Exposure to increased ambient ultraviolet B radiation has negative effects on growth, condition and immune function of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr were exposed in two outdoor experiments, ranging in duration from 52 to 137 days, to spectral treatments: (1) natural sunlight (=present ambient UVB level), (2) solar radiation supplemented with enhanced UVB radiation from lamps simulating 20% or 8% stratospheric ozone loss or (3) UVB-depleted sunlight achieved by screening with Mylar-D film. The growth, condition and immune function of the salmon were quantified after treatments. Exposure to enhanced UVB radiation retarded growth, and decreased hematocrit value and plasma protein concentration. Further, enhanced UVB radiation affected plasma immunoglobulin concentration. The results demonstrate that juvenile Atlantic salmon are not able to fully adapt to increased ambient UVB levels in long-term exposures, and the interference with immune system function suggests a negative effect of UVB on disease resistance in Atlantic salmon.
Jokinen
Ilmari E
IE
Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland. eijokine@cc.jyu.fi
Markkula
Eveliina S
ES
Salo
Harri M
HM
Kuhn
Penny
P
Nikoskelainen
Sami
S
Arts
Michael T
MT
Browman
Howard I
HI
D000818:Animals; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000662:veterinary; D006400:Hematocrit; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects; D020317:Salmo salar / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D007136:Immunoglobulins