Circadian rhythm in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): daily variation of blood metabolites in recirculating aquaculture systems.

Introduction: Animal welfare in aquaculture is becoming increasingly important, and detailed knowledge of the species concerned is essential for further optimization on farms. Every organism is controlled by an internal clock, the circadian rhythm, which is crucial for metabolic processes and is partially influenced by abiotic factors, making it important for aquaculture practices.

Objective: In order to determine the circadian rhythm of adult turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), blood samples were collected over a 24-h period and plasma metabolite profiles were analyzed by H-NMR spectroscopy.

Methods: The fish were habituated to feeding times at 9 am and 3 pm and with the NMR spectroscopy 46 metabolites could be identified, eight of which appeared to shift throughout the day.

Results: We noted exceptionally high values around 3 pm for the amino acids isoleucine, leucine, valine, phenylalanine, lysine, and the stress indicator lactate. These metabolic peaks were interpreted as either habituation to the usual feeding time or as natural peak levels in turbot in a 24-h circle because other indicators for stress (glucose, cortisol and lysozymes) showed a stable baseline, indicating that the animals had no or very little stress during the experimental period.

Conclusion: This study provides initial insights into the diurnal variation of metabolites in adult turbot; however, further studies are needed to confirm present findings of possible fluctuations in amino acids and sugars. Implementing optimized feeding times (with high levels of sugars and low levels of stress metabolites) could lead to less stress, fewer disease outbreaks and overall improved fish welfare in aquaculture facilities.