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The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of the oral administration of Gum Arabic on haematological and some oxidative stress markers in Mugil cephalus. For this purpose 60 mullet caught in Faro Lake (Italy), were acclimatized and fed with commercial diet for 20 days prior to the start of experiment, which lasted 15 days. After acclimatization, fish were randomly divided into two equal groups: control group was fed with commercial pellets. Haematological profile on whole blood and sera was assessed, reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), antioxidant barrier (OXY-ads) and thiol-antioxidant barrier (SHp) were immediately assessed by means of a UV spectrophotometer. Two-way repeated data analysis (ANOVA) showed significant changes only on Thrombocyte Count (TC). In the experimental group an increase in OXY-ads and SHp levels and a significant decrease of d-ROMs were observed after administration of GA.

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The aim of this research was to evaluate the changes of some biochemical parameters in response to environmental variation in two important fish species which have great commercial value reared in Sicily. The study, carried out on 200 fish (100 Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758 and 100 Dicentrarchus labrax Linnaeus, 1758), lasted 12 months. Each season, blood samples having been collected during summer solstice, autumn equinox, winter solstice and spring equinox. For each time point, 25 S. aurata and 25 D. labrax have been used and always randomly captured by the same batches from tanks. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed Bonferroni’s multiple comparisons test, has used to evaluate the influence of different seasons on serum protein profile, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, calcium, magnesium, triglycerides and total cholesterol. The results showed the seasonal influence on biometric and biochemical parameters studied in S. aurata and D. labrax and that seasonal cycles can differently affects fish in several biological and physiological activities. These results could represent a valid contribution in the study of the linkage between metabolic parameters, seasonal variations and biometric indices in cultured fish to improve the management and technological support of aquaculture.

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This study was designed to evaluate the differences in haematological parameters of males and females of cultured hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops X Morone saxatilis) (Walbaum, 1752). Fish used in the research were cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) of a Sicilian farm in Italy. A total of 160 mature fish (80 males and 80 females) were collected, and blood samples were taken from the caudal vein. Haematological parameters were measured. Weight and total length of fish were also registered. The unpaired t- test statistical method was applied to compare each parameter in the two sexes. In our findings, three haematological parameters: white blood cells WBC (♂ 16.09 ± 7.86; ♀ 20.25 ± 4.62; P < 0.05), mean corpuscular haemoglobin MCH (♂; 24.95 ± 2.92; ♀ 23.46 ± 2.56; P < 0.05) and thrombocytes TC (♂ 53.89 ± 15.06; ♀ 34.03 ± 9.89; P < 0.0001) revealed significant differences between male and female fish. On the contrary, no significant differences were observed in biometric indices and red blood cells, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume. Results obtained from our research helps to evaluate the influence of sex on haematology of hybrid striped bass and, consequently, for monitoring changes in the health status of fish.This study was designed to evaluate the differences in haematological parameters of males and females of cultured hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops X Morone saxatilis) (Walbaum, 1752). Fish used in the research were cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) of a Sicilian farm in Italy. A total of 160 mature fish (80 males and 80 females) were collected, and blood samples were taken from the caudal vein. Haematological parameters were measured. Weight and total length of fish were also registered. The unpaired t- test statistical method was applied to compare each parameter in the two sexes. In our findings, three haematological parameters: white blood cells WBC (♂ 16.09 ± 7.86; ♀ 20.25 ± 4.62; P < 0.05), mean corpuscular haemoglobin MCH (♂; 24.95 ± 2.92; ♀ 23.46 ± 2.56; P < 0.05) and thrombocytes TC (♂ 53.89 ± 15.06; ♀ 34.03 ± 9.89; P < 0.0001) revealed significant differences between male and female fish. On the contrary, no significant differences were observed in biometric indices and red blood cells, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume. Results obtained from our research helps to evaluate the influence of sex on haematology of hybrid striped bass and, consequently, for monitoring changes in the health status of fish.This study was designed to evaluate the differences in haematological parameters of males and females of cultured hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops X Morone saxatilis) (Walbaum, 1752). Fish used in the research were cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) of a Sicilian farm in Italy. A total of 160 mature fish (80 males and 80 females) were collected, and blood samples were taken from the caudal vein. Haematological parameters were measured. Weight and total length of fish were also registered. The unpaired t- test statistical method was applied to compare each parameter in the two sexes. In our findings, three haematological parameters: white blood cells WBC (♂ 16.09 ± 7.86; ♀ 20.25 ± 4.62; P < 0.05), mean corpuscular haemoglobin MCH (♂; 24.95 ± 2.92; ♀ 23.46 ± 2.56; P < 0.05) and thrombocytes TC (♂ 53.89 ± 15.06; ♀ 34.03 ± 9.89; P < 0.0001) revealed significant differences between male and female fish. On the contrary, no significant differences were observed in biometric indices and red blood cells, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume. Results obtained from our research helps to evaluate the influence of sex on haematology of hybrid striped bass and, consequently, for monitoring changes in the health status of fish.This study was designed to evaluate the differences in haematological parameters of males and females of cultured hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops X Morone saxatilis) (Walbaum, 1752). Fish used in the research were cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) of a Sicilian farm in Italy. A total of 160 mature fish (80 males and 80 females) were collected, and blood samples were taken from the caudal vein. Haematological parameters were measured. Weight and total length of fish were also registered. The unpaired t- test statistical method was applied to compare each parameter in the two sexes. In our findings, three haematological parameters: white blood cells WBC (♂ 16.09 ± 7.86; ♀ 20.25 ± 4.62; P < 0.05), mean corpuscular haemoglobin MCH (♂; 24.95 ± 2.92; ♀ 23.46 ± 2.56; P < 0.05) and thrombocytes TC (♂ 53.89 ± 15.06; ♀ 34.03 ± 9.89; P < 0.0001) revealed significant differences between male and female fish. On the contrary, no significant differences were observed in biometric indices and red blood cells, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume. Results obtained from our research helps to evaluate the influence of sex on haematology of hybrid striped bass and, consequently, for monitoring changes in the health status of fish.