药浴给药恩诺沙星及其代谢产物在欧洲鳗鲡体内的药代动力学研究

应用反相高效液相色谱法,研究药浴给药条件下,恩诺沙星及其代谢产物环丙沙星在欧洲鳗鲡体内的药代动力学.按10mg·L-1药浴给药后,恩诺沙星在欧洲鳗体内各组织器官中分布可用开放性二室模型来描述.血浆、肌肉、肝脏和肾脏中恩诺沙星达峰时间分别为44.27h、42.74h、50.69h、95.80h,以后开始缓慢下降,血浆、肌肉、肝脏和肾脏中代谢产物环丙沙星达峰时间分别为48.89h、55.34h、54.64h、100.0h.给药3个月后血浆、肌肉、肝脏和肾脏中的恩诺沙星浓度分别为0.0844μg·mL-1、0.09959μg·g-1、0.01242μg·g-1、3.7164u·g-1;恩诺沙星在血浆、肌肉、肝脏和肾脏中的消除半衰期(T1/2β)分别为908.07h、901.24h、59.32h、767.81h.鉴于恩诺沙星和其代谢产物环丙沙星在欧洲鳗鲡体内消除较慢,建议养成阶段不使用此药.     

连续药饵投喂方式下恩诺沙星及其代谢物环丙沙星在大黄鱼体内的残留消除研究

在连续药饵投喂方式下,掌握恩诺沙星及其代谢物环丙沙星在大黄鱼体内的残留消除规律,为大黄鱼养殖业提供合理的休药期和给药方案。在(20±3)℃水温条件下,按25 mg/kg恩诺沙星剂量对大黄鱼进行连续5 d药饵投喂给药实验,用高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定大黄鱼血浆、肌肉和肝脏中恩诺沙星及其代谢产物环丙沙星的含量水平。结果显示,恩诺沙星在血浆、肝脏和肌肉中较快达到最大值,达峰时间分别为8、12和12 h,浓度分别为3.068 mg/L、3.446 mg/kg和4.089 mg/kg,随后在给药后的前3 d出现明显的下降趋势。恩诺沙星的代谢产物环丙沙星分别在血浆第8 h、肝脏第12 h和肌肉第8 h达到峰值,达峰时的浓度分别为0.104 mg/L、0.753 mg/kg和0.355 mg/kg。实验表明仅有少量的恩诺沙星代谢为环丙沙星。在本实验条件下,建议休药期不少于18 d。     

恩诺沙星及其代谢产物环丙沙星在牙鲆体内代谢消除规律

以80 mg/kg鱼体重对牙鲆单次口灌给药恩诺沙星,给药后在不同的时间点取样,用高效液相色谱荧光检测器检测,研究恩诺沙星及其主要代谢产物环丙沙星在牙鲆体内的代谢消除规律。研究表明,停药后0.25 h,肌肉中恩诺沙星残留量最低。各组织的消除半衰期依次为腮肝脏血液肾脏肌肉,其中肌肉中恩诺沙星消除半衰期最低为67.759 h,消除最快,停药后12 d检测不到恩诺沙星。停药后0.25 h,在牙鲆血液、肝脏、肾脏中均有环丙沙星残留,残留量依次为肝脏肾脏血液,肌肉和鳃中未检出环丙沙星。停药后22 d在血液、肝脏和肾脏3个组织中仍然能够检测出恩诺沙星,但是停药7 d后这3个组织中均检测不出环丙沙星。结果显示,恩诺沙星在牙鲆体内代谢速度较慢,而且只是在一段时间内有脱乙基代谢为环丙沙星的反应发生,但并不是在恩诺沙星消除的全过程都发生,而且代谢物环丙沙星在牙鲆体内的消除速度要比恩诺沙星快。     

恩诺沙星及其代谢产物在珍珠龙胆石斑鱼(Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀×Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂)体内的代谢及消除规律

本研究在连续给药的情况下,开展恩诺沙星及其代谢产物环丙沙星在珍珠龙胆石斑鱼体内的代谢残留情况研究,为科学合理使用恩诺沙星防治珍珠龙胆石斑鱼的细菌性疾病提供理论依据,也在水产养殖上为指导恩诺沙星科学用药提供借鉴。在28℃的水温条件下,以30 mg/(kg·bw)恩诺沙星对平均体重为(300±28)g的珍珠龙胆石斑鱼进行连续5 d口灌给药实验,用高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定石斑鱼血浆、肌肉和肝脏中恩诺沙星及其代谢产物环丙沙星的残留含量。结果显示:恩诺沙星在血浆、肝脏和肌肉中很快达到最大值,达峰时间分别为第5天给药后3 h、第5天给药后3 h和第4天给药后3 h,其浓度分别为24.5 mg/L、13.0 mg/kg和8.20 mg/kg;恩诺沙星的代谢产物环丙沙星分别在第5天给药后3 h、第5天给药后3 h和第4天给药后3 h达到峰值,其浓度分别为0.276 mg/L、0.738 mg/kg和0.110 mg/kg,说明只有少量的恩诺沙星代谢成环丙沙星。根据本实验的数据,建议休药期不低于980度日。     

诺氟沙星在日本鳗鲡体内的代谢动力学及残留消除规律

为研究诺氟沙星(NFX)在鳗鲡体内的代谢和消除规律,以超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定日本鳗鲡在混饲口灌后血液和组织中NFX的含量变化,并进行药动学分析。结果表明,NFX以30 mg/kg的剂量单次混饲口灌日本鳗鲡后,吸收分布迅速,达峰时间(T_(max))、吸收(T_(1/2Ka))和分布半衰期(T_(1/2α))分别为3.000、1.012和1.570 h;NFX在鳗鲡体内消除较快,消除半衰期(T_(1/2β))为15.267 h,总清除率(CL)为1.315 L/(h·kg)。此外,峰浓度(C_(max))为1.273 mg/L,药时曲线下面积(AUC_(0~∞))为22.670 mg/(L·h)。NFX以30 mg/kg的剂量连续3 d混饲口灌日本鳗鲡后,在肌肉、肝脏、肾脏和血浆中的消除速率常数分别为0.144、0.125、0.102和0.093 1/d。根据WT1.4计算的理论休药期(WDT)分别为肌肉22.97 d,肝脏21.30 d,肾脏33.40 d,血浆18.29 d。本研究结果为诺氟沙星在水产动物中的实际应用提供理论依据。     

恩诺沙星及其代谢产物环丙沙星在拟穴青蟹体内的药代动力学

采用高效液相色谱法,研究盐度33条件下恩诺沙星口灌和肌肉注射给药(剂量10 mg/kg)后,恩诺沙星及其代谢物环丙沙星在拟穴青蟹体内的药代动力学和组织分布。血淋巴和组织中药代动力学参数采用基于统计矩原理的非房室模型进行计算。恩诺沙星口灌和肌肉注射拟穴青蟹给药后,血药达峰快,分别为0.5 h和1 min,达峰浓度分别为12.90和31.86 μg/mL,曲线下面积(AUC)分别为216.1和816.8 μg/(mL·h)。恩诺沙星在拟穴青蟹组织中分布较广,口灌给药下肌肉和肝胰腺AUC分别为445.9和817.6 μg/(g·h),肌肉注射给药下的AUC分别为554.7和2 573.7 μg/(g·h)。与其它水产动物相比,恩诺沙星在拟穴青蟹体内消除速度为中等水平,口灌和肌肉注射恩诺沙星后血药消除半衰期(t_1/2z)分别为26.45和57.02 h,总体清除率(CL_z)分别为0.054和0.012 L/(h·kg)。恩诺沙星在拟穴青蟹体内代谢生成环丙沙星的量较少,口灌给药下血淋巴、肌肉和肝胰腺的AUC_CIP/AUC_ENR分别为6.66%、3.66%和4.78%,肌肉注射给药下,其相应值分别为4.16%、7.24%和1.48%,在拟穴青蟹体内起药效作用仍是以恩诺沙星为主。以C_max/MIC、AUC_0-24/MIC评价恩诺沙星在青蟹体内的药效作用,建议给拟穴青蟹以10 mg/kg剂量每隔24小时投喂一次恩诺沙星,对弧菌引起的细菌性疾病具有较好的防治效果。     

恩诺沙星乳在罗非鱼体内的药代动力学及组织分布

为研究恩诺沙星乳新剂型及其去乙基代谢产物环丙沙星在罗非鱼(Oreochroms mossambcus)血浆中的药代动力学及分布,在(30±1)℃养殖水温下,对罗非鱼单次口灌10 mg/kg恩诺沙星乳,在0.5、1、2、4、6、8、12、18、24、48、72、96、120、144、168 h取样,样品处理后以超高效液相色谱荧光检测器检测。研究显示:恩诺沙星在罗非鱼血浆中的达峰时间(T_(max))为2 h,峰浓度(C_(max))为4.38 mg/L;环丙沙星在罗非鱼血浆中的T_(max)为8 h,C_(max)为0.1 mg/L;恩诺沙星在罗非鱼肝、脑、肌肉、肾中的T_(max)分别为1、2、4和6 h,C_(max)分别为12.37、4.31、6.22和7.82 mg/kg,消除方程分别为C=3.96e~(-0.0232t)、C=7.52e~(-0.0253t)、C=6.04e~(-0.015t)、C=2.73e~(-0.0205t);环丙沙星在罗非鱼肝、肌肉、肾中的T_(max)分别为4、6和6 h,C_(max)分别为0.39、0.15和0.23 mg/kg,消除方程分别为C=0.11e~(-0.0186t)、C=0.29e~(-0.0184t)、C=0.17e~(-0.0132t)。结果表明,恩诺沙星乳在罗非鱼体内吸收迅速,大部分以恩诺沙星原药代谢出体外,仅有3.22%～6.03%恩诺沙星被代谢成环丙沙星,虽然环丙沙星含量低但在罗非鱼体内比恩诺沙星更难消除;建议罗非鱼以10 mg/kg口灌恩诺沙星乳用于疾病的防治。     

氟苯尼考在欧洲鳗鲡体内的药物代谢动力学的研究

应用反相高效液相色谱法对口灌和肌肉注射氟苯尼考在欧洲鳗鲡(Anguilla anguilla)体内的代谢规律进行了研究.按100 mg·kg-1口灌给药后血浆、肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中氟苯尼考浓度的达峰时间分别为2h、6h、0.5h、1h,以后开始缓慢下降,给药2d后血浆、肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中的氟苯尼考浓度分别为4.209μg·mL-1、0.792μg·g-1、0.493μg·g-1、1.448μg·g-1,给药3d后血浆中的氟苯尼考浓度分别为0.0836μg·mL-1,肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中的氟苯尼考浓度均未检出;按100mg·kg-1肌肉注射给药后血浆中氟苯尼考浓度达峰时间为0.5h,以后开始缓慢下降,给药5d后血浆中的氟苯尼考浓度为0.1151μg·mL-1,给药10d后血浆中的氟苯尼考浓度未检出.口灌氟苯尼考在欧洲鳗鲡体内血浆、肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中分布可用开放性二室模型来描述,口灌给药的血浆、肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中的消除半衰期(T1/2β)分别为27.939h、18.844h、11.83h、36.87h;肌肉注射氟苯尼考在欧洲鳗鲡体内血浆、肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中分布可用开放性一室模型来描述,肌肉注射给药的血浆中的消除半衰期(T1/2β)为37.52h.     

恩诺沙星在日本鳗鲡体内残留消除规律研究

采用高效液相色谱法检测日本鳗鲡肌肉、血清、肠、鳃和肝脏组织中恩诺沙星及其代谢物环丙沙星的残留。方法的日内和日间变异系数分别为1.86%和2.53%,标准添加回收率为(95±6)%;最低测量限为1.0μg/kg。用现场试验方法研究恩诺沙星在鳗鱼体内的代谢残留规律。对约50 g鳗鱼按9 mg/kg鱼体重每天给药2次,连续投喂7 d。给药期间鳗鱼体内的药物含量呈锯齿状上升,停药60 d后鳗鱼肠、鳃和肝脏组织中药物即下降至1~5μg/kg。肌肉和血清中药物残留到90 d,分别消除至3μg/kg和4μg/kg。所测组织的药物残留至停药120 d后降到检测限以下。故鳗鱼的停药期不应低于120 d。     

模拟养殖系统药饵给药后恩诺沙星在异育银鲫体内、水体和底泥中代谢与分布

为探究水产养殖中恩诺沙星用药后在水环境中的归趋，本实验在模拟池塘水产养殖系统中，恩诺沙星以18 mg/kg剂量药饵投喂异育银鲫，每天2次、给药周期6 d，研究恩诺沙星在异育银鲫体内吸收、分布、代谢和消除规律，以及在水体和底泥中的分布规律。结果显示，异育银鲫组织中恩诺沙星峰浓度(C_max)依次为肠道>肾脏>肌肉>鳃>肝脏>血浆，分别为14.15、13.31、14.15、7.48、7.94 mg/kg和2.94 mg/L；各组织中均可检测到代谢产物环丙沙星，其峰浓度与恩诺沙星峰浓度的百分比分别为5.10%、1.70%、6.28%、2.97%、2.90%和6.53%；组织中恩诺沙星清除率(CL_z)顺序为血浆>肝脏>肠道>鳃>肌肉>肾脏。随着给药次数增多，水体中恩诺沙星残留浓度快速升高，在最后一次给药后6 h时达到峰值(5.23μg/L)，随后开始下降，但水体中一直未检测到代谢产物环丙沙星；底泥中恩诺沙星首先呈现上升趋势，在240 h达到峰值(796μg/kg)，之后略有下降，480 h时降...     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

Nitrogenous waste excretion and accumulation of urea and ammonia inChalcalburnus tarichi (Cyprinidae), endemic to the extremely alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Turkey)

The endemic, anadromous cyprinidChalcalburnus tarichi is the only fish species known to occur in alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). EightC. tarichi were maintained individually in Lake Van water (17 – 19°C; pH 9.8; 153 mEq·I^–1 total alkalinity; 22 total salinity) and tank water samples analyzed for 24 h in 2 to 4 h intervals. At zero time, < 1µM ammonia was present and urea was undetectable in the tank water; at 24 h, total ammonia and urea made up 114±32 and 35±25µM, respectively. Over the experimental period, ammonia-N and urea-N excretion averaged 1041±494 and 607±169moles·kg^–1 fish·h^–1, respectively. The extent of urea excretion was highly variable between specimens. Uric acid excretion was not detectable.Urea was present at high concentrations in all tissues and plasma (25 – 35moles·g^–1·ml^–1) of freshly caughtC. tarichi; total ammonia content of the tissues was by a factor of 1.9 (liver) to 3.0 (brain) lower. High arginase activity (2.4±0.2 U·min^–1·g^–1) was detected in the liver ofC. tarichi but ornithine carbamoylphosphate transferase, a key enzyme of the ornithine-urea-cycle, was absent. Ureagenesis is likely through degradation of arginine and/or uricolysis. High glutamine synthetase activity (11±0.6 U·min^–1·g^–1) and low ammonia content in brain suggest that, like other teleosts,C. tarichi has an efficient ammonia detoxification in the brain, but in no other tissue.Nitrogenous waste excretion at alkaline pH is discussed. The ability ofC. tarichi to excrete high levels of ammonia at extremely alkaline pH is unique among teleosts studied so far. The mechanism of ammonia excretion under Lake Van conditions remains to be elucidated.