Abstract
This project investigates the role of carotenoids for egg development and early juvenile survival in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. The eggs of many fishes are yellow-orange, due to the presence of carotenoid pigments. Such pigments cannot be synthesized de novo by the fish, but stem from the natural food of the species. Carotenoids could have both positive and negative effects on the viability of fish eggs and larvae. The main positive effect is likely an improved ability to avoid deleterious effects of free radicals during growth. However, too high intake of certain carotenoids has been shown to have negative effects. In salmon, there seems to be a considerable variation in egg color, i.e. carotenoid content. Although this may reflect quality differences between females, it is also possible that it reflects adaptations to different environments, with higher and lower oxidative stress, respectively. An improved understanding of the role of carotenoids in salmon eggs, under different environmental conditions, is not only interesting from a scientific point of view. It should also enable us to better understand variation in offspring production and therefore be highly relevant for a proper management of viable salmon populations.
Norway