CHANGES IN ERYTHROCYTE COUNT (RBCS) UNDER THREE PHOTOPERIODIC CONDITIONS IN INDIAN CAT DISH CLARIAS BATRACHUS IN DIFFERENT PHASESAgniwanshi ShwetaAbstract In fishes the number of erythrocyte (RBCs) acts as an indicator for stress and health. The present study is designed to investigate different photoperiodic effect in RBCs under natural day night (14L:12D), continuous illumination (24L:00D) and continuous dark (00L:24D) conditions in four different phases viz., Resting Phase, Pre-Monsoon Phase, Monsoon Phase and Post Monsoon Phase. The experiment was conducted for 60 days, during this period counting of RBCs assessed at the interval n of 15 days after commencement of the experiment. Result reviled significant (p<0.001) changes in total erythrocyte counting in all three chosen photoperiod. Highest counting of erythrocyte recorded in continuous darkness (00L:24D) while lowest value has been recorded in natural day night (14L:12D) condition intermediate value recorded in continuous illumination (24L:00D). Elevated counting of total erythrocyte is due to stress which is caused due to photoperiod. Our results also documented that in continuous darkness count of erythrocyte (RBCs) were elevated during Pre Monsoon Phase and Monsoon Phase in comparison of Resting Phase, while the lowest count of RBCs observed during the Post Monsoon phase in comparison to two other photoperiod. |