Haematological and Biochemical Indices of Cultured African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in the Savannah Guinean Highland Zone in Cameroon

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: Hematological indices are important tools for characterizing physiological status and changes due to pathological processes or environmental hazards. Therefore the present study aimed at contributing to the determination of baseline values of hematological and biochemical parameters of culture indigenous fish in Cameroon. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 40 clinically healthy fish including 20 African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and 20 tilapia Nile (Oreochromis niloticus)from June to August 2019 in the Adamawa region of Cameroon. Results: It appears that white blood cells, monocytes, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, platelets count, thrombocyte count, mean platelet volume, platelets distribution, macroplatelet count, macroplatelet percentage and glucose concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher in C. gariepinus compared to the values obtained in O. niloticus. In contrast, blood creatinine was higher (p<0.05) in O. niloticus than in C. gariepinus. In African catfish, white blood cell and haemoglobin levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher in fish with sizes less than or equal to 20 cm. In Nile tilapia, fish with sizes varying between 21 and 30 cm had significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes, red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit compared to those less than 21 cm. Conclusion: This study provides the physiological values of some haematological and biochemical parameters in C. gariepinus and O. niloticus in Ngaoundere in Cameroon.