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Slaughter of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in the presence of carbon monoxide

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Abstract

The different stunning methods for Atlantic salmon can still be improved with regard to animal welfare. Salmon exposed to carbon monoxide expressed no aversive reactions towards CO as such. CO exposed fish showed an earlier onset of rigour mortis and a faster decrease in muscle pH due to depletion of oxygen during the treatment. Exposure to CO did increase the level of cortisol compared to undisturbed control fish, but the increase was less than in the water only control group. Neuroglobin, a CO binding globin, was found in salmon brain and Saccus vasculosus, a richly vascularized sac connected to the fish brain. Binding of CO to neuroglobin during sedation might possibly improve animal welfare.

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Acknowledgments

The technical staff at the Institute of Marine Research facilities at Austevoll and in Matre are thanked for their assistance. We also thank Åse Spangelo at Yara Praxair, Porsgrunn, for supply of CO gas and gas equipments. This project was sponsored by Norwegian Research Council (NFR), Project Number: 190021/S40.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, 5817, Bergen, Norway

    Gry Aletta Bjørlykke, Bjørn Olav Kvamme & Erik Slinde

  2. Department of Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, 5020, Bergen, Norway

    Gry Aletta Bjørlykke & Arnt J. Raae

  3. Department of Processing Technology, Nofima AS, P.O. Box 8034, 4068, Stavanger, Norway

    Bjorn Roth

  4. Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Science, 1432, Ås, Norway

    Erik Slinde

Authors
  1. Gry Aletta Bjørlykke
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  2. Bjørn Olav Kvamme
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  3. Arnt J. Raae
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  4. Bjorn Roth
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  5. Erik Slinde
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Correspondence to Gry Aletta Bjørlykke.

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Bjørlykke, G.A., Kvamme, B.O., Raae, A.J. et al. Slaughter of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in the presence of carbon monoxide. Fish Physiol Biochem 39, 871–879 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-012-9747-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-012-9747-5

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