The Effect of Continuous Light on Growth and Muscle-Specific Gene Expression in Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar L.) Yearlings

• Published in: Life
• Main Authors: Natalia S. Shulgina, Maria V. Churova, Svetlana A. Murzina, Marina Yu. Krupnova, Nina N. Nemova
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021
• Subjects: Atlantic salmon; muscle-specific gene expression; growth; photoperiod regimes; Science; Q; Salmo salar
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/life11040328; https://doaj.org/article/e4c6f6f5859a4b328eba6ac3b2a89d5f

Photoperiod is associated to phenotypic plasticity of somatic growth in several teleost species, however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are currently unknown. The effect of a continuous lighting (LD 24:0), compared with the usual hatchery lighting (HL) regime, on the growth rate and gene expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs: MyoD1 paralogs, Myf5 , and MyoG ) myosin heavy chain ( MyHC ), and MSTN paralogs in the white muscles of hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon yearlings was evaluated over a 6-month period (May to October). The levels of gene expression were determined using real-time PCR. Continuous lighting was shown to have a positive effect on weight gain. MyHC , MyoD1c , MyoD1b , and MSTN1a/b mRNA expression was influenced by the light regime applied. In all the studied groups, a significant positive correlation was observed between the expression levels of MRFs and MSTN paralogs throughout the experiment. The study demonstrated seasonal patterns regarding the simultaneous expression of several MRFs. MyoD1a , MyoG , and MyHC mRNA expression levels were elevated in the mid-October, but MyoD1b/c , and Myf5 mRNA levels decreased by the end of this month. In general, the findings showed that constant lighting affected the regulatory mechanisms of muscle growth processes in salmon.