Serum biochemical profiles of captive and wild northern bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L. 1758) in the Eastern Mediterranean

Northern bluefin tuna (NBT) are a prominent marine pelagic fish species. There are few reference values for their blood chemistry and this is the first report to demonstrate blood biochemical values in the Eastern Mediterranean. The study was carried out with 60 captive (penned) and 60 wild NBTs from Ildir Bay (Izmir) and Antalya Bay in the Eastern Mediterranean, from winter to early summer 2003. The aim of this research was to determine the biochemical parameters of wild male/female and captive male/female NBTs. According to the present results, the blood biochemical values of the captive NBTs were significantly higher than those of wild NBTs (P < 0.05) except albumin, globulin, total protein and very low-density lipoprotein levels. Moreover, many of the biochemical parameters were detected at high levels in captive and wild male NBTs than those of the females. Especially, the values of glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, ferritin, transferrin and iron levels were significantly higher, although high-density lipoprotein values were significantly lower in wild and captive male samples than those of both groups of females (P < 0.05).