Blood cells and some hematological parameters of red drum (Linnaeus, 1766) in Vietnam

This research focuses on hematological characteristics, erythrocyte morphology and some biochemical parameters of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus (Perciformes: Sciaenidae), cultured in natural water environment in areas near river mouth (L1), estuaries (L2) in Ha Tinh province and coastal areas (L3) in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province of Vietnam. A total of 18 speciments were examined in research, six in each location. Blood was drawn from the tail vein, using a microscope to research morphology and automated gauges to determine blood biochemical parameters. Analysis of blood samples showed that the rate of red drum’s erythrocyte morphology disorders in all three locations was quite high. The two main types of disorders were nuclear deformity and nuclear-matter distribution. Changes in erythrocyte size, shape and nuclear were related to salt concentration at culture locations. Blood hemoglobin content was stable in all three regions. Other hematological parameters such as the number of erythrocytes, blood biochemical parameters (glucose, SGOT, SGPT, urea, creatine, plasma iron, albumin, and protein) have differences among the locations, which showed the different reactions of the same species with different environmental conditions.