The impact of Aeromonas salmonicida infection on behaviour and physiology of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) |
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| Authors: | Mengmeng Yi Yishuai Du Liang Chi Guoxiang Sun Xian Li Ying Liu |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China;2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;3. National & Local Joint Engineering 4. Laboratory of Ecological Mariculture, Qingdao, China |
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| Abstract: | This study examined the effect of Aeromonas salmonicida infection on the swimming behaviour and physiology of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Fish were injected in the dorsal muscle with either 100 μL bacterium solution (3.05 × 107CFU mL?1) Aeromonas salmonicida, or 100 μL 0.9% NaCl (as control group). Compared with the control group, the pathogen injected group significantly impaired the critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and exhausting time (P < 0.05), which were reduced by 37% and 39% at severe time (day 6, when most of the fish challenged by Aeromonas salmonicida died) respectively. Furthermore, the blood parameters related to their swimming behaviour were also influenced significantly by pathogen injection (P < 0.05). The results showed that the high density lipoprotein (HDL), haemoglobin and total protein decreased by about 63%, 49% and 74% at the end, respectively, while lactate increased by about 29% on day 6. The results suggested that the swimming performance of Atlantic salmon might be a useful indicator of disease, and it was feasible to warn the outbreaks of acute disease by fish behaviour. |
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| Keywords: | Atlantic salmon Aeromonas salmonicida Ucrit blood parameters disease indicator |
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