Physicochemical changes in liver and Hsc70 expression in pikeperch Sander lucioperca under heat stress

Abstract

The pikeperch Sander lucioperca is an economically important freshwater species that is currently threatened by higher summer temperatures caused by global warming. To clarify the physiological state of pikeperch reared under relatively high temperatures and to acquire valuable biomarkers to monitor heat stress in this species, 100 fish were subjected to five different temperature treatments, ranging from 23 °C (control) to 36 °C. The physiological and biochemical indexes of liver and blood were determined, and heat-shock cognate 70 kDa protein (Hsc70) mRNA expression profiles were analyzed. The results showed that the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in heat-stressed pikeperch first increased and then decreased, exhibiting peaks at 34 °C, 28 °C, and 28 °C, respectively. The level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in all experimental groups was significantly higher than that of the control. The numbers of red blood cells, the packed-cell volume, and the contents of hemoglobin were significantly higher in the 34 °C and 36 °C treatment groups. Under heat stress, the albumin, cholesterol, and triglycerides contents decreased with increasing temperatures. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative RT-PCR showed that Hsc70 mRNA levels increased in all eight of the tested tissues under heat stress. Expression reached maximum levels at 34 °C in the muscle, heart and gill tissues, and at 36 °C in the other five tissues. These results demonstrate that several physiological and biochemical phenotypes, such as oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes and molecular chaperones, could be important biomarkers of heat stress in pikeperch, and are potentially valuable to uncover the mechanisms of heat-stress responses in fish.