Influence of pH and temperature on force development and shortening velocity in skinned muscle fibres from fish

Three species of fish were studied: Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) (from the North Sea, temperature 2 to 12°C) andNotothenia neglecta (from Antarctica, temperature –2 to +2°C). Single fast muscle fibres were isolated from anterior myotomes and skinned with detergent in order to directly determine the effects of pH and temperature on force production and shortening velocity.In all species maximum force production (Po) was independent of pH over the range 7.3–8.0. Decreasing the pH from 7.3 to 6.6 reduced maximum force by 28% in fibres fromG. morhua andN. neglecta but had no effect on fibres fromM. scorpius. The depression in maximum force with acidosis was accompanied by a proportional decrease in stiffness and an increase in the rate of force recovery after stretch.Unloaded contraction velocity of cod fibres (Vmax) showed a pH optimum at around pH 7.6 decreasing by 31% at pH 6.6. Vmax of fibres from the other species was independent of pH over the range 6.6–8.0.The effects of pH on Po and Vmax were similar at 0 and 10°C. Thus for maximally activated fibres both force and contraction velocity are independent of temperature induced changes in pH. In some species acidosis depresses contractility and is likely to be a contributory factor to muscle fatigue.     

A quantitative identification of four types of fibres in the lateral musculature of immature European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.) (Pisces,Teleostei)

The ATP-ase aotivity and mitochondrial density of muscle fibres in the lateral musculature of immature European eels, Anguilla anguilla (L.), were examined. The quantitative results show that in the peripheral (superficial) complex of ‘red’ fibres as well as in the deep ‘white’ fibre complexes small numbers of ‘displaced’ fibres occur. These displaced fibres are localized directly adjacent to both sides of the fascia separating the red and white fibre complexes, and their general appearance is white in the red fibre complex and red in the white fibre complex. The displaced fibres form neither a distinct intermediate group separated from red and white fibres, nor one transitional group simply filling the gap between red and white.     

Actions of epinephrine on the contractility of fast and slow skeletal muscle fibres in teleosts

Fast and slow muscle fibers were isolated from the myotomes of atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) and sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius L.). Epinephrine was found to have no effect on twitch or sub-tetanic contractions in fast muscle fibres. Isoprenaline (10^–6M) had no effect on the contractility of slow muscle fibres. In contrast, epinephrine elicited a dose-dependent decrease in the half-time for twitch relaxation (t_1/2r), and in most cases a decrease in twitch amplitude. The maximum decrease in t_1/2r was around 5–20% of control values (at 10^–6M epinephrine), with a half maximal response at about 30 nmol l^–1. Responses to epinephrine were unaffected by propranolol and reversed by phentolamine, consistent with the stimulation of -adrenoreceptors. 10^–6M epinephrine produced a rise in cAMP levels from 1.8 to 3.1 pmol mg dry wt^–1 in cod slow fibres. However, the cellular mechanism underlying the action of epinephrine is unclear since forskolin, a potent activator of adenylate cyclase activity, where it has been investigated, was found to increase not decrease twitch duration and amplitude. The responses of fast and slow fibres to epinephrine and its antagonists were similar in summer (13°C) and winter acclimatized (5–6°C) sculpin.It is suggested that epinephrine may act to modulate the active state of slow muscle fibres at high cruising speeds and thereby increase swimming performance.     

Muscle growth of triploid Atlantic cod juveniles (Gadus morhua)

This study has investigated the muscle growth of diploid and triploid Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) juveniles raised in replicate tanks over a period of 29 weeks and analysed at three sampling points (February, June and September). Data for weight, length, condition factor (K), muscle fibre growth and myogenic progenitor cells (MPCs) number were collected and results were analysed in relation to body growth and ploidy status. Diploids were significantly heavier than triploids throughout the trial (~10–20%) and had K in June and September samplings. Over the whole period, the rate of muscle fibres' recruitment was 318 fibres per day and 252 fibres per day for diploid and triploid cod respectively. The larger body weight of diploids resulted in a total number of fast fibre number of 114 979 compared to 91 086 in triploids. The average diameter of the 2.5% of the smallest fibres (2.5th percentile) was higher in diploids than triploids at the start of the trial, with a reversed picture for the average of the upper 2.5% (97.5th percentile) at the end of the trial. The probability density function of the estimated muscle fibre diameters showed similar fibre size distribution between size‐matched diploids and triploids at all sample points. The peak fibre diameter was approximately 25 μm in February and increased to approximately 50 μm in June and September, irrespectively of ploidy. Pax 7 were used as molecular markers for MPCs. A positive correlation between Pax 7⁺ cells and total body length was observed only among triploid fish at the onset of the experiment.     

Effects of dietary protein level on muscle cellularity and flesh quality in Atlantic salmon with particular reference to gaping

Growth performance, muscle cellularity and flesh quality were investigated in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed either of two diet ranges [high protein (HP), or low protein (LP)], which differed in digestible protein/digestible energy ratios but were of equivalent digestible energy content (21.4 MJ kg⁻¹ wet weight). Smolts from an early maturing (Lochy) and a late maturing (Mowi) strain were PIT-tagged and reared together in duplicate 5×5×5-m sea cages for each diet. The Lochy and Mowi fish were harvested in May and August, respectively, after 417 and 515 days in seawater. The average body weight of fish in each cage at harvest was in the range 3.8–5.4 kg, with no significant difference between diets. The total cross-sectional area of white muscle and the number and diameter of muscle fibres was determined at the level of the first dorsal fin ray. The distribution of muscle fibre diameters was investigated using nonparametric smoothing and bootstrapping techniques. Diet had no effect on fibre size distribution or fibre number in the Mowi strain, and small but significant effects for the Lochy strain. At harvest, in Lochy salmon of average fork length 69 cm there were around 15% more fibres in fish fed the HP than LP ratio diets. However, the 50th percentile of fibre diameter was 20% greater in fish fed the LP than HP diets, such that the total muscle cross-sectional area was similar. The lipid content (14.1–15.3% wet mass), astaxanthin pigment concentration (7.0–8.5 mg kg⁻¹ wet mass) and colour (RocheSalmoFan™ and Minolta Chromatometer readings) of the flesh were similar for both strains and diets. There was no significant difference in the average muscle fibre density between strains and diet, which varied between 60 and 140 fibres mm⁻² muscle cross-sectional area. Gaping during processing of the fillet was in part related to muscle cellularity. Little or no gaping was observed in any fish with a fibre density in excess of 95 fibres mm⁻² muscle. It was concluded that individual variation in fibre density is important in the development of gaping, but that muscle cellularity and flesh quality are relatively insensitive to the protein to energy ratio in the diet over the range studied.     

Rates of oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of juvenile Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis L.

The impact of feeding, fish size (body weight from 18.5 to 56.5 g) and water temperature (20 and 23 °C) on oxygen consumption (OC, mg O₂ kg^–1 h^–1) and ammonia excretion (AE, mg TAN kg^–1 h^–1) was studied in Eurasian perch held in recirculation systems. OC for both fed and feed-deprived (3 days) fish was higher at 23 °C (278.5 and 150.1 mg O₂ kg^–1 h^–1) than at 20 °C (249.3 and 135.0 mg O₂ kg^–1 h^–1; P < 0.01). AEs for both fed and feed-deprived fish were also significantly higher at 23 °C than at 20 °C (P < 0.001). Water temperature and fish size had a significant impact on the oxygen:feed ratio (OFR, kg O₂ kg^–1 feed fed day^–1) and ammonia:feed ratio (AFR, kg TAN kg^–1 feed fed day^–1; P < 0.001). Their average values at temperatures of 20 and 23 °C were 0.17 and 0.19 kg O₂ kg^–1 feed fed day^–1 and 0.009 and 0.011 kg TAN kg^–1 feed fed day^–1, respectively.     

Regulation of cardiac function in the horn shark by changes in pericardial fluid volume mediated through the pericardioperitoneal canal

The California horn shark (Heterodontus francisci), instrumented with a pericardial catheter and a ventral-aortic flow probe, was studied to determine the effect of complete pericardial chamber evacuation on the time course for restitution of pericardial fluid-volume and pressure, and the effects of both fluid removal and its restitution on cardiac output. Prior to evacuation, pericardial pressure was –0.02±0.02 kPa, and cardiac output was 18±2 ml min^–1 kg^–1. Evacuation reduced pericardial pressure to –0.73±0.14 kPa, and increased cardiac output to 23±4 ml min^–1 kg^–1. The time course for restoration of post-evacuation pressure is described by a non-linear asymptotic function. A large percentage of the pericardial pressure and volume recovery occurred within the first hour, while, complete restoration of pre-withdrawal conditions required about 11 h. Pericardial pressure-volume relationships, determined by incremental infusion of small volumes of elasmobranch saline into the pericardium, confirm previous findings that the operating pericardial pressure in the horn shark is at or near ambient pressure and that both pericardial fluid volume and cardiac stroke volume influence horn shark pericardial pressure.     

Effect of pig dung on water quality and polyculture of carp species during winter and summer

Theeffect of pig dung, as pond manure [at 18 and 36 tha^–1 yr^–1] and as fish feed ingredient[replacing traditional diet composed of solvent extracted rice bran and mustardcake (1:1) at 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels], was observed on water quality, pondproductivity and survival and growth of carp in polyculture system during winter(12–18 °C) and summer (18–36 °C)months. The studies on water quality parameters viz pH, dissolved oxygen andalkalinity revealed that pig dung even at higher levels (both as manure and /oras feed ingredient) did not deteriorate the quality of water, as all the waterparameters remained within the optimum ranges required for carps. The nutrient(phosphates and nitrates) status of water was significantly better in pondsreceiving pig dung as pond manure at 36 tha^–1 yr^–1. Pond productivity in terms ofplankton production (phyto and zooplankton) was also significantly higher innutrient rich water (36 tha^–1 yr^–1) both during winter andsummer. Further, in all the ponds (including control) phytoplankton levels weresignificantly higher during winter and zooplankton was higher during summer. Thestudies revealed 100% survival of all the fish species in all the treatments.During winter, the growth of carp was higher in treatments where pig dung wasused as feed ingredient (at 25% level), whereas during summer growth was higherwhere pig dung was used either as pond manure and/or as feed ingredient (athigher levels). Further, among carps, the growth of Indian major carps vizCatla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinamrigala was higher during summer and that of exotic carps vizCyprinus carpio and Ctenophayrengodonidella was higher during winter.     

Production of Australian freshwater crayfish in earthen-based systems using pelleted diets and forage crops as food

Juvenile Cherax destructor (commonly called theyabby) were cultured in earthen-based ponds and tanks for 70–105d, and were fed pellets and/or a forage crop of the perennialwhiteclover, Trifolium repens. Three supplementary feedingstrategies were evaluated. Yabby growth on pellets consistently exceeded (by67–159%) that obtained on clover. Base-line yields for extensiveproduction systems are around 400 kg ha^–1. Thesupplementary addition of T. repens produced yields of 635kg ha^–1 (in ponds) to 1086 kgha^–1 (in tanks). The sequential addition of cut-cloverto tanks stimulated growth to levels approaching those achieved on pellets.Yabbies stocked into ponds at 17 m^–2 and fed 33%protein pellets for 100 d, resulted in a yield of 1117 kgha^–1.Pellet inputs at a rate of 129–249 g m^–2(dry matter) and 38–83 g m^–2 (protein) over70–100 d resulted in acceptable growth and feed utilisationindices. Clover inputs of 534–682 g m^–2 (asdry matter) or 84–177 g m^–2 (as protein)produced reasonable growth rates but poor feed utilisation indices. Aconsiderable quantity of the dry matter and protein content of clover waseitherinefficiently utilised or directed into other production pathways. In tanks,clover inputs from 113–296 g m^–2 (drymatter) and 24–54 g m^–2 (protein) weresufficient to maintain high growth rates for 4 weeks, while in ponds, inputs of21 g m^–2 (dry matter) and 4.3 gm^–2 (protein) were sufficient for 3 weeks. During theearly weeks of production no growth advantage was gained by providing pelletstoanimals cultured in forage-based systems. Forage depletion occurred after3–4 weeks and was probably a major growth limiting factor.     

Olive barb, Puntius sarana (Hamilton) is a potential candidate species for introduction into the grow-out carp polyculture system

The compatibility of olive barb, Puntius sarana (Hamilton) with major carps was studied in grow-out carp polyculture system for one year in a set of nine earthen ponds of 0.08 ha each. Three different species combinations evaluated were Control: catla (Catla catla Ham.), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Valenciennes), rohu (Labeo rohita Hamilton) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala Hamilton) at 0.5:0.5:1:1; T1: catla, silver carp, rohu and olive barb at 0.5:0.5:1:1 and T2: catla, silver carp, mrigal and olive barb at 0.5:0.5:1:1 at combined density of 7500 fingerlings/ha. While survival levels of the carps did not differ significantly in treatments (P > 0.05), silver carp recorded highest survival levels (94–96%) followed by olive barb (87–90%), mrigal (72–74%), rohu (72–73%) and catla (67–69%). The specific growth rate (SGR) and average harvested body weight (ABW) of catla and silver carp did not differ significantly among the treatments revealing their competition with mrigal or olive barb to be minimum. In absence of rohu in T2, both mrigal and olive barb showed higher SGR and ABW revealing minimal competition between these two species, while their lower performance in presence of rohu in Control and T1 indicated inter-specific competition with the latter. Such olive barb–rohu inter-specific competition, however, failed to yield significant effect on growth of rohu as revealed from its non-significant SGR difference in presence and absence of olive barb. The lower FCR (2.54 ± 0.06) and higher treatment biomass production (3418.4 ± 95.0 kg ha^− 1 year^− 1) in T1 with rohu–olive barb combination compared to T2 with mrigal–olive barb (2.84 ± 0.11; 3155.1 ± 104.7 kg ha^− 1 year^− 1) indicated feasibility and advantage of culturing rohu with olive barb rather than mrigal in carp polyculture. Further, similar biomass production in Control and T1 also indicated feasibility of replacing mrigal with olive barb in the grow-out carp polyculture system.     

Secretion of hatching enzyme and its proteolytic activity in coregoninae (Coregonus albula L andC. lavaretus L) embryos

After the electrial stimulation Coregoninae embryos secreted the hatching enzyme (chorionase) within 0.1–0.5 h, and the dissolution of their chorions lasted 1.2–2.0 h, depending on embryo's developmental stage (DS 13 or DS 14) and water temperature (5.2 or 9.6–9.8°C).Crude chorionase (hatching liquid) ofCoregonus albula andC. lavaretus was collected in large quantities by means of the electric stimulation of eggs. In both species the temperature optimum of proteolytic activity of the crude chorionasc was 30°C; the activity was lost at temperatures < 3-2°C and > 35–40°C. The maximal proteolytic activity was observed at pH 8.5; a rapid decrease in enzyme activity was evident at pH < 7.0, and the activity was zero at pH 6.The temperature-activity curve of chorionase may reflect the adaptation of Coregoninae to hatching immediately after the ice cover recedes from lakes, whereas the rapid decrease of enzyme activity at pH 7 -pH 6 can affect adversely the process of hatching in acidified lakes.     

Evaluation of dietary histidine supplementation on meagre,Argyrosomus regius,juvenile growth,haematological profile,stress and muscle cellularity

Histidine plays an important role in haemoglobin synthesis, antioxidant defence system and stress resistance, and it is thought to be a limiting amino acid in most meagre diets. In this study, two different diets, a control and a diet supplemented with 3% histidine, were tested in 60‐day‐old meagre (initial weight—6.2 g) for 82 days. Survival varied between 92% and 94%, and neither SGR nor whole fish composition seemed to be affected by the diet. When fish were submitted to a stress test (outside water for 30 s), it was observed that the levels of glucose and lactate significantly increased in both treatments. The concentration of cortisol increased after the stress test only in the His 30 g/kg group. Muscle cellularity was affected by the diets, where the control group showed a higher mean fibre area and lower fibre density. These results, associated with a lower frequency of smaller fibres, suggest a decrease in fibre recruitment and a higher fibre hypertrophy. In conclusion, the supplementation of diets with 3% led to a more pronounced response to the stress test in terms of cortisol levels and increased muscle fibre recruitment, decreasing muscle fibre hypertrophy contribution to muscle growth.     

Effect of triploidy on muscle cellularity and flesh quality of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

Production of triploid turbot is a relevant goal for the aquaculture industry due to the benefits associated with their sterility and growth. In order for a better understanding of the final quality of the species, muscle cellularity and quality parameters of the flesh were studied in seven diploid and seven triploid turbot after sexual maturation. White muscle cellularity was evaluated throughout white muscle cross‐sectional area from the epaxial left muscle section of each fish. To ascertain the flesh quality, several physico‐chemical parameters (moisture, ash, protein, total fat, fatty acids and minerals) were analysed, and textural mechanical properties (springiness, hardness, chewiness, cohesiveness, gumminess and adhesiveness) were determined objectively with a texturometer. Muscle cellularity was different between both groups, such that muscle fibre density was higher for diploid specimens (P < 0.001) and muscle fibres diameters were higher for triploids (P < 0.001). Both ploidy groups showed no significant differences in moisture, ash, protein and total fat content (P > 0.05). All textural properties analysed showed no significant differences between both ploidy groups (P > 0.05). In both ploidy groups, fibre density and fibre diameter showed no significant correlations (P > 0.05) with textural parameters such as springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness and adhesiveness. Ploidy did not affect fatty acid composition, with the exception of eicosapentaenoic acid (C_20:5ω3) which was higher in the triploid group. No significant differences (P > 0.05) existed between diploid and triploid turbot in content of all minerals analysed. According to our results, the ploidy status determines significant variations on muscle cellularity but does not influence the flesh quality of the turbot.     

The Effect of Photoperiod on Sexual Maturation,Appetite and Growth in Wild Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua L.)

An experiment was conducted to examine (a) the effects of photoperiod on timing of sexual maturation (b) the relationship between plasma steroid levels, appetite and growth in male and female Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.). Wild caught Norwegian coastal cod were subjected to either a 6L/18D photoperiod typical of January at 60° N-(Short day group) or a simulated natural photoperiod (Normal day group) from June 2000 until spawning started. Appetite of individual fish were measured twice weekly, while weight, length and plasma levels of the sex steroids testosterone (T), 11 keto-testosterone (11-KT) and estradiol-17β (E2) were monitored bimonthly. Cod in the Short day group matured 3 months ahead of the cod in the Normal day group and started spawning in early November. Appetite decreased in both sexes 2–3 months prior to spawning in both groups, but this reduction was stronger among males. In both sexes, length growth was reduced concurrently with the appetite loss. Overall, females had significantly higher somatic growth, put relatively less energy into length growth and had developed larger livers compared to males at the time of spawning in the Short day group. Plasma steroid levels increased in both groups throughout the experiment, reaching peak levels of ca 10 ng ml⁻¹ (T) and 15–20 ng ml⁻¹ (11-KT) in males, and 1.5–2 ng ml⁻¹ (T) and 12–18 ng ml⁻¹ (E2) in females at the onset of spawning. Steroid levels increased more rapidly among Short day cod verifying the earlier onset of maturation. These results confirm that photoperiod is a major cue to maturation in cod and imply that the high cost of spawning for females incur differences in appetite between the sexes.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

Muscle cellularity in relation to somatic growth in the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.)

Sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), juveniles (1.32 g) grew at a rate of 4.2% per day, when fish were fed ad libitum and reared at optimal thermal conditions (ambient sea water temperature, 20-26°C). At 13°C, feeding and spontaneous activity were severely restricted and somatic growth was reduced to 0.6% per day. Over a period of 6 weeks, both muscle fibre hyperplasia and nuclear division were higher in the ambient-temperature group compared with the fish reared at 13°C. Despite the differences in growth rate and spontaneous activity, muscle fibre hyperplasia was paralleled by nuclear division in the lateral axial muscle in both temperature groups and the number of nuclei per myofibre did not differ significantly between the two temperature groups. It is concluded that at optimal thermal and feeding conditions, somatic growth of sea bass juveniles is mediated through an increase in the number of nuclei and muscle fibres.     

Replacement of Artemia with Moina micrura in the rearing of freshwater shrimp larvae

The effect of an abrupt change in the live diet of shrimp larvae was investigated by replacing Artemia with Moina micrura. The control treatment consisted of feeding Artemia throughout the rearing period (regime A), while in the other treatments the onset of Moina feeding was arbitrarily chosen at larval stages iv (A3M), vi (A5M), viii (A7M) and x (A9M). No significant differences ( = 0.05) were observed among the treatments during larval production, mean stage development (MSD) and growth of postlarvae. The mean (SD) yields of postlarvae (PL) were 11.97 (1.98), 15.10 (2.92), 14.72(1.56), 13.51 (1.74) and 12.70 (1.40) PL l^–1 respectively for the feeding regimes A3M, A5M, A7M, A9M and A. Up to stage v, the ingestion rate in the Moina treatment was as low as 0.01–0.47 larva^–1 h^–1 compared with that in the Artemia treatment (0.29–1.77 larva^–1 h^–1). However, the ingestion of Moina increased from stage vi–vii onwards.     

Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen values in Mediterranean marine teleosts

Coagulation profiles for marine fish were determined with the standard global screening assays, the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) using homologous tissue thromboplastin and phospholipid extracts to investigate species-specificity of brain thromboplastins, and to establish a base-line coagulation profile for marine fish of economical importance for Mediterranean aquaculture (sea bream, Sparus aurata, sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, red porgy, Pagrus pagrus, common dentex, Dentex dentex). Sea bass and sea bream displayed the shortest PT (9.0–15.0 s) and APTT (22.1–35.8 s) in comparison to the other species (PT: 24.8–37.2 s, APTT: 39.6–66.4 s). Red porgy displayed the lowest fibrinogen value (1.2–2.3 g l^–1), while no differences were found among the other species (2.2–2.8 g l^–1). It is concluded that the interaction of the tissue factor and plasma clotting factor is relatively species specific and that the use of homologous brain extracts is preferable for haemostasis study in marine fish.     

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.     

Relationship between metabolic rate in vitro and body mass in a marine teleost,porgy Pagrus major

The rate of oxygen consumption of minced whole body was determined volumetrically, as an indication of metabolic rate in vitro (M _{in vitro} ), at 20°C in porgy Pagrus major ranging from 0.0002 g (just after hatch) to 2.9 g (67 days old) in body mass. A triphasic relationship was found between M _{in vitro} of individual fish (l.min^–1) and wet body mass W (g). During the prolarval stage accompanied with the transitional period to the postlarval stage (0.00020–0.00023 g, 0–6 days old), the mass-specific metabolic rate in vitro (M _{in vitro} /W in l.g^–1.min^–1) increased with age (D in days) as expressed by an equation M _{in vitro} /W = 3.88 + 0.74/D. During the postlarval stage (0.00031–0.003 g, 8–22 days old), M _{in vitro} /W remained almost constant, independent of body mass following an equation M _{in vitro} /W = 5.24 W^–0.085. During the juvenile and adolescent stages (0.0047–2.9 g, 30–67 days old), M _{in vitro} /W decreased with increasing body mass following an equation M _{in vitro} /W = 1.66 W^–0.235. These results correspond with the triphasic relationship between metabolism in vivo and body mass observed in intact porgy of 0.0002–270 g (Oikawa et al. 1991). It is concluded, therefore, that the dependence of mass-specific metabolic rate on body size exists in vitro as well as in vivo, during the early stages in the porgy. Based on these results, factors controlling the metabolism-size relationship are discussed.