Rapid Method For Counting Of Blood Leukocytes And Its Usefulness In Health Status Assessment Of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss)

The analysis of the ratio and number of blood cells is a very reliable way to assess the health status in humans and other species. The aim was to standardize a methodology for rapid quantification of blood leukocytes in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Samples of blood leukocytes obtained from a group of healthy juvenile trout maintained in the laboratory were processed. The samples were analyzed using a Scepter (TM) minicytometer, the results were compared with those obtained by flow cytometry. Histograms generated by both methods showed a peak corresponding to the population of lymphocytes/thrombocytes and one of monocyte/neutrophil. Non-significant differences were found between the results of both methods (P > 0.05). The method employing minicytometer was used to evaluate samples of trout from a fish farm, the profile obtained showed a significant decrease in the neutrophils consistent with clinical signs of disease observed in the tested specimens. These results indicate that the methodology is valid and useful in determining the concentrations and cell proportions in blood samples of rainbow trout and allow rapid analysis of its health status.