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Diel changes in plasma cortisol and effects of size and stress duration on the cortisol response in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

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Abstract

European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), one of the most economically important fish in Mediterranean mariculture, shows high basal cortisol concentrations compared with other teleosts. The present study aims (a) to identify cortisol diel variation in fish held under a 12L:12D cycle and minimum handling stress, and (b) to establish the effect of fish size and stressor duration on the cortisol response. The results indicate high intrapopulation variability in plasma cortisol and a significant diel fluctuation with a peak value at dusk (18 h). Stressors of different intensity and/or duration affected the cortisol stress response in a differential manner according to fish size (and/or age). Maximum cortisol values in small-size fish were found at 1 and 2 h post-stress, depending on the duration of the stressor, while at 0.5 h post-stress in large fish regardless stress duration.

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Acknowledgments

The research received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under Grant Agreement No. [265957].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    E. Fatira & M. Pavlidis

  2. Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture (IMBBA), Hellenic Center for Marine Research, P.O. Box 2214, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    E. Fatira & N. Papandroulakis

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  1. E. Fatira
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Correspondence to M. Pavlidis.

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Fatira, E., Papandroulakis, N. & Pavlidis, M. Diel changes in plasma cortisol and effects of size and stress duration on the cortisol response in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Fish Physiol Biochem 40, 911–919 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-013-9896-1

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