Malformation of the vertebral column in salmon and cod

Vertebral deformities has become a considerable problem in both salmon and cod culture, and recent studies indicate that environmental/production factors can affect the development of these disorders, in part by affecting the mineralisation of the skeleto n. The transformation from parr to smolt to postsmolts is a stage in the life of salmon where there is considerable reallocation of body nutrients and remodelling of several important organs and structures. Recent research indicate that this is a key per iod for development of vertebral deformities like platyspondy. This project propose to study in detail the effect of production paramters like photoperiod and temperatue, and how they influence the growth and mineralization process of the vertebrae. Ver y little is known about vertebral column development in cod. A fundamental approach will be used to study normal development in this species. The knowledge and methods established on salmon will also be applied to study normal development and wild cod and compare this with studies of vertebral development from cod in intensive culture.