Sammendrag
We recently examined individual variation in the effect of stress on feed
intake in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after stress, and observed
strong correlations between feeding in a novel environment and other
behavioral and physiological traits. For instance, fishes that quickly resumed
feeding were more aggressive and competitive
than slower individuals. Quick individuals also showed a decreased plasma
cortisol and brain serotonin response to stress. Serotonin is central for
normal emotion and cognition in mammals, through its effect on brain
structural processes and neuronal flexibility. Our data therefore suggest that
animal welfare under conditions of group rearing carries over to determine
individual behavior in isolation. Stress resistance is
inheritable in both rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon, but there may be subtle
differences between the biology of these species that affect their performance
in aquaculture. In Norway Atlantic salmon provide a better animal model for
selection studies, since both pedigree information and wild-type reference
populations are still available. Thus, the main objective of this project is
to create high- and low stressresponsive
families of Atlantic salmon and utilize these fish in fundamental studies of
fish neurophysiology and individual welfare criteria, as well as evaluating
their performance under commercial rearing conditions. We will investigate if
the association between low stress responsiveness and high aggression can be
avoided by targeted selection, and whether welfare and production parameters
are improved in lowresponsive
fish. The selection response will be measured in laboratory studies, while
performance in aquaculture will be adjudged under conditions of commercial
rearing. The project combines behavioral observations, analysis of brain
serotonin metabolism, and gene expression related to brain structural
processes as indicators of cognitive function and the emotional state.
Summary of project goals and deliverables
The principle objective is to create high and low stress-responsive families of
Atlantic salmon and elucidate whether increased aggression can be avoided, and
welfare and production parameters can be improved, in the low-responsive line.
The sub-goals are
I. To investigate whether the previously observed association between reduced
stress responsiveness and increased aggression can be dissociated by targeted
selection
II. To investigate whether there is a welfare advantage of using
low-responsive fish in aquaculture, by employing a combination of behavioral
and neurophysiological welfare indicators
III. To investigate whether there is a production advantage of using
low-responsive fish in aquaculture, by studying robustness and growth
patterns at all stages of the rearing cycle
Vis fullstendig beskrivelse
Vitenskapelig sammendrag
We recently examined individual variation in the effect of stress on feed
intake in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after stress, and observed
strong correlations between feeding in a novel environment and other
behavioral and physiological traits. For instance, fishes that quickly resumed
feeding were more aggressive and competitive
than slower individuals. Quick individuals also showed a decreased plasma
cortisol and brain serotonin response to stress. Serotonin is central for
normal emotion and cognition in mammals, through its effect on brain
structural processes and neuronal flexibility. Our data therefore suggest that
animal welfare under conditions of group rearing carries over to determine
individual behavior in isolation. Stress resistance is
inheritable in both rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon, but there may be subtle
differences between the biology of these species that affect their performance
in aquaculture. In Norway Atlantic salmon provide a better animal model for
selection studies, since both pedigree information and wild-type reference
populations are still available. Thus, the main objective of this project is
to create high- and low stressresponsive
families of Atlantic salmon and utilize these fish in fundamental studies of
fish neurophysiology and individual welfare criteria, as well as evaluating
their performance under commercial rearing conditions. We will investigate if
the association between low stress responsiveness and high aggression can be
avoided by targeted selection, and whether welfare and production parameters
are improved in lowresponsive
fish. The selection response will be measured in laboratory studies, while
performance in aquaculture will be adjudged under conditions of commercial
rearing. The project combines behavioral observations, analysis of brain
serotonin metabolism, and gene expression related to brain structural
processes as indicators of cognitive function and the emotional state.
Summary of project goals and deliverables
The principle objective is to create high and low stress-responsive families of
Atlantic salmon and elucidate whether increased aggression can be avoided, and
welfare and production parameters can be improved, in the low-responsive line.
The sub-goals are
I. To investigate whether the previously observed association between reduced
stress responsiveness and increased aggression can be dissociated by targeted
selection
II. To investigate whether there is a welfare advantage of using
low-responsive fish in aquaculture, by employing a combination of behavioral
and neurophysiological welfare indicators
III. To investigate whether there is a production advantage of using
low-responsive fish in aquaculture, by studying robustness and growth
patterns at all stages of the rearing cycle
Vis fullstendig beskrivelse