Validation of the i-STAT system for the analysis of blood gases and acid–base status in juvenile sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus)

• DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cov002
• Publication Date: 2015-03-03T01:14:20Z
• Authors: T. S. Harter; P. R. Morrison; J. W. Mandelman; J. L. Rummer; A. P. Farrell; R. W. Brill; C. J. Brauner
• Keywords: Carcharhinus

Accurate measurements of blood gases and acid–base status require an array sophisticated laboratory equipment that is typically not available during field research; such the case for many studies on stress physiology, ecology conservation elasmobranch fish species. Consequently, researchers have adopted portable clinical analysers were developed analysis human characteristics, but often without thoroughly validating these systems their use fish. The aim our study was to test suitability i-STAT system, most commonly used analyser in fish, analysing elasmobranchs, over a broad range conditions using sandbar shark ( Carcharhinus plumbeus ) as model organism. Our results indicate system can generate useful whole pH, appropriate correction factors may increase accuracy results. was, however, unable reliable partial pressure oxygen P O 2 derived parameter haemoglobin saturation. This probably due effect closed-system temperature change within cartridge fact algorithms by assume dependency haemoglobin–O binding; ectotherms, this assumption will lead equivocal vivo CO resting sharks below detection limit measurement higher tensions associated with large error. In agreement previous work, data pH fishes, gases.