Stress and mu opioid receptor in the management of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) aquaculture

The growing consumption of aquaculture products requires always new techniques to increase the production yield. Generally, the intensification of aquaculture practices is associated with a stress level rise of bred fishes. Sensitivity to stress, leading to disease, reduced growth and mortality, is higher in larvae than in adult fish. The stress induced effects can be reduced acting on opioid receptors. In this light we evaluated the efficacy of naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, directly added to the water during Sparus aurata larval development. We found that in larvae subjected to artificial induced stressors, such as overcrowding, reduced pH, increased temperature and salinity, naloxone was useful to decrease the negative effects caused. In this Research highlight we discuss the finding of our recent study and research advancements.