Effects of dietary glutamate and succinate on growth performance and mitochondrial respiration in heart and liver of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts

The smolt stage of salmon has challenges in reaching adequate growth rates due to the changing environmental conditions at sea. Therefore, it is necessary to provide adequate diets to achieve sufficient growth. This study determined the impacts of glutamate and succinate (1% each) supplemented diet on the growth of Atlantic salmon smolts along with characterization of mitochondrial respiration using high-resolution respirometry technique. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in growth response between the treatment and control groups. Maximum oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) was reached after addition of succinate. Analysis of heart homogenates revealed a significant difference in LEAK respiration state (P = 0.005). No significant difference was recorded between the diet groups for liver homogenates. Differences between heart and liver respiration revealed that mitochondrial activity is organ dependent.