SERUM CHEMISTRY AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS OF BROWN BULLHEADS (AMEIURUS-NEBULOSUS) FROM THE BUFFALO AND NIAGARA RIVERS, NEW-YORK

Cholangiomas and cholangiocarcinomas were observed in brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) collected from the Buffalo and Niagara Rivers (NY) and Old Woman Creek (OH), USA. Significant increases in serum blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglycerides, inorganic phosphate, ALT, LDL, calcium, and iron and a significant decrease in cholesterol were found in the fish from the Buffalo and Niagara Rivers compared to the Old Woman Creek reference area. When relationships between the pathology and serum chemistry measurements were tested by correlation and discriminant function analysis, no predictive relationships were apparent.