ABSTRACT
Enrofloxacin (EF) is a veterinary drug for respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections. Parenteral administration at doses higher than the manufacturer recommended dosage has induced cartilage lesions in juvenile mammals and poultry. In elasmobranchs EF is commonly used for the treatment of infectious diseases, however only one study has been performed previously to evaluate pharmacokinetics and the potential chondrotoxicity of a fluoroquinolone in adult skates. In present study juvenile lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula, Linnaeus, 1758) were treated with low (LD, 5mg/kg) and high dose (HD, 10mg/kg) of EF daily via intramuscular injection for 15 consecutive days, as indicated in a recognized treatment. Hematological parameters, oxidative stress and histology of vertebral cartilage were evaluated. No cartilage damage was observed. Hematological parameters evaluation underlined a significant (p=0.035), dose-dependent reduction in red blood cell count and in hematocrit (40% and 6%, respectively). Anyway, the biological significance of this reduction is doubtful, due to limited decrease observed. The evaluation of oxidative stress parameters underlined that glutathione levels, as well as glutathione S-transferase and catalase activities, were significantly increased in HD group animals, with respect to untreated and solvent control groups. Obtained data do not support a toxic effect of EF on dogfish cartilage, while concern arises from hematological and oxidative stress data.