Adult female European perch (Perca fluviatilis) from the Baltic Sea show no evidence of thiamine deficiency

Deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1) has been demonstrated in several species in the northern hemisphere and is suggested as a cause for declining populations. European perch from the Baltic Sea show negative temporal trends for several health biomarkers and poor recruitment of unknown cause. In this study, thiamine status of perch liver from the Baltic Sea was studied with emphasis on seasonal variation. During spring the thiamine concentration increased, reached a higher level during the summer and then decreased again during autumn. Despite this variation the thiamine concentration was always sufficient in the perch liver. These results indicate that direct thiamine deficiency is an unlikely explanation for the health effects observed in adult female perch from the Baltic Sea.

Automated summary

The study on thiamine status in perch liver from the Baltic Sea showed seasonal variation, with the concentration increasing in spring and summer before decreasing in autumn, but remaining sufficient throughout. Therefore, thiamine deficiency is unlikely to be the direct cause of health effects observed in adult female perch from the Baltic Sea.