Effects of three anesthetics of clove extract, sodium bicarbonate, and lidocaine on blood parameters and cortisol level on male and female broodstocks of Caspian kutum (Rutilus kutum)

In this study, 32 male and female Caspian kutum were anesthetized with clove extract (50 mg/L), lidocaine (150 mg/L), and sodium bicarbonate (300 mg/L). Blood parameters and serum cortisol levels were investigated in the control (no anesthetic) and the treated groups containing both males and females in 10 min and 24 h after anesthesia. Based on the result, difference in the red blood cells in the control group and treated groups males was not significant. In females, however, the red blood cells in all treated groups was different except lidocaine treatment after both sampling times ( P >0.05). The white blood cells of males and females in control group was significantly different in the sodium bicarbonate group in 10 min and 24 hours after anesthesia ( P <0.05). The hemoglobin and hematocrit did not change in male and female fish in lidocaine treatment after both times. Cortisol changed in male and female in the sodium bicarbonate group after both times. The WBCs in females was significantly higher in clove extract and lidocaine treatments, whereas RBCs, Hb, Hct, and cortisol were significantly higher in males ( P <0.05). Therefore, due to irreversible stressful effects of the sodium bicarbonate, it is not a suitable anesthetic for the studied fish. Although the stressful effects of lidocaine were lower than clove extract, especially in females, the clove extract has no irreversible effects and the stress-induced effects had been moderated 24 h after anesthesia. Hence, lidocaine and then clove extract is recommended as suitable anesthetics, especially for female Caspian kutum.