In 2000, the LSSU Aquatic Research Laboratory experienced almost 100% mortality of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) that were being reared for release in the St. Marys River. Over the course of the next several years, our laboratory investigated the cause of this mortality and demonstrated that the St. Marys River population of Atlantic salmon was suffering from severe thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Through our collaborative work with the MI DNR and the US Fish and Wildlife service, we established a testing and treatment protocol that has been adopted across the state to alleviate this problem in other salmon hatcheries. We also did significant work to demonstrate that thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine, was likely coming from the diet of this population.
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