils (<I>P</I> < 0.05) were significantly changed independently of the transport duration. Since pre-transport manipulation and transport per se were found to be important stressors for three-years-old common carp, peri-transport disturbances should be minimized to ensure optimal fish welfare.