Gene Expression and Stress Response
Baßmann, B. et al. "Effects of stocking density, size, and external stress on growth and welfare of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) in a commercial RAS." Fishes (2023)
Objective: observe and report growth performance and welfare of African catfish
throughout a growth period in commercial production environment
Utilization of Standard BioTools™ products: • Biomark™ HD system
• 48.48 Dynamic Array™ IFCs
Conclusions: • Semi-intensively stocked fish have significantly higher weights than other groups
• Semi-intensive stocking reduces aggression and skin lesions
• Identified novel genes used as markers of stress response in catfish
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CATFISH CASE STUDY
Objective: The objective of this study was to measure gene expression levels of Hemocyte immune response genes when exposed to White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Fusarium solani (fungal) in order to understand the molecular mechanisms driving shrimp-pathogen interactions to develop strategies to control disease outbreaks in shrimp production systems with L. vannamei. Utilization of Standard BioTools products: Biomark SystemNanoFlex 4-IFC Controller96.96 dynamic arraysReal-Time PCR Analysis Software Conclusions: Genes that were monitored showed up regulation and down regulation over the time course study. Results reported can serve as immunomarkers for mortality events and could help reduce the loss in shrimp production systems
Results and conclusions
• PCR experiments using Standard BioTools IFCs were conducted to analyze gene expression for four reference genes and 22 target genes in African catfish
• Significant downregulation of the genes slc39a8 and mtf1 was observed in stressed catfish compared with unstressed fish
• The downregulation of slc39a8 and mtf1 may indicate potential maladaptation to adverse conditions
• These genes could be potential indicators for African catfish welfare in future studies
Background and methods
• In finfish aquaculture, stocking density is a pivotal factor and an issue of frequent debate, as it may be a source of chronic stress, leading to physiological alterations, including stress responses, growth reduction and impairment of health. Collectively, this can be termed fish welfare.
• The authors wanted to test the effects of stocking density on the welfare of African catfish in a commercial setting
• Authors tested three levels of stocking density and observed fish growth performance, mortality, cortisol levels, skin lesions and gene expression due to different stressors