This study investigates the stress and innate immune responses of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax experiencing different stocking densities and subjected to a subsequent acute stress challenge. Three duplicated groups of sea bass were reared at 15, 30 and 45 kg/m3 for 5 weeks, and then were over-crowded up to 100 kg/m3 for 15 min. Primary and secondary stress indicators (plasma cortisol, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins) and innate immune parameters (complement, lysozyme, burst respiratory activity of leucocytes) were measured before stress (days 0, 7 and 35) and following crowding stress (1, 6, 24, 48, 72 hours and 10 days). Rearing density up to 45 kg/m3 did not evoke a chronic cortisol response, although induced a significant mobilization of energy substrates. Higher stocking density significantly affected serum complement and burst respiratory activities of leucocytes, whereas serum lysozyme levels were unchanged. Acute stress challenge induced a typical stress response in all groups, producing a significant but transient variation of cortisol and metabolite levels. Recovery occurred 24 hrs post-stress although fish held at a higher stocking density showed a more elevated acute response. A significant decrease of both complement activity and lysozyme concentration were observed 6 hrs post-stress and recovery of pre-stress levels occurred within 10 days. These results suggest that a rearing density higher than 30 kg/m3 over a period of 5 weeks significantly affects the innate immune response of sea bass and increases the magnitude of the stress response following an acute stress challenge.

Stress response and innate immunity in sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax subjected to acute and chronic crowding stress.

MANDICH, ALBERTA;
2004-01-01

Abstract

This study investigates the stress and innate immune responses of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax experiencing different stocking densities and subjected to a subsequent acute stress challenge. Three duplicated groups of sea bass were reared at 15, 30 and 45 kg/m3 for 5 weeks, and then were over-crowded up to 100 kg/m3 for 15 min. Primary and secondary stress indicators (plasma cortisol, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins) and innate immune parameters (complement, lysozyme, burst respiratory activity of leucocytes) were measured before stress (days 0, 7 and 35) and following crowding stress (1, 6, 24, 48, 72 hours and 10 days). Rearing density up to 45 kg/m3 did not evoke a chronic cortisol response, although induced a significant mobilization of energy substrates. Higher stocking density significantly affected serum complement and burst respiratory activities of leucocytes, whereas serum lysozyme levels were unchanged. Acute stress challenge induced a typical stress response in all groups, producing a significant but transient variation of cortisol and metabolite levels. Recovery occurred 24 hrs post-stress although fish held at a higher stocking density showed a more elevated acute response. A significant decrease of both complement activity and lysozyme concentration were observed 6 hrs post-stress and recovery of pre-stress levels occurred within 10 days. These results suggest that a rearing density higher than 30 kg/m3 over a period of 5 weeks significantly affects the innate immune response of sea bass and increases the magnitude of the stress response following an acute stress challenge.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11567/236772
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