Abstract

Many wildlife populations are declining at rates higher than can be explained by known threats to biodiversity. Recently, thiamine (vitamin B-1) deficiency has emerged as a possible contributing cause. Here, thiamine status was systematically investigated in three animal classes: bivalves, ray-finned fishes, and birds. Thiamine diphosphate is required as a cofactor in at least five life-sustaining enzymes that are required for basic cellular metabolism. Analysis of different phosphorylated forms of thiamine, as well as of activities and amount of holoenzyme and apoenzyme forms of thiaminedependent enzymes, revealed episodically occurring thiamine deficiency in all three animal classes. These biochemical effects were also linked to secondary effects on growth, condition, liver size, blood chemistry and composition, histopathology, swimming behaviour and endurance, parasite infestation, and reproduction. It is unlikely that the thiamine deficiency is caused by impaired phosphorylation within the cells. Rather, the results point towards insufficient amounts of thiamine in the food. By investigating a large geographic area, by extending the focus from lethal to sublethal thiamine deficiency, and by linking biochemical alterations to secondary effects, we demonstrate that the problem of thiamine deficiency is considerably more widespread and severe than previously reported.

Keywords

Thiamine; Anguilla; eel; salmon; herring; eider; Mytilus

Published in

Scientific Reports
2016, Volume: 6, article number: 38821
Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

SLU Authors

• Karlsson, Simon

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Karlstad University

• Strömquist, Jennie

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Börjeson, Hans

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

Coastal and sea areas
Lakes and watercourses


Sustainable Development Goals

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


UKÄ Subject classification

Zoology
Environmental Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep38821

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/80356