Blood Biochemical Responses of Juvenile Chinese Sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) to Anesthetic Tricaine Methanesulfonate

Routine measurements of blood biochemistry in fish are important in research. Anesthetic is generally used before blood sampling to prevent injury to the fish; however anesthetic may also act as a stressor and influence the blood parameter measurements. The effects of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) on the blood biochemistry of endangered Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) were studied to better understand the biochemical responses to anesthetic stress. A total of 42 juvenile Chinese sturgeons were divided into groups and exposed to increasing concentrations of MS-222 (0, 80, 100, 120, 140 and 160 mg/L; each group, n = 7). Differences were determined by ANOVA followed by Duncan´s multiple range tests for multi-group comparisons. The results showed that glucose (GLU) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations were significantly lower in fish exposed to at least 120 mg/L MS-222 compared with the untreated control group. Cholesterol (CHOL) levels in the 120 and 140 mg/L treatment groups were significantly higher compared with the control group. Fish in the 80 mg/L treatment group exhibited significantly lower triglyceride (TGL) levels and significantly higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels compared with the other experimental groups. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level in the 160 mg/L group was significantly higher than those in 100 and 140 mg/L group. In contrast, total protein (TP), urea and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were not significantly affected by MS-222. Out results suggested that GLU, CHOL and ALT may be potentially used as indicators of anesthetic stress for juvenile Chinese sturgeons. Based on our findings, 80 to 100 mg/L may be the appropriate anesthetic concentrations of MS-222.