Tissue distribution of vitamin D3 in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar: effect of dietary level

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were given three dietary doses of vitamin D₃ for a period of 11 weeks: diet groups I, II and III received a 0.04, 2.21 and 28.68 μg g⁻¹ diet of vitamin D₃, respectively. The tissue distribution of vitamin D₃ was investigated, and between diet groups II and III, the level of vitamin D₃ found in the tissues was increased by a factor similar to the increased level in the feed. No effects were observed on weight gain, survival, plasma level of calcium, red blood cell count or haematocrit, relative to the dietary levels of vitamin D₃. The results showed that while the plasma concentration of 25(OH)D₃ increased between diet groups II and III, the concentration of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ decreased.     

Influence of dietary carbohydrate on blood chemistry, immunity and disease resistance in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Abstract. The influence of dietary carbohydrate (CHO) on blood chemistry, immunity and disease resistance was studied in two experiments with Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. Moist diets with increasing amounts of digestible CHO ranging from 0 to 30% (dry weight) were used. In the first experiment with adult (0.5 kg) fish, blood haemoglobin concentration was negatively correlated with increasing dietary CHO level, while serum glucose and protein did not differ between the groups. Serum cortisol increased linearly in fish fed from 5 to 30% CHO. Serum haemolytic activity was negatively correlated with dietary levels of CHO. Humoral immune responses elicited after vaccination by intraperitoneal injection or by dip immersion with Vibrio salmonicida showed no differences according to diet 10 and 17 weeks post-vaccination. Mortality after challenge with live Aeromonas salmonicida by intraperitoneal injection was lowest in fish fed 10% CHO. In the second experiment with juvenile Atlantic salmon (3g), there were minor differences in body and organ weights. Plasma glucose, protein and cholesterol were elevated in fish fed the highest CHO levels. Fish exposed to immersion challenge with different water concentrations of Vibrio anguillarum showed no statistical differences in mortality. The studies indicate that varying dietary levels of CHO affected immunity and resistance to bacterial infections to a minor extent in Atlantic salmon at low water temperatures during freshwater and seawater stages.     

Effects of dietary vitamin C on growth and parr-smolt transformation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr were fed fish meal based pelleted diets supplemented with graded levels of ascorbate-2-monophosphate (AP), equivalent to 0, 20, 60 and 1000 mg ascorbic acid (AA) kg”¹ throughout smoltification on a continuous light regime from February to June. No differences were observed in growth rate and body length distribution between the dietary regimes. The condition factor and the hepatosomatic index were somewhat elevated in fish fed no vitamin C throughout the smoltification, which can reflect changes in lipid metabolism in fish with suboptimal vitamin C nutrition. Sea water challenge tests (exposure to sea water with salinity of 34 gL^?1 and ambient temperature for 24 h) performed monthly did not reveal differences attributed to the vitamin C status, as measured by mortality, serum chloride and cortisol concentrations, haematological parameters and liver and head kidney ascorbate concentrations after 24 h. Elevated serum cortisol concentrations most probably reflected stress in the challenge tests, and some lower concentrations in fish fed high vitamin C levels may indicate a certain stress-ameliorating effect. The present results do not, however, support the anticipation of increased requirement of dietary vitamin C above the minimum requirement during smoltification in Atlantic salmon.     

Comparative effects of dietary Na+-lactate on Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus L., and Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus L., and Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were fed a commercial diet with or without supplementation of 1.5% Na⁺-lactate. Dietary Na⁺-lactate enhanced growth of Arctic char, while that of salmon was unaffected. Dietary ¹⁴C-lactate was retained for significantly longer in the stomach of Arctic char than that of Atlantic salmon. Changes in intestinal cholytaurin hydrolase activity, a bacterially produced enzyme, may indicate that dietary lactate affects the intestinal microbiota of Arctic char but not that of Atlantic salmon. Analysis of bile acids of char showed that dietary Na⁺-Iactate influenced neither intestinal nor gallbladder bile acid composition. Although Arctic char possesses the classical entero-hepatic circulation pathway, no extra loss of bile acids from the fish was observed. It is concluded that the retention time of diet in the stomach of char is significantly longer than that of salmon. This may increase the antibacterial action of lactate in the former, favouring the colonization of lactic-acid-tolerant bacteria in the intestinal tract, some of which produce the enzyme cholytaurin hydrolase.     

Influence of dietary lipid composition on cardiac pathology in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L

The present study investigated the short-term (5 months) effect of replacing dietary marine oils with vegetable oils on the development of arteriosclerotic changes in the heart of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. The experiment was performed as a randomized observer-blinded and controlled trial. Farmed Atlantic salmon were randomly sampled from a study population containing 900 individuals. The salmon were divided into three groups and given diets with either 100% fish oil (Diet 1), a 50/50% mixture of fish oil and rapeseed oil (Diet 2) or 100% rapeseed oil (Diet 3). Ten sexually immature salmon from each dietary group were sampled in March and August 2002. Additionally, 47 sexually mature wild salmon were randomly collected in mid-September 2001. Serial histological sections were taken from the bulbus arteriosus and ventricle wall for histopathological evaluation of the coronary arteries and myocardium. No significant differences in mean coronary changes recorded by the main variable 'mean range lesion' (MRL) were detected between the groups in March or August. MRL increased significantly between March and August with Diet 2 (P < 0.01), was nearly significant with Diet 3 (P = 0.06) and was unchanged with Diet 1. This pattern coincided with the Diet 2 group having the highest increase in heart weight. MHC class II immunoreactive cells in the coronary changes were detected in sections from one individual in each group. Heart weight was the most dominant variable in the data set and explained linearly 15.5% of the variation in MRL. Body weight, fish length and heart weight were all significantly, positively and linearly correlated to MRL. The Diet 2 group had the highest growth rate and also exhibited a significant increase in MRL. The possible influence of diet composition on weight gain and MRL needs to be further elucidated. Increase in heart weight seems to be the dominating predictor of the appearance of MRL in Atlantic salmon. However, the present results cannot exclude the possibility that differences in fatty acid composition of fish feed can influence the development of arteriosclerotic changes in Atlantic salmon.     

In vitro hydroxylation of vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 in tissues of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus, Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus and Atlantic cod Gadus morhua

The in vitro metabolism of ¹⁴CD₃ and ³H25OHD₃ was investigated in different tissues from Atlantic salmon Salmo salar , Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus , Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus and Atlantic cod Gadus morhua . The tissues analysed were liver, kidney, head kidney, gills, spleen and intestine. The metabolites were extracted in methanol–chloroform and separated by normal-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) followed by scintillation counting. Identification of the metabolites was by comigration with standards on normal and reversed-phase HPLC systems and by protein-binding assays. All tissues from all species analysed produced hydroxylated derivatives identified as 25OHD₃, 24,25(OH)₂D₃ and 1,25(OH)₂D₃. In addition, some unidentified derivatives were recorded, one probably being 25,26(OH)₂D₃. Organs producing great amounts of one metabolite also produced considerable amounts of the other possible derivatives, suggesting a lower degree of specificity in fish organs than in human organs. The predominating metabolite was 24,25(OH)₂D₃ in all organs from salmon and mackerel during incubation with ¹⁴CD₃ and within most organs from all species during ³H25OHD₃ incubation. The latter observation probably results from the need for decreasing rather than increasing the calcium absorption in these species, which live at least some periods of life in a marine environment.     

Nocardiosis in tank-reared Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Nocardiosis is an infection caused by aerobic Gram-positive, branching, filamentous rods of the genus Nocardia . The organism is resident in both soil and plants ( Austin & Austin 1993 ; Frerichs 1993 ), and is closely related to Mycobacterium spp. Nocardiosis caused by Nocardia asteroides and N. seriolae (previously N. kampachi ) has been reported in several finfish species, both freshwater and marine. The first reported incidence was recorded by Valdez & Conroy (1963) in neon tetras, Hyphessobrycon innesi (Myers), and subsequently in other fish species, some of commercial significance including rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) ( Snieszko, Bullock, Dunbar & Pettijohn 1964 ), brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), ( Campbell & MacKelvie 1968 ) and yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata (Temminck & Schlegel; Kubota, Kariya, Nakamura & Kira 1968 ). Despite two of these incidences occurring in salmonids, infection by Nocardia spp. in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., has not previously been reported.     

Reproductive strategies in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Abstract. Life-history strategies are means by which animals solve the problems of successful reproduction in varying environments. Their development patterns are consequences of responses to the opportunities the environment offers them. Understanding them requires an understanding of the way they evolved, their ontogenetic development, their physiological control, and their adaptive value. The present paper views the salmonids as marine fishes, which have radiated into fresh water through using river beds as protected spawning grounds. It also takes the view that the maturation process has priority over somatic growth in fish, and that it has already been initiated by the time of first feeding. Its completion is environmentally dependent, and can be arrested annually. Whether or not it will be arrested depends on the status of the energy stores of the individual at particular critical times of year. This mechanism has adaptive value both for immediate reproductive success — adequate energy to provision the next generation — and for later overwinter survival, ensuring that if energy stores are inadequate for reproduction they are spared. Atlantic salmon show variation in their reproductive patterns, and examples are given from laboratory and aquaculture experiments to demonstrate some environmental controls which result in these variations. A hypothetical model is presented to account for the operation of these controls.     

A multivariate study on the effects of dietary vitamin K, vitamin D3 and calcium, and dissolved carbon dioxide on growth, bone minerals, vitamin status and health performance in smolting Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.

Bone deformities represent an increasing, unsolved problem for intensive farming of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. To increase insight into nutritional and environmental impacts on bone mineralization, 16 groups of Atlantic salmon parr were fed diets with different levels of menadione sodium bisulphite (MSB), vitamin D₃, and calcium (Ca), and exposed to different levels of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) based on a multivariate factorial design (2⁴). The composition of the experimental diets was either a high or low level of each of the design variables. In addition, four groups (centre points) were fed a diet with intermediate levels of all dietary parameters and exposed to an intermediate level of dissolved CO₂ to record the variation among tanks. After 6 weeks in fresh water, fish were marked according to group, transferred to a common net pen in sea water and fed commercial feed for another 11 weeks. High levels of CO₂ decreased fish growth both in fresh water and sea water. No visible bone deformities were recorded at any time. Dry matter, protein and ash compositions of bone and concentrations of Ca, phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) in bone were not significantly affected by any of the design variables. Minor effects were observed in clinical parameters recording health performance, stress and plasma Ca homeostasis. The mean level of vitamin D₃ measured as cholecalciferol in fish organs increased significantly during the freshwater period and reflected dietary vitamin D₃, whereas the level decreased when fish were fed commercial feed in sea water. The level of menaquinone in liver increased significantly in response to high dietary levels of MSB, indicating that dietary MSB was converted to menaquinone in salmon.     

Dietary vitamin C,immunity and disease resistance in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Presmolt Atlantic salmon were fed a fish meal based experimental diet supplemented with graded levels of ascorbate-2-monophosphate (AP), equivalent to 40, 400, 2000 and 4000 mg ascorbic acid (AA)/kg for 6 months prior to a bacterial challenge experiment. The liver AA concentration reflected the dietary intake of AP, but not linearly. Growth, hematology and acid phosphatase activity in zymosan stimulated macrophages were not affected by dietary AP. Serum hemolytic complement activity was higher in fish fed the highest AP level, but the variation was not significant. Production of specific antibodies was significantly higher in fish fed the highest AP level 11 and 17 weeks after vaccination. Bacterial challenge with Aeromonas salmonicida showed increased survival in the 4000 AP group. Lysozyme activity in headkidney and serum complement activity and serum iron in fish surviving the challenge were higher in the 4000 AP group, indicating important roles of vitamin C on lysozyme, complement and iron in non-specific disease resistance. The results indicate that high dietary levels of AP favourably affect health in Atlantic salmon. Disease resistance was, however, not correlated with the AA status in the liver.     

The effect of dietary vitamin A on the immunocompetence of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. were maintained on diets containing low (0.37 mg kg^–1 diet), normal (1.95 mg kg^–1 diet) and high (15 mg kg^–1 diet) levels of vitamin A fed at 1.5% body weight per day. After 4 months, liver vitamin A levels reflected dietary intake and growth rates of all three groups were similar. Kidney leucocyte migration and serum bactericidal activity were found to be significantly reduced in fish fed low levels of vitamin A. On the other hand, high levels of vitamin A in the diet were found to augment serum antiprotease activity relative to the levels found in the other dietary groups. However, phagocyte respiratory burst activity, bactericidal activity and eicosanoid production were unaffected by the dietary vitamin A regime, as were lymphocyte functions (lymphokine and antibody production) and both serum lysozyme and classical complement activity. That the overall immunomodulatory effect of vitamin A was small was reflected in the resistance to Aeromonas salmonicida. No significant differences were found between the different vitamin A intake groups despite a trend to decreased resistance in the low vitamin A diet group.     

Haemorrhagic kidney syndrome of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

This report describes a new syndrome affecting farmed Atlantic salmon on the Canadian east coast that has resulted in increased morbidity and mortality in affected stocks. The major pathological findings are apparent only microscopically and include renal interstitial haemorrhage and acute tubular necrosis and tubular casting. As a result, the disease has become known as haemorrhagic kidney syndrome (HKS). Affected fish are lethargic and anorectic, and lack external lesions. Clinically, HKS fish are anaemic, hypoproteinaemic and hyperosmolalic, with increased serum concentrations of sodium and chloride. At necropsy, internal changes ranged from apparently normal to include one or several of the following: swelling and/or patchy reddening of the kidney, pale gills, exophthalmos, serosanguinous ascites, darkening of the posterior intestine and splenomegaly. Ultrastructurally, viral inclusions were found in the cytoplasm of erythrocytes of HKS fish, and there were unusual electron‐dense inclusions within the tips of renal tubular microvilli of HKS fish. The significance and relevance of the ultrastructural findings to HKS are unknown. Virus isolation was attempted using CHSE, RTG‐2, FH‐10, BB and EPC cell lines; no virus was isolated. Bacteriological analysis failed to reveal significant pathogens. Analysis of tissues for heavy metals and pesticides was negative. Assays for clostridial toxins, lipopolysaccharide and verotoxins were negative. The aetiology of HKS remains unresolved.     

Exophiala salmonis infection in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.

Abstract. Infection of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in seawater with Exophiala salmonis is described. Histological effects consisted principally of granuloma formation, especially in the posterior kidney and spread appeared to occur both by extension and by the liaematogenous route. The nature of the outbreak suggested that the original infection occurred via contaminated food.
A comparison is made between this condition and systemic mycoses in other species.     

Infectious pancreatic necrosis in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L

A clinical and histopathological review was carried out of 21 outbreaks of acute infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) in Scottish Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., farms (13 marine and eight fresh water) during 1991-2004. A distinctive syndrome was evident in both post-smolts in sea water and fry in fresh water, where liver lesions, which had not previously been associated with IPN, became a consistent finding in addition to the more typical pancreatic and intestinal changes. Initial cases were described in post-smolts in Shetland, but by the end of the period of investigation this type of pathology had extended down the West coast of Scotland and into Ireland. Limited viral strain analysis suggested that similar strains were involved in both fresh water and sea water and that these differed from earlier isolates from rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). In fresh water, recovered fish frequently developed a greatly distended intestine associated with accumulation of undigested food. In sea water, after the initial, often significant (50% or more), losses, there were many fish which failed to grow and became chronically emaciated and prone to sea louse infection. Although use of transfer diets containing immune enhancers and the selection of IPN resistant broodstock has reduced losses the disease remains a serious cause of economic loss.     

Assessment of flesh colour in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

The degree of pigmentation in muscle of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., fillets of fish that were fed eight diets fortified with 10, 20, 40, 60, 80.100, 150 and 200 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 and a non-supplemented control diet from 3 to 21 months was assessed using different methods. A tristimulus colorimeter (Minolta Chroma Meter) was used to measure the colour composition of the fillets instrumentally. The colour was also determined using the Roche Colour Card for Salmonids. The concentration of astaxanthin in the muscle was measured by chemical analyses. All measurements for colour were done directly on the epaxial muscle anterior to the dorsal fin. The lightness factor (L *). the red/green chromaticity (a*), the yellow/blue chromaticity (b*) and the saturation C* of the colorimetric readings and the Colour Card scores were compared with the chemical analyses. The astaxanthin concentration in the flesh varied from 1 to 10 mg kg^?1 and the visual appearance of the fillets varied from yellowish-white to red. The relationship between the a*, b* and C* values and the astaxanthin concentration in the muscle was non-linear. Non-linear regression lines were found between the a* value and the astaxanthin concentration in the flesh (r²= 0.974) and the b* value and the astaxanthin concentration in the flesh (r²= 0.984). The instrument was not able to detect differences in astaxanthin concentration at astaxanthin levels above 3-4 mg kg^?1 using the presented method directly on the fillet. The instrument might be useful for rejecting groups of salmon with poor pigmentation. A good linear regression was found between the Colour Card score and the mean astaxanthin concentration in the flesh (r² - 0.992). The Colour Card provided a better prediction of the astaxanthin concentration at higher astaxanthin levels than the Chroma Meter. None of the methods provided a satisfactory prediction of the astaxanthin concentration in the muscle of individual fish using the presented methods.