Quantification of glucocorticoids in fish scales as biomarkers for chronic stress

摘要

The present invention relates to determining the stress level experienced by fish over a long period of time which can be used in assessing the welfare status of fish. More in particular, the present invention relates to the usage of scales as well as other calcified tissue such as otoliths, spines and sof finnray sampled from fish to quantify glucocorticoid levels in said scales/matrix. The levels of said glucocorticoids -such as Cortisol or corticosterone- build up over time in scales and reflect long lasting and stressful conditions which the fish have undergone during their lives and which have affect their level of stress. Hence, the present invention discloses in vitro methods to quantify the level of chronic stress in fish using scales as a logistic feasible, and non-invasive matrix for accurate and precise quantification of said stress hormones.