Effects of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) on sedation and responses of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) subjected to simulated transportation stress

This study evaluated the anesthetic and sedative effects of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) on yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), and determined its effectiveness for the simulated transportation. In the anesthesia induction and recovery experiment, the adult fish (87.5 ± 13.9 g) were treated with five concentrations of MS-222 (0, 40, 60, 90 and 110 mg L−1), respectively. The results showed that the effective concentration of MS-222 for short-term anesthesia induction was between 90 and 110 mg L−1, according to the principle of anesthesia within 3 min and recovery within 10 min. In the simulated transportation experiment, the fish (86.7 ± 11.4 g) were stored in tanks containing 40 mg L−1 MS-222 solution for 12 h. The results revealed that the content of water ammonia nitrogen in the MS-222 group was significantly lower than that of control group . The fish in the anesthetized transportation group showed a significant decrease in serum cortisol levels (43.11 ± 3.74 ng mL−1) compared with the control group (50.12 ± 0.65 ng mL−1), whereas the levels of serum glucose in fish exposed to MS-222 significantly increased . The hsp70 mRNA expression in the liver of anesthetized yellow catfish was found to significantly upregulate after transportation . Thus, it is concluded that the effective concentrations of MS-222 for sedation and anesthesia in adult yellow catfish were from 90 to 110 mg L−1, and while 40 mg L−1 MS-222 has the potential to be used for the transportation of yellow catfish within 12 h. •This study provides information about MS-222 as an anesthetic in yellow catfish.•MS-222 reduced water ammonia accumulation after the simulated transportation.•The use of MS-222 decreased serum cortisol contents and increased glucose levels in the 40 mg L−1 MS-222 group.•The up-regulated hsp 70 had a protective effect on yellow catfish during the simulated transportation.•MS-222 has the potential to be used for the transportation of adults up to 12 h.