Haematological and biochemical analyses of Atlantic salmon, Salmo solar L., suffering from coldwater vibriosis ('Hitra disease')

Abstract. Juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. were sampled from a commercial Norwegian fish farm during an outbreak of 'Hitra-disease'. One group of fish subjectively judged as healthy and another as diseased were defined on the basis of the classical apathetic behaviour seen in'Hitra-disease ď salmon. Haematological and biochemical analyses were carried out from blood and organs in 10 fish from each group. The diseased fish were severely anaemic. The blood indices MVC, MCH and MCHC indicated active erythropoiesis to compensate for the loss. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, total protein, albumin, creatinine, triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly reduced in the serum of diseased fish, while the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) showed normal and significantly increased values respectively. Liver and spleen weight relative to the body weight and the content of water and lipid in the liver were significantly elevated in diseased fish. Furthermore, the iron content of the spleen was increased, whereas the zinc content showed no changes. The branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine and isoleucine were significantly higher and serine significantly lower in muscle extracts of diseased fish.