Normal Ranges for Diagnostically Important Hematological and Blood Chemistry Characteristics of Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Abstract

Wytheville strain rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were used in an 11-mo study designed to establish normal ranges for several hematological and blood chemistry characteristics. Two nonparametric techniques, percentile estimation and tolerance interval, were used and produced comparable ranges to those based on the Gaussian distribution. Serum glucose levels appeared to coincide with the condition of the gonads; low glucose levels corresponded with approximate spawning times at the hatchery. Total serum protein and gonadal condition were similarly related. High variability of the serum enzymes LDH and SGOT was partially explained by a positive linear relationship between enzyme activity and acclimation temperatures. In addition to physiological significance, determination of normal ranges for rainbow trout has promise in diagnosis of pathological, disease, and toxicant-induced stresses.