ABSTRACT
A.A. Kirschbaum,4 L.D. Abujamara,2 L.M. Buruaem,5 C. Félix,6 G.C.R. Turatti,6 L.R.G.B. Prado,6 E.C.P.M. Sousa³ and M.J.T. Ranzani-Paiva7
Blood is a tissue composed of circulatory cells in plasma that is responsible for carrying gases, proteins, and nutrients, as well as for maintaining an acid-base balance, removing metabolite waste from tissues, and actively participating in homeostasis. Because blood is continuously circulating among different tissues and organs, its characteristics may be altered due to stress or to any imbalance; thus, aspects of the blood may be considered a good indicator of overall health status in vertebrates (Aubin et al. 2001; Akinrotimi et al. 2010). Fish are certainly known to be in close relationship with the aqueous environment; hence, their blood will reveal conditions within their bodies long before there is any visible manifestation of
Authors’ affi liations given at the end of the chapter.
