Hematological parameters and phagocytic activity in fat snook (Centropomus parallelus): Seasonal variation, sex and gonadal maturation

The objective of this work was to determine hematological parameters and the phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages of the fat snook related to sex. stage of gonadal maturation and seasonal cycle. the hematological results did not show significant differences between males and females. With respect to stage of gonadal maturation, only erythrocytes numbers (RBC), in females, was found to be significantly elevated in stage III (maturing) and decreased in V (spent). An analysis of the results of the erythrocyte and leukocyte series, thrombocytes and phagocytic activity related to sex and seasonal cycle showed statistically significant differences: a) hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) wet e elevated in the spring and low in the winter in males; b) mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was high in the spring and summer and low in the fall in both sexes; c) thrombocytes numbers were elevated in the fall and low in the other seasons in females: d) phagocytic capacity (PC) and phagocytic index (PI) were higher in the summer and lower in the fill in females. the results showed that spring and summer correspond to seasons of the year for better hematological and phagocytic responses for survival of the fat snook in its natural habitat. the parameters studied could be utilized for evaluation of the health status fat snook in its own habitat or in captivity. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, BrazilAdventist Univ Ctr São Paulo UNASP, Lab Environm Impact & Histopathol, São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP EPM, Histol Div, Dept Morphol, São Paulo, BrazilAdventist Univ Ctr São Paulo UNASP, Dept Morphol, São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP EPM, Coordinator Comparat Hematol Lab, São Paulo, BrazilFishery Inst, BR-05001900 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Santo Amaro, Sch Med Sto Amaro, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, BR-04023400 São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP EPM, Histol Div, Dept Morphol, São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP EPM, Coordinator Comparat Hematol Lab, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, BR-04023400 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc