Effects of early life stress to Atlantic salmon immune response, disease resistance and metabolism
Purpose
Despite of the strict biosecurity and disease control measures, infectious diseases such as bacterial infections still pose a huge challenge to the aquaculture industry. Yersinia ruckeri is the causative agent for enteric redmouth disease (ERM) in salmonid fish, including Atlantic salmon.
In fishes, immune function and growth systems are highly interlinked due to trade-offs in energy allocation. The relatively high embryonic temperatures as well as selective breeding for fast growth in Atlantic salmon may influence their immune capacity. It is believed that the use of low – more natural – embryonic temperatures affect immune system development and its later function through changes in metabolism, and thereby improving survival and disease resistance potential.
The trial described in this application will assess 1) the disease resistance and immune responses to Y. ruckeri, and 2) metabolic response with respect to temperature in Atlantic salmon parr with different embryonic thermal history.
Distress
Fish will be exposed to Y. ruckeri and is expected to develop pathological symptoms of the associated disease. Mortality is likewise expected. Fish will be placed in a respirometer chamber.
Expected Benefit
The experiment will provide evidence that embryonic incubation temperature can be pivotal for the development of an efficient immune system to cope with disease challenges later in life, and that embryonic temperatures changes standard metabolic rates The results will contribute to producing a robust Atlantic salmon characterized by enhanced survival and improved welfare and performance.
Number of animals and what kind?
This application is requesting 2060 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr. One thousand eight hundred (1800, appr. 10g) are intended for the Y. ruckeri trial, and two hundred and sixty (260) fish are to be used for the respirometry trial.
How to adhere to 3R
Disease resistance and oxygen measurements are two of the main response targets of the trial, thus, the optimal approach to test the hypotheses is with the use of live fish. However, the experimental design comprises minimum stocking density in the tank and the infection will not be allowed to progress severely. Humane endpoints are defined, and the experimental systems are designed for optimal rearing conditions for parr.
Despite of the strict biosecurity and disease control measures, infectious diseases such as bacterial infections still pose a huge challenge to the aquaculture industry. Yersinia ruckeri is the causative agent for enteric redmouth disease (ERM) in salmonid fish, including Atlantic salmon.
In fishes, immune function and growth systems are highly interlinked due to trade-offs in energy allocation. The relatively high embryonic temperatures as well as selective breeding for fast growth in Atlantic salmon may influence their immune capacity. It is believed that the use of low – more natural – embryonic temperatures affect immune system development and its later function through changes in metabolism, and thereby improving survival and disease resistance potential.
The trial described in this application will assess 1) the disease resistance and immune responses to Y. ruckeri, and 2) metabolic response with respect to temperature in Atlantic salmon parr with different embryonic thermal history.
Distress
Fish will be exposed to Y. ruckeri and is expected to develop pathological symptoms of the associated disease. Mortality is likewise expected. Fish will be placed in a respirometer chamber.
Expected Benefit
The experiment will provide evidence that embryonic incubation temperature can be pivotal for the development of an efficient immune system to cope with disease challenges later in life, and that embryonic temperatures changes standard metabolic rates The results will contribute to producing a robust Atlantic salmon characterized by enhanced survival and improved welfare and performance.
Number of animals and what kind?
This application is requesting 2060 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr. One thousand eight hundred (1800, appr. 10g) are intended for the Y. ruckeri trial, and two hundred and sixty (260) fish are to be used for the respirometry trial.
How to adhere to 3R
Disease resistance and oxygen measurements are two of the main response targets of the trial, thus, the optimal approach to test the hypotheses is with the use of live fish. However, the experimental design comprises minimum stocking density in the tank and the infection will not be allowed to progress severely. Humane endpoints are defined, and the experimental systems are designed for optimal rearing conditions for parr.