The seasonal and sex related haematological vanatlons in the freshwater spiny eel
Mastacembelus armatuswere studied during summer from April to June 2001 and winter
from November 2001 to January 2002. In total 60 fish (30 males and 30 females) ranging
from 30- 55.6 cm in total length and from 55-95.5 g in weight were collected from the
culture stock maintained in the cemented cisterns. It was observed that the values of the
total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb ), haematocrit values,
packed cell volume (PCV) and neutrophil count were significantly higher (P< 0.05) in
males than the females during summer (April to June- on-set of breeding season).
Females were observed to have remarkably higher values (P< 0.01) of erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (ESR), total leucocyte count (TLC) and thrombocyte count during
summer. On the other hand, insignificant variations in the various haematological
parameters were noticed during winter (November to January) between the two sexes of
M. armatus
