The occurrence of M74 syndrome in sea trout (Salmo trutta m. trutta L.) individuals returning to spawn in the Polish rivers of the Vistula catchment area

Abstract

The occurrence of M74 syndrome in female sea trout, Salmo trutta m. trutta, belonging to two populations returning to spawn in Polish rivers in the fall of 2003 and three from pond cultivation were investigated. Eggs from a total of 250 female specimens were investigated from rivers in northern Poland (10 – Parsęta, 100 – Miastko, 140 – Świbno). The study method applied involved comparing the concentrations in eggs of red (astaxanthin, canthaxanthin) and yellow (lutein, zeaxanthin) carotenoids. The specific carotenoids were determined with column chromatography (CC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The eggs of the investigated female sea trout were divided into three groups according to color: yellow, yellow-orange, and orange. Fifteen carotenoids were identified in the investigated sea trout females. Red carotenoids dominated in orange and yellow-orange eggs, while yellow ones dominated in yellow eggs. M74 syndrome was identified in 35 females, which represented 14.0% of all the investigated sea trout.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

Prof. dr hab. Bazyli Czeczuga, Akademia Medyczna, Zakład Biologii Ogólnej, ul. Kilińskiego 1, 15-089 Białystok, Tel. +48 (85) 748 54 83; e-mail: czecz@amb.edu.pl