Investigation of changes in the hematology of Van Fish (Alburnus tarichi, Güldenstädt, 1814) on the breeding migration

Lake Van which has soda character with high pH, salinity and alkalinity values (pH 9.8, salinity 18-22‰, alkalinity 151.2 mEq/L), is the largest lake in Turkey. The saline-alkaline characteristic feature of Lake Van, the world's largest soda lake and the 3rd largest closed basin lake, limits species diversity. Van Fish (Alburnus tarichi, Güldenstädt, 1814), can tolerate these physico-chemical properties of lake water, is an anadromous vertebrate species. After spending their feeding and development processes in the lake, Van fish migrate to streams for breeding purposes in April-July, as the water temperature increases. Fish move from the lake to aquatic areas with different water characteristics and perform their adaptations during the breeding period. Blood is one of the essential tissue that ensure homeostatic balance in this adaptation process. Some hematological (RBC, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, peripheral blood analysis) and biochemical (ALT, AST, calcium, cholesterol, chlorine, creatine, glucose, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphoru, total protein, triglyceride, urea, albumin, ALP) parameters were analyzed on Van fish samples during breeding migration carried out within the scope of the study. The findings obtained as a result of the relevant analyzes were compared according to locality (Van Lake and Karasu Stream) and gender. As a result of comparing hematological parameters according to localities, it was determined that there were differences in RBC MCH and WBC parameters. No difference was observed in Hb, HCT, MCV, MCHC parameters. When evaluating hematological data according to gender groups, it was found that there were differences in RBC, MCH, MCHC parameters; It was also determined that there was no difference in Hb, Hct, MCV and WBC values. The cell structures of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets in the peripheral blood smear preparations of the samples stained with cytochemical dye were examined under a light microscope. Hematopoietic blood cells at different stages of development were observed in the preparations in the morphological examination and cytological measurements of blood cells. When comparing biochemical analyzes according to sex differences and location, significant differences were determined between groups. It was determined a significant difference between male and female fish, when examining fish samples serum calcium and ALP levels. In addition, no significant difference was detected when comparing ALT, AST, cholesterol, chlorine, creatine, glucose, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, total protein, triglyceride, urea and albumin levels. When serum AST, calcium, creatine, magnesium, total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol, albumin and ALP levels were compared according to localities, it was observed that there was no statistically significant difference. Nevertheless, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in the parameters of glucose, ALT, potassium, urea, chloride, phosphorus and sodium parameters. As consequence, it was determined that RBC, MCH, MCHC, WBC glucose, ALT, potassium, urea, chloride, phosphorus and sodium values were blood parameters that changed significantly during the breeding migration of Van fish. As a result of whole blood and serum analyses, it was observed these parameters vary depending on factors such as adaptation stress to water conditions with different physicochemical properties (pH, temperature, salinity), excessive swimming activity during migration, sex differences, metabolic and reproductive stress.