Abstract

Continuous photoperiod is extensively used in fish farming, to regulate the reproductive cycle, despite evidence suggesting that artificial photoperiods can act as a stressor and impair the immune system. We evaluated the potential effects of an artificial photoperiod on mucus components: lysozyme and mucin, in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after exposure for one month to natural photoperiod (LD12:12) or constant light (LD24:0) artificial photoperiod. For each treatment, we assessed changes in peripheral blood cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes) and skin mucus component concentrations. Our results show a decrease in lysozyme concentration, while mucin levels are increased. Similarly, we find elevated monocytes and polymorphonuclears under constant light photoperiod. These findings suggest that LD24:0 regulates lysozyme, mucin, and leukocytes, implying that artificial photoperiods could be a stressful.

Highlights

  • The light-dark cycle is one of the most important inputs that control many biological activities in fish [1,2]

  • Hematocrit and erythrocytes show a trending increase from day 0 to 14 in both treatment groups, no statistically significant differences were observed at each time point between treatment groups (Figure 2A,B)

  • Regarding the white blood cell counts (WBC), total leukocyte numbers decrease in fish maintained under artificial photoperiod within 3 days of exposure and until day 7, Regarding the white blood cell counts leukocyte compared to the natural photoperiod group. (WBC), At daystotal

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Summary

Introduction

The light-dark cycle is one of the most important inputs that control many biological activities in fish [1,2]. Salmonids are normally raised under constant light (light, L; dark, D = LD24:0) since the first feeding to accelerate growth during the freshwater phase. The onset of smoltification is triggered using constant light (LD24:0), followed by a period of artificial winter (LD12:12) during six to eight weeks, and followed by additional six weeks in LD24:0 [7]. The application of artificial photoperiod is considered a clean technique, a recent study in trout estimated mortality rates over 25% in fish subjected to artificial photoperiods compared to mortality rates of 7% in fish maintained in natural light cycles [9,10]. Application of artificial light indues stress that leads to immunosuppression and leaves salmonids and Nile tilapia prone to diseases [8,10,11,12]

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