EVALUATION OF RESISTANCE AND GENE EXPRESSION OF BARRAMUNDI, Lates calcarifer POST-INFECTION OF NERVOUS NECROSIS VIRUS

Abstract

The most common problem in barramundi Lates calcarifer seedling production is the high mortality (> 90%) caused by nervous necrosis virus (NNV) infection. This research aims to evaluate the resistance and gene expression of barramundi challenged by NNV. Two populations were used in this study, i.e., Australian, and Situbondo-originated barramundi populations. The immune-related gene expression levels in the liver, head of kidney, and spleen were observed at 48 and 96 hours after post-infection (hpi). Barramundi’s survival and blood parameters were evaluated post-NNV infection. The results showed that the highest survival was revealed in Situbondo’s barramundi (42.0±4.47%) compared to Australian barramundi (20.0±7.07%) and no mortality was observed in the control without NNV infection. The higher survival rate in barramundi from Situbondo was in line with the blood profile. The number of red blood cell from Situbondo barramundi post-NNV infection (ST) at 96 hpi was higher (P