A note on the significance of the olfactory sense upon sexual maturation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) |
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| Authors: | Ole B Stabell Terje Refstie |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Zoophysiology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1051, Blindern, Oslo 3 Norway |
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| Abstract: | The significance of the olfactory sense upon sexual maturation in Atlantic salmon was studied. Eighty-one salmon in the salt-water stage were rendered anosmic by cauterizing the olfactory mucosa, a further 81 fishes served as a reference group. All fishes were raised in the same floating net cage. The olfactory mucosa was destroyed once more during the experimental period in the already anosmicized group in order to avoid regeneration. After 5 months, the sexual maturation in both groups was determined by visual inspection of the gonads, and ranged on a six-step scale. The results indicate that the olfactory sense is not mandatory to late development of sexual maturity. No difference was found between the two groups with regard to growth during the experimental period. This finding indicates that the olfactory sense is of little importance to salmonids in the competition for food in a fish-farming environment. |
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