EFFECTS OF THERMAL STRESS ON HEMATOLOGICAL AND METABOLIC PROFILES IN BROWN BULLHEAD, Ameiurus nebulosus (LESUEUR, 1819

摘要

Physiological stress response of Brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) was studied under laboratory conditions. Thisspecies is well known for the resistance and adaptability to environmental factors. In this sense, metabolic andhematologic profiles were determined for low (6o C), medium (18o C) and high (31o C) water temperatures. An increasein blood cell numbers (RBC, WBC) and hematocrit (Ht) was determined under high temperature conditions, as aresponse to low dissolved oxygen. Platelet count (PLT) remained relatively constant regardless of the watertemperature. The metabolic profiles showed significant and very significant differences for most of the analyzed indices.The differences were due to variations in temperature that influenced appetite and ingestion of feed, respectivelly therespiratory function by vasoconstriction or hypoxia.