Open AccessThe Effect of Capture and Handling Stress on Plasma Steroid Levels and Gonadal Condition in Wild and Farmed Snapper Pagrus auratus (Sparidae)
Author(s) -
Cleary Jennifer J.,
Pankhurst Ned W.,
Battaglene Stephen C.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.2000.tb00905.x
Subject(s) - pagrus , sparidae , biology , hatchery , captivity , fishery , reproduction , pagrus major , testosterone (patch) , zoology , endocrinology , medicine , fish <actinopterygii> , ecology
The effects of stress on reproductive steroids and the developing oocytes were investigated in female wild snapper Pagrus auratus caught by trap, 5‐yr‐old snapper caught as juveniles and reared in captivity, and 2‐ and 3‐yr‐old hatchery‐reared snapper. Fish were confined post‐capture for 1, 6, 24, 48 or 168 h. Stress resulted In an increase in plasma cortisol and concomitant decreases in 17β‐estradiol and testosterone. In addition, there was an increase in the incidence of ovarian atresia. These results confirm that both wild and hatchery‐reared snapper are highly susceptible to stress‐induced impairment of reproduction.