Stress responses of juvenile matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) after transport in a closed system under different loading densities

Respostas de estresse de matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) juvenil após transporte em sistema fechado sob diferentes densidades de carga

Abstracts

Optimum loading density for the transport of matrinxã juveniles was investigated in a closed system with plastic bags. Transport was conducted for 4 h with fish (23.5± 0.4g and 11.6 (0.08cm) starved for 24h at loading densities of 83g L-1 (D1), 125g L-1 (D2), 168g L-1 (D3) and 206g L-1 (D4). Fish were sampled before transport (BT), after transport (AT) and 24h AT. The water quality was monitored before capturing fish in depuration tanks, after transport in plastic bags and in recovery tanks. Water oxygen decreased to values below 4mg L-1 in D2, D3 and D4, temperature was around 32°C, pH 6.5-6.78, total ammonia 1.09-1.7mg L-1, un-ionized ammonia 3.58-9.33x10³mg L-1 and alkalinity 134-165mg CaCO3 L-1. Blood cortisol and glucose concentrations increased in fish of all densities AT and recovered the BT levels 24h after arrival. Osmolality did not change AT but increased 24h AT in fish of all densities whereas plasma chloride decreased inversely to the loading densities after the procedure. Hematocrit decreased 24h AT in fish of all densities but no differences were verified in the number of erythrocytes. No mortality was registered in any treatment during the next week after transport. Matrinxã demonstrated to be a crowding tolerant-species in transport operations besides tolerating low levels of oxygen in the water.

stress; fish density; transport; water quality; Brycon amazonicus

Neste estudo, foram investigadas as densidades de carga adequadas para transporte de matrinxãs juvenis em sistema fechado com sacos plásticos. O transporte de 4h foi feito com peixes (23,5±0,4g; 11,6 (0,08cm) em jejum por 24h, em densidades de 83g L-1 (D1), 125g L-1 (D2), 168g L-1 (D3) e 206g L-1 (D4). Os peixes foram amostrados antes do transporte (AT), logo após o transporte (chegada) (DT) e 24h depois. A qualidade da água foi monitorada antes da captura dos peixes nos tanques de depuração, após o transporte nos sacos plásticos e nos tanques de recuperação. O oxigênio da água diminuiu para valores inferiores a 4mg L-1 em D2, D3 e D4, a temperatura esteve em torno de 32°C, pH 6,5-6,78, a amônia total foi de 1,09-1,7mg L-1, a amônia não-ionizada foi de 3,58-9,33 x 10³mg L-1 e alcalinidade 134-165mg CaCO3 L-1. O cortisol plasmático e a glicose sanguínea aumentaram após o transporte nos peixes em todas as densidades ensaiadas, voltando aos valores controle 24h depois. Os valores de osmolaridade não mudaram logo após o transporte, mas aumentaram 24h depois de modo igual em todas as densidades. O cloreto plasmático diminuiu na chegada, de modo inversamente proporcional à densidade de carga. O hematócrito diminuiu 24h depois da chegada dos peixes, em todas as densidades testadas, mas não houve diferença no número de eritrócitos. Não houve mortalidade até uma semana após o transporte. O matrinxã mostrou ser uma espécie tolerante a altas densidades de carga em embalagens para transporte além de suportar baixos níveis de oxigênio na água.

estresse; densidade; transporte; qualidade da água; Brycon amazonicus

PAPERS

ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Stress responses of juvenile matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) after transport in a closed system under different loading densities

Respostas de estresse de matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) juvenil após transporte em sistema fechado sob diferentes densidades de carga

Janessa Sampaio de Abreu^I; Ana Isabel Sanabria-Ochoa^II; Flávio Daolio Gonçalves^I; Elisabeth Criscuolo Urbinati^I,III,1

^ICentro de Aqüicultura, Universidade Estadual Paulista (CAUNESP). Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil

^IIInstituto Colombiano de Desenvolvimento Rural (INCODER)

^IIIFaculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV), Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castelane, 14884-900, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil. Fone: (0xx55)3209 2654. Fax: (0xx55) 3203 2268. E-mail: [e-mail]

ABSTRACT

Optimum loading density for the transport of matrinxã juveniles was investigated in a closed system with plastic bags. Transport was conducted for 4 h with fish (23.5± 0.4g and 11.6 (0.08cm) starved for 24h at loading densities of 83g L^-1 (D1), 125g L^-1 (D2), 168g L^-1 (D3) and 206g L^-1 (D4). Fish were sampled before transport (BT), after transport (AT) and 24h AT. The water quality was monitored before capturing fish in depuration tanks, after transport in plastic bags and in recovery tanks. Water oxygen decreased to values below 4mg L^-1 in D2, D3 and D4, temperature was around 32°C, pH 6.5-6.78, total ammonia 1.09-1.7mg L^-1, un-ionized ammonia 3.58-9.33x10³mg L^-1 and alkalinity 134-165mg CaCO₃ L^-1. Blood cortisol and glucose concentrations increased in fish of all densities AT and recovered the BT levels 24h after arrival. Osmolality did not change AT but increased 24h AT in fish of all densities whereas plasma chloride decreased inversely to the loading densities after the procedure. Hematocrit decreased 24h AT in fish of all densities but no differences were verified in the number of erythrocytes. No mortality was registered in any treatment during the next week after transport. Matrinxã demonstrated to be a crowding tolerant-species in transport operations besides tolerating low levels of oxygen in the water.

Key words: stress, fish density, transport, water quality, Brycon amazonicus.

RESUMO

Neste estudo, foram investigadas as densidades de carga adequadas para transporte de matrinxãs juvenis em sistema fechado com sacos plásticos. O transporte de 4h foi feito com peixes (23,5±0,4g; 11,6 (0,08cm) em jejum por 24h, em densidades de 83g L^-1 (D1), 125g L^-1 (D2), 168g L^-1 (D3) e 206g L^-1 (D4). Os peixes foram amostrados antes do transporte (AT), logo após o transporte (chegada) (DT) e 24h depois. A qualidade da água foi monitorada antes da captura dos peixes nos tanques de depuração, após o transporte nos sacos plásticos e nos tanques de recuperação. O oxigênio da água diminuiu para valores inferiores a 4mg L^-1 em D2, D3 e D4, a temperatura esteve em torno de 32°C, pH 6,5-6,78, a amônia total foi de 1,09-1,7mg L^-1, a amônia não-ionizada foi de 3,58-9,33 x 10³mg L^-1 e alcalinidade 134-165mg CaCO₃ L^-1. O cortisol plasmático e a glicose sanguínea aumentaram após o transporte nos peixes em todas as densidades ensaiadas, voltando aos valores controle 24h depois. Os valores de osmolaridade não mudaram logo após o transporte, mas aumentaram 24h depois de modo igual em todas as densidades. O cloreto plasmático diminuiu na chegada, de modo inversamente proporcional à densidade de carga. O hematócrito diminuiu 24h depois da chegada dos peixes, em todas as densidades testadas, mas não houve diferença no número de eritrócitos. Não houve mortalidade até uma semana após o transporte. O matrinxã mostrou ser uma espécie tolerante a altas densidades de carga em embalagens para transporte além de suportar baixos níveis de oxigênio na água.

Palavras-chave: estresse, densidade, transporte, qualidade da água, Brycon amazonicus.

INTRODUCTION

Aquaculture has been rapidly expanding in Brazil and farming practices are now being examined to assess their impact on the production and animal welfare. Juvenile fish transportation is an important issue in fish farming and it generally imposes severe stress to fish (IVERSEN et al., 1998). Handling and transport may promote hormonal, metabolic, osmoregulatory and hematological dysfunctions in fish (WENDELAAR BONGA, 1997). Monitoring physiological parameters during transport can provide data for the establishment of appropriate management techniques. Blood glucose and cortisol are useful stress indicators (MORGAN & IWAMA, 1997). Additionally, altered ionic balance in blood occurs during stressful situations (CARMICHAEL et al., 1984; McDONALD & MILLIGAN, 1997) and the hematological status can also change by transporting fish (CARMICHAEL, 1984). Appropriate shipment conditions may minimize stress during transport whereas high fish density is important for reducing the costs. High packing density leads to stressing factors such as mechanical abrasion among fish (ROSS & ROSS, 1999), social interaction (ALANÄRÄ & BRÄNNÄS, 1996) and water quality deterioration (MEADE et al., 1985; PICKERING & POTTINGER, 1987).

Matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus (SPIX & AGASSIZ, 1829), a native species of the Amazon Basin, has been raised in many regions of Brazil and research on farming management and stress physiology of the species is still scarce (CARNEIRO & URBINATI, 2001; IDE et al., 2003; ROCHA et al., 2004; URBINATI et al., 2004). The aim of this study was to find the maximal packing density to be used in commercial transport of juvenile fish in closed systems through their physiological responses.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fish (23.5±0.4g; 11.6±0.08cm) were allocated in four depuration 1000L tanks with continuous water and air flow (143 fish for tank), and fasted for 24h prior to transport. Before transport (BT) 24 fish were sampled and pooled (3 fish) because of their small size making n=8. Fish were then packed in 30L plastic bags, at 83g L^-1 (D1), 125g L^-1 (D2), 168g L^-1 (D3) and 206g L^-1 (D4) (4 bags per density). Densities were determined based in those usually used in local hatcheries, between 83 and 125g L^-1. Within four minutes, individual bags containing fish were inflated with oxygen (around 2/3) and tied tightly. Four bags of each density were packed in styrofoam boxes displaced on a pickup truck. After a 4h transport (AT) fish were sampled (6 from each replicate bag, 24 for density, n=8) and the remainders were transferred to four recovery tanks (one per density) where they were maintained for an extra week. Additional samplings were carried out at 24h AT (24 fish for density, n=8). Fish were not fed until the 24h sampling. Water quality was monitored in the depuration tanks after the 4h transportation in the bags and 24h after transport in the recovery tanks through temperature and dissolved oxygen measurement (YSI 55 oxygen meter and YSI 63 pH meter, (Yellow Springs Instruments, Yellow Springs, Ohio, USA), total ammonia (SOLÓRZANO, 1969) and alkalinity (GOLTERMAN et al., 1978) determination. Un-ionized ammonia was calculated according to EMERSON et al. (1975).

Benzocaine anesthetized fish (50mg L^-1) were bled and samples of heparinized blood were used for glucose analyses (KING & GARNER, 1947), hematocrit determination and erythrocyte counting (Neubauer chamber). After blood centrifugation (3,000 rpm, 10min) separated plasma was used for cortisol (Radioimunoassay - Kit Diagnostics Products Corporation), chloride (Kit Labtest Diagnóstica) and osmolality (Osmometer Wescor Model 505) analysis.

A completely randomized design (CRD) was employed and results were analyzed by a two-way analysis of variance, with densities (83, 125, 168 and 206g L^-1) and sampling times (after transport and 24h after transport) as the factors plus the pre-transport condition (BT). When F values indicated significance (P<0.05) means were compared by the Tukey test.

RESULTS

The data obtained on water quality parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, total ammonia, un-ionized ammonia and alkalinity) are presented in the table 1. No fish mortality was registered in any treatment throughout the week following the transport. Plasma cortisol and blood glucose levels increased in fish for all densities analyzed at arrival (AT) and returned to the initial conditions in 24h. Plasma osmolality values did not changed AT but increased 24h after the procedure in fish for all densities analyzed. Plasma chloride concentrations decreased inversely to the densities AT and were lower than the control levels registered BT. Hematocrit decreased 24h AT in fish of all densities treatments but no changes were found in erythrocyte counts (Figure 1).

DISCUSSION

The extent of the stress of matrinxã was determined under different loading densities during a 4h-transport in a closed system. The elevation of circulating cortisol is a primary stress response whereas plasma glucose is a secondary response that provides energy for the fish to withstand the adverse condition (WENDELAAR BONGA, 1997). According to these indicators transported matrinxã were affected by the procedure. Plasma cortisol and blood glucose increased in a similar fashion in fish of all densities suggesting that stress was elicited at the same degree in all loading densities. The stress response was elicited by the transport operation and not by the crowding in the plastic bags. However, in a previous study with the same species, fish density was inversely related to the cortisol levels (URBINATI et al., 2004). Matrinxã seems to be highly tolerant to crowding conditions as described by ROCHA et al. (2004), who found that matrinxã transferred to a tank at a 4 fold stocking density (350g L^-1) did not show changes in stress indicators.

Cathecolamines induces increased gill permeability during stress which result in blood electrolytes imbalance (McDONALD & MILLIGAN, 1997). In our study, chloride levels decreased after transport inversely to fish density, thus confirming stress in transported fish. Adult matrinxã transported in high densities also showed reduction of chloride after the procedure (CARNEIRO & URBINATI, 2002). The highest values of osmolality were verified 24h AT and may be related to the feeding that was normalized at that time. Similar ionic response was reported in other transported fish (CARMICHAEL 1984; BARTON et al., 2003), but a simulation of high-density transport did not cause any serious osmoregulatory disturbance in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) until 24h after the stressor (STAURNES et al., 1994).

Alterations in hematocrit and hemoglobin have been observed as a stress response in fish (WOJTASZEK et al., 2002). According to MORGAN & IWAMA (1997), catecholamines and cortisol promote tissue oxygen consumption and a fast erythrocytes differentiation and proliferation. However, no changes were verified in hematological parameters of matrinxã following the profile of cortisol and glucose.

In closed systems, water quality is an effective precursor of stress and sometimes a limiting factor (BERKA, 1986; ROSS & ROSS, 1999). Water quality will depend on fish density and transport duration. In closed systems with pressurized oxygen, water oxygen level usually is not the limiting factor, but gas deficit may occur when fish density is high or the transport period is too long (BERKA, 1986). After 4h-transport, levels of water oxygen reached values lower than 4mg L^-1 in the three highest fish densities, values below those recommended for warm water tropical fishes (WEDEMEYER, 1996). However, the low oxygen levels did not seem to affect adversely the matrinxã since no changes in values of stress indicators could be associated to them and no mortality was registered through the week following the transport.

Water pH is a control factor of water quality because the proportion of toxic ammonia and CO₂ level are a direct function of pH, whereas water pH and temperature can affect ammonia toxicity (BOYD, 1982). With increasing fish density, CO₂ production through fish respiration shifts water pH towards acidity. The pH around 6.5-6.8 allowed the production of a small amount of NH₃ even in the highest fish density. Thus ammonia toxicity was extremely low. Once the levels observed during the experiment were not harmful to juvenile matrinxã and were lower than those recommended by WEDEMEYER (1996) to guarantee good health condition for fish (0,02mg L^-1). The CO₂ in the water reacts with it to form carbonic acid, a weak acid that will dissociate into bicarbonate and carbonate, depending on the pH levels. They may react with cations, particularly with calcium to form solid carbonates, contributing to water alkalinity. The alkalinity and carbon dioxide are important parameters in aquaculture and are often considered as the carbonate buffer system. The bicarbonates and carbonates function like buffers preventing sudden alterations in the pH that can affect fish (AVAULT Jr., 2004). In this study, the pH decreased after transport, but the change was moderate even in the highest transport densities, showing the buffer effect of alkalinity.

CONCLUSIONS

The fish crowding during 4h-transport and the changes in water quality were not associated to the stress indicators for matrinxã. Matrinxã demonstrated to be a crowding tolerant-species in transport operation besides to tolerate low levels of oxygen in the water.

Received 04.24.07

Approved em 11.07.07

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1

Autor para correspondência.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  25 June 2008
• Date of issue
  Aug 2008

History

• Accepted
  07 Nov 2007
• Received
  24 Apr 2007