EFFECT OF ALTITUDE ON HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF RAINBOW TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS)

Abstract

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is one of the extensively cultured fish species of fresh water all over the world. In Pakistan, it is cultured in cold regions at different altitude range. This study has been conducted to find out the influence of altitude on haematological parameters of Rainbow trout (O. mykiss) inhibiting different altitude range at Dir upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The research was carried in the month of July 2021. Healthy adult rainbow trout, of age three years, were caught from three different locations (Sheringal, Kalkot, Kumrat). Blood samples collection were made from the caudal vein using vacutainer system and transferred to sample tubes. Some haematological variables of rainbow trout were examined, using CBC test, and the results obtained, were evaluated among different altitude range. The blood samples were analysed for 8 biochemical indices. In the present study, it has been observed that Oncorhynchus mykiss show clear decrease in erythrocytes, Haemoglobin, and haematocrit (PCV) from lower to higher altitude. Similarly, a gradual decrease occurred in the thrombocytes of rainbow trout towards high altitude. Conversely, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values were found to be increased with high altitude. However, White Blood Cell (WBC) were higher in lower altitude then decreases and again increases at height. This may be due to the water quality and stress condition, which effect the number of WBC. The results achieved from this study would be useful for future research in Trout fish blood.