Alterations in serum protein fractions and Na+-K+ATPase activity in Clarias gariepinus infested with henneguyosis in Ismailia, Egypt

Abstract

Total serum protein, protein fractions and Na⁺-K⁺ATPase activity were estimated in Clarias gariepinus collected from surface waters in Ismailia governorate, Egypt. Comparisons were made between fish infested with respiratory henneguyosis and non-infested fish. Results of serum analysis revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the total serum proteins level, albumin level and albumin:globulin ratio from 5.31 ± 0.13 g dl^–1, 3.93 ± 0.12 g dl^–1 and 2.26 ± 0.09 g dl^–1 (respectively) in the non-infested group to 4.88 ± 0.19 g dl^–1, 3.10 ± 0.18 g dl^–1 and 1.88 ± 0.13 g dl^–1 respectively) in the infested group. The globulin level increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 1.38 ± 0.05 g dl^–1 in non-infested group to 1.78 ± 0.07 g dl^–1 in the infested catfish. The henneguyosis infestation affected the Na⁺-K⁺ATPase activity in the gills by decreasing the enzyme activity from 11.43 ± 0.73 μM Pi mg protein^–1 h^–1 in the non-infested group to 8.64 ± 1.00 μM Pi mg protein^–1 h^–1 in the infested group. This demonstrated that Henneguya branchialis causes physiological dysfunctions in infested fish by causing several alterations in protein fraction levels and inhibition in Na⁺-K⁺ATPase enzyme activity, which affects the osmoregulation process.

African Journal of Aquatic Science 2009, 34(1): 103–107