Allostatic Load and Stress Physiology in European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) and Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata L.).

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to compare effects of increasing chronic stress load on the stress response of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) to identify neuroendocrine functions that regulate this response. Fish were left undisturbed (controls) or exposed to three levels of chronic stress for 3 weeks and then subjected to an acute stress test (ACT). Chronic stress impeded growth and decreased feed consumption in seabass, not in seabream. In seabass basal cortisol levels are high and increase with stress load; the response to a subsequent ACT decreases with increasing (earlier) load. Basal cortisol levels in seabream increase with the stress load, whereas the ACT induced a similar response in all groups. In seabass and seabream plasma α-

SUBMITTER: Samaras A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6104477 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature