Age‐dependent baseline values of faecal cortisol metabolites in the American mink (Neovison vison) under semi‐natural housing conditions

The welfare of an animal is ensured if it is able to fully satisfy its essential species‐typical needs in all functional aspects of behaviour. In mink, stereotypies and apathy, internal and/or external injuries as well as increased susceptibility to disease have been known to occur as a result of chronic stress. The non‐invasive method of analysing faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) allows conclusions to be drawn about the stress level in the respective housing system. The objective of this study is to find out how the cortisol metabolites content in the faecal changes with increasing age of the mink under semi‐natural housing conditions. Thus, 40 American mink (Neovison vison) were housed in two outdoor enclosures imitating natural conditions. Throughout the entire study (13th to 32nd week of life), faecal samples were collected to measure cortisol metabolites. No differences in FCM concentrations between the two outdoor enclosures were found. In the young mink lower, less fluctuating FCM levels were found than in older animals. After the first faecal collection in the 13th/14th week of life, the level of metabolites decreased slightly (p = 0.032; 17th/18th week). From the 22nd/23rd week onwards until the 30th/31st week, shortly before the animals were pelted, continuously increasing concentrations were then measured. Increasing FCM levels with advancing age of the animals are probably attributable to the onset of sexual maturity and/or the respective season. This has to be taken into account in future studies using this method for assessing welfare and when comparing different mink housing systems.     

Effect of cortisol on the metabolism of 17-hydroxyprogesterone by Arctic charr and rainbow trout embryos

The effect of cortisol on the in vitro metabolism of [³H]17-hydroxyprogesterone ([³H]17OHP) was studied during embryonic development of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In the absence of cortisol, rainbow trout embryos metabolized [³H]17OHP largely to androstenedione (A₄) and androstenetrione (11-KA) with a minor conversion to 17,20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20P). In the presence of cortisol, this biosynthesis was inhibited. On the other hand, cortisol had no apparent inhibitory effect on the nature of metabolism of [³H]17OHP by Arctic charr embryos. In these embryos [³H]17OHP was metabolized mainly to 17,20P with a minor conversion to A₄ and without the formation of 11-KA that was seen in rainbow trout.When incubated in the presence of [³H]cortisol both Arctic charr and rainbow trout embryos produced 11ß-hydroxyandrostenedione (11ß-OHA) as the major metabolite, with a minor conversion to an unknown steroid. The catabolism of the cortisol by salmonid embryos may reflect the ability of the embryo to inactivate or detoxify cortisol to protect itself from the adverse effects of this biologically potent steroid hormone The study indicates the existence of species-specific differences in the nature of metabolism of [³H]17OHP and the inhibitory effect of cortisol on this metabolism.     

Effects of cortisol and angiotensin II on the number and size of juxtaglomerular cells in masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou

The authors previously reported that the number and size of juxtaglomerular cells (JGCs) in the kidney increased during smoltification in masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou. In the present study, the effects of cortisol and/or angiotensin (Ang) II ([Asn¹, Val⁵]-Ang II) on the JGC number and size in masu salmon were examined to elucidate hormonal regulation of the changes in the JGC number and size during smoltification. These hormones were injected intraperitoneally every 2 days for a total of 6 injections. There was a significant increase in the JGC number and size with time following the start of the experiment in cortisol- and cortisol + Ang II-treated groups and no significant change in control and Ang II-treated groups. On both days 5 and 11, the JGC number and size in the cortisol-treated group were significantly large compared to those of control and Ang II-treated groups, respectively. The JGC number and size in the cortisol + Ang II-treated group were significantly large compared to those of control on both days 5 and 11, and those of the Ang II-treated group only on day 11, respectively. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the JGC number and size between the Ang II-treated and control groups and between the cortisol- and cortisol + Ang II-treated groups during the experiment, respectively. The means of the JGC number and size in cortisol-treated group on day 11 were close to those previously reported in smolt. These results suggest that cortisol induces an increase in JGC number and size during smoltification in masu salmon. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cortisol does not affect hepatic α- and β-adrenoceptor properties in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Distribution and function of hepatic - and -adrenoceptors were examined in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) injected with slow release hydrogenated coconut oil implants alone (sham) or containing cortisol. - and -Adrenoceptors were assayed on purified hepatic membranes 10–14 days post-implantation using ³H-prazosin () and ³H-CGP (). At 10–14 days, plasma cortisol values were significantly elevated to approximately 220 compared with 35.0 ng ml^-1 in cortisol implanted vs. sham trout. No significant differences were found between any of the experimental groups for either the affinity (K_d) or maximal number of binding sites (B_max) for either receptor type. Epinephrine significantly stimulated glucose release from hepatocytes isolated from sham injected trout, but not from cortisol-treated fish. Epinephrine-induced glucose release was blocked by both - and -antagonists. These studies do not support the hypothesis that rainbow trout exposed to chronic cortisol alter properties of hepatic adrenoceptors.     

Temporal changes in plasma thyroid hormone,growth hormone and free fatty acid concentrations,and hepatic 5′-monodeiodinase activity,lipid and protein content during chronic fasting and re-feeding in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Temporal changes in growth, plasma thyroid hormone, cortisol, growth hormone (GH) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, hepatic T₃ content and hepatic 5-monodeiodinase activity were measured in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) subjected to a sustained fast for up to eight weeks, and during a four-week re-feeding period. The purpose of the study was to examine aspects of the endocrine control of energy partitioning processes characteristic of short-term (acute; fasting) and long-term (chronic; starvation) food-deprivation states in fish, and to explore the role of the thyroid hormones, cortisol and GH in the energy repartitioning that takes place during an acute anabolic (re-feeding) state following chronic food deprivation.Differences in growth rate between fed and fasted groups were evident after two weeks, but significant weight loss by the fasted groups was not evident until between four and six weeks into the fast. Hepatosomatic indices (HSIs) were significantly reduced in the fasted fish within seven days, and as early as two days in one study; recovery of the HSI in fasted fish was evident within three days of re-feeding. Liver protein content (expressed as % wet weight) was consistently depressed in the fasted fish in only one of the three studies. Liver total lipid content (expressed as % wet weight) was depressed in the fasted fish within two days of food deprivation. Because of the rapid and sustained decrease in the HSI of fasted fish, the hepatic total protein and lipid reserves, when considered on a body weight basis, were markedly lowered within the first few days of the fast. Plasma GH concentrations exhibited a bi-modal pattern of change, with a transient fall in levels, followed by a sustained increase in fasted fish. The indicators of interrenal activity were suggestive of a depressed pituitary-interrenal axis in fasted animals; plasma cortisol levels were elevated to levels of fed animals within one day of re-feeding. The indicators of thyroid hormone economy (plasma thyroid hormone levels, liver triiodothyronine content, hepatic 5-monodeiodinase (MD) activity, thyroid epithelial cell height) were similarly indicative of a depressed pituitary-thyroid axis in fasted animals, with recovery to levels of the fed animals within one week. Despite the compensatory changes in accumulation of reserves (as indicated by a compensatory increase in HSI), there were no apparent compensatory changes in any of the endocrine parameters evident during the re-feeding period.     

Endocrine stress response and abnormal development in carp (Cyprinus carpio) larvae after exposure of the embryos to PCB 126

To investigate whether PCB 126 exposure duringembryonic development induces an endocrine stressresponse in larval carp, eggs were exposed,containing 0.01% ethanol (vehicle-control), 10^-11,immediately after fertilization, for 48 h to water10^-10 or 10^-9 mol l^-1 PCB in 0.01% ethanol. Eggsincubated in water served as controls. After transferto PCB-free water, mortality, the incidence ofyolk-sac and pe-ricardial oedema, wet and dry weight,rate of skin pigmentation, and whole-body contents ofthe stress hormones ACTH, -MSH and cortisol weredetermined at 48, 96, 144, 168, 192 and 216 hpost-fertilization. Except for the dry weight, allparameters of animals exposed to 10^-10 and 10^-9 moll^-1 PCB increased in a concentration-related manner.However, these changes became evident only at 144 hpost-fertilization, i.e. after resorption of theyolk-sac. Swelling of the yolk sac and pericardiumoccurred, and whole-body ACTH, -MSH and cortisollevels increased. Although animals exposed to 10^-10and 10^-9 mol l^-1 PCB displayed stable but elevatedwhole-body ACTH and -MSH levels until 216 h,whole-body cortisol concentrations gradually decreasedfrom 168 h post-fertilization, and were significantlybelow control values at 216 h post-fertilization.Exposure of the carp embryos to 10^-11 mol l^-1 PCB only increased whole-body -MSH levels. Increased whole-body ACTH and cortisol levels indicate that PCBinduces a stress response in carp larvae, possiblymediated by a disturbed hydromineral balance (oedema).We further suggest that the PCB-stimulated bodypigmentation is mediated by a stimulation of -MSHsecretion.     

Improved survival of rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton-Buchanan) and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes) fingerlings using low-dose quinaldine and benzocaine during transport

The effects of fingerlings immersion in low‐dose benzocaine (15 and 30 mg L⁻¹, silver carp and rohu) and quinaldine (100 μL L⁻¹ silver crap and 250 μL L⁻¹ rohu) for 1, 3 and 6 h on stress responses and survival of rohu, Labeo rohita and silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix fingerlings were evaluated in a transport simulation experiment. Both quinaldine and benzocaine showed low mortalities (0–2%). The total mortality in control (with no anaesthesia) was 30% for rohu and 14% for silver carp. Quinaldine and benzocaine‐treated fingerlings had significantly higher plasma chloride levels than the control in both species. Benzocaine, quinaldine, as well as the control, had an initial elevation of plasma cortisol levels. Benzocaine lost its effectiveness after 3 h exposure while quinaldine persisted throughout the 6 h experimental period. Both sedatives reduced bacterial build‐up compared with the control. No post‐exposure mortality was observed for any of the transport methods assessed 48 h after the treatment. This study suggests that the use of low‐dose benzocaine or quinaldine during transport has positive effect on the survival and health of rohu and silver carp fingerlings.     

Physiology of seawater acclimation in the striped bass,Morone saxatilis (Walbaum)

Several experiments were performed to investigate the physiology of seawater acclimation in the striped bass, Morone saxatilis. Transfer of fish from fresh water (FW) to seawater (SW; 31–32 ppt) induced only a minimal disturbance of osmotic homeostasis. Ambient salinity did not affect plasma thyroxine, but plasma cortisol remained elevated for 24h after SW transfer. Gill and opercular membrane chloride cell density and Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity were relatively high and unaffected by salinity. Average chloride cell size, however, was slightly increased (16%) in SW-acclimated fish. Gill succinate dehydrogenase activity was higher in SW-acclimated fish than in FW fish. Kidney Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity was slightly lower (16%) in SW fish than in FW fish. Posterior intestinal Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity and water transport capacity (J_v) did not change upon SW transfer, whereas middle intestinal Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity increased 35% after transfer and was correlated with an increase in J_v (110%). As salinity induced only minor changes in the osmoregulatory organs examined, it is proposed that the intrinsic euryhalinity of the striped bass may be related to a high degree of “preparedness” for hypoosmoregulation that is uncommon among teleosts studied to data.     

Effects of steroid hormones on immunoglobulin M (IgM) in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

The immunosuppressive effects of steroid hormones were evaluated as the response against implanted steroid hormones, cortisol (F), testosterone (T), estradiol-17 (E2), and 11- ketotestosterone (11-KT), in juvenile rainbow trout. In long term experiments (5 weeks), fish were given a single intraperitoneal implant of F or T. A clear suppressive effect of plasma IgM levels with F and T was not necessarily obtained, although mucus IgM levels were reduced corresponding to the elevated plasma steroid hormone levels. In short term experiments (1 week), intraperitoneal implantation of T, 11-KT and E2 suppressed plasma and mucus IgM levels, although the effects were not dose-dependent. When administered through diet, F and T caused a suppression of plasma IgM levels; F administration at both high and low dosages caused a significant decrease in plasma IgM levels, while only a high dose of T caused the suppression. These results suggest that sex steroid hormones, as well as F, have immunosuppressive functions in rainbow trout.