Sex differences in the blood biochemical parameters of the fresh water fish, Notopterus notopterus (Pallas, 1789)

Before blood constituents data can be applied as a diagnostic tool, general patterns related to sex, season and collection of fish and location need to be well documented and understood. The sex of the fish may also influence the blood parameters. In turn, the values of the different blood biochemical parameters significantly influence the physiological factors and sex of the fish. Hence, there is a need to assess before reporting the biochemical indices of the fish species. The present study was undertaken to know the difference between male and female blood biochemical parameters of the fish, Notopterus notopterus. The blood biochemical measurements included glucose, protein, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, enzymes-SGPT, SGOT and alkaline phosphatase. Furthermore, the electrolytes - sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorous were compared with regard to sex. Moreover, the effect of sex on quantitative changes in fish blood was studied. The blood parameters between the sexes indicated that male fishes consistently had higher level of all biochemical parameters than did the female fishes, and this study may be a proposal as means of sexing fish. This indicates that the male fish is biochemically and nutritionally richer than the female; in female fish this effect may come about because much of the metabolites and nutrients are continuously being exhausted in the development of gonads (ovary). The results of this study could be used for monitoring the health and the physiological condition of the fish, Notopterus notopterus in a particular aquatic body.