Assessment of immune blood cells and serum protein levels in Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758), Sparus aurata (Linnaeus, 1758) and Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from the Thyrrenian sea coast (Italy)

Haematological and biochemical studies help in understanding the relationship of blood characteristics to the habitat adaptability of the species to the environment. The aim of this study was to compare the white blood cell (WBC), thrombocytes (TC) and serum protein levels of three fish species (Mugil cephalus, Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax, collected in the Tyrrhenian sea and to establish the similarities and differences between these species. Blood samples, taken by caudal vein of 25 specimens of each species, were collected into vacutainer tubes with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for the determination of WBC and TC and into tubes without anticoagulant for the evaluation of serum protein profile. Statistical analysis confirmed statistical differences in immune blood cells and serum protein among the three species. Our findings show a higher number of WBC and TC in S. aurata respect to the other species that indicated fundamental defence mechanism in this fish. The differences found in serum total proteins and their fractions among the species might reflect their different nutritional status and feeding habits. These interspecies differences provide useful information that can improve the management and care of farmed fish.