Metabolic and digestive activity profiles of newly hatched spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor Olafsen): effect of temperature

Type Article
Date 2008-03
Language English
Author(s) Savoie A1, 2, Le Francois N1, 2, Cahu Chantal3, Blier P2
Affiliation(s) 1 : Univ Quebec Rimouski MAPAQ, Ctr Aquacole Marin, Grande Riviere, PQ GOC 1V0, Canada.
2 : Univ Quebec Rimouski MAPAQ, Lab Biol Anim Integrat, Quebec City, PQ, Canada.
3 : Unite Mixte INRA IFREMER Nutr Poissons, Plouzane, France.
Source Aquaculture Research (1355-557X) (Blackwell science), 2008-03 , Vol. 39 , N. 4 , P. 382-389
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2109.2007.01797.x
WOS© Times Cited 20
Keyword(s) Anarhichas minor, Temperature, Growth, Energy metabolism, Digestive capacities
Abstract Three groups of newly hatched spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) were held at three different temperatures in order to determine relationships between metabolic, digestive and growth response in rapidly developing larvae. Growth rates were successfully modulated by temperature (5, 8 and 12 degrees C). Activity levels of trypsin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were positively linked to specific growth rates at all temperatures. Trypsin showed a positive compensation (higher activity at lower temperature) whereas glycolytic enzymes (pyruvate kinase and Lactate dehydrogenase) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) showed a negative compensation (lower activity at lower temperature). Citrate synthase was not affected by growth rate, indicating that the level of aerobic capacity was adequate in sustaining the high energetic needs associated with rapid growth early in the life of the spotted wolffish. In light of our results, it is suggested that protein digestion, as demonstrated by the activity profile of trypsin in relation to growth rate and temperature, is likely a key growth-limiting agent during the early-life stages of wolffishes. Our results are discussed in comparison with A. lupus, a closely related species displaying different temperature preferences and growth capacities.
Full Text
File Pages Size Access
publication-3810.pdf 12 174 KB Open access
Top of the page