Study on changes in blood Leucocytes during pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning periods of Schizothorax niger Heckel in Dal Lake, Kashmir

The present study was conducted to investigate changes in White Blood Cells (WBC's), Lymphocytes and Neutrophils of Schizothorax niger Heckel (an endemic fish) during the pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning periods in Dal Lake, Kashmir from November, 2014 to July, 2015. The use of hematological parameters is acquiring acceptance worldwide as a tool in the management of fish farms. The hematological parameters are affected by many endogenous and exogenous factors such as water temperature, reproductive cycle and metabolic rates. Fishes ranging in length from 75–374 mm and in weight from 56-557g were taken for the study. The mean values of Total Leucocyte Count (TLC) of Schizothorax niger Heckel during pre-spawning period, spawning and post-spawning periods were found to be 4.36×104/mm3; 7.44×104/mm3 and 5.26×104/mm3 respectively. Total Leucocyte Count, Lymphocytes and Neutrophils were found significantly higher in fish during spawning period (p<0.01) as compared to pre-spawning (p<0.05) and post-spawning periods (p<0.01).