Haematological Alterations in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Infected by Saprolegnia spp.

The effect of Saprolegniasis on hematological parameters of Cyprinus carpio was studied in River Indus at Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The results showed that Saprolegniasis significantly decreased the total erythrocytes count, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin content, while the white blood cells and mean corpuscular volume were significantly increased in the infected fish as compared to the healthy fish. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin was found higher while mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was found lower in infected fish. Saprolegnia triggers a strong inflammatory response in its host by suppressing fish immunity. The Pearson linear correlation analysis showed a significant correlation for several parameters (P<0.05). It is obvious that Saprolegniasis seriously damage the population of freshwater fishes.