Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 

About: Fish Physiology and Biochemistry is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Biology & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 0920-1742. Over the lifetime, 3471 publications have been published receiving 94212 citations.

Stress responses and disease resistance in salmonid fish: Effects of chronic elevation of plasma cortisol

Abstract: Basal levels of plasma cortisol in unstressed salmonid fish are normally in the range 0–5 ng ml−1. An acute stress such as handling or 1 h confinement caused a temporary elevation of the plasma cortisol levels of both brown trout,Salmo trutta L., and rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri Richardson, in the range 40–200 ng ml−1 with a return to basal levels within 24–48 h. The extent of the cortisol elevation in response to an acute stress was dependent upon both the species and strain of trout. Chronic stresses, such as prolonged confinement or crowding, resulted in an elevation of plasma cortisol levels to approximately 10 ng ml−1. Under these circumstances, blood cortisol levels remained elevated for periods of up to 4 weeks before acclimation finally occurred. It is shown, by means of intraperitoneal implantation of cortisol, that chronic elevation of plasma cortisol levels in the brown trout results in a dose-dependent increase in mortality due to common bacterial and fungal diseases. This effect is apparent at plasma cortisol levels as low as 10 ng ml−1, levels below those often reported as being representative of ‘unstressed’ fish. These findings are discussed in relation to the known immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids in teleost fish.

Some errors in respirometry of aquatic breathers: How to avoid and correct for them

Abstract: Respirometry in closed and flow-through systems is described with the objective of pointing out problems and sources of errors involved and how to correct for them. Both closed respirometry applied to resting and active animals and intermillent-flow respirometry is described. In addition, flow-through or open respirometry is discussed, in particular when the system is in non-steady state. Simulations are used to show how improper analysis can lead to improper conclusions.

High stocking density produces crowding stress altering some physiological and biochemical parameters in gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, juveniles

Abstract: High stocking density has been shown to produce a wide variety of effects on cultured fish populations, such as alterations in behavior and poor feed utilization, resulting in mortality and poor growth. High stocking density has also been reported to produce chronic stress and mobilization of energy sources in fish. There are few studies focusing on the effect of high stocking density on one of the most important marine fish species for Mediterranean aquaculture, gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Consequently, this study investigates the effect of high stocking density on juveniles of this species, focusing on effects of stocking density on growth, biochemical composition, immune status and hematology.

Ovarian follicle growth, maturation, and ovulation in teleost fish

Abstract: Knowledge of ovarian follicle growth, maturation, and ovulation in teleosts is important to many aspects of basic and biomedical research, fisheries management, aquaculture, and environmental science. Follicle growth includes previtellogenic and vitellogenic stages. Although little progress has been made in our understanding of previtellogenic development, information on the regulation and mechanisms of vitellogenic growth has increased substantially in recent years. This new information pertains to the multiplicity of vitellogenin (Vg) genes, the oocyte Vg receptor, Vg processing enzymes (cathepsins) and their specific yolk products, and synthesis of various vitelline envelope precursor proteins in liver and ovary. Oocyte acquisition of lipids from sources other than Vg dominates follicle growth in many teleosts, especially perciformes, yet our understanding of the basic processes involved remains rudimentary. Considerable advances also have been made in our understanding of the endocrine regulation and mechanisms of ovarian follicle maturation. We have learned that ovarian follicle maturation involves a number of events including luteinizing hormone (LH)-dependent acquisition of oocyte maturational competence, LH induction of maturation-inducing hormone (MIH) synthesis, and MIH-dependent meiotic resumption (nuclear maturation) and cytoplasmic maturation. While much has been learned about mechanisms of maturational competence, MIH synthesis and meiotic resumption, our knowledge of cytoplasmic maturation is limited to descriptions of MIH-dependent yolk protein hydrolysis and associated oocyte hydration in a few species. It has become apparent that ovulation requires genomic activation regulated by nuclear MIH receptors, but the transduction pathways for the ovulatory MIH signal appear to be complex and are poorly understood.

The biology of salmon growth hormone: from daylight to dominance

Abstract: The elucidation of the molecular structure of salmon growth hormone (GH) in the mid-1980's paved the way for a new era of endocrinological research. Establishment of homologous immuno- and receptor-assays have made studies of the secretion, tissue and plasma GH levels, GH turn-over and GH receptor concentrations possible. This overview attempts to summarize the present understanding of the biological roles of GH in salmon. Although the involvement of GH in the regulation of physiological processes throughout the salmon life history has yet to be comprehensively explored, the hormone has already been demonstrated to have several important functions. GH is a principal regulator of somatic growth in salmonids. The growth-stimulating effect of GH is probably integrated with that of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), as in later vertebrates. GH stimulates protein synthesis and improves feed conversion during growth. The hormone also promotes lipid and glycogen breakdown as well as gluconeogenesis, functions which are probably of great importance during starvation when GH levels are seen to increase. During parr-smolt transformation of anadromous salmonids, circulating GH levels appear to be governed by environmental cues. Increasing springtime daylength elevates GH levels, and temperature modulates the photoperiod regulation of GH. The seawater-adapting role of GH during the parr-smolt transformation is complex. In freshwater, GH improves hypoosmoregulatory ability by stimulating branchial Na+,K+-ATPase activity and probably also acts in kidney and intestine. Following seawater entry, GH levels and turn-over increase transiently, probably to further increase seawater tolerance. Accumulating in vitro and in vivo data support the conclusion that GH is involved in the regulation of sexual maturation in salmonids although further studies are needed to establish the exact role of GH in this process. GH increases appetite but it is unclear whether the hormone effects the central nervous system directly, or acts indirectly through metabolic changes. GH increases swimming activity as well as dominant feeding behaviour and diminishes anti-predator behaviour of juvenile salmonids. The GH-induced changes of behavioural patterns imply that there exists an ecological trade-off between high growth rate and long-term survival which may explain why natural fish populations normally grow at sub-maximal rates. Current knowledge indicates that GH is an important and multi-functional hormone in salmon and a central mediator of seasonal changes in physiology and behaviour. The regulatory effects of GH are also of great applied interest as they are likely to affect both product quality in aquaculture and long-term survival of released fish.