A comparative study of some hematological features in young reared sturgeons (Acipenser persicus and Huso huso)

The physiological condition in fishes required for their selection as broodfish can be determined by hematological studies. The present study aims at examining the hematological indices in juvenile sturgeons at different stages of growth. The main blood features, such as total albumin content in blood, hemoglobin concentration and the erythrocyte and leukocyte count, were measured in a total of 54 specimens of 1-, 2- and 6-year old sturgeon (Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus and beluga Huso huso), artificially produced at the Shahid Dr. Beheshti Fish Breeding and Rearing Center located in the Gilan Province. In the Persian sturgeon specimens studied, the total albumin concentration in the blood increased from 26.05 to 52.50 g l(-1), the hemoglobin concentration increased from 42.2 to 65.8 g l(-1), the erythrocyte count increased from 240 to 452.5 thousand cell ml(-1) and the leukocyte count increased from 13.43 to 46.48 thousand cells ml(-1). The total leukocyte was composed of 73.25 to 82.70% lymphocytes, 12.3 to 20% neutrophils, 2.25 to 6.50% eosinophils and 0.2 to 2.5% monocytes. In the beluga specimens studied, the total albumin concentration in the blood increased from 20.05 to 42.20 g l(-1), the hemoglobin concentration increased from 46.3 to 78.6 g l(-1), the erythrocyte count increased from 495 to 735 thousand cells ml(-1) and the leukocyte count increased from 31.6 to 57.7 thousand cells ml(-1). The total leukocyte was composed of 54.5 to 67.5% lymphocytes, 22.63 to 33.86% neutrophils, 6.60 to 13.7% eosinophils and 0.6 to 2.25% monocytes. This research reveals the trends of some hematological features during the growth and development of sturgeons in the South Caspian Sea, reared in artificial conditions. It shows that with the increase in age, the hematological indices also increased.