Feed intake and brain levels of appetite controlling neuropectides in cobia is affected by elevated water temperatures

Abstract

Increased sea temperature due to climate change will affect the physiology, behavior, and geographical distribution of marine species, including fish (Botkin et al., 2007). However, little information is available on the impact of elevated temperature and interactions with appetite, amino acid metabolism and growth in cobia (Rachycentron canadum), a candidate species in aquaculture. This work is part of a larger study aimed to determine whether there is a link and possibly a positive effect between the dietary methionine levels, elevated temperature and feed intake. Here we describe the effects on appetite and mRNA expression of the orexigenic (appetite stimulant) neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti-related protein (AgRP), and the anorexigenic (appetite inhibiting) cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) and cholecystokinin (CCK) in cobia brain.