Are apparent negative effects of feeding GM MON810 maize to Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, caused by confounding factors?

Sissener, NH; Hemre, GI; Lall, SP; Sagstad, A; Petersen, K; Williams, J; Rohloff, J; Sanden, M

HERO ID

4941620

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2011

Language

English

PMID

21418706

HERO ID 4941620
In Press No
Year 2011
Title Are apparent negative effects of feeding GM MON810 maize to Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, caused by confounding factors?
Authors Sissener, NH; Hemre, GI; Lall, SP; Sagstad, A; Petersen, K; Williams, J; Rohloff, J; Sanden, M
Journal British Journal of Nutrition
Volume 106
Issue 1
Page Numbers 42-56
Abstract The present study was conducted to follow up on apparent differences in growth, relative organ sizes, cellular stress and immune function in Atlantic salmon fed feed containing GM Bacillus thuringiensis maize compared with feed containing the non-modified parental maize line. Gene expression profiling on the distal intestinal segment and liver was performed by microarray, and selected genes were followed up by quantitative PCR (qPCR). In the liver, qPCR revealed some differentially regulated genes, including up-regulation of gelsolin precursor, down-regulation of ferritin heavy subunit and a tendency towards down-regulation of metallothionein (MT)-B. This, combined with the up-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein NR13 and similar tendencies for ferritin heavy chain and MT-A and -B in the distal intestine, suggests changes in cellular stress/antioxidant status. This corresponds well with and strengthens previous findings in these fish. To exclude possible confounding factors, the maize ingredients were analysed for mycotoxins and metabolites. The GM maize contained 90 μg/kg of deoxynivalenol (DON), while the non-GM maize was below the detection limit. Differences were also observed in the metabolite profiles of the two maize varieties, some of which seemed connected to the mycotoxin level. The effects on salmon observed in the present and previous studies correspond relatively well with the effects of DON as reported in the literature for other production animals, but knowledge regarding effects and harmful dose levels in fish is scarce. Thus, it is difficult to conclude whether the observed effects are caused by the DON level or by some other aspect of the GM maize ingredient.
Doi 10.1017/S0007114510005726
Pmid 21418706
Wosid WOS:000291986100007
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English