Effects of photoperiod and melatonin implants on feed intake in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) postsmolts

• Published in: Italian Journal of Animal Science
• Main Authors: Silvia Maiolo, Tom Hansen, Giuliana Parisi, Rolf Erik Olsen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2015
• Subjects: Atlantic salmon; Melatonin implant; Feed intake; Photoperiod; Animal culture; SF1-1100; Salmo salar
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2015.4098; https://doaj.org/article/7430d767c1b8480d96ae985a59a3d340

High melatonin concentrations were expected to negatively affect Atlantic salmon appetite. Hence, individually kept Atlantic salmon postsmolts were subjected to continuous light (24:0, L:L) or natural daylight (12:12, L:D) and then given intraperitoneal implants of slow release melatonin in a 2 by 2 factorial design. Possible effects on food intake were monitored over three weeks. In addition, a plasma melatonin assessment test was run in parallel to monitor diurnal blood levels of melatonin through the trial. The surgical intervention was effective, leading to a 10x increase in mean melatonin levels when compared to control fish, but neither the implant nor the change in daylight had any significant effect on feed intake, at least in the short term.