THE EFFECTS OF CREOSOTE ON MORTALITY RATE AND BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL FACTORS OF STELLATE STURGEON (ACIPENSER STELLATUS)

The effects of Creosote on Stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) juveniles each weighing 3.6±1 grams was evaluated. Acute toxicity test was undertaken in static water quality at 22°C±1 according to the OECD method at the Caspian Sea Ecology Institute in 2005. The effect was assessed based on the results of the acute toxicity test. For the test, the hematological and biochemical properties of one control and five experimental groups of the fish juveniles what were exposed to Creosote were compared. The acute toxicity test lasting 96h was performed in fully static water condition with aeration. The 96h LC50 values of Creosote for Stellate sturgeon juveniles was 1.5 mg/l. The experimental groups of Stellate sturgeon juveniles showed significantly different values (p< 0.05) of erythrocyte count (RBC), hemoglobin count (Hb), hematocrit (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCRC), leukocyte count, total protein (TP), glucose, ALP, AST, ALT and LDH of blood serum compared to the control group. Changes in values of erythrocyte and leukocyte profile after exposure to Creosote may be referred to disruption of hematopoiesis as well as to decrease in non-specific immunity of the fish.