Low temperature stress on the hematological parameters and HSP gene expression in the turbot Scophthalmus maximus

To study the effect of low temperature stress on hematological parameters and HSP gene expression in the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), water temperature was lowered rapidly from 18 to 1 degrees C. During the cooling process, three individuals were removed from culture tanks at 18, 13, 8, 5, 3, and 1 degrees C. Blood samples and tissues were taken from each individual, hematological indices and HSP gene expression in tissues were measured. The red blood cell count, white blood cell count, and hemoglobin concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as temperature decreased. Enzyme activities of plasma alanine transaminase and creatine kinase increased as temperature decreased, whereas aspartic transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities displayed no obvious changes above 1 degrees C and lactate dehydrogenase activity increased first and then decreased. Blood urea nitrogen and uric acid levels were highest at 8 degrees C, and creatinine concentration was highest at 3 degrees C. The concentrations of plasma cortisol, cholesterol, and triglyceride all increased significantly (P < 0.05) as temperature decreased. The serum glucose concentration increased first and then decreased to the initial level. The HSP70 mRNA expression showed various patterns in different tissues, whereas HSP90 mRNA expression showed the same tendency in all tissues. Overall, these results indicate that temperature decreases in the range of 8 to 5 degrees C may induce a stress response in S. maximus and that temperature should be kept above 8 degrees C in the aquaculture setting to avoid damage to the fish.