Significance of zinc on skin molecular signatures in Atlantic salmon with Winter ulcer disease

Vaccinated seawater adapted Atlantic salmon (average weight ~340 g) fed with variable levels of zinc were infected with Moritella viscosa at VESO Vikan. Early responses in skin to infection were investigated 4 days post challenge. Effect of chronic ulceration was investigated 35 days post challenge. Skin biopsies were excised from the left side of each fish in the area posterior of the dorsal fin and above the lateral line, and in addition sampled at the wound site. Skin layer dissection was performed to split samples into epidermis and dermis.