Minimizing the effects of stress during eyestalk ablation of Litopenaeus vannamei females with topical anesthetic and a coagulating agent


J. Taylor, L. Vinatea, R. Ozorio, R. Schuweitzer, E.R. Andreatta-2004 
Aquaculture, 233(1-4): 173-179
Abstract:

A topical anesthetic and a coagulating agent were employed in this study to determine if observable signs of eyestalk ablation stress could be alleviated in adult female Litopenaeus vannamei broodstock. The experimental design included four separate treatments, with each tested group consisting of 15 female shrimp weighing approximately 40 g. Results show that survival of the shrimp was 100% for all treatments, but reaction to the eyestalk ablation event varied between treatments. Initiation of normal swimming or recovery and the onset of feeding following ablation and treatment also varied among the four groups. The results suggest that the use of a topical anesthetic prior to eyestalk ablation reduces the visible reactions to stress experienced by L. vannamei broodstock, allowing for a more humane eyestalk ablation method.

(653B Beach Drive, Nanaimo, BC, Canada, e-mail of J. Taylor: jk_taylor@hotmail.com, e-mamil of L. Vinatea: vinatea@mbox1.ufsc.br)


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