Vet Med - Czech, 2026, 71(4):147-155 | DOI: 10.17221/89/2025-VETMED

Effect of a 24-hour praziquantel bath on the haematological and biochemical profile and selected parameters of oxidative stress in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)Original Paper

R Dobsikova1, P Marsalek2, J Velisek3, J Blahova2
1 Department of Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
2 Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
3 Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia, Èeské Budìjovice, Czech Republic

This study assessed the effect of a 24-hour bath with praziquantel (2 and 4 mg/l) on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) by monitoring the haematological parameters, plasma biochemical profile, and oxidative stress indices. Fish were sampled at 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-hours post-exposure (hpe). The haematological analysis revealed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the white blood cell count immediately after treatment at both concentrations, with no subsequent changes. Within the plasma biochemical profile, a significant decrease (P < 0.05) was observed only in chloride (24 hpe at 2 mg/l; 72 hpe at both concentrations) and in magnesium (48 hpe at 2 mg/l). The oxidative stress responses indicated that the gill was the most responsive tissue. In the gill, the catalase and glutathione-S-transferase activities increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 48 hpe at 4 mg/l. Lipid peroxidation in the gill decreased at 48 hpe but increased at 72 hpe following exposure to 4 mg/l. In the hepatopancreas, the glutathione peroxidase activity significantly decreased at 48 hpe at 2 mg/l. In the plasma, significant changes (P < 0.05) were detected only in the ceruloplasmin activity, which decreased at 72 hpe in the 2 mg/l group. These findings provide essential baseline data supporting the potential future application of praziquantel in aquaculture.

Keywords: antioxidant enzymes; blood; lipid peroxidation; quinoline antiparasitic

Received: October 30, 2025; Revised: December 5, 2025; Accepted: December 9, 2025; Prepublished online: April 27, 2026; Published: April 30, 2026  Show citation

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Dobsikova R, Marsalek P, Velisek J, Blahova J. Effect of a 24-hour praziquantel bath on the haematological and biochemical profile and selected parameters of oxidative stress in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Veterinární medicína. 2026;71(4):147-155. doi: 10.17221/89/2025-VETMED.
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