复合油和低鱼粉饲料在卵形鲳鲹养殖中的应用效果研究

为评估课题组前期研发的卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)(又称金鲳)复合油、脂肪粉以及低鱼粉饲料在养殖生产中的应用效果，利用饲料公司的商品料生产设备生产4种等氮(48%)等脂(11%)配合饲料(D1～D4):其中，D1～D3为饲料公司的金鲳商品料配方(含20%鱼粉),仅添加的脂肪源不同，分别为10%鱼油(D1)、10%卵形鲳鲹复合油(D2)、8%卵形鲳鲹复合油+4%卵形鲳鲹脂肪粉(D3);D4为本课题组研发的低鱼粉饲料(含6.6%鱼粉),脂肪源与D3一致。以此4种饲料于海水池塘网箱(2 m×2 m×1.5 m)中养殖卵形鲳鲹幼鱼，试验鱼体质量(64.75±0.70)g,实验周期8周。结果显示，与D1组相比，D2～D4组鱼的生长性能和形态指标无显著差异(P>0.05),但D2组的饲料系数显著降低(P<0.05);D3和D4组血清低密度脂蛋白(LDL)含量、谷草转氨酶(GOT)和谷丙转氨酶(GPT)活性以及肝脏丙二醛含量均显著低于D1组(P<0.05)。鱼背肌的粗蛋白含量D3和D4组显著高于D1组(P<0.05),而鱼背肌其他常规成分及腹肌各常规成分各...     

卵形鲳鲹配合饲料中酶解鱼浆蛋白和陆生复合蛋白替代鱼粉的研究

为了评估卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)配合饲料中酶解鱼浆蛋白和陆生复合蛋白替代鱼粉的可行性,本研究设计了4种等蛋(42%)等脂(12%)配合饲料(D1~D4),其中,D1(对照组)含30%鱼粉,D2~D4(处理组)都含14%陆生复合蛋白且还分别含有16%、11%、6%鱼粉和0、5%、10%酶解鱼浆蛋白;各处理组都补充蛋氨酸和赖氨酸。将360尾初始体重为(7.28±0.10) g的卵形鲳鲹幼鱼随机分配到12个海上网箱中,每个网箱30尾鱼,每种饲料设3个网箱。将鱼以上述4种饲料饲养62 d后,测定其生长性能、体组成、血清生化指标、肠道消化酶活性与组织抗氧化指标。结果显示,各实验组鱼的增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)、蛋白质效率(PER)、饲料系数(FC)、胃蛋白酶(PEP)、脂肪酶(LPS)和淀粉酶(AMS)活性均无显著差异(P>0.05)。D3和D4组全鱼粗蛋白含量显著高于D1和D2组,D4组鱼肌肉脂肪含量显著低于D1~D3组(P<0.05);D2~D4组鱼血清谷草转氨酶(AST)及D2和D3组鱼谷丙转氨酶(ALT)活性都显著低于D1组(P<0.05),D1和D4组血清总蛋白(TP)和球蛋白(GLO)水平显著高于D2和D3组(P<0.05);D2~D4组肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和肌肉超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著高于D1组(P<0.05),且肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量低于D1组(P<0.05)。研究表明,含6%鱼粉的D4组鱼的生长性能与30%鱼粉D1组无差异,且全鱼蛋白含量及肝脏和肌肉抗氧化能力显著提高,说明14%陆生复合蛋白配合10%酶解鱼浆蛋白可有效替代卵形鲳鲹饲料中80%鱼粉,使饲料鱼粉使用量低至6%。本研究是首次探讨酶解鱼浆蛋白在卵形鲳鲹配合饲料中应用的可行性,结果可为研发高效低成本配合饲料提供参考依据。     

卵形鲳鲹幼鱼饲料中适宜蛋白能量比的研究

以鱼粉、豆粕为蛋白源,豆油、鱼油为脂肪源,配制9种不同蛋白能量水平的饲料,蛋白质3个水平(38%、43%、49%),每个蛋白水平设3个脂肪梯度(6%、10%、14%),其蛋白能量比为19.3～27.4mg/kJ。卵形鲳鲹初始质量为(25.02±0.16)g,每个处理设3个重复,每个网箱(1.5 m×1.0 m×2.0m)放养卵形鲳鲹苗20尾,养殖试验持续8周。结果显示,卵形鲳鲹特定生长率随饲料蛋白水平的升高而显著升高(P<0.05)。投喂含43%或49%蛋白质、6%脂肪饲料的卵形鲳鲹表现出较好的特定生长率。饲料中不同的脂肪水平未表现出蛋白质节约效应,较高的脂肪水平反而抑制了卵形鲳鲹的特定生长率、饲料效率和蛋白质效率。卵形鲳鲹鱼体蛋白和脂肪含量分别随饲料蛋白质和脂肪水平的上升而显著升高(P<0.05)。在该试验条件下,卵形鲳鲹幼鱼饲料中最适蛋白质、脂肪水平和蛋白能量比分别为43%、6%和24.4 mg/kJ。     

饲料糖水平对不同食性鱼类生长及葡萄糖耐受能力的影响

为研究饲料糖水平对不同食性鱼类生长、血浆生化指标、肝/肌糖原的影响及葡萄糖耐受能力的影响,本实验以不同食性的吉富罗非鱼、卵形鲳鲹和军曹鱼为研究对象,糊精为糖源,三种鱼各设置低、中、高（CL、CM、CH;吉富罗非鱼：20%、30%、40%;卵形鲳鲹：13%、26%、39%;军曹鱼：12%、24%、36%）3个不同饲料糖添加水平,依次为进行8周的饲养实验并进行葡萄糖注射实验。结果显示：饲料中不同糖水平对吉富罗非鱼成活率没有显著影响（P>0.05）;饲料系数随饲料糖水平的升高呈现先下降后升高趋势,以CL组最高（P<0.05）;增重率与特定生长率最高值均出现在CH组中,显著高于CL组（P<0.05）。卵形鲳鲹和军曹鱼CH组存活率均显著低于其他各组（P<0.05）;而增重率与特定生长率则均为CM组显著最高（P<0.05）;三种鱼饲料系数随着饲料糖水平的升高呈现先下降后升高趋势,均以CM组最低,分别为1.47（吉富罗非）、1.61（卵形鲳鲹）和1.49（军曹鱼）。饲料中不同糖水平对不同食性鱼类糖代谢相关生化指标有不同程度的影响。随着饲料中糖水平的上升,罗非鱼CH组糖代谢指标均显著高于其他各组（P<0.05）。卵形鲳鲹和军曹鱼CH组血糖、胰岛素、肝/肌糖原、甘油三酯均为最高;军曹鱼CM组肝/肌糖原和甘油三酯均显著高于其他各组（P<0.05）。葡萄糖耐受实验结果显示注射葡萄糖后：（1）卵形鲳鲹组和罗非鱼组在1 h血糖水平达峰值（P<0.05）,并且均在12 h恢复到注射前水平;而军曹鱼组在3 h达血糖峰值后直至24 h才回到注射前水平。（2）军曹鱼组与罗非鱼组血浆胰岛素水平缓慢上升,至3 h达最高水平（P<0.05）,而卵形鲳鲹组在1 h内显著下降（P<0.05）。（3）卵形鲳鲹组与罗非鱼组肝糖原水平缓慢上升,分别在3 h、6 h达峰值（P<0.05）,而军曹鱼组在1 h内呈下降趋势。（4）罗非鱼组与卵形鲳鲹组甘油三酯水平分别在3 h、6 h达峰值（P<0.05）,而军曹鱼组在1 h内显著下降（P<0.05）。本研究表明,饲料糖水平对对三种食性鱼类生长、糖代谢生化指标、葡萄糖利用和耐受能力具有不同程度的影响,杂食性罗非鱼可比肉食性鱼类更好地利用膳食糖物质。葡萄糖耐受能力则以杂食性吉富罗非鱼为最强,卵形鲳鲹次之,军曹鱼葡萄糖耐受能力最低。     

发酵棉籽粉替代鱼粉对卵形鲳鲹幼鱼生长、饲料利用性能及肠道菌群的影响

发酵棉籽粉是一种优质植物蛋白原料,具有替代饲料鱼粉的潜力。为评估发酵棉籽粉作为卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)饲料蛋白源的适宜性及适宜替代水平,用发酵棉籽粉分别替代卵形鲳鲹幼鱼饲料中0%(对照组)、25%、50%、75%和100%的鱼粉(基础饲料中鱼粉质量分数为35%),配制成5种实验饲料,饲喂幼鱼[初始体质量为(12.57±0.25) g]7周,探究了发酵棉籽粉替代鱼粉对幼鱼存活、生长和饲料利用性能及肠道菌群组成的影响。结果显示,发酵棉籽粉替代组的存活、生长、饲料利用率以及蛋白质、脂肪沉积效率均低于鱼粉对照组,而25%和50%替代组与对照组无显著性差异(P>0.05)。但当发酵棉籽粉替代75%～100%鱼粉时,刺激了卵形鲳鲹肝脏的抗氧化系统,使总超氧化物歧化酶(TSOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性高于对照组。此外肝脏HE染色切片显示其细胞空泡化现象加剧,100%替代组的血清总蛋白、白蛋白和球蛋白含量降低,肝脏合成蛋白能力可能下降。发酵棉籽粉高水平替代鱼粉会影响卵形鲳鲹的肠道菌群组成,表现为有益菌丰度下降、有害菌丰度上升,从而影响了肠道菌群功能。综合考虑生长性能和...     

水解鱼蛋白对大菱鲆生长、体组成及肌纤维组织形态结构的影响

本实验设计6种等氮等脂的饲料,研究水解鱼蛋白对大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus L.)生长、饲料利用、体组成和肌肉纤维组织形态结构的影响。实验设2个对照组,正对照组鱼粉为44%,负对照组鱼粉为22%;设4个实验组,PH18A组为22%的鱼粉和18%的水解鱼蛋白,PH4.5A组为22%的鱼粉和4.5%的水解鱼蛋白,PH4.5B组为17%的鱼粉和4.5%的水解鱼蛋白,PH18B组为0.5%的鱼粉和18%的水解鱼蛋白。研究结果表明,PH4.5A组和PH18B组的特定增长率无显著差异(P>0.05),但显著高于PH4.5B组和负对照组(P<0.05),显著低于正对照组和PH18A组(P<0.05);PH18A组的特定生长率显著高于正对照组(P<0.05)。正对照组和PH18A组的饲料效率、蛋白质效率和蛋白质沉积率无显著差异(P>0.05),但依次显著高于PH18B组、PH4.5A组和负对照组(P<0.05);摄食率的变化趋势则相反。PH4.5B组和负对照组的粗脂肪和粗蛋白含量无显著差异(P>0.05),显著低于正对照组和PH18A组(P<0.05)。6个处理组的大菱鲆肌肉总氨基酸、必需氨基酸和非必需氨基酸均无显著差异(P>0.05)。PH18A组的肌纤维横截面积显著高于PH18B组、正对照组、PH4.5A组、负对照组和PH4.5B组(P<0.05),而PH18B组显著高于PH4.5B组(P<0.05)。PH18A组和PH18B组的肌纤维密度显著低于PH4.5B组(P<0.05)。研究表明,在高植物蛋白饲料中4.5%和18%的水解鱼蛋白,均可以提高大菱鲆的饲料效率和蛋白沉积率,促进大菱鲆的生长,且18%的水解鱼蛋白好于4.5%;同时,18%的水解鱼蛋白促进大菱鲆肌肉纤维横截面积的增加,促进大菱鲆的肌肉纤维密度的降低,而4.5%的水解鱼蛋白对大菱鲆肌纤维的横截面积和肌纤维的密度均无显著的作用。     

不同投喂方式对网箱养殖卵形鲳鲹生长及其营养成分的影响

针对深水网箱养殖卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)的投喂技术问题,开展常规投喂、高频率投喂和饱食投喂3种不同投喂方式对卵形鲳鲹生长特性和鱼体营养成分影响的研究,试验结果表明,(1)与每天投喂3次的常规投喂组相比,每天投喂4次的高频率投喂组,鱼体成活率高,大小更均匀,且鱼体肝脏粗脂肪含量明显降低(P>0.05),减少了脂肪肝患病率,但增加了人工劳动强度,对深水网箱规模化养殖总体效益的提高意义不大;(2)每次加大投喂量的饱食投喂组,鱼体生长速度明显加快,但成活率低,饲料系数增大,肝脏粗脂肪含量显著提高(P>0.05),鱼体大小严重不均匀。因此,实际生产过程中应避免饱食投喂。     

饲料脂肪水平和投喂频率对大黄鱼生长、体组成及脂肪沉积的影响

本实验以我国重要的海水养殖鱼类大黄鱼[初始体质量(13.57±0.33)g]为研究对象,在浮式网箱中进行为期8周的摄食生长实验,探讨饲料脂肪水平和投喂频率对大黄鱼生长、体组成及脂肪沉积的影响。采用3×2双因子实验设计,其中饲料脂肪水平分别为9%、12%和15%,投喂频率分别为2次/天和1次/天。结果表明:投喂频率对大黄鱼特定生长率(SGR)和饲料效率(FER)均有显著影响(P<0.05),而饲料脂肪水平仅对FER有显著影响(P<0.05)。2次/天投喂组的大黄鱼末体质量和SGR均显著高于1次/天投喂组,而饲料效率显著低(P<0.05)。在2次/天投喂时,各个饲料脂肪水平对SGR和FER没有显著影响(P>0.05)。而在1次/天投喂时,随着饲料脂肪水平的提高,SGR和FER均显著提高(P<0.05)。2次/天投喂组的大黄鱼全鱼水分含量显著低于1次/天投喂组,而粗脂肪含量显著高(P<0.05)。大黄鱼全鱼粗脂肪含量随着饲料脂肪水平的增加而显著升高(P<0.05)。然而在1次/天投喂时,饲料脂肪水平未对全鱼体粗脂肪含量产生显著影响(P>0.05)。大黄鱼的肝脏和肌肉脂肪含量、肝体比(HSI)以及脏体比(VSI)受到了饲料脂肪水平的显著影响(P<0.05)。在2次/天投喂时,肝脏和肌肉脂肪含量、HSI以及VSI随饲料脂肪水平的升高而显著增加(P<0.05);而在1次/天投喂时,各个饲料脂肪组大黄鱼肝脏和肌肉脂肪含量、HSI以及VSI均无显著差异(P>0.05)。饲料脂肪水平和投喂频率仅对大黄鱼的生长、饲料效率的影响存在显著的交互作用(P<0.05),而对大黄鱼体组成、形态学指标以及肝脏和肌肉脂肪含量无显著的交互作用(P>0.05)。     

卵形鲳鲹不同养殖方式的研究

在高位池塘和海区网箱进行养殖卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)的比较试验.9个月的养殖中,通过定期测量鱼的体长、体重,比较这两种养殖方式的成活率和生长情况.结果显示,在高位池塘养殖和海区网箱养殖的成活率分别为88.6%和90.3%,两者差别不明显;但卵形鲳鲹在高位池塘养殖比在自然海区网箱养殖生长快.     

饲料棕榈酸/(EPA+DHA)对大黄鱼抗氧化能力和肌肉品质的影响

为探究饲料中棕榈酸/(二十碳五烯酸+二十二碳六烯酸)(EPA+DHA)对大黄鱼(Larmichthys crocea) [初始体重为(30.51±0.16) g]抗氧化能力和肌肉品质的影响,本研究以鱼粉和豆粕为主要蛋白源,EPA富含油、DHA富含油、棕榈酸和卵磷脂为主要脂肪源,分别配制棕榈酸/(EPA+DHA)比例分别为1∶5、1∶1和5∶1的3种等氮(约43%粗蛋白)、等脂(约11%粗脂肪)饲料,并分别命名为P0、P50和P100组,在海水浮式网箱中进行为期70 d的摄食生长实验,从肌肉基本指标与分子基因层面探究饲料对大黄鱼抗氧化能力与肌肉品质的影响。结果显示,P0和P50组大黄鱼肌肉具有显著高的硬度、粘附性、内聚性和咀嚼性(P<0.05)。P0组大黄鱼肌肉多不饱和脂肪酸显著高于P50和P100组(P<0.05);P100组肌肉饱和脂肪酸显著高于P0和P50组(P<0.05)。P100组大黄鱼肌肉超氧化物歧化酶2基因(SOD2)和过氧化氢酶基因(CAT)表达水平显著高于P0和P50组(P<0.05);P0组肌肉核因子E2相关因子基因(Nrf2)表达水平则显著高于P50组(P<0.05),P100和P0组、P100和P50组间相比无显著差异(P>0.05)。对于超氧化物歧化酶1基因(SOD1),P0、P50和P100组相比均无显著差异(P>0.05)。P50组大黄鱼肌肉的总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)显著低于P0和P100组(P<0.05),P0、P50和P100组大黄鱼肌肉的总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)、CAT活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量相比均无显著差异(P>0.05)。研究表明,饲料中棕榈酸含量较高时,大黄鱼肌肉质构特性降低,抗氧化能力没有受到显著影响;在饲料棕榈酸/(EPA+DHA)值发生改变时,大黄鱼肌肉品质的变化与鱼体内氧化应激和抗氧化能力之间的关联仍需进一步探究。     

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.     

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.     

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 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.     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.