Analysis of blood chemistry and flow cytometry of gonadal cell cycle during reproductive cycle of Anabas testudineus

The population of climbing perch, Anabas testudineus, an important food fish in India, is presently under threat and has been declared endangered. A narrow range of environmental conditions for successful reproduction of the species was previously ascertained in breeding experiments. In this study, the role of physiological parameters including plasma glucose, total protein, cholesterol, and glycogen content in liver and ovary were determined with respect to the reproductive cycling stages. Flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle of ovary and testis in relation to reproductive cycle was also analyzed. In both the sexes, plasma glucose and plasma protein changed significantly during breeding cycle. Plasma cholesterol levels were reduced markedly during spawning. Liver and ovarian glycogen levels showed significant variation during reproductive cycling. Flow cytometric study revealed that the hypoploid and synthesis phase were altered significantly with breeding cycle in ovarian and testicular cells. Data indicate that the biochemical parameters indicative of the fish reproduction capacity are influenced by environmental conditions. Thus, climatic changes may therefore potentially induce biochemical alterations that may exert detrimental effects on fish reproduction and subsequent population decline.