Haematology reference values for Dicentrarchus labrax and Sparus aurata: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Haematological parameters are frequently used as physiological indicators in aquaculture studies. These parameters also have extended applications in clinical evaluation, diagnosis and prognosis in fish health status. However, no normal reference range of values has been demonstrated in depth for any of these haematological parameters for the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) or gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). The main objective of this article is to present for the first time through extended literature review, the haematological parameters normal range values for the two most important aquaculture fish species farmed in Mediterranean Sea, D. labrax and S. aurata, and to demonstrate their similarities and their differences. In this article, we also discuss the environmental and external factors affecting their normal blood parameters values and we propose fundamental guidelines on the reporting units.

Automated summary

This article presents, for the first time, the normal reference range values of haematological parameters for European sea bass and gilthead seabream through an extensive literature review. The article also discusses the factors influencing these parameters and proposes guidelines on reporting units.