Exploring the anesthetic potential of propofol in Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque, 1818)

• Published in: Aquaculture international 2024-10, Vol.32 (5), p.6887-6901
• Main Authors: Matter, Fabiano de Lima, da Silva, Eduardo, Deschamps, Gabriel Tobias, Santos, Fernanda Thaynnan Rodrigues, Terra, Juliano Pereira, Martins, Carlos Eduardo Nogueira, Weber, Robilson Antônio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anaesthesia; Anesthesia; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Gills; Histology; Hormones; Ictalurus punctatus; Lactate; Life Sciences; Physiology; Zoology
• ISSN: 0967-6120; 1573-143X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10499-024-01493-5

The aim of the present study was to evaluate propofol as an anesthetic and its effects on physiology and histology in Ictalurus punctatus . To determine the ideal concentration, juvenile of I. punctatus (96.60 ± 27.70 g) were used, submitted to different concentrations of the anesthetic: 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 mg L −1 . The concentration evaluated as ideal was 2.5 mg L −1 . To evaluate the physiological and histological effects of propofol exposure, juvenile of I. punctatus (99.71 ± 26.38 g) were sampled immediately (T0) and 30 min after anesthesia (T30) with 2.5 mg L −1 , had blood, liver, and gill samples collected. The exposure of the animals to propofol in both treatments (T0 and T30) caused increases in plasma glucose and lactate levels ( p   0.05). The histological study showed mild to moderate changes in the gills (congestion in the lamellar vessels and central vein and epithelial elevation) and moderate and severe changes in the liver (congestion and degeneration). This study concludes that the concentration of 2.5 mg L −1 of propofol provides safe anesthesia for I. punctatus and prevents increased plasma cortisol levels.