Hematological characteristics and reproduction indices of wild beluga (Huso huso) broodstocks from the southeast of the Caspian Sea

BACKGROUND: Hematological studies are valuable diagnostictechniques in the medical care of fish, reflecting the healthcondition and the effects of environmental factors on fish. OBJECTIVES:Due to the high value of sturgeon fish and necessityto recover the brood stock, this study was done to provide dataabout hematological parameters and reproduction normative ofwild brood stock beluga, Huso huso, from the southeast of theCaspian Sea. METHODS: Hematological parameters includingRBC, WBC, hematocrit, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, MCHC,and differential leukocyte count were determined. In this regard,7 male and 7 female wild broods were studied. Differencesin mentioned parameters between genders were evaluated.The correlations among parameters were also determined.RESULTS: According to the results, the male fish had significantlyhigher WBC and lymphocyte and lower neutrophil comparedto the females. Also, functional fecundity was 447000 ±157210 and weight of extracted oocytes was 35.4 ± 3.78 mg/cell. The oocytes’ long diameter was 4.17 ± 0.21mm and widthdiameter was 3.75 ± 0.19 mm. Egg fertilization rate was 46.7± 24.33%, and larvae weight was 25.48 ± 1.56 mg. CONCLUSIONS:Hematological parameters of juvenile and fingerlingreared beluga showed wide ranges, and there are differences inhematological parameters between reared and wild broodstockbelugas. These findings highlight the importance of hematologicalstudy in wild beluga sturgeon.