Effects of low temperature and starvation on plasma cortisol, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin levels of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Abstract

In this study, the hormonal responses such as Plasma Cortisol, Triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4), Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Prolactin of juvenile carp induced by low temperature and starvation as stressors have been investigated. Four treatments were conducted under the following condition: the first group was fed and kept at a temperature of 18ºC (18F); the second group was fed and kept at 6ºC (6F); the third group was not fed and kept at 18ºC (18FD) and the fourth group was not fed and kept at 6ºC (6FD). Hormonal responses of fish were measured in every 15th day of 45 days trial. According to the results, it was determined that cortisol level of fish in the group 18FD significantly increased while T3, T4 and TSH levels of fish increased in the group 6FD (P < 0.05). No significant differences were obtained between the treatments in terms of Prolactin. To conclude up, the temperature and total food deprivation and their interactions had a significant effect on the plasma hormone levels of common carp juveniles.

Keywords

• Cyprinus carpio
• Food deprivation
• Stress response
• Thyroid Hormones

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