Effects of low temperatures and fasting on hematology and plasma composition of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Low temperatures, and the voluntary fasting that they induce, have been implicated in outbreaks of winter syndrome in farmed gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Two experiments were performed with the objective of studying if a decrease in water temperature is sufficient to induce this disease or some of its associated signs. In the first experiment, water temperature was either acutely or gradually reduced to 8 °C. In the second experiment, fish were exposed to either 8 °C or 12 °C, or fasted at 14 °C.