Comparative Hematological Values, Morphometric and Morphological Observation of the Blood Cell in Capture and Culture Asian Eel, Monopterus albus (Zuiew)

Problem statement: Monopterus albus (Zuiew), Asian Eel, is one of the common fish found mainly in Asia. At present, the habitats of Asian Eels have been on the decrease. Contrarily, consumption of Asian Eel has increased. Whereas, data regarding blood cell characteristics, blood cell sizes and hematological values of Asian Eel are limited. As such, the objective of this study was to establish the blood cell characteristics, blood cell dimension and hematological values of capture and culture Asian Eel. Basic knowledge from this study is important for hematological research, conservation, clinical diagnosis and in-depth study of this Eel. Approach: Blood samples of capture (n = 13) and culture (n = 19) Asian Eel, Monopterus albus (Zuiew) were collected in northeastern Thailand. Hematological values, morphometric and morphology of the blood cells were determined using standard techniques. Hematological values and morphometric between captive and cultural Eel were compared. Results: Hematological values and morphometrics of the capture and cultural Eel were not significantly different (p>0.05), but the hemoglobin and neutrophil of the capture eel were significantly higher than those of the culture eel (p<0.05). Neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil and thrombocyte characteristics of Asian Eel were not different from other Eels. Nucleus characteristics, cytoplasmic shape and nucleus: Cytoplasm ratio of small cell I and small cell II were different. Lymphocyte of Asian Eel was different form the previous report. Conclusion: This study indicated that sources of eel influenced to some hematological values.