Seasonal effects on hematological and innate immune parameters in sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax

The temperate aquatic environment is affected by two primary components of season, temperature and photoperiod, during the annual cycle. Many organisms respond to seasonal change physiologically, behaviorally or both. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of seasonality on cortisol, hematological and innate immune parameters in European sea bass reared under traditional semi-intensive aquaculture. Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were reared in an outdoor pond and serum cortisol, hematocrit, leucocrit, serum lysozyme activity and total glutathione were bimonthly monitored over a 14-months period. The effect of seasonality was observed for all parameters carried out, with generally higher values in summer and lower in winter. These results could improve the understanding of the influence of seasonal cues on the immune system and hematological parameters in fish in order to optimize the husbandry practices.

► We investigated the effects of seasonality on hematological parameters in sea bass.
► We correlated stress and hematological parameters to temperature and photoperiod.
► All parameters carried out showed marked seasonal variations.