Haematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters in different Sexes of Walking Cat Fish, Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758)

A study was designed to evaluate the influence of sex on haematological and biochemical profile of Clarias batrachus. Haematological and serum biochemical studies on fishes have assumed to be greater significance due to the increasing emphasis on pisciculture and greater awareness of the pollution of natural aquatic bodies. Changes in haematological and biochemical parameters depend on the fish species, age, sex and health condition. These parameters also changes due to environmental stress and fish size. The aim of the present study was to investigate the reference ranges for haematological and serum biochemical values of male and female Clarias batrachus. A total of 60 mature fish (30 males and 30 females) were collected. Blood samples were then taken from the caudal vein of fishes. Haematological parameters such as haemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leucocyte count (TLC), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and the serum biochemical parameters like protein, albumin, globulin, glucose and cholesterol were measured and each parameter was expressed as meanSE in both male and female fish and compared according to sex using t-test statistical method. In haematological findings, four parameters namely RBC, Hb (pless than0.01) and WBC, MCV (pless than0.05) revealed significant difference between male and female fish. However, no significant difference was observed in PCV, MCH and MCHC. The value of biochemical parameters were higher in female compared to male but the differences are insignificant. The findings would be helpful to establish a baseline value and to draw conclusive remarks against the health status of Clarias batrachus, showing deviation from the normal parameters.