QUANTIFICATION OF GLUCOCORTICOIDS IN FISH SCALES AS BIOMARKERS FOR CHRONIC STRESS

摘要

This disclosure 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, this disclosure relates to the usage of scales as well as other calcified tissue such as otoliths, spines and soft fin ray sampled from fish to quantify glucocorticoid levels in the scales/matrix. The levels of the glucocorticoids, such as cortisol or corticosterone, build up over time in scales and reflect long-lasting and stressful conditions that the fish have undergone during their lives and that have affected their level of stress. Hence, in vitro methods are disclosed herein that quantify the level of chronic stress in fish using scales as a logistic feasible, and non-invasive matrix for accurate and precise quantification of stress hormones.

主权项

1. An in vitro method of quantifying the level of chronic stress in a fish, the method comprising:
obtaining at least one scale from the fish, extracting glucocorticoids from said scale, purifying the glucocorticoids extracted from said scale, quantifying said purified glucocorticoids, and correlating said quantified glucocorticoids with a level of chronic stress.