The aim of this study was to assess the biochemical profile of tench blood plasma during preand postspawning period under the conditions of hormonally-induced artificial reproduction. A total of 59 females and 27 males were examined during the postspawning period of 1999 and 52 females and 25 males were examined during the prespawning period of 2000, as well as 48 females after reproduction. Biochemical indices determined in blood plasma were as follows: cortisol, glucose, total protein (TP), triacylglycerols (Tcg), cholesterol (Chol), transaminases (ALT and AST), creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and electrolytes (Na). In females in the pre-spawning period, higher values of TP (P < 0.05) and Tcg (P < 0.01) were found compared to males. Immediately after reproduction, males had higher TP (P < 0.01) and Chol (P < 0.01) than females. No significant sex-related differences were found in other indices under study. Higher values of glucose (P < 0.01), Tcg (P < 0.01), Chol (P < 0.05), AST (P < 0.01) and ALP (P < 0.01) were found for females after reproduction in June compared to values found in April, i.e. two months prior to reproduction. Differing water temperature (10.3 °C in April; 22 °C in June) associated with metabolic rate also played an important role. Induction of ovulation by GnRH synthetic analogue and carp pituitary was not successful in all females. However, between the spawned and unspawned female fish, differences were found in glucose concentration (P < 0.01) but non-significant differences were recorded for other biochemical indices. The blood plasma biochemical profile enabled to assess the state of internal milieu of broodstock during the reproduction period.

Stress load on harvest‐size common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) just before harvest, during harvest and during the post‐harvest storage were assessed using haematological and biochemical indices. The study was carried out at the 60 ha Dřemliny pond for 28, 7 and 1 day before harvest, during 3‐day harvest and after a 28‐day post‐harvest period. Indices monitored included the relative spleen weight (SSI), erythrocyte count (Er), haemoglobin levels (Hb), haematocrit (PCV), MCV, MCH, MCHC, leucocrit (Bc), differential leucocyte count (leucogram), blood plasma cortisol, glucose, total proteins (TP), cholesterol and chloride. During harvest, a significant decrease of SSI (P<0.05; P<0.01), increase of PCV (P<0.01), decrease of Bc (P<0.01, P<0.05), lymphopenia (P<0.05) and neutrophilia (P<0.01) were observed. A significant increase in the levels of blood plasma cortisol was found 1 day before harvest (P<0.05) due to draining off the pond before harvest itself, hyperglycaemia was observed 1 day before harvest (P<0.05) and during harvest (P<0.01); a decrease, on the other hand, was found in cholesterol and chloride levels (P<0.01). The relationships between oxygen content in water and SSI and MCHC were positive (P>0.05) and between oxygen and glucose were negative (P>0.01). A 28‐day post‐harvest storage returned the indices investigated back to physiological interval of values. Persistently lower levels of Bc, lymphopenia, neutrophilia and lower TP concentrations are indicative of deepening immunosuppression during the post‐harvest storage period. Changes of haematological and biochemical indices during harvest in relation to hypoxia, fish handling and higher stocking rates are also discussed.

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Svobodová Z., P. Kaláb, L. Du‰ek, B. Vykusová, J. Koláfiová, D. Janou‰ková: Glucose and Cortisol in Blood Plasma of Common Carp. Acta Vet. Brno 1999, 68: 265-274. The Effect of Handling and Transport on the Concentration ofThe aim of this contribution was to assess the degree of stress in common carp (Cyprinus carpio, L.) exposed to handling and transport. Cortisol and glucose concentrations in blood plasma were used as stress indicators. In some cases, concentration of ammonia in blood plasma and relative weight of spleen (SSI) were used as well. Within handling, an effect of time pause (0; 2 and 5 min) between catching the fish from water and blood sampling for stress indicators was checked. Another goal was to assess the effect of Menocain anaesthetics on the stress indicators. An open system of a 10-hour transport in a special long-distance live fish transport truck (Transport I a II), and a 2-hour transport in classic transporting tanks (Transport III) were compared. Temperature and oxygen concentration in water was measured during transport. After handling the fish prior to blood sampling (2 and 5 min pause), the cortisol concentration dropped significantly (p < 0.001) and the glucose concentration significantly (p < 0.001) increased compared to values in fish sampled immediately after catching. No effect of anaesthetics on cortisol concentration was proved. On the contrary, the glucose concentration fell (p = 0.012) in the anaesthetized fish. After a 10-hour transport in a special truck (Transport I), a significant (p < 0.001) decrease of the cortisol concentration was found, as well as a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the glucose concentration in blood plasma. In the course of 10-hour transport in a special truck (Transport II), the majority of carp was found dead. Suffocation and ammonia autointoxication due to loading the fish with full digestive tract were the most probable causes of the fish mortality. After a 2-hour transport in transporting tanks (Transport III) both the cortisol concentration and relative weight of spleen (SSI) dropped non-significantly while glucose concentration in blood plasma significantly (p < 0.001) increased. Results showed that both handling and transport are important stressors in the common carp. Preventive measures were proposed aimed at alleviating the negative effects of these stressors.