Abstract
Serial blood sampling involving sampling blood from the same
individual at different time points is essential in time-based studies
including xenobiotic toxicokinetics and biochemical studies.
However, high fish mortality due to phlebotomy-induced anaemia
(PIA) constrains serial blood sampling in small to medium sized fish.
The aim of the study was to develop and implement a model-based
serial blood sampling protocol that minimises fish mortality by
regulating anaemia within levels that sustain fish survival and
recovery. A model simulating the reduction in haemoglobin was
developed from blood sampling data of sixteen (N=16) medium sized
Oreochromis mossambicus. The model was incorporated into a serial
blood sampling protocol whose performance was tested on eight
(N=8) fish. The protocol avoided fish mortality and the fish recovered
from PIA within three weeks of the post-sampling period. Therefore,
managing anaemia minimises mortality and improves the applicability
of serial blood sampling in small to medium sized fish.