Microstructure, growth and remodeling of the non-deformed and deformed vertebrae of the Red Porgy (Pagrus pagrus)

Abstract

In the present work, we investigate the skeletal deformities occurrence in a stock of red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) reared in two different water current protocols, high and normal, in tanks specifically designed for this study. Deformities were determined by xraying all fish three times during the trial period. The results showed that the degree of deformation can be aggravated by the higher water current. Whereas postcranial lordosis may become worse under high water current, the vertebral fusion did not seem affected. Normal deformed and fused vertebral bodies fish were selected for histological studies. The results of the histological studies confirmed the x-ray tracing, the comparison with normal vertebral bodies allowed to understand the deformed vertebral body. In the case of the fused vertebral body we could observe containment, when two vertebral bodies could fuse to one.