Índice K y cortisol como biomarcadores del estado corporal y el estrés fisiológico en cachama blanca (piaractus brachypomus)

Juan Antonio  Abarca-Albán; Lenny Gabriel  De La Cruz-Moreno; Emily Dayan  Pindo-Espinoza; Darwin  Yánez-Avalos

doi:10.59169/pentaciencias.v8i1.1731

Authors

Juan Antonio Abarca-Albán Universidad Regional Amazónica (IKIAM) https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1652-8967
Lenny Gabriel De La Cruz-Moreno Universidad Regional Amazónica (IKIAM) https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7514-0222
Emily Dayan Pindo-Espinoza Universidad Regional Amazónica (IKIAM) https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7087-6644
Darwin Yánez-Avalos Universidad Regional Amazónica (IKIAM) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9306-3489

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59169/pentaciencias.v8i1.1731

Keywords:

Piaractus brachypomus; cortisol; Fulton’s index; animal welfare; Amazonia

Abstract

The optimisation of animal welfare in Amazonian aquaculture requires the integration of morphometric and endocrine indicators. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Fulton’s Condition Factor (K) and serum cortisol concentrations in white cachama (Piaractus brachypomus) farmed in Napo, Ecuador. Sixty-nine specimens were analysed through caudal venepuncture during the daytime period (09:00 to 12:00 h), with cortisol quantified using fluorescence immunochromatography. The results demonstrated adequate somatic development (K = 1.38 ± 0.25) alongside elevated cortisol concentrations (182.92 ± 72.04 ng/mL), with peak values observed at midday (289.97 ng/mL). Spearman’s analysis revealed no significant correlation between the two biomarkers (ρ = 0.21; p = 0.15), suggesting a functional dissociation between body condition and acute endocrine response. It is concluded that morphometric robustness does not predict the magnitude of physiological stress, and it is therefore recommended that handling and sampling be standardised to periods of lower endocrine reactivity in order to enhance welfare and physiological stability in the species.

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