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Mu opioid receptor in spermatozoa, eggs and larvae of gilthead sea bream (Sparus Aurata) and its involvement in stress related to aquaculture

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Abstract

In aquaculture, unfavourable conditions experienced during early development may have strong downstream effects on the adult phenotype and fitness. Sensitivity to stress, leading to disease, reduced growth and mortality, is higher in larvae than in adult fish. In this study, conducted on sea bream (Sparus aurata), we evidenced the presence of the mu opioid receptor in gametes and larvae at different developmental stages. Moreover, we evaluated the possibility of reducing the effects of artificially produced stress, altering temperature, salinity and pH, by naloxone (an opioid antagonist) and calcium. Results evidenced that mu opioid receptor is present in larvae and in gametes of both sexes and that, during larval growth, its expression level changes accordingly; furthermore, naloxone/calcium association is efficacious in increasing the survival period of treated larvae compared to controls. We conclude that in sea bream rearing, the use of naloxone/calcium against stress can improve fish farming techniques by reducing larval mortality and consequently increasing productivity.

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  1. Department of Emergencies and Organ Transplantation, Section of Veterinary Clinics and Animal Productions, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Strada Prov. per Casamassima Km3, 70010, Valenzano, BA, Italy

    Maria Albrizio, Antonio C. Guaricci & Giulio Aiudi

  2. Department of Bioscience, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutical, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona, 4, 70100, Bari, Italy

    Serena Milano

  3. Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy

    Francesco Macrì

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  1. Maria Albrizio
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  2. Antonio C. Guaricci
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  4. Francesco Macrì
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  5. Giulio Aiudi
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Correspondence to Maria Albrizio.

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Albrizio, M., Guaricci, A.C., Milano, S. et al. Mu opioid receptor in spermatozoa, eggs and larvae of gilthead sea bream (Sparus Aurata) and its involvement in stress related to aquaculture. Fish Physiol Biochem 40, 997–1009 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-013-9900-9

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