Histopathology and haemolymph biochemistry following anaesthesia and movement in farmed Australian abalone (Haliotis rubra×Haliotis laevigata)

Abstract

Haemolymph and tissue samples of Haliotis rubra×. laevigata hybrid abalone were taken during a routine stock movement procedure on an Australian abalone farm to look for biochemical and histological changes associated with anaesthesia and/or manual movement of the abalone, both of which are used in commercial stock movement operations. Sections of the left kidney, the gill and the surface of the foot were examined under light microscopy and a scoring system was used to measure observed changes and compare treatment groups to controls. The left kidney of anaesthetised abalone contained less protein and haemocytes than control or manually moved abalone on the day of anaesthesia (p. <. 0.05), b..