Effects Of Transport Stress Research Articles

Transport Stress Induced Cardiac NO-NOS Disorder Is Mitigated by Activating Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 Antioxidant Defense Response in Newly Hatched Chicks.

With the development of the intensive poultry industry, the health problems of chickens caused by transportation have attracted more and more attention. Transport stress reduces performance, immune function, and meat quality in chicks, which has become one of the most important factors that endanger the development of the poultry industry. Currently, studies on the effects of transport stress have mainly focused on the performance of livestock and poultry to be slaughtered. However, the effects of transport stress on heart damage and oxidative stress in newborn chicks have not been reported. In this study, we selected newborn chicks as the object. This study was intended to explore the effects of transport stress on the heart damage of newly hatched chicks. The findings suggested that transport stress could cause oxidative stress in the hearts of newly hatched chicks by increasing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and decreasing the contents of Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD), together with increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione S-transferase (GST)). Transport stress disrupted the balance between oxidation and antioxidant systems. The Nrf2 signaling pathway was activated by transport stress and triggered the transcription of antioxidant signaling. In short, transport stress-induced nitric oxide (NO)—nitric oxide synthases (NOS) system metabolic disorders and cardiac oxidative stress are mitigated by activating the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) antioxidant defense response in newly hatched chicks.

Effects of transport stress on immune response, physiological state, and WSSV concentration in the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii

Transport is an essential part of the aquaculture and research of the main freshwater aquaculture crayfish Procambarus clarkii in China. However, transport is often accompanied by a low survival rate. Assessing the physiological state of P. clarkii before and after transport may discover the cause of this high mortality rate. In this study, ice-cold and exposed-to-air transport methods were compared using an array of parameters, including relative expression level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), content of serum glucose and cortisol, immune parameters (enzyme and immune-related genes), and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) concentration were investigated to understand the physiological state of P. clarkii before and after transport, as well as the cause of dying crayfish on days 5 and 7 after transport stress. Histological sections of hepatopancreas, gills, and intestines reflected pathological changes. The survival rate of crayfish with ice-cold transport was significantly higher than that with exposed-to-air transport, and mortality peaked at 3–9 days after transport stress. A prolonged response to oxidative stress and short-term immunosuppression was present after transport, and the trend of the WSSV concentration in the hepatopancreas was similar to the mortality rate of P. clarkii. The contents of serum glucose and cortisol, antioxidant enzymes and immune-related indexes, and the concentration of WSSV in hepatopancreas of dying crayfish were significantly higher than those of vibrant crayfish on the 5th and 7th days after transport. The hepatopancreas, intestines, and gills of dying crayfish had varying degrees of damage, and the hepatopancreas and intestines were severely damaged. The results suggested that the death of P. clarkii after transport stress is caused by oxidative stress, the imbalance of reactive oxygen species regulation, and decreased WSSV resistance, which eventually led to irreversible tissue damage. The increase of WSSV in the body of crayfish might be the direct cause of crayfish death.

Effects of transportation stress on antioxidation, immunity capacity and hypoxia tolerance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Transportation is common and necessary in aquaculture practice. A series of physiological changes in fish are caused by transportation stress. The present study investigated the effects of transportation of rainbow trout Onchorhynchus mykiss. Juvenile rainbow trout were placed in plastic bags, and sampled before transportation (P1), two hours after transportation (P2) and 48 h after transportation (P3). The water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) and nitrite nitrogen (NO2–-N) were analyzed. The relative expression of genes involved in stress and immunity (IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, LYZⅡ, HSP70 and HSP90), hypoxia tolerance (hif-1α, GLUT-1) and NF-kB pathway related (NF-kB, Ikb and Ikb2) were analyzed by RT-QPCR. In addition, oxidative damage, antioxidant and immune parameters (the activity of malondialdehyde MDA, superoxide dismutase SOD, catalase CAT and total antioxidant capacity T-AOC, acid phosphatase ACP, alkaline phosphatase AKP and total nitric oxide synthase NOS) were determined. The level of DO at P2 point was significantly decreased compared with P1 and P3 point. The NH4+-N concentration was significantly higher than that at P1 and P3. Further, there was a significant increase in HSP70 expression in gill and muscle during transportation. The expression of TNF-α, IL-1 β and IL-8 in gill and IL-1 β and IL-8 in muscle were significantly up regulated during transportation. The HSP70/90, TNF-α, IL-1 β and IL-8 genes can be used as bio-indicators to monitor stress. Moreover, ACP enzyme activity in liver and muscle, AKP in gill and MDA contents in gill and muscle were significantly higher at P2. The activity of NOS and T-AOC in gill was significantly higher at P3, and showed an increasing trend. In general, this study provides basial information of transportation, and will be helpful to choose more suitable conditions for successful transportation of juvenile rainbow trout.

Effects of Transportation Stress on Complete Blood Count, Blood Chemistry, and Cytokine Gene Expression in Heifers.

Blood samples were obtained from 16 high-risk heifers; eight were newly arrived from a 40 h road trip (0 days post-arrival (DPA)), whereas the other eight heifers had been in the feedlot at 25 DPA. Both groups were transported from the southeast tropical region of Mexico to a feedlot in the northeast and were sampled on the same day. The complete blood count, blood chemistry, and cytokine gene expression were analyzed. Gene expression was analyzed using specific primers to amplify and quantify the cDNA reverse transcribed from the mRNA transcripts for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-2. Higher values for hematocrit (p = 0.029), hemoglobin (p = 0.002), eosinophils (0.029), albumin (p = 0.014), alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.004), bilirubin (p = 0.003), cholesterol (p = 0.014), and cortisol (p = 0.051) were observed in the 0 DPA group than the 25 DPA group. In the electrophoresis of TNF-α amplification products, two non-specific bands were observed in the 0 DPA group. These bands were sequenced, and BLAST analysis suggested that they corresponded to bovine lymphotoxin and have not been reported previously related to stress. The TNF-α expression level was higher (p = 0.001) in the 25 DPA group than the 0 DPA group according to the semi-quantitative expression analysis. This may indicate a persistent inflammatory process that could be related to trauma and disease, which can negatively impact their subsequent health and growth performance. In conclusion, homeostatic disruption was apparent in the 0 DPA heifers, which showed higher cortisol and reductions in TNF-α levels and stress-induced bovine lymphotoxin (SIBL) co-expression.

Effects of transport stress on pathological injury and expression of main heat shock proteins in the caprine stomach

BackgroundTransportation is necessary to introduce new breeds of goats to the farm and move the adult meat goat from the farm to the slaughterhouse. However, these actions may give rise to transport stress. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are playing some important regulate roles during transport stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of transport stress on the pathological injury and HSPs expression in the stomach of goats. A total of three batches of Ganxi goats from western Jiangxi province were enrolled in this study. For each batch, twelve healthy adult male goats were randomly divided into three groups (four goats per batch and per group): Control group, stress group transported during 2 h and stress group transported during 6 h.ResultsOur results showed that the different degrees of stomach walls damage, with the change of expression levels of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), occurred after goats transportation. In rumen, the mRNA and protein expressions of HSP27 and HSP70 were increased after transport stress, but not HSP90. In reticulum, all three HSPs mRNA and protein levels were upregulated after 2 h transport, but decreased after 6 h transport. In omasum, HSP27 and HSP70 mRNA and protein were increased after transport stress, however, HSP90 mRNA level only had a slightly enhancement after transport stress. In abomasum, HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA and protein levels were increased after transport stress, but HSP27 was decreased after transport stress.ConclusionsTaken together, these results revealed that the pathological changes in the gastric tissues and the stomach HSPs expression in goats are related to transport stress and duration. Moreover, this study also provides some new data to advocate reducing transport stress of goats and improving animal welfare.

Effects of transport stress on pathological injury and main heat shock protein expression in the respiratory system of goats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the pathological injury and the expression of heat shock proteins in the caprine lung, trachea and bronchus under transport stress. 12 healthy male goats were selected and randomly divided into three groups. The control group (non-transported group), 2hr transport-treated group and 6hr transport-treated group. Morphological changes as well as the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs, mainly HSP27, HSP70 and HSP90) in three parts of the respiratory tract were examined. Our results showed swollen mucosa and congestive blood vessels in mucous layer and submucosa, inflammatorycellinfiltration as well as degeneration and necrosis of mucosal epithelial cells in trachea and bronchus of the transport-treated groups. The epithelial cells were degenerated, and the exfoliated cells and debris could be seen in the alveolar cavity. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that HSP27 and HSP70 were strongly expressed in tracheal and bronchial epithelium, glandular epithelium, vascular endothelium and bronchiole epithelium. And the amount of positive inflammatory cells was increased in transport-treated groups. Western blot results indicated that the expression of all three proteins had no obvious difference among the three groups in bronchi (p>.05). In trachea, there was no significant difference in the expression of heat shock proteins among the three groups except that the expression of HSP70 which was obviously higher in the two transported groups than the control group (p<.05). The expression level of HSP70 in the 2hr transport-treated group was significantly higher than the 6hr group (p<.05) and control groups (p<.05). However, there was no significant difference in the expression level of HSP27 and HSP90 in three groups (p>.05). In conclusion, our data showed that transport stress could damage the caprine respiratory system.

An enhanced expression of hypothalamic neuronal nitric oxide synthase in a rat model of simulated transport stress

BackgroundTransport stress not only causes physiological changes but also induces behavioral responses, including anxiety-like and depression-like behavioral responses in animals. The neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) plays a pivotal role in transport stress. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acute transport stress on the expression of nNOS and the distribution of nNOS-positive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus in rats and to explore the neuroendocrine mechanism of transport stress.ResultsIn this study, for the first time, we investigated the effects of transport stress on nitric oxide (NO)-NOS in the hypothalamus. After simulated stress, rats exhibited behavioral changes in the open field test (OFT), increased serum corticosterone (CORT) and norepinephrine (NE) levels, and increased NO content in the hypothalamus. In addition, nNOS expression in the hypothalamic PVN was upregulated, and its distribution was altered in stressed rats compared with that of unstressed rats.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that simulated transport stress increases nNOS expression and alters its distribution in the PVN of the rat hypothalamus.

Study on the effects of transport stress on fecal shedding and poultry meat contamination from Campylobacter spp.

Purpose: Animal welfare and food safety represent major issues in the production of food of animal origin. Particularly in sight of the new criterion for Campylobacter that since January 2018 is included in the European Union food law, it is important to find new ways to reduce poultry meat contamination from Campylobacter spp., also controlling the shedding of this pathogen with chicken faeces. In particular, the aim of this study was to compare and evaluate, in function of the different transport duration, its influence on Campylobacter fecal shedding and consequent contamination in broiler carcasses. Methods & Materials: A sample of 12 flocks from an Italian poultry company, all positive for Campylobacter infection, was selected. For each flock it was assessed, before departure and in slaughterhouse upon arrival, the Campylobacter prevalence in faces using cloacal swabs. The same batches were also tested after slaughtering and cooling to evaluate prevalence and level of contamination in carcass skin. Detection and enumeration were carried out using ISO or validated methods. Results: Twelve flocks from 6 different farms, were selected. Six flocks were from farms located at longer distances (over 180 km and more than 3,5 hours of transport) and the other 6 from short-distance farm (always below 30 km). In the examined batches, prevalence in cloacal swabs was highly variable, ranging from 0 to 100%. The frequency of Campylobacter in cloacal swabs increased after transports, in particular statistically significant differences between departure and arrival were detected only for long transports. No statistically significant differences were detected in caecal contents nor on carcass skin between batches from transports of different duration. Conclusion: Although the duration of transport does not significantly affect the level of contamination of the carcasses, our results highlight that in short transports Campylobacter shedding is significantly less frequent: this could be an important information for poultry companies, in order to keep the problem under control.

The effects of transport stress on the behaviour and adrenocortical activity of the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata)

The aim of this study was to assess behavioural and glucocorticoid changes in black-and-white ruffed lemur females transported for breeding purposes between Czech ZOOs. The frequency of the presented behaviour elements was recorded via direct observation. The faecal samples were collected from the floor and subsequently the faecal glucocorticoid values were determined using specifically designed assays for faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) analysis. While the frequency of certain comfort behaviour patterns decreased (P&lt; 0.05) in response to transport and change of the environment, grooming, resting, sleeping as well as playful behaviour (chasing, climbing) were not affected (P&gt; 0.05). No changes were found in the frequency of behaviour connected to metabolic events with the exception of defecation. Lemur females defecated more frequently (P&lt; 0.05) in their new environment. The frequency of neither fear nor exploratory behaviour differed (P&gt; 0.05) before and after transport. The positive effect of the novelty was shown by the reduction (P&lt; 0.01) of behavioural signs of frustration and stereotypical behaviour after transport. In response to transport, a significant (P&lt; 0.05) increase of FGM levels was found the second day after the transport, reaching peak levels in the morning and starting to decline to baseline levels in the afternoon. The results of both behaviour and adrenocortical activity analysis suggest that despite some presented changes in the monitored indices prior and after transport, the transportation under the studied conditions presented only a mild stressor with limited behavioural and glucocorticoid responses.

Effects of transportation stress on quality and sensory profiles of Nile tilapia fillets

This study evaluated pre-slaughter stress and its influence on the stress indicators, quality characteristics and sensory characteristics of Nile tilapia fillets. To this end, two experiments were conducted: (1) two transportation times (60 and 240 min), with a density of 200 kg m−3, were compared to control treatment fish (in which the fish were removed from the net cage and immediately euthanized); and (2) two transportation densities (100 and 400 kg m−3), transported for 180 min, compared with control treatment fish. In experiment 1, the transportation time of 60 min resulted in higher levels of serum cortisol and plasma glucose compared to the transportation time of 240 min and the control. Fish fillets transported for 240 min had higher water-holding capacity, less water loss by pressure and higher levels of juiciness compared to fish transported for 60 min. Color, pH and water loss during cooking were not affected by transportation time. In experiment 2, transportation densities of 100 and 400 kg m−3 did not significantly affect the stress indicators nor the instrumental quality parameters of the fillets, but fish transported at 400 kg m−3 showed better visual acceptance by panellists.

Adaptation of the status of non-specific resistance of the ducks organism in stress conditions inclusion in the ration of probiotical additives

The article deals with the question of adaptation of the ducks organism during industrial cultivation for action of stress. The complex of successive stage reactions, caused by the functioning of stress-implementing systems, arise in the body of the poultry in response to the influence of destabilizing factors and aimed at neutralizing these factors, preservation of homeostasis. Increasing the influence of technological stress factors leads to a decrease in the immune status of the duck organism. The study of the effectiveness of incorporating into the diet ducks harmless feed additives, which contributes to the normalization of the course of adaptive-compensatory reactions in their body during the critical periods of postnatal ontogenesis and can serve as anti-stress prevention in conditions of industrial growth of this species of poultry remains relevant. The purpose of the work is to find out the implementation of an adaptation syndrome in the system of indices of non-specific resistance of the body of ducks when it is included in the diet of the biologically active feed supplement «Primix Bionorm K» and supplements «Biovir». The experiment was conducted on clinically healthy young ducks of the Pekin breed of egg production line. In the 270-day age, all three groups of ducks were modeled experimental technological stress in the form of prolonged transport. From 240 to 270 days of age, ducks additionally fed the additive «Primix Bionorm K» and was pouring with water an additive «Biovir». The material for research was blood, which was taken until morning feeding after slaughter on 240 days of life (to stress), 270 days of life (stage of anxiety), at 273 and 285 days (stages of resistance). Adaptation of the state of non-specific resistance of the duck of the control group to the control group under conditions of stress in the anxiety stage is characterized by an increase of 17.3% (Р &lt; 0.05) of the value of the bactericidal activity of the blood serum, a decrease of 8.5% of the value of lysozyme activity of the blood serum, by 9.3% of phagocytic activity against the background of growth on 8.7% of the number of circulating immune complexes compared to 240-day-old poultry. At the stage of resistance there is a decrease in the amount of blood serum bactericidal activity by 17.3% (Р &lt; 0.05), an increase in the activity of lysozyme in blood serum by 8.5%, and the number of immune complexes by 20.7% (Р &lt; 0.05), with the stabilization of the studied parameters at the later stages of the development of a stress reaction. In these periods, a decrease in the body weight of control group ducks was set at 5.7 – 6.8%. Feeding of the additive «Primix Bionorm K» during the period of the implementation of the stress syndrome has a positive effect on the indices of the cellular and humoral level of nonspecific resistance in the form of an increase in the amount of bactericidal activity of the serum on 38.2% (P &lt; 0.05), an increase in the activity of phagocytosis by 15.1% (P &lt; 0.05), phagocytic index – by 36.1% (P &lt; 0.05) with a decrease in the number of circulating immune complexes by 15.5%. The presentation of the additive «Biovir» causes an increase in the level of bactericidal and lysozyme activity of the blood serum on 47.3% (P &lt; 0.01) and 18.7% (P &lt; 0.05). The use of additives can reduce the negative effect of transport stress in the duck body, increase nutrient uptake, as indicated by an increase in the body weight of experimental birds in the average by 7.1–10.5% (P &lt; 0.05) during the development of the adaptive syndrome.

Transport stress-induced cerebrum oxidative stress is not mitigated by activating the Nrf2 antioxidant defense response in newly hatched chicks.

Transportation of newly hatched chicks from the hatchery to the farm is inevitable, especially for parent stock and grandsire parent stock chicks. However, the possible effects of transport stress in the newly hatched chicks are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the adaptive responses to transport stress by activing the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-induced antioxidant defense. One hundred twenty newly hatched chicks were divided into 3 groups (control group, transport group, and simulation transport group) for 2, 4, and 8 h of real or simulated transportation. Transport stress could cause oxidative stress in the cerebrum of newly hatched chicks by increasing lipid peroxidation and production of free radicals and decreasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the glutathione:oxidized glutathione ratio. Transport stress activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and triggered the transcription of antioxidant parameters. However, transport stress-induced cerebrum oxidative stress was not mitigated by activating the Nrf2 antioxidant defense response in newly hatched chicks.

The effects of transport stress on immune function in senior horses

The effects of transport stress on immune function in senior horses

Different oxidative status and expression of calcium channel components in stress-induced dysfunctional chicken muscle.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of transport stress at high ambient temperatures on the oxidation status and the expression of essential elements responsible for the Ca transport (sarco- (endo-) plasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA1) and the ryanodine receptor (RyR) in (PM) muscles of broilers. Briefly, Arbor Acres broiler chickens ( = 112) were randomly categorized into 2 treatments: unstressed control (C) and 0.5 h transport (T). Each treatment consisted of 8 replicates of 7 birds each. Birds were transported according to a designed protocol. PM muscle samples in T group were collected and classified as normal (T-NOR) or pale, soft, and exudative-like (T-PSE) using meat quality parameters. The results indicated that production of corticosterone (CORT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased significantly after transportation ( < 0.05). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values and carbonyl contents increased significantly in the T group ( < 0.05). Moreover, the extent of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation was more severe in the T-PSE group compared to the T-NOR group ( < 0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of SERCA1 and αRyR increased in the T-NOR group but decreased significantly in the T-PSE group compared to the CON group ( < 0.05). The mRNA expression of βRyR was found to be enhanced in the T-NOR group compared to the CON group, whereas there was no difference in the T-PSE group ( < 0.05). The results indicate that short-distance transport of broilers affects their physiological responses and biochemical changes which may lead to different oxidative states and, importantly, to different expressions of SERCA and RyR. These induced changes in abnormal sarcoplasmic Ca homeostasis have significant implications for the development of PSE-like meat.

Transport stress induces weight loss and heart injury in chicks: disruption of ionic homeostasis via modulating ion transporting ATPases

Transportation is inevitable in the poultry industry, and it can induce stress to chicks in varying degrees, such as mild discomfort, sometimes even death. However, the research about the effects of transport stress on the weight loss and heart injury of chicks is lacking. To elucidate the underlying mechanism of transport stress-induced effects, chicks were transported for 2h, 4h and 8h. The creatinine kinase (CK) activities, the ionic contents, the ATPases activities and the transcription of the ATPase associated subunits in chick heart were detected. The results showed that transport stress increased the weight loss and the CK activity, disturbed the ionic (K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) homeostasis and inhibited the ATPase (Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase) activities, increased the ATP content and downregulated the gene expression levels of the ATPase associated subunits in heart. In conclusion, transport stress disturbed the ionic homeostasis via modulating ion transporting ATPases and the transcriptions of the associated subunits, and ultimately induced weight loss and heart injury in chicks.

Influence of pre-slaughter transportation and stocking density on carcass and meat quality characteristics of Boer goats

There are limited studies on the effects of transportation stress and stocking density under tropical conditions and their interactions with aging and muscle types on carcass and meat quality characteristics of goat. The present study investigated the effects of transportation and stocking density on carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of Longissimus dorsi, and Semimembranosus muscles in Boer goats. Thirty 1-year-old Boer goats, divided into two groups, were transported by road for 3.5 h, with density of 0.4 m2 and 0.2 m2 per animal, respectively; a third group which was not transported served as control. Meat pH, drip loss, cooking loss, tenderness and colour were measured from samples of the muscles. The transported goats had significantly lower carcass shrinkage, glycogen content, drip loss, tenderness, lightness, yellowness, hue-angle and chroma values compared to the non-transported group. In contrast, they showed significantly higher cooking loss and redness than the non-transported goats. Goats transported in high stocking density showed significantly (p < .05) higher live weight loss and lower dressing-out percentage than those in low stocking density. This study indicated that higher stocking density at pre-slaughter transportation increased shrinkage loss and deteriorated meat quality of goats. Therefore, using an appropriate density during transportation should be considered.

The effect of transport stress on turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) liver acute phase proteins gene expression

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transport-related stress on the liver gene expression of four acute phase proteins (APP), namely α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and PIT54, in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). A group of seven BUT BIG 6 commercial hens was subjected to a two-hour long road transportation and the quantitative gene expression of APP in the liver was compared to that of a non transported control group. The expression of AGP and CRP mRNA was found to be increased in animals slaughtered after road transport. The presence of AGP protein was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The results of this study showed that road-transport may induce the mRNA expression of immune related proteins. The finding that AGP and CRP can be upregulated during transport could suggest their use as for the assessment of turkey welfare during transport.

The effects of transportation stress on Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix japonica) fed corn-based diet in comparison with wheat-based diet supplemented with xylanase and phytase.

Harvesting, handling and transporting quails to the slaughterhouses, other farms and laboratories might covertly reduce their welfare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two major sources of energy in poultry nutrition on reducing transportation stress in Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix japonica). Male quails (n=60) were divided into two groups. The first group was fed corn-based diet, and the second was fed wheat-based diet supplemented with xylanase and phytase. At the end of the experiment (day 35), quails were subjected to 80km of transportation. Immediately on arrival and after 24h, heterophil counts, lymphocyte counts and H:L ratios were measured. On arrival, H counts were lower, L counts were higher, and H:L ratios were lower for corn-fed group. After 24h, wheat-fed group showed lower increment of H counts, greater increment of L counts and also decrement of H:L ratios rather than corn-fed group which showed increment of H:L ratios. However, these ratios were still lower in corn-fed group. Results indicate that corn-based diets can help Japanese quail to better resist transportation stress, although it seems that feeding wheat-based diets supplemented with xylanase and phytase could have positive effects for coping better with stress after journeys.

The effects of transportation stress and barnacle fouling on predation rates of starfish (Asterias rubens) on mussels (Mytilus edulis)

Abstract The starfish, Asterias rubens , is widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere and is an important predator on benthic mussel ( Mytilus edulis ) beds. Whilst several studies have examined how the size of individuals determines this predator–prey relationship, less is known about how the physiological condition of the prey (mussels) and the extent of their fouling may alter these relationships. Such issues are of particular interest to those working within the benthic mussel cultivation industry to inform best management practice and to help minimise losses during the aquaculture process. The potential role of starfish in the removal of epibiotic barnacles from mussels, the presence of which increases processing costs within the industry, is also of interest. We tested whether stressing mussels by aerial exposure for 48 h and whether the extent of barnacle fouling on mussels affected the feeding rates of three different size classes of starfish feeding on two different size classes of mussels. Feeding rates on stressed and unstressed mussels were similar for each starfish–mussel size combination. Barnacle fouling reduced the feeding rate of medium-sized starfish on larger-sized mussels. We also observed starfish, of all size classes, preying directly on the epibiotic barnacles on mussels, however, feeding rates were low and considered unlikely to reduce the extent of fouling on mussels. Our findings show that the predator–prey relationship between starfish and mussels does not differ between unstressed mussels and those experimentally stressed by aerial exposure for 48 h so that this level of stress is unlikely to affect predation rates by A. rubens following relaying in commercial operations. Whilst barnacle fouling suppressed predation rates in one of our experimental treatments, it does not appear that fouling by barnacles would provide a significant refuge from predation for the majority of mussels in benthic aquaculture stocks. Instead we found the size relationship between starfish and mussels was more important in determining predation rates. Starfish are also unlikely to help reduce barnacle fouling on cultured mussels by preying solely on fouling barnacles and the need to control starfish predation during culture remains.

Corrigendum to “Effects of transportation stress and addition of salt to transport water on the skin mucosal homeostasis of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)” [Aquaculture 435C (2015) 1–496

Corrigendum to “Effects of transportation stress and addition of salt to transport water on the skin mucosal homeostasis of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)” [Aquaculture 435C (2015) 1–496