Effects of confinement stress and additional zinc treatment on some blood parameters in the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula.

Several blood parameters were studied in the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula subjected to different confinement conditions (transport and maintenance) and zinc contamination. Confinement stress significantly decreased erythrocyte counts (RBCC), haematocrit (Ht), haemoglobin (Hb), leucocrit (Lt), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) did not change with this stress and plasma glucose concentration significantly increased. In fish subjected to confinement stress conditions, Zn treatment significantly decreased Hb, MCH and MCHC and plasma glucose concentration. Ht and MCV did not change and Lt and RBCC significantly increased. Results are discussed related to other stress effects and effects of zinc treatment on fish confined in non-stressful conditions.