The Effect of Handling and Transport of the Concentration of Glucose and Cortisol in Blood Plasma of Common Carp

Abstract

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.

Stress Response to Long Distance Transportation of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

“…Discussion Recent studies show that one of the most important factors that affect the fish welfare during short-or a long-distance transport, is an adequate adjustment and stress reduction in fish by minimization of manipulation procedures, pre-transport defecation to prevent the accumulation of metabolites in transport medium, as well as the avoidance of temperature and light changes, using anaesthetics, etc. (Svobodová et al 1999) .…”

Effects of commercial live transportation and preslaughter handling of Atlantic salmon on blood constituents

“…A short-term intensive stress leads to a large increase in cortisol concentration followed by a slow decrease and the concentration of glucose has a similar course but with a certain delay (Svobodová et al 1999).…”

“…In the present study the average glucose concentration tended to decrease after pumping. However, taken together, glucose and cortisol are considered among the most useful and important stress indicators in fish (Svobodová et al 1999). Rotllant and Tort (1997) suggest that chronic stress results in elevation of cortisol concentrations, but the levels reached are generally lower than those seen in acutely stressed fish.…”

Oral toxicity of the microcystin-containing cyanobacterium Planktothrix rubescens in European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus)

“…Indeed, handling of fish per se increased plasma glucose levels (mobilisation of glycogen stores) as already demonstrated in carp by Svobodová et al (1999), i.e. levels in sham-control fish were approximately double the basal levels of non-handled control fish.…”