Microarray-predicted marker genes and molecular pathways indicating crowding stress in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The comprehensive recording of animal-based biomarkers is becoming increasingly important for the further development of the aquaculture industry with importance for fish well-being and consumer opinion. Previous studies on crowding stress in rainbow trout have used single or multi-gene approaches to assess the relevance of putative biomarkers, but transcriptomic approaches to define crowding stress-induced pathways in salmonids are overdue. The present study compares the transcriptomic profiles of rainbow trout exposed to different stocking densities and correlates these data sets with classical plasma parameters and behavioural observations.