Portable point-of-care device as alternative tool for monitoring blood glucose in lambari Astyanax altiparanae: stress and sex-specific effects

Abstract

The efficacy of a point-of-care (POC) blood glucometer (Accu-Chek Active®) was evaluated in adult lambaris (Astyanax altiparanae), comparing the values obtained by this equipment to those obtained by the laboratory enzymatic method. The glycemia of adult males and females and the variations resulting from transporting in juveniles were also evaluated 0, 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours after procedure. Data were submitted to ANOVA, comparing the means by the Tukey´s Test (P > 0.05) and a regression analysis was performed to establish the correlations between values obtained by the two methods. The blood glucose values obtained by POC meter were 11.2% lower in absolute terms, but did not differ significantly from those recorded by the laboratory enzymatic method, with linear correlation (R = 67.7%) between the methods. Higher glucose levels were recorded for males; glycemia increased 334.3% immediately after transportation, remained elevated (113.3%) up to 48 hours and returned to basal levels (fasting) after 72 hours. It was concluded that POC Accu-Chek Active® is an effective tool for glucose determination in lambari; there are sex-dependent differences in relation to blood glucose levels; the species is sensitive to transporting stress and glycemia is an immediate and appropriate physiological indicator for this evaluation.