Diurnal metabolic rates in Atlantic salmon and Ballan wrasse
The purpose of this experiment is to measure diurnal metabolic rates in Atlantic salmon and Ballan wrasse over a 5-day period. Additionally, implications for protocol length for resting metabolic rate estimations will be evaluated. Moreover, effects on metabolic rates over a 5-day fasting period will be reported as well as whether a 5-day fasting period affects hypoxia tolerance.
We do not expect any injuries to the fish used in these experiments or any long-term experienced distress. Each fish will experience acute handling stress in the beginning of the trial and acute hypoxia stress at the end of the trial.
This proposed experiment will provide new fundamental knowledge of fish physiology with regards to stress responses, stress recovery, hypoxia tolerance, variation in routine diurnal metabolic rates, metabolic effects of fasting, and implication for experimental protocol and design for estimation of resting metabolic rates and hypoxia tolerance. While this study is fundamental research, the results also have applied implications for fish welfare in aquaculture.
We wish to use 24 Atlantic salmon and 24 Ballan wrasse in this experiment.
Regarding the 3R’s: Replacement is not possible as we are investigating whole-animal performances in response to different conditions. Reduction has been used to minimize experimental animals used while not compromising the expected statistical robustness of the results. Refinement has been optimized in the experimental protocols by reducing handling time, avoiding multiple stressors simultaneously, and by ensuring that the time fish spend being distressed is minimal owing to rigorous monitoring.
We do not expect any injuries to the fish used in these experiments or any long-term experienced distress. Each fish will experience acute handling stress in the beginning of the trial and acute hypoxia stress at the end of the trial.
This proposed experiment will provide new fundamental knowledge of fish physiology with regards to stress responses, stress recovery, hypoxia tolerance, variation in routine diurnal metabolic rates, metabolic effects of fasting, and implication for experimental protocol and design for estimation of resting metabolic rates and hypoxia tolerance. While this study is fundamental research, the results also have applied implications for fish welfare in aquaculture.
We wish to use 24 Atlantic salmon and 24 Ballan wrasse in this experiment.
Regarding the 3R’s: Replacement is not possible as we are investigating whole-animal performances in response to different conditions. Reduction has been used to minimize experimental animals used while not compromising the expected statistical robustness of the results. Refinement has been optimized in the experimental protocols by reducing handling time, avoiding multiple stressors simultaneously, and by ensuring that the time fish spend being distressed is minimal owing to rigorous monitoring.