Variation in commercial sources of soybean meal influences the severity of enteritis in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) (p )

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Soybean meal (SBM) is a potential alternative for the replacement of fishmeal in aquafeeds. In Atlantic salmon, however, dietary SBM causes an inflammation of the distal intestine, known as SBM-induced enteritis. The objective of the present study is to verify whether different (geographically spread) commercial sources of SBM yield contrasting inflammatory responses. To do so, six SBM batches from different origins were included in the Atlantic salmon diets at the level of 20%. After 4 weeks of feeding, the distal intestine of the salmon was sampled and scored by a semi-quantitative scoring system, which assessed six separated parameters, characterizing the extent of enteritis. The overall mean score as well as the score of the separate parameters varied between the different commercial sources of SBM included in the diet. The variation in SBM caused different degrees of disparity in the score of the separate parameters. The parameter that was most affected by the variation in the source of SBM was the disappearance of supranuclear vacuoles in enterocytes. In contrast, the increase in goblet cells showed the smallest variation between the different SBM sources. This study shows that different commercial sources of SBM can result in differences in the severity of SBM-induced enteritis in Atlantic salmon.