Ectoparasite Caligus rogercresseyi modifies the lactate response in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology 2017-08, Vol.243, p.6-11
• Main Authors: Vargas-Chacoff, L., Muñoz, J.L.P., Hawes, C., Oyarzún, R., Pontigo, J.P., Saravia, J., González, M.P., Mardones, O., Labbé, B.S., Morera, F.J., Bertrán, C., Pino, J., Wadsworth, S., Yáñez, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Atlantic salmon; Chile; Coho salmon; Copepoda - physiology; Ectoparasitic Infestations - parasitology; Ectoparasitic Infestations - veterinary; Fish Diseases - parasitology; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Lactate; Lactic Acid - blood; Lactic Acid - metabolism; LDH gene; Liver - enzymology; Muscles - enzymology; Oncorhynchus kisutch - parasitology; Plasma; Salmo salar - parasitology; Sea lice; Species Specificity
• ISSN: 0304-4017; 1873-2550
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.05.031

•Caligus rogercresseyi negatively impacts Chilean salmon farming.•Atlantic and Coho salmon, the main aquaculture species in Chile, are differently susceptible to sea lice infestation.•The lactate responses of Atlantic and Coho salmon were modified by the ectoparasite.•The responses differed between both salmon species suggesting potential species-specific responses to sea-lice infestation. Although Caligus rogercresseyi negatively impacts Chilean salmon farming, the metabolic effects of infection by this sea louse have never been completely characterized. Therefore, this study analyzed lactate responses in the plasma, as well as the liver/muscle lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and gene expression, in Salmo salar and Oncorhynchus kisutch infested by C. rogercresseyi. The lactate responses of Atlantic and Coho salmon were modified by the ectoparasite. Both salmon species showed increasing in plasma levels, whereas enzymatic activity increased in the muscle but decreased in the liver. Gene expression was overexpressed in both Coho salmon tissues but only in the liver for Atlantic salmon. These results suggest that salmonids need more energy to adapt to infection, resulting in increased gene expression, plasma levels, and enzyme activity in the muscles. The responses differed between both salmon species and over the course of infection, suggesting potential species-specific responses to sea-lice infection.