Blood Parameters Reference Intervals in African Catfish Clarias Gariepinus (Buchell, 1822) in Ibadan, Nigeria

The females had higher Packed cell volume (PCV) and Haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations than males during the wet and dry seasons which also increased with increased age. The Red blood cell (Rbc) count was higher in wet season than dry season values in males. The females had a higher White blood cell (WBC) count than males during dry seasons. Adaptive immune responses were higher during the wet season than dry season. During dry season adaptive immune responses declined with increased age whereas innate immune responses increased with increased age. The influence of monocyte on innate immune responses was higher during the wet season than dry season. Females had higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) than males during dry seasons. The females had a higher total plasma protein, serum potassium, sodium, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and glucose values than males which also increased with increased age during dry and wet season. Total plasma protein, serum potassium, sodium, alanine transaminase (ALT) and glucose in the male were of higher values in wet season than dry seasons. The changes in PCV, Hb concentrations, Rbc, ESR, Creatinine and AST revealed that females appear to start sexual maturity earlier than males during wet season at 5 months of age. Sex, age, apparent developmental status and season influenced blood parameters. The obtained reference values and range of blood parameters would serve as a reliable baseline value in the culture of Clarias gariepinus aged 4, 5 and 6 months in earthen ponds for the interpretation of deviation from normal.