Effects of chemical and handling exposure on fatty acids, oxidative stress and morphological welfare indicators in gilt-head sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Abstract

This work investigates the changes in the morphological traits, body composition, body fat and oxidative stress of Sparus aurata under two stress conditions: a low weekly exposure to the pesticide Diuron and chronic handling stress. The fish exposed to handling stress showed lower values in the morphological traits and perivisceral fat, whereas chemical stress induced a decrease in the percentage of muscle and carcase and an increase in the percentage of spleen and hepatosomatic index. The two stress situations produced changes in the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) levels in all organs studied with a particularly marked response for Diuron in the gill. No significant differences in the ROS (reactive oxygen species) level were found for the digestive tract or the gill. In muscle, only Diuron produced a significant increase in ROS, while in liver, both treatments increased the ROS levels. This supports the oxidative stress sensitivity to chemical stress and shows that also could be an appropriate indicator of handling stress. The morphological indexes and body components examined could be practical and easy welfare indicators. Nevertheless, further works must be needed to use under the production conditions in fish farms.

Assessment of oxidative stress in Flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus) and Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

“…In Flathead mullet, our previous research (Fazio et al 2014) showed a positive relationship between TOS and TAC following different storage times of serum. Other authors (Sanchez-Muros et al 2013) showed a correlation between ROS and FRAP in different tissues (liver, muscle, digestive and gill) in unstressed S. aurata; this positive trend disappears in the stressed fish and may even become a negative trend in the organs of the fish. Correlative relationships between pro-oxidative parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities also conform to what is anticipated if the peroxidation process is subsequent to the exhaustion of the antioxidant defence system.…”

“…In fish, some authors showed that oxidation products and antioxidant defences were correlated in the muscle of several estuarine fish species (Madeira et al 2013). Particularly, a correlation between ROS and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant potential) in different tissues (liver, muscle, digestive and gill) has been shown in Sparus aurata (Sanchez-Muros et al 2013). Other researchers (Fazio et al 2014) have shown a positive relationship between total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in serum from Flathead mullet analysed after different periods of storage (2, 24, 48 and 72 h) at 4 °C.…”

Nutritional evaluation ofTenebrio molitormeal as fishmeal substitute for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diet

“…a), indicate that the probable cause is the higher level of PUFAs and HUFAs, indicating a high response capacity of these two organs, as it has been described under multiple stress conditions (Sánchez‐Muros et al . ).…”

Biochemical and toxicological effects of organic (herbicide Primextra® Gold TZ) and inorganic (copper) compounds on zooplankton and phytoplankton species

“…Environmental stressors interfere with sub-organismal constituents such as cells and tissues, therefore, biomolecular and biochemical levels are sensitive and quick-responding indicators to stressors (Adams and Greeley, 2000). Indeed, alteration in FA composition is a sensitive early warning bio-indicator of stress, as evidenced by numerous studies (Gonç alves et al, 2012b(Gonç alves et al, , 2016Maazouzi et al, 2008;Ramírez et al, 2013;Sánchez-Muros et al, 2013).…”