Short‐term physiological role of thyroxine administration on plasma metabolites and growth performance of Sterlet sturgeon Acipenser ruthenus

Thyroid hormones (THs) play important roles in regulating growth, development and physiological functions in vertebrates. To study the role of short‐term effects of thyroxine (T4) on metabolism and growth in female Sterlet sturgeon, thirty fish with a weight of 707.97 ± 37.15 g were divided into six tanks. Fish were injected intraperitoneal with (a) coconut oil alone (control), (b) 1 mg T4 kg per BW in coconut oil (T₁) and (c) 10 mg T4 kg per BW in coconut oil (T₁₀). Blood samples were collected at 0, 4, 7, 14, 28 and 60 days for plasma biochemical analysis, and body length and mass were determined at day 60. Based on results, higher growth was indicated in T₁₀ group. The highest T4 levels were observed on day 4 in the T₁ and T₁₀ treatments and gradually declined during the trial. Plasma T3 levels were highest on days 4 and 7 in the T₁ and T₁₀ groups, respectively. Plasma triglyceride levels were significantly elevated on day 28 in the T₁ group and on day 60 in the T₁₀ group. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly elevated on days 7 and 14 in T₁₀ group. Overall, the present results suggest that a single injection of T4 can improve growth via changes in the metabolic profile of Sterlet sturgeon.     

Effect of triiodothyronine (T3) in the larval development of the barber goby Elacatinus figaro

The barber goby Elacatinus figaro is an endangered fish, endemic to Brazil and very important to the aquarium trade. One of the bottlenecks for its production in captivity is the larviculture, which is characterized by high mortality rates, especially in the first week after hatching, and prior to metamorphosis. The experiment evaluated the effect of triiodothyronine hormone (T₃) on survival, growth and metamorphosis of barber goby. Larvae of 14 days after hatching (DAH) were immersed in three concentrations of T₃, in triplicate: TC (control) – 0; T01 – 0.01; T025 – 0.025 and T05 – 0.05 mg/L. An additional replicate of each treatment was performed for sampling for the histological analysis of the thyroid follicles in 24 DAH larvae. The survival rates in TC, T01, T025 and T05 were 24%, 54%, 36% and 37% respectively, without significant differences between the treatments (p > 0.05). Regarding larval growth, the highest length values were obtained in TC. In T025 and T05, larval metamorphosis was anticipated in up to 11 days in relation to TC and T01. In T01 larvae, follicles were numerous with the presence of reabsorption vesicles in the colloid periphery, indicating increased production of thyroid hormones (THs), associated with the larval metamorphosis process. In T05, a follicle reduction in number and size was observed, given evidence of the end of metamorphosis. The use of 0.025 and 0.05 mg/L of T₃ anticipated metamorphosis in barber goby larvae, shortening the larviculture period for this species.     

Recombinant expression and comparative bioactivity of tongue sole insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 and IGF‐2 in Pichia pastoris

Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) plays a key role in the complex system that regulates bony fish growth, differentiation, and reproduction. In the current study, recombinant tongue sole IGF‐1 and IGF‐2 were obtained using the Pichia pastoris expression system and their comparative bioactivities were investigated. Tricine–SDS–PAGE and western blot analysis showed that the recombinant tongue sole IGFs were secreted into the culture medium and had a molecular weight of 8.7 kDa. The optimal incubation time and pH for recombinant expression of IGFs were 36 hr and 5.0 respectively. Functional analysis demonstrated that both recombinant tongue sole IGF‐1 and IGF‐2 significantly promoted cell proliferation of MFC‐7 in vitro. In addition, the recombinant tongue sole IGF‐1 and IGF‐2 proteins could suppress hepatic mRNA levels of igf‐1 and igf‐2 in vitro, which showed that they have similar physiological functions. Taken together, the biologically active recombinant tongue sole IGF‐I and IGF‐II proteins will allow us to further investigate their physiological roles in growth regulation of this species. Furthermore, the present results also hinted at the potential application of these two recombinant IGF‐I and IGF‐II proteins into the tongue sole farming industry.     

Enrichment of Adult Artemia Biomass and Squid Mantle Muscle,Dosidicus gigas,with Different Ascorbic Acid (L‐Ascorbyl‐2‐Monophosphate‐Na/Ca) Concentrations

L‐ascorbyl‐2‐monophosphate‐Na/Ca (AMP‐Na/Ca) was used as a vitamin C source to investigate its ascorbic acid (L‐AA) enrichment and retention in boosted Artemia biomass (AB) and squid mantle muscle (SM). Different doses of AMP‐Na/Ca (500, 1000, and 1500 AMP‐Na/Ca mg/kg) were gradually dissolved into the culture tanks at time 0 (T₀) and at each hour until Hour 6 (T₆). Samples of AB and SM were taken for AMP‐Na/Ca and L‐AA analysis at T₀, T₁, T₂, T₃, T_4, T₅, T₆, T₁₂, and T₂₄. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the AB groups at T₁. The T₆ enrichment analysis for AB resulted in significant differences (P < 0.05) in the AMP‐Na/Ca content for the 1500 mg/kg treatment, in which the initial concentration (0.001 ± 0.002 mg/kg) increased by more than 16‐fold. For all AB enrichment treatments, the AMP‐Na/Ca content demonstrated a decrease (32–11%) for the T₆, T₁₂ and T₂₄ analysis. The T₁ analysis for SM at the higher AMP‐Na/Ca enrichment concentration registered 30 mg/kg of L‐AA and decreased (27.6%) at T₆. This study demonstrated that AB and SM can be boosted with AMP‐Na/Ca.     

Dietary krill hydrolysates affect the expression of growth‐related genes in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

A 10‐week feeding experiment in indoor flow‐through seawater system was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary krill hydrolysate on the expression of growth‐related genes in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.; initial body weight 9.45 ± 0.01 g). Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets containing high plant protein were formulated to contain 0 (control), 50 g/kg (LKH) and 100 g/kg (HKH) krill protein hydrolysate (KH) to replace fishmeal, respectively. Triplicate groups of 30 fish were fed for 10 weeks to apparent satiation twice daily. At the end of the feeding trial, the mRNA expressions of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1) gene in liver, peptide transporters (PepT1) gene in pyloric caeca and proximal intestine and neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene in brain in all groups were determined. IGF‐1, PepT1 and NPY expression levels in HKH group were significantly increased compared with those of LKH and control (p < 0.05), which was consistent with the SGR, feed efficiency, PER and PPV. These results indicated that dietary 100 g/kg krill hydrolysate could improve growth performance and upregulate the mRNA expression of IGF‐1, PepT1 and NPY genes in juvenile turbot.     

Fish protein hydrolysate affected amino acid absorption and related gene expressions of IGF‐1/AKT pathways in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

The effects of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) on growth, peptide and amino acid (AA) transporters, postprandial free AA and related gene expression of IGF‐1/AKT pathway were evaluated in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). Three diets were formulated to contain the same low level of fishmeal; meanwhile 0, 45 and 180 g/kg FPH were, respectively, supplemented to the FF (FPH‐free), FL (FPH‐Low) and FH (FPH‐High) diets. Fish fed the FH diet improved the growth compared with the other groups. For peptide and AA transporters, PepT1, B⁰AT1, CAT1 and PAT1 mRNA levels in proximal or distal intestine decreased in fish fed the FH diet. The concentration of free total essential AAs in serum was higher in the FH treatment than that in the FF treatment at 2 and 6 hr after feeding. For IGF‐1/AKT pathway in muscle, IGF‐1, 4E‐BP1 and FoxO1 mRNA levels were the highest in the FH group, whereas IGF‐1R mRNA levels were the highest expression level in the FF group. In conclusion, down‐regulated AAs transport, alleviated the delayed postprandial peak of serum‐free AAs and increased muscle protein synthesis were observed to improve the growth when turbot was fed high FPH level diets containing a high plant protein.     

The influence of triiodothyronine (T<Subscript>3</Subscript>) on the early development of piracanjuba (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brycon orbignyanus</Emphasis>)

This paper reports the triiodothyronine’s (T₃) effects on the early growth and survival of piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus) produced from fertilized eggs hormone exposed. The study was carried out in two phases. In the first phase, eggs divided in 6 batches were immersed in T₃ solutions: 0.01; 0.05; 0.1; 0.5 ppm; 1 ppm and control (no T₃). After a 15-min immersion, eggs were transferred to incubators where larvae were kept up to 72 h after hatching. Larval weight, length and yolk sac volume were determined every 12 h. Sixty and 72 h after hatching, larvae exposed to 0.5 ppm T₃ were significantly heavier than the others, and those exposed to 1 ppm T₃ showed the lowest weight. The yolk sac absorption was not affected. In the second experimental phase, the resulting fry from the first phase were stocked into 3 boxes per treatment (5 larvae L⁻¹) and fed with plankton, fish larvae and feed prepared in the hatchery (48% CP) in the first 3 days, plankton and feed from the 4th to the 10th day and only feed in the next (last) 5 days. Fry weight, length and specific growth rate were determined at 1, 5, 10 and 15 days. Survival was calculated in the last day. In the 15th day, fry length did not differ among treatments but the weight of the control group was higher. Higher survival in the T₃-treated groups suggested lower predation among fry. The results allowed us to conclude that there was no expressive effect of T₃ on the growth, but it improved the survival of the piracanjuba progeny.     

Effects of replacing fish meal with mussel (Cristaria plicata) meat on growth,digestive ability,antioxidant capacity and hepatic IGF‐I gene expression in juvenile Ussuri catfish (Pseudobagrus ussuriensis)

An 8‐week feeding trial was implemented to evaluate the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) with mussel (Cristaria plicata) meat (MM) on growth, digestive ability, antioxidant capacity and hepatic insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) gene expression of juvenile Ussuri catfish (Pseudobagrus ussuriensis). Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to include 0, 177.5 and 355.1 g/kg of MM, accordingly, replacing 0% (M₀, control), 50% (M₁) and 100% (M₂) of FM protein, respectively. The results showed that the final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and feed intake were gradually decreased with dietary MM protein levels increased, but there were no significant difference between M₀ and M₁ groups (p > 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio was increased significantly with dietary MM inclusion (p < 0.05). The apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter, crude lipid and gross energy gradually increased with increasing dietary MM protein levels, but the apparent digestibility coefficient of crude protein was not significantly affected by MM protein supplementation (p > 0.05). Fish fed diet, M₀ and M₁ remained unaffected significantly on activities of alpha‐amylase and pepsin (p > 0.05), but fish fed diet M₂ had the highest activities of alpha‐amylase and pepsin. Fish fed diet M₁ or M₂ had significantly lower hepatic total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and the higher malondialdehyde level compared to fish fed diet M_0. In addition, no significant difference was observed in hepatic IGF‐I gene expression level for fish fed diet M₀ and diet M₁, and fish fed diet M₂ showed significantly lower hepatic IGF‐I gene expression level. Therefore, we can conclude that MM protein can successfully substitute 50% of FM protein without significantly negative effect on growth, nutrient utilization, and hepatic IGF‐I gene expression for juvenile Ussuri catfish, but the antioxidant capacity was negatively affected in the present study, what is more, the total replacement of FM by MM in diet may result in the inhibition of the growth and antioxidant capacity of fish.     

A novel 79‐bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in 3′‐flanking region of IGF‐I gene is associated with growth‐related traits in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) participates in the modulation of the cellular development, differentiation and proliferation in various vertebrate tissues. Therefore, variations in IGF‐I gene are good candidates as growth regulators. In this study, a novel 79‐bp insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism was identified in 3′‐flanking region of IGF‐I gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing approaches in common carp Cyprinus carpio. To gain insight into the association of the 79‐bp I/D polymorphism with growth‐related traits, a total of 747 individuals from Heilongjiang carp Cyprinus cario haematopterus (YL) (n = 263), selective line of German mirror carp Cyprinus carpio L. mirror (JL) (n = 229), and cold‐resistance line of Hebao red carp Cyprinus carpio var. wuyuanensis (HL) (n = 255) were genotyped. The DD genotype of the polymorphism was significantly associated with higher body length (135), body weight (325, 385, and 445 days), net weight (445 days) and lower overwintering body loss rate in JL. In addition, in pooled population (YL+JL+HL), fish with DD genotype also showed significantly higher body weight (445 days) and net weight (445 days) than those with II genotype. Taken together, these results suggest that the novel polymorphism in IGF‐I gene could be considered as a potential genetic marker for selection of growth performance in common carp.     

Stimulatory effect of thyroid hormones improves larval development and reproductive performance in alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) and spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus)

Development of alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) and spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) larvae was evaluated after exposure of embryos to thyroid hormones (TH) by two different methods of administration. For the first method, alligator gar embryos were placed in a water bath with triiodothyronine (T₃; 1 ppm for 2 h), and control treatment embryos were placed in a water bath without T₃. For the second method, spotted gar adult males and females were injected with different TH during induced spawning: a group was injected with T₃ [20 mg kg^?1 body weight (BW)], a second group with thyroxine (T₄; 20 mg kg^?1 BW), a third group with thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH; 4 IU kg^?1BW) and a control group with dimethyl sulfoxide. Both methods resulted in increases in the concentrations of T₃ and T₄ in embryos of both species. An increase in the alkaline enzymatic activity of TH‐treated larvae was observed as well as an increase in the RNA:DNA, RNA:Dry weight and DNA:Dry weight ratios at hatching. Some positive effects of TH application were: a significant increase in the hatching rate of spotted gar larvae from TH‐injected parents and a higher percentage of successful spawns. Evenness of larval sizes and a higher survival rate were observed in alligator gar larvae. Snout development was accelerated by TH treatment in both species.     

Effects of largely different feeding intensities on serum insulin‐like growth factor‐1 concentrations,quantified by enzyme immunoassay,leptin and growth hormone receptor 1 mRNA in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), somatolactin and leptin are involved in growth regulation and energy metabolism in fish. We herein focused on serum IGF‐1 concentration analysed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in restrictively fed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The animals were fed a high‐fat/low‐protein diet at daily feed increases (DFI) ranging from 0.5% to 2% of initial body weight (IBW), starting either at 62 or 176 g IBW. In selected groups, growth hormone receptor 1 (GHR1) and leptin mRNA were quantified in liver, and GHR1 mRNA also in visceral adipose tissue. Serum IGF‐1 concentrations in both IBW groups were highest at 2% and 1% DFI and were nonlinearly decreasing with reduced DFI. The low‐IBW groups had mostly lower IGF‐1 concentrations than the high‐IBW groups. Leptin and GHR1 mRNA decreased with feeding intensity in liver, but GHR1 mRNA increased in adipose tissue. IGF‐1 is related to growth and may help to mitigate oxidative stress in consequence of lipid mobilization during restrictive feeding. IGF‐1 secretion associated with stress response in addition to its function in growth and energy metabolism seemed to reach a point of inflection at DFI 1%. Leptin and GHR1 might be linked to lipid metabolism and free fatty acid partitioning towards liver.     

Coordinated expression and regulation of deiodinases and thyroid hormone receptors during metamorphosis in the Japanese flounder (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>)

In vertebrates, thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) and deiodinases are essential for developmental events driven by the thyroid hormones (THs). However, the significance of deiodinases during the metamorphosis of the Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) remains unclear. Moreover, regulation and response of the TRs and deiodinases to THs in this fish are poorly understood. Therefore, we detected the expression patterns of THs, deiodinases, and TRs in drug-treated larvae and untreated larvae of P. olivaceus by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time PCR during P. olivaceus metamorphosis. To further understand the roles of these elements, a rescue assay was performed. Our results show the importance of THs, TRs, and deiodinases in flatfish metamorphosis. Our results also confirm that D1 and D2 activate THs and D3 plays the opposite and complementary role. Moreover, we demonstrated that both TRα and TRβ have important but different roles during P. olivaceus metamorphosis.     

Efficacy of 17 α‐methyl testosterone and letrozole on sex reversal of protogynous grouper,Epinephelus tauvina (Forskal, 1775) and spawning performance of sex‐reversed males

This study aimed to test the efficacy of 17 α‐methyl testosterone (17 α‐MT) alone and in combination with letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, for the induction of sex reversal in protogynous greasy grouper, Epinephelus tauvina. Further, the long‐lasting effects of these treatments and spawning performance of sex‐reversed males were also investigated. Greasy grouper with oocytes in the perinucleolus stage were implanted with 5 mg 17 α‐MT kg^?1 body weight (T₁), 5 mg 17 α‐MT and 0.2 mg letrozole kg^?1 body weight (T₂) and 5 mg 17 α‐MT with 0.4 mg letrozole kg^?1 body weight (T₃) and no androgens/enzyme inhibitor implanted (C). The 17 α‐MT alone and in combination of letrozole‐induced sex reversal in greasy grouper, whereas untreated control fish (C) showed normal ovarian development. However, T₂ and T₃ group showed 100% sex reversal and completion of spermatogenesis up to functional male phase in 2 and 3 months, respectively, whereas T₁ group resulted in only 66.67% functional male with motile spermatozoa after 4 months. Sex‐reversed males successfully fertilized the eggs during induced spawning. There were significant differences on fertilization and hatching rates between T₂ group (79.00 ± 4.36%; 77.67 ± 2.87%, respectively) and T₁ group (57.67 ± 3.17%; 63.87 ± 2.91%, respectively). The result suggested that 17 α‐MT (5.0 mg kg^?1 BW) in combination with letrozole (0.2 mg kg^?1 BW) has the potential to produce 100% sex‐reversed male in short period in greasy grouper, which might greatly help in seed production of greasy grouper.     

Partial replacement of fish oil with terrestrial lipid blend and effects on growth performance,body composition,immune parameter and growth‐related genes in yellow drum (Nibea albiflora)

The imbalance of fish oil (FO) supply and demand has motivated efforts to identify an alternative for aqua feed. An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary fish oil partial replacement with mixed oil from linseed and lard (1:1) on growth, body composition and immunity when the N3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (N3 LC‐PUFAs) requirement is met for Nibea albiflora. Two types of experimental diets were formulated with 100% fish oil (FO) or 69% mixed oil (Mix). The results indicated that the Mix diet significantly improved the specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), feed efficiency ratio (FER), muscle tissue growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) gene expression of the yellow drum (p < .05). No significant difference in the survival rate (SR), feed intake (FI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), viscerosomatic index (VSI), condition factor (CF), N3 PUFA percentage, liver antioxidant enzyme activities or pro‐inflammatory gene expression was observed between the two treatments. Therefore, terrestrial blend lipid from linseed and lard could be used as an alternative for dietary fish oil without compromising growth performance and immunity for the juvenile yellow drum.     

Partial fishmeal replacement by mussel meal or meat and bone meal in low‐fishmeal diets for juvenile Ussuri catfish (Pseudobagrus ussuriensis): Growth,digestibility, antioxidant capacity and IGF‐I gene expression

This study evaluated the effects of replacing fishmeal with mussel meal or meat and bone meal in low‐FM diet on growth performance, body composition, digestibility, antioxidant capacity and IGF‐I gene expression in juvenile Ussuri catfish (Pseudobagrus ussuriensis). The results showed that no significant changes in SGR, FE and PER were observed between MM₄₀ and LFM groups, but significantly reduced result was found in MBM₄₀ group. MM₄₀ group showed the higher ADC of lipid (93.30%) and lipase activity (95.00 U/gprot) than LFM group (90.97%; 70.18 U/gprot). MM₄₀ or MBM₄₀ diets led to significant reduction of SOD and CAT activities. MM₄₀ group showed significantly higher MDA level (5.84 nmol/mg) than LFM group (4.73 nmol/mg). The activities of LZM decreased significantly in MM₄₀ and MBM₄₀ groups compared with LFM group. MM₄₀ and MBM₄₀ groups showed no significant difference in hepatic IGF‐I gene expression levels compared with LFM group. The findings demonstrated that MM could substitute 400 g/kg of FM in low‐FM diet for Ussuri catfish without influencing the growth, but to some extent, spontaneous oxidative stress and immune damage could occur; when 400 g/kg of FM was replaced by MBM, significantly negative effects were observed on growth, antioxidant capacity and non‐specific immune response of Ussuri catfish.     

Seasonal changes in channel catfish thyroid hormones reflect increased magnitude of daily thyroid hormone cycles

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in pond culture, sampled once per day, have been reported to exhibit significant seasonal cycles in the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T₄) and 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T₃), rising from levels generally below 2 ng/ml in January to above 8 ng/ml in July. To determine if daily thyroid hormone cycles underlie these seasonal changes, we blood sampled groups of 20 catfish (10 males and 10 females) in the morning (approx. 1 h after sunrise), midday, and evening (approx. 1.5 h before sunset) on January 9, April 4, and July 29. From January to July, pond temperatures rose from 7 ° to 32 °, associated with significant (p < 0.05) increases in mean fish weight (from 477 to 1052 g) and in monthly mean food consumption (from 34 to 474.7 g/kg fish). On all three dates, significantly (p < 0.05) greater levels of both hormones (except T₃ in April) were found in midday and evening compared to morning samples. In January, the daily change was small (from morning to midday, mean T₃ rose from 2.2 to 3.6 ng/ml and mean T₄ from 2.3 to 4.8 ng/ml), whereas in July it was considerably greater (from morning to evening, mean T₃ rose from 7.2 to 17.8 ng/ml, and T₄ from 9.0 to 22.4 ng/ml). No significant differences were found between midday and evening levels, or between males and females. Additionally, no seasonal phase-shifting of cycles was apparent. A subset of animals was examined to evaluate the potential contribution of peripheral mechanisms in generating these seasonal and daily cycles. Whereas we observed only minor changes in thyroid hormone binding to plasma proteins during any single day, a significant seasonal increase in the ratio of free T₄:free T₃ indices (from a mean of 1.3–1.5 in January to 2.0–2.1 in July) indicated enhanced T₃ binding by plasma proteins in July. Furthermore, in vitro hepatic T₄ and T₃ deiodination activities showed across dates no significant change in T₄ outer-ring deiodination to produce T₃ (ranging from a mean of 53.1 to 70.1 pmol T₄ deiodinated/h/mg microsomal protein), but a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in T₄ inner-ring deiodination to degrade T₄ to 3,3′5′-triiodothyronine (from a mean in January of 2.4 to 0.65 pmol T₄ deiodinated /h/mg protein in April) and a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in T₃ inner-ring deiodination to degrade T₃ to 3,3′-diiodothyronine (from a mean in January of 115.5 to 3.1 pmol T₄ deiodinated/h/mg protein in July). These results demonstrate that channel catfish under conditions of natural temperature and photoperiod exhibit robust daily cycles in total plasma T₄ and T₃ similar in magnitude to those reported for other fish species held under controlled laboratory conditions. These cycles maintain a similar phase throughout the year, indicating that apparent seasonal increases in thyroid hormones are not due to phase-shifting of daily cycles. However, seasonal studies sampling fish only in the morning would underestimate the magnitude of the annual changes in blood thyroid hormones. Thyroidal status, as judged from total plasma T₄ and T₃ levels in the afternoon, is greatest in July, coinciding with the postspawning peak in food consumption and growth. Enhanced T₃ plasma protein binding and a shift from predominantly hepatic inner-ring deiodination in winter to outer-ring deiodination in summer suggest that peripheral mechanisms contribute to the generation of these seasonal changes.     

Long‐term low‐salinity stress affects growth,survival and osmotic related gamma‐aminobutyric acid regulation in the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus

A 30‐day experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of long‐term low‐salinity stress on the growth performance and osmotic related chlorine ion channel ligand regulation: gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) content and GABA_A receptor‐associated protein (GABARAP) expression in Portunus trituberculatus. The salinity levels of both the control group and the experimental group were 30 and 12 psu respectively. After rearing for 30 days, the specific growth rate and survival rate were compared between the two groups, and salinity 6 psu was used to test the salinity tolerance. The results were as follows: (a) Both the specific growth rate and survival rate were significant lower in the experimental group (p < 0.05) after 30 days; (b) After challenge with salinity 6 psu for 72 hr, the crabs of experimental group had a 100% survival rate, whereas the crabs of the control group were all dead within 48 hr; (c) The content of GABA and the gene expression level of GABARAP in experimental group were significant different from control group (p < 0.05) after challenge via salinity 6 psu. In the control group, the GABA content increased rapidly from 9.96 ± 2.09 to 42.00 ± 5.94 µg/g; however, in the experimental group, it only increased to 27.82 ± 2.55 µg/g; the gene expression of GABARAP in the experimental group increased to the maximum at 24 hr, then decreased and stabilized at 48 hr, suggesting that GABA and GABARAP were trigged during the early stage of low‐salinity stress resistance.     

Dietary branched‐chain amino acid supplementation affects growth and hepatic insulin‐like growth factor gene expression in yellowtail,Seriola quinqueradiata

We investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with a branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) mixture (valine, leucine and isoleucine) on juvenile yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) growth and hepatic insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) gene expression. Total dietary BCAA content was 8.1, 8.5, 9.0 and 9.8 g   kg^?1 for the control, 0.4%, 1.0% and 2.0% BCAA experimental groups, respectively. Body weight was measured on day 77, after which fish were fasted for 3 days and refed; the livers were then removed 3 or 9 h later for analysis of hepatic gene expression. Body weight significantly increased in the BCAA‐supplemented groups. Hepatic expression of IGF1 and IGF2 significantly increased in the 2% BCAA group at 3 and 9 h after refeeding. In the 1% BCAA group, hepatic IGF1 expression tended to be higher at 9 h than in the control group after refeeding. Also, hepatic IGF2 significantly increased at only 9 h after refeeding in the 1% BCAA group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with crystalline BCAAs increased growth and hepatic expression of IGF1 and IGF2. These results suggest that dietary crystalline BCAA supplementation would be a valuable addition to yellowtail aquaculture practices.     

Allometric growth patterns and development in larvae and juveniles of thick‐lipped grey mullet Chelon labrosus reared in mesocosm conditions

Allometric growth and ontogeny were studied in thick‐lipped grey mullet Chelon labrosus reared in mesocosms from 1 to 71 day post hatching (dph). Multivariate allometric analysis of morphometric growth distinguished three distinct developmental stanzas separated by two morphometric metamorphosis lengths (L_m1 = 4.46 ± 0.06 mm; L_m2 = 28.56 ± 1.04 mm). Body mass growth also showed three distinct episodes separated by two inflections, correlated with morpho‐functional changes. First episode concerned pre‐flexion larvae and ended around 4.5 mm‐L_T (14‐dph), coinciding with estimated L_m1. It was distinguished by reduced growth, but intense morphogenesis and differentiation processes. Organogenesis and allometric changes indicated that development priorities concerned feeding efficiency, by improving detection ability (sensory system development), ingestion capacity (head growth) and assimilation performance (digestive system differentiation), together with respiration efficiency (gill development). Second episode concerned post‐flexion larvae and, ended around 8.6 mm‐L_T (25‐dph). It was distinguished by fast growth of trunk and tail, acquisition of adult axial muscle distribution and completion of gill filament development, improving locomotion and oxygenation performances. It corresponded to transition towards metamorphosing stage as indicated by later isometric growth, musculature maturation and acquisition of juvenile phenotype. Metamorphosis seemed to end at L_m2, suggesting to avoid zootechnic handling before this size.     

Water budgeting in a carp‐prawn polyculture system: impacts on production performance,water productivity and sediment stack

This study was designed to quantify the total water requirement and consumptive water use in carp‐prawn polyculture system under different water management protocols, using water balance model. Under different water management protocols, treatment‐wise estimated total water use, TWU (×10⁴, m³) was 3.7, 4.6 and 3.9, while the computed consumptive water use index, CWUI (m³ kg^?1 biomass) was 6.62, 9.31 and 7.08, in T₁ (no water exchange), T₂ (periodic water exchange) and T₃ (regulated water exchange) respectively. Significantly higher yield (P < 0.05) in both T₂ and T₃ over T₁, was probably due to water exchange that improved the rearing environment. Although intensity of water exchange was more in T₂, significant variation (P < 0.05) in overall growth and yield was not recorded between T₂ and T₃. Treatment‐wise sediment load ranged between 54.6 and 71.3 m³ t^?1 biomasses. Higher sediment load was recorded at lower intensity of water exchange as well as with higher apparent feed conversion ratio. Higher net total water productivity, net consumptive water productivity and OV‐CC ratio in T₃ infers that regulated water exchange has a distinct edge over the no water exchange protocol. Restricted water use instead of regular/excess water exchange not only improves the production performance and water productivity, but also helps in lessening the operational pumping cost.