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Abstract
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.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to the whole staff of Matre Aquaculture Station for their kindness and skilled technical assistance during the entire work period, to Stian Morken, Marita Larsen, Marsela Alvanopoulou and Anna Concollato for their willingness to help whenever needed, and to Erasmus placement scholarship that financially supported the stage of Silvia Maiolo at Matre.