Hematology and Serum Chemistry Values for Winter Flounder (Pleuronectes americanus)

Clinical analysis of blood to determine hematology and plasma biochemistry values is routinely used to assess the health of wild and domestic animals. Flounder culture is a fast growing segment of the U.S. aquaculture industry and tools are needed to monitor the health of these fish. This paper reports a complete hematologic and blood biochemistry profile for normal healthy winter flounder, Pleuronectes americanus, maintained in recirculated artificial seawater. The following hematologic values were determined: Packed cell volume, plasma protein, erythrocyte number, hemoglobin, mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, and leukocyte, lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and thrombocyte numbers. A description of leukocyte morphology is presented. Additionally, the following serum biochemical values were determined: Total protein, albumin, globulin, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, cholesterol and triglycerides. Analysis of blood parameters can enhance flounder culture by providing a means for the early detection and identification of infectious disease and of sub-lethal conditions affecting production performance.