Randomized trial examines physiological and molecular responses to salinity in juvenile Coregonus ussuriensis, suggesting mechanisms for salt tolerance.
Key Points
This study aims to explore the physiological and molecular responses of juvenile Coregonus ussuriensis to acute salinity stress.
Coregonus ussuriensis were exposed to salinities of 0‰, 14‰, and 20‰ for 96 hours.
Gill histology, enzyme activities, and transcriptomic profiles were analyzed to assess responses.
qRT-PCR was used to validate RNA-seq expression patterns.
Acute salinity exposure caused lamellar edema and epithelial hyperplasia, with severe lesions at 20‰.
Apoptotic index increased with higher salinity, indicating salinity-dependent effects on cell death.
Differentially expressed genes were linked to ion transport, oxidative phosphorylation, and energy metabolism.