Feeding stem cells can influence fish development

Research on the development of stem cells has shown that the development and health of fish can be influenced by which nutrient is given to the stem cells.

 

Researchers at Nofima Marine have studied stem cells in salmon for ten years, and are the only ones who have documented how nutrients influence the development of unspecialised cells into fully developed muscle, fat and bone cells.

 

Professor and Senior Researcher Bente Ruyter said they discovered among other things that the cells perform a greater variety of functions than expected.

 

Ruyter explained that fat cells in salmon, for example, secrete hormone-like substances that are important for regulating both energy utilisation and inflammatory reactions which in turn means that the type and amount of fat contained in the fat cells are more significant than previously thought.

 

It also appears that the various fatty acids influence the development of bone, fat and muscle cells.

 

For instance, omega-3 fatty acids promote bone cell development from unspecialised stem cells while preventing fat cell development.

 

In practice this may mean that an adequate level of omega-3 fatty acids in feed is important for the tissue development and health of farmed fish in certain stages of the fish's life.

 

The research tool gives a sound basis for further, more targeted studies, which in turn may improve health in fish.

 

She added that they can change the anticipated development of a stem cell by adding certain nutrients so that, for example, stem cell precursors from fatty tissue can be redirected towards a muscle cell.

 

The stem cell project is funded by the Research Council of Norway as part of a five-year strategic institute programme.