Staining method for the study of blood cell types in a locally available fresh water fish, Notopterus notopterus (Pallas)

Abstract

A clear understanding of the blood cell identification and their morphology is essential for each species of fish in order to establish Complete Blood Count (CBC) reference ranges. Hence, in the present study procedure followed for identification of cell types and their staining response with their morphology along with a detailed account of cell types in the blood of the locally available fresh water fish, Notopterus notopterus is undertaken and presented in this report. The blood samples were collected from the dorsal blood vessel which lies below the spinal cord and the blood immediately transferred to serum separator tube or a tube coated with heparin. The type of cells identified are, red blood cells (erythrocytes), White blood cells (leucocytes), agranulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils. The condition of the fish was determined by assessing condition factor (K) by taking into consideration weight of the fish divided by length for assessing the stability of the fish and suitability of environment for survival growth and reproduction. The data indicated that the condition factor is 0.56±0.01 with a range of 0.46 to 0.67. The K values indicated that the fish is in normal condition and healthy. This study provides comparable blood cells in fish as that of higher vertebrates.