Caligus rogercresseyi sea lice negatively impact Chilean salmonid farming.
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of C. rogercresseyi infestation on the metabolic responses of Salmo salar and Oncorhynchus kisutch.
Plasma glucose levels changed in both salmonid species, increasing at 1–3 days post-infestation.
Amino acid metabolism in liver and muscle of O. kisutch increased during infestation, indicating a higher use of the gluconeogenic pathway than S. salar.
Amino acid and carbohydrate enzymes in O. kisutch activated soon after initial infestation, allowing at this species to dispose of energy substrates earlier than S. salar.