Physiological responses and HSP70 mRNA expression of GIFT strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under cold stress

An investigation on the physiological responses and HSP70 expression under cold stress was conducted on Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Tilapia were acclimated at 28 degrees C as control and then the water temperature was reduced from 28 degrees C to 15 degrees C at a rate of 1 degrees C h(-1), and serum biochemical indices, antioxidant enzymes and expression of HSP70 mRNA were analysed on days 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 after exposure to 15 degrees C. The concentration of serum K, Na, Cl and Ca concentration showed instability during cold stress. Glucose rapidly increased on day 0 followed by a declining trend. Triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol significantly decreased and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed instability during cold stress. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were prominently elevated under cold stress. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities showed a remarkable rise on day 0.5 under cold stress, and gradually decreased thereafter. HSP70 mRNA level significantly increased both in liver and muscle under cold stress, especially on days 0.5 and 1. These results suggest that cold influences several physiological responses of tilapia, and the cold resistance and cold tolerance of tilapia will benefit from the enhancement of antioxidant enzymes activities and upregulated HSP70 mRNA expression.