Effects of hypoxia-reoxygenation conditions on serum chemistry indicators and gill and liver tissues of cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

Abstract Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is an important cultured marine fish species in southern China. It is characterized by fast growth. Due to the effects of climate change on water oxygen levels and seawater temperatures, the understanding of the influence of environmental changes on cobia culture has become important. In this study, to explore the stress and adaptability of cobia under hypoxia-reoxygenation conditions, the fish were exposed to an oxygen-deficient environment with dissolved oxygen (DO) level of 2.64 ± 0.25 mg/L. Serum liver function target, lipid metabolism-related enzymes and the serum antioxidant capability were detected in cobia under acute hypoxic stress after which fish returned to normal DO level (6.34 ± 0.15 mg/L) at 8, 24 and 48 h. Conventional paraffin sectioning and hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) staining were used to observe gill and liver tissues of cobia by electron microscopy. After hypoxic stress, the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in cobia decreased. Under acute hypoxic stress, the gill patches of the fish were contracted and slightly curved. Liver disorder and vacuoles appeared between liver tissues. After reoxygenation, SOD and catalase (CAT) were recovered to the level of the control group with time, and all peaks appeared. The gill and liver of fish were also recovered with time. The results showed that hypoxic stress could cause oxidative damage to cobia.