Immunostimulation of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) larvae

The aquacultural production of Atlantic cod is at present hampered with poor survival of cod larvae and fry. Infectious are supposed to be the major cause of the high rates of martalities observed in intensive cod aquaculture hatcheries. These losses have dramatical economical impact, and ways to increase the survival rates of cod larvae and fry must be given attention. In this project we will develop strategies to overcome the poor survival rates of these delicate cod larvae. To fulfill the development of regimes to increase the survival rates of cod larvae and juveniles and to gain better understanding of the non-specific defence mechanisms underlying the increased survival rates the folllowing is proposed: 1. Innunostimulation of cod larvae by different regimes. Investigate effects on growth, survival and microbiology during development. 2. Immunostimulation of adult cod and isolated leukocytes in vitro. Investigate effects on formation of reactive oxygen species and complement activity. 3. Analysis of innate defence gene expression after in vivo and in vitro immunostimulation.