Migration hormones in saithe
The purpose of this study is to determine what drives migration in marine fish. This experiment will determine whether saithe produce migration hormones to signal migration from nursery areas inshore to offshore feeding areas, the timing of hormones production, and whether production is influenced by the temperature or feeding regime experienced by the fish. This study will assist in determining recruitment patterns and determinants in marine fish species, using saithe as a model species. The results have implications for management of this species and potentially management of migratory gadoid species in general.
The animals will be anesthetized before blood samples are taken. Animals will likely experience some stress from capture and handling prior to anesthetization, but are unlikely to feel pain of blood withdrawal due to anesthesia. Team performing sampling are well trained/have many years of experience in protocol for anesthesia and taking samples.
Fish, saithe Pollachius virens, will be used for the experiment. Two cohorts have been raised from North Sea broodstock for this experiment, 128 fish in 2014 and 200 fish in 2015. Fish were reared under two different feeding regimes. 20 fish per feeding regime per cohort (80 fish in total) will be sampled monthly for 18 months.
Replacement is not relevant because we cannot fulfill the objectives of the experiment with computer simulations or by growing samples in cultures in the lab. We have reduced the number of fish we will sample to 20 per treatment, which is the minimum number required to be able to accurately detect hormones and track hormone timing and development. Team performing sampling are well trained/have many years of experience in protocol for anesthesia and taking samples; fish stress to handling and blood sampling is expected to be minimal because of this.
The animals will be anesthetized before blood samples are taken. Animals will likely experience some stress from capture and handling prior to anesthetization, but are unlikely to feel pain of blood withdrawal due to anesthesia. Team performing sampling are well trained/have many years of experience in protocol for anesthesia and taking samples.
Fish, saithe Pollachius virens, will be used for the experiment. Two cohorts have been raised from North Sea broodstock for this experiment, 128 fish in 2014 and 200 fish in 2015. Fish were reared under two different feeding regimes. 20 fish per feeding regime per cohort (80 fish in total) will be sampled monthly for 18 months.
Replacement is not relevant because we cannot fulfill the objectives of the experiment with computer simulations or by growing samples in cultures in the lab. We have reduced the number of fish we will sample to 20 per treatment, which is the minimum number required to be able to accurately detect hormones and track hormone timing and development. Team performing sampling are well trained/have many years of experience in protocol for anesthesia and taking samples; fish stress to handling and blood sampling is expected to be minimal because of this.