The purpose of the present study was to characterize daily variations in haematology and blood biochemistry in healthy male and female tench (Tinca tinca) in the four seasons of the year. Red blood cells, haematocrit and haemoglobin presented a similar daily profile in spring and summer, with high values during the scotophase. Total and differential types of leucocytes showed significant daily fluctuations, with a different pattern depending on the season and/or the type of leucocytes studied. A daily rhythm in plasma glucose and triglycerides was detected in winter, but significant changes in cholesterol concentrations were only detected in females during summer. The lowest mean level for triglycerides and cholesterol was observed in winter. The daily profile of plasma total proteins was similar in the four seasons, without a significant daily oscillation. All these daily and seasonal changes in haematology and blood biochemistry indicate that the time of the day and the season must be considered when such parameters are used for assessing the physiological status of the fish, and as biomarkers for disease and/or pollutant exposure.

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the possible role of leptin in food intake and body weight regulation in goldfish. We examined the effects of i.c.v. or i.p. acute leptin administration on food intake in food-deprived goldfish at different time intervals post-injection (0–2, 2–8 and 0–8 h). Food intake was reduced by i.p. administered leptin (1 μg) at 8 h post-injection, without statistically significant differences after i.c.v. treatment. The present study shows for the first time in a teleost that chronic (10 days) leptin treatment (i.p.) reduces food intake, body weight gain, specific growth rate and food efficiency ratio. Moreover, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism seems to be regulated by leptin in fish. Chronic leptin treatment increased lipid mobilization and carbohydrate storage as hepatic and muscle glycogen. Finally, leptin could mediate its actions on energy homeostasis in fish, at least in part, through interactions with hypothalamic catecholamines, since chronic leptin treatment reduced both hypothalamic noradrenergic and dopaminergic turnover without significant modifications in hypothalamic serotoninergic and neuropeptide Y (NPY) systems. In summary, our results suggest that leptin can regulate feeding behaviour and body weight homeostasis in fish.