Genetic variation in the humoral immune response against Vibrio salmonicida and in antibody titre against Vibrio anguillarum and total IgM in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

Total IgM level and antibody titre to Vibrio anguillarum O-antigen after bath-vaccination, and specific antibody response to V. salmonicida O-antigen at three different samplings were analysed in family material of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), consisting of 791 fish belonging to 34 maternal full-sib groups within 12 paternal half-sib groups. The fish were immunized twice, and blood samples collected three times. After the third blood sampling, the fish were challenged with V. anguillarum. Medium to low genetic variation was recorded in total IgM and in the antibody titres against V. anguillarum O-antigen and V. salmonicida O-antigen, with heritability estimates of 0.12, 0.18 and from 0.03 to 0.12, respectively. Moderate to high genetic and phenotypic correlations were found between the V. salmonicida O-antigen titres at different samplings. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between the initial titres were moderate to low. The effect of different immune traits, including Aeromonas salmonicida A-layer titres (previously described), on the ability to survive the challenge was examined. The likelihood of surviving the challenge was affected positively by the A. salmonicida A-layer titre at the second sampling, and almost significantly affected by the initial V. anguillarum O-antigen titre. Production traits, such as mean slaughter weight and mean proportion of survivors in a corresponding full-sib material, were obtained in the sea-rearing period. No significant full-sib correlation between immune parameters and production traits was detected.

Plasma levels of insulin, glucagon and glucagon-like peptide in salmonids of different weights.

Plasma levels of insulin in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss, Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar, and Pacific coho salmon,Oncorhynchus kisutch and plasma circulating levels of glucagon and glucagon-like peptide, in rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon, were measured by homologous radioimmunoassays. Hormonal levels were compared against the average body weight of the same group of fish. Plasma insulin levels were significantly correlated (r=0.56, 0.46 and 0.42 respectively) with body weight in all three salmonid species. Moreover, rainbow trout from fast-growing families had significantly higher (p<0.005) plasma insulin levels than did fish from slow-growing families. Plasma titres of glucagon and glucagon-like peptide were always lower than insulin titres and did not correlate with body weight.

Influence of the olfactory sense upon smolt transformation in salmonid fishes.

The effect of olfactory deprivation on the process of smolt transformation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) was investigated. Salmon parr were rendered anosmic by heat-cauterizing in November, and, together with controls, size, purine deposition (silvering), and mortality were monitored throughout spring in individuals within sibling groups. In May the fish were exposed to seawater (3.2% salinity) to determine levels of smoking in anosmic fish compared with control fish. Olfactory deprivation was found to induce a negative effect on survival in both anosmic fish as well as controls when reared within the same rearing tank. A 54% survival was metered in anosmic fish as opposed to only 26% survival in control fish during the experimental period. The low survival rates observed are suggested to result from abnormal behavior in anosmic fish due to lack of proper olfactory stimuli. Within each strain, the anosmic fish were found shorter and displayed less-silvering than their control fish at the end of the experimental period. Further, since control fish could withstand salinity exposure longer than anosmic fish, smolting is suggested to have been retarded among the anosmic fish. Olfactory influence on smolt transformation may be caused by conspecific pheromones secreted for the purpose of mediating effects of life-history patterns in salmonid fishes.