Alterations of Stress Parameters and Histology of Asian Catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) in Transport

Stress parameter changes (cortisol, glucose, sodium and chloride) and histological alterations (gills, liver, kidney, and spleen) in Asian Catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) in transport were investigated. In this study, three separated trials were fulfilled. These were without tricaine, 40 and 60 mg L-1 of tricaine, respectively. Each trial consisted of 4 stages, control (C), transfer (AT), transport (TP) and recovery (24 h). After each stage, blood samples were taken and then, gills, liver, kidney, and spleen samples were collected for histological examination. In the transport without tricaine, the fish glucose increased from 50-60 mg dL-1 to 70-80 mg dL-1 and cortisol increased from 30 ng dL-1 to 90 ng dL-1 in. Sodium was 127-132 meq L-1 in the AT and TP, while 138 meq L-1 in the C and recovery. Cloride changed 103 meq L-1 in the TP, while approximately 107 meq L-1 in C, AT and recovery in the transport without tricaine. In the second trial, the fish glucose increased from 50-65 mg dL-1 to 80-90 mg dL-1 cortisol decreased from 60-70 ng dL-1 to 35-45 ng dL-1 in the transport with 40 mg L-1 of tricaine. Sodium was 130-140 meq L-1 in the C and recovery, while 125 meq L-1 in the AT and TP. Chloride was about 110 meq L-1 in the C, AT and recovery, while 102 meq L-1 in the TP in the transport with 40 mg L-1 of tricaine. In the third trial, the fish glucose was 40-55 mg dL-1 in the C, AT and TP, while 25-30 mg dL-1 in the recovery. Cortisol was 35-40 ng dL-1 in the C and AT, while 25 ng dL-1 in the TP and recovery. Sodium was 126-128 meq L-1 in the C, AT and recovery, while about 119-122 meq L-1 in the TP. Chloride was 110 meq L-1 in the C, AT and recovery, while 104-106 meq L-1 in the TP in the transport with 60 mg L-1 of tricaine. The end of the experiment, it is realized that the usage of the tricaine had positive effects on Asian catfish transport.