盐度胁迫对三疣梭子蟹鳃Na+/K+-ATPase酶活的影响

通过钼蓝法测定三疣梭子蟹在3组实验盐度的胁迫过程中第2对和第6对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase酶活的变化,比较了3组实验盐度胁迫1 d时,鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活大小。结果表明,在盐度胁迫初期,3组实验盐度下第2对和第6对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活下降;之后,各组实验盐度下第2对和第6对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活开始随胁迫时间增长而上升;最后,各组实验盐度下第2和第6对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活下降并趋于稳定。另外,胁迫1 d时,各组实验盐度下三疣梭子蟹前5对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活显著低于后3对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活。三疣梭子蟹对盐度变化的调节可分为被动应激期(酶活力下降)、主动调节期(酶活力逐渐上升)和适应期(酶活力稳定);三疣梭子蟹后3对鳃是离子转运、渗透压调节的主要部位。     

盐碱胁迫对尼罗罗非鱼鳃Na+/HCO3-共转运子、碳酸酐酶基因表达的影响

为了探讨盐碱胁迫条件下鱼类渗透生理调节机制,以尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)为实验材料, PCR扩增得到了Na⁺/HCO₃^-共转运子(NBCe1)基因cDNA部分序列,比较了单盐(盐度10、盐度15)、单碱(1.5 g/L、3 g/L NaHCO₃)、盐碱混合(盐度10,碱度1.5 g/L;盐度15,碱度3 g/L)胁迫后不同时间(0 h、6 h、12 h、24 h、48 h、72 h、96 h)血清渗透压、离子浓度(Na⁺、K⁺、Cl^-、Ca²⁺)以及鳃碳酸酐酶(CA)活性、CA与NBCe1基因mRNA表达变化。结果显示,不同胁迫条件下,血清渗透压、离子浓度、鳃组织CA酶活、CA与NBCe1基因mRNA表达变化均与胁迫强度呈正相关。随时间推移,血清渗透压、离子浓度呈现先上升后下降的变化趋势,单盐、盐碱混合组血清渗透压值较单碱组高。单盐、单碱、盐碱混合组中, NBCe1基因mRNA在鳃中均呈略微上调,但不显著(P>0.05)。单碱组和盐碱混合组鳃CA活性较单盐组高,低盐碱胁迫(盐度10,碱度1.5 g/L)下CA活性较晚达最高值;不同胁迫条件下, CA基因mRNA表达均表现上调,单碱、盐碱混合组更为显著(P<0.05),推测CA较NBCe1对体内HCO₃^-转运作用更为显著。研究结果为尼罗罗非鱼盐碱适应生理调节提供了基础资料。     

盐碱胁迫对尼罗罗非鱼血清渗透压、离子浓度及离子转运酶基因表达的影响

为了解鱼类适应盐碱水环境的生理变化机理,将尼罗罗非鱼从淡水直接转入4个不同盐碱混合梯度组(A组:盐度10,碱度1 g/LNaHCO3;B组:盐度10,碱度2 g/LNaHCO3;C组:盐度15,碱度1 g/LNaHCO3;D组:盐度15,碱度2 g/LNaHCO3)中进行为期96 h的急性胁迫实验,分别检测胁迫后0、6、12、24、36、48、72和96 h时尼罗罗非鱼的血清渗透压、血清Na+、K+、Cl-浓度以及鳃中Na+-K+-ATP酶(NKA)和碳酸酐酶(CA)基因相对表达量的变化过程。结果显示,血清渗透压、离子浓度以及鳃中NKA基因和CA基因mRNA表达量变化程度均与其盐碱胁迫浓度间呈正相关,变化过程随着实验时间推移均呈现为先升、后降,最后趋于平稳。B、D组血清渗透压峰值出现在24 h,A、C组出现在36 h。血清Na+、K+、Cl-浓度均在24 h达到峰值。B、D组NKA基因mRNA表达峰值出现在24 h,A、C组出现在36 h;除A组外,其余各组CA基因mRNA表达峰值时间出现在24 h。研究表明,尼罗罗非鱼具有一定的盐碱适应能力,盐碱胁迫下NKA、CA是参与离子转运、渗透压调节的重要转运酶。     

盐度对条石鲷幼鱼Na+/K+-ATP酶活力的影响

研究了盐度变化对条石鲷幼鱼鳃、肾脏和肝脏中Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力的影响。经不同盐度(8、18、28、38、48)的处理,条石鲷幼鱼3种组织Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力均受到不同程度的影响。经低盐度(8和18)处理的幼鱼鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力在前6 h略微增加,然后逐渐降低,在处理24 h时下降到最低,之后又开始增加。经高盐度(38和48)处理时,鳃中Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力在前6 h有所降低,然后迅速升高,并在处理24 h时达到最大,之后酶活力逐渐降低,并在处理96 h后与对照组无显著性差异(P>0.05)。所有盐度处理组幼鱼肾脏Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力在处理开始6 h均稍有增加,而从处理6 h开始降低,在处理24 h下降到最低,此后酶活力又呈现增加的趋势。在盐度为8的处理组中,肝脏Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力与肾脏中变化趋势相似,而其它3组则逐渐降低,在处理24 h时达到最低,之后又逐渐增加。结果表明,条石鲷幼鱼适盐范围广,具有较强的渗透压调节能力。3种组织的Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力酶活性在盐度为18～38的范围内变化不明显,而在8和48的盐度下变化较大,最终酶活力均高于对照组。与肾脏相比,盐度变化对鳃和肝脏Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力的影响较大。     

黄斑蓝子鱼LC-PUFA 合成代谢与渗透压调节的关系研究

为探讨黄斑蓝子鱼(Siganus canaliculatus)长链多不饱和脂肪酸(long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids,LC-PUFA)合成代谢与渗透压调节的关系,本研究以鱼油(FO)和混合植物油(苏子油与双低菜籽油,VO)为脂肪源配制两种等氮等脂饲料,投喂饲养在3种盐度(10、20和32)下的黄斑蓝子鱼幼鱼8周后,分析了各处理组幼鱼的生长性能和鳃的磷脂脂肪酸组成、Na+/K+-ATPase(NKA)活力及其基因表达。结果显示,相同盐度下,VO组和FO组鱼的生长性能差异不显著(P0.05);FO组鱼鳃磷脂中的n-3 LC-PUFA含量显著高于VO组(P0.05),但VO组鱼的n-6 LC-PUFA水平显著高于FO组(P0.05);VO组鱼鳃的NKA酶活力及其m RNA表达量都显著高于FO组(P0.05)。不同盐度下,无论VO组还是FO组的鱼,盐度10组鱼的生长性能显著低于盐度20和32组(P0.05),而其鳃的LC-PUFA含量、NKA酶活力及其m RNA表达量都显著高于盐度20和32组(P0.05),各指标在后两个盐度组之间差异不显著(P0.05)。由此可见,盐度10对黄斑蓝子鱼具有一定的胁迫性,导致其生长性能较差。摄食鱼油脂肪源饲料,可以提高鱼鳃磷脂的n-3 LC-PUFA水平;而摄食植物脂肪源饲料时,鱼体可能通过自身合成的n-6LC-PUFA调控鳃的NKA基因表达及其酶活力以调节渗透压。     

中华鲟幼鱼鳃丝Na+,K+-ATPase α 亚基渗透调节的分子机制初步研究

为了研究盐度10条件下中华鲟幼鱼鳃丝Na+,K+-ATPase(NKA)α亚基的分子调节机制,采用克隆方法得到中华鲟幼鱼鳃丝NKAα亚基部分基因序列,在鲟鱼转移后3,6,12,24,48,72和96 h检测实验组(淡水-盐水)和对照组(淡水-淡水)中华鲟幼鱼鳃丝NKAα亚基的mRNA表达水平、鳃丝NKA活性、血清Na+、Cl-的浓度和渗透压。结果显示,在转移后0～12 h,实验组中的mRNA表达量与酶活性为适应盐度变化而显著增加(P<0.05),离子浓度和渗透压均显著上升(P<0.05);在转移后12～24 h,mRNA表达和酶活性开始降低到一个较低值,但仍然显著高于对照组的值(P<0.05),离子﹑渗透压的变化与酶活性及mRNA变化趋势一致,这表明中华鲟鳃丝NKA在应对盐度变化时通过改变mRNA表达量来增加酶活性,高活性NKA调节血清离子和渗透压平衡。     

高pH值对中华绒螯蟹抗氧化能力及虾青素沉积的影响

为了揭示高pH对河蟹体色的潜在影响,探讨了高pH胁迫下河蟹虾青素和抗氧化能力的变化。将河蟹饲养于6个规格为18 m2的水泥池中,养殖用水为沙滤河水(pH 7.5~8.0)。将其中三个水泥池的水用1 mol/L Na OH调pH至9.0~9.5。分别于pH调整后的2、24、48、96、192 h时采集河蟹血淋巴和头胸甲,分析头胸甲中虾青素含量、血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和总抗氧化力(T-AOC)。结果表明:pH胁迫后96 h内河蟹头胸甲中虾青素含量显著下降(P0.05),96 h后虾青素含量趋于稳定;血清SOD、CAT、T-AOC呈现先上升后下降的趋势,SOD和CAT均在胁迫48 h后与对照组差异不显著,T-AOC在胁迫192 h时与对照组差异不显著。实验结果表明高pH胁迫会导致河蟹氧化应激,从而使河蟹体色变差。     

Cu2+胁迫对魁蚶生理生化和组织结构的影响

采用生物毒性测试的方法,研究了持续暴露96 h不同浓度Cu2+胁迫对魁蚶生理代谢、组织结构及酶活性的影响。实验设置0.01、0.05、0.10、0.50和1.00 mg/L组5个浓度梯度,不加Cu2+的正常海水作为对照。结果显示,Cu2+胁迫对魁蚶耗氧率(OR)、排氨率(NR)、氧氮比(O∶N)均有显著影响,并且与暴露时间和浓度有关。初次暴露时,OR,NR和O∶N都迅速下降,最低值都出现在1.00 mg/L浓度组,分别为(0.005±0.001)mg/(g·h)、(0.5±0.05)μmol/(g·h)、0.7±0.1,仅为对照组的1%、29%和3%。暴露72 h内Cu2+胁迫均使魁蚶代谢率不同程度下降,之后不同处理组出现差异分化。暴露96 h时,魁蚶对低浓度Cu2+暴露表现出适应,0.01 mg/L处理组呼吸代谢恢复至正常水平,O∶N与对照组无差异,组织结构也未见明显损伤;浓度超过0.05 mg/L处理组魁蚶生理代谢及组织结构受显著影响,O∶N大多降至9以下,出现鳃丝受损和组织结构散乱等明显损伤;0.10 mg/L处理组魁蚶体内ACP和ALP活性在鳃组织中增强,肝脏中受到抑制,而GPX和GST活性增强。研究表明持续暴露96 h Cu2+浓度≥0.05 mg/L环境显著影响魁蚶生理代谢及组织结构,0.10 mg/L Cu2+浓度显著影响魁蚶组织中ACP、ALP、GPX和GST的活性。研究结果为认知魁蚶等滩涂贝类对Cu2+胁迫的响应机制提供基础数据,为预防滩涂潜在重金属污染风险及生物修复提供参考。     

四种双壳贝类对养殖尾水的净化作用

为了解滤水性双壳贝类对养殖尾水的净化能力，并寻找其净化能力最强时，贝类放养密度及规格，选择缢蛏(Sinonovacula constricta)、四角蛤蜊(Mactra veneriformis)、菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)及青蛤(Cyclina sinensis)四种常见的海水养殖贝类，研究其不同品种、不同养殖密度、不同规格对养殖尾水的氨氮、硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐及水体pH值的调节净化效果。结果表明：(1)缢蛏、青蛤、菲律宾蛤仔三种贝类中，缢蛏的净化效果最佳，与对照组相比，48 h后缢蛏组水体pH值较为稳定，氨氮下降44.30%,硝酸盐含量下降81.36%,亚硝酸盐含量下降82.02%,优于其他两种贝类。(2)比较不同密度四角蛤蜊试验组，以5 ind/L密度组净化效果最显著，处理48 h后可有效降低水体氨氮值81.40%,而2 ind/L密度则会引起水体亚硝酸盐水平显著上升(P<0.05)。(3)不同规格缢蛏对养殖尾水pH值、硝酸盐及亚硝酸盐浓度48 h并无显著影响(P>0.05),但小规格缢蛏会引起养殖水体氨氮水平显著上升(P<0.05...     

镉诱导鲫肝细胞内Ca2+-ATP酶与金属硫蛋白的表达

研究了镉诱发鲫肝细胞相关的胞内游离钙离子变化,以及Ca²⁺-ATP酶及金属硫蛋白表达量的变化。试验分为对照组、5、10、15、20 μmol/L CdCl₂ 5个组。Ca²⁺用Fura-2/AM方法检测,试验后24 h用荧光倒置显微镜观察细胞内游离钙离子变化;分光光度法检测Ca²⁺-ATP酶;石墨炉—原子分光光度法检测了细胞内镉离子浓度;免疫酶联法(ELISA)检测了金属硫蛋白(MT)含量。结果显示,镉可导致细胞存活率下降,具有一定的毒性。镉离子引起胞内Ca²⁺荧光强度和Ca²⁺-ATP酶活性增加(P＜0.01)。随镉浓度升高,处理组Ca²⁺-ATP酶浓度活性分别是对照组的4.52、6.73、6.68、7.19、6.18倍;暴露24 h后各组细胞内镉离子均有上升,其中5 μmol/L组最高,达(2.045±0.322) μmol/L;各处理组金属硫蛋白(MT)含量增高(P＜0.01),且5 μmol/L低浓度组MT增幅最大,达17.15%。结果提示,镉诱导下细胞内Ca²⁺升高,MT表达量上升,且MT可螯合进入细胞内的镉离子,这种螯合可能是降低镉毒理作用的机制之一。     

壳聚糖对Cd2+和Pb2+的吸附作用

为开发新型吸附剂,降低重金属对水体的污染,研究了壳聚糖对Cd²⁺和Pb²⁺的吸附条件,探讨了pH、温度、反应时间、壳聚糖添加量和金属离子初始浓度等因素对壳聚糖吸附性能的影响。结果表明,pH 7~8和pH 5~6条件下壳聚糖对Cd²⁺和Pb²⁺的吸附能力最强;低温有利于壳聚糖的吸附;在8 h时壳聚糖对Cd²⁺的吸附容量达到最大,而对Pb²⁺的吸附在实验时间内是随着吸附时间的延长而增大;随着壳聚糖添加量的增加,其对Cd²⁺和Pb²⁺的吸附能力也增强;初始金属离子浓度的变化对Cd²⁺的影响不大,而在高的金属浓度下对Pb²⁺的吸附率显著降低。壳聚糖对Cd²⁺、Pb²⁺的吸附动力学和热力学分别符合Lagergren方程二级吸附模型和Langmuir吸附方程。研究表明,壳聚糖对不同金属离子的吸附能力不同,在单一金属溶液中,壳聚糖对Cd²⁺的吸附能力要强于对Pb²⁺的吸附能力。系统地研究了壳聚糖对Cd²⁺和Pb²⁺的吸附条件及性能,为壳聚糖作为重金属吸附剂的应用提供理论依据。     

不同月龄缢蛏新品种数量性状的相关与通径分析

为了检测缢蛏新品种"申浙1号"不同月龄数量性状间的相关性。随机选取4、9、11月龄缢蛏个体60个以上,测量其壳长(SL)、壳高(SH)、壳宽(SW)、活体质量(W),采用相关与通径分析方法分析壳形态性状对活体质量的作用效果。结果显示,各数量性状之间的相关关系均达到极显著水平,其中与4、11月龄质量相关系数最大的是壳长,分别为0.911、0.631,与9月龄活体质量相关系数最大的是壳高,为0.653。通径分析结果显示,对4、9、11月龄活体质量的直接影响最大的分别是壳长(0.562)、壳宽(0.433)、壳高(0.394),决定系数与以上通径分析结果的变化趋势一致。利用逐步回归的方法分别建立4、9、11月龄缢蛏活体质量(W)的最优回归方程:W4=–0.756+0.039SL+0.112SW,R2=0.849;W9=–10.622+0.095SL+0.404SH+0.644SW,R2=0.631;W11=–23.772+0.207SL+0.805SH+0.587SW,R2=0.909。研究结果为缢蛏人工选育过程中的亲贝选择和产量预测等提供了基础数据。     

中国明对虾NHE3基因克隆及其在pH胁迫下的表达

为研究钠/氢交换体(Na+/H+-exchanger,NHE)在中国明对虾(Fenneropenaeus chinensis)响应pH胁迫过程中发挥的作用,首先采用静水毒性实验方法确定了中国明对虾酸碱半致死pH,然后利用RACE技术克隆了中国明对虾Na+/H+-exchanger isoform 3(命名为FcNHE3)基因,并通过荧光定量PCR及RNA干扰技术分析了其在pH胁迫下的表达特征及功能。结果显示,72 h酸性半致死pH和碱性半致死pH分别为5.2和9.1。克隆获得FcNHE3基因(Gen Bank:MF373587)cDNA序列全长3508 bp,开放阅读框2805 bp,编码934个氨基酸,具有信号肽和12个跨膜结构域;蛋白同源分析发现,FcNHE3与青蟹(Carcinus maenas)同源性最高,达到74%;系统进化分析显示,FcNHE3与三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)和青蟹亲缘关系最近。荧光定量PCR分析表明,FcNHE3基因在鳃组织中表达量显著高于其他组织(P0.05);酸性半致死pH(pH 5.2)胁迫下,FcNHE3基因在整个胁迫过程中显著上调表达(P0.05);碱性半致死pH(pH 9.1)胁迫下,FcNHE3基因在前48 h显著下调表达(P0.05),12 h表达量最低,仅在72 h出现上调表达。RNA干扰后,FcNHE3基因表达受到抑制,pH 5.2胁迫下对虾存活率相比对照组显著下降。研究表明相较于高pH胁迫,FcNHE3基因在中国明对虾响应低pH胁迫过程中可能发挥更重要的调节作用。     

Effects of sulfide on K+ flux pathways in red blood cells of crucian carp and rainbow trout

The effect of sulfide on K⁺ influx pathways was measured in red blood cells (RBCs) of sulfide-sensitive rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and sulfide-tolerant crucian carp (Carassius carassius). In trout RBCs, maximal inhibition of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase was attained at 10 mol l^–1 sulfide and amounted to 32% without being influenced by pH between 6.7 and 8.3. Ouabain-resistant K⁺ influx in the absence and presence of sulfide was insignificant at pH values between 6.7 and 7.7. At higher pH values ouabain-resistant K⁺ influx increased, but was inhibited to about 15% by 30 mol l^–1 sulfide. In RBCs of crucian carp neither Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase nor ouabain-resistant K⁺ influx were affected by sulfide concentrations up to 850 mol l^–1. Differences in sulfide-sensitivity of K⁺ influx between both species can be based upon different properties of the membrane transporter themselves. The reduced Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity in trout RBCs may also result from a slightly reduced (by 9%) ATP level after sulfide exposure. In addition, intracellular sulfide concentrations were higher in trout RBCs as compared to crucian carp. In trout, intracellular sulfide concentrations reached extracellular levels within 5 min of incubation whereas sulfide concentrations in crucian carp RBCs remained about 2-fold lower than extracellular concentrations. Although the physiological basis of sulfide-insensitive K⁺ influx in crucian carp RBCs is currently unknown it may contribute to the extremely high sulfide-tolerance of this species.     

Characterization of transport Na+-ATPases in gills of freshwater tilapia

Branchial plasma membranes from the freshwater cichlid teleostOreochromis mossambicus (tilapia) contain two Na⁺-dependent ATPases: Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, and an amiloride-sensitive ATPase which is postulated to operate as a Na⁺/H⁺ (–NH₄ ⁺) ATPase. It is suggested that both enzyme activities are located in the basolateral membrane system of the chloride cells. K⁺ has opposing effects on the two enzymes: it stimulates Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase and inhibits Na⁺/H⁺ (–NH₄ ⁺) ATPase activity. Na⁺/H⁺ ATPase appears more sensitive to NH₄ ⁺ at low concentrations than Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase and the stimulatory effect by NH₄ ⁺ ions on the first enzyme could be important in facilitating NH₄ ⁺ excretion by tilapia gills under physiological conditions.In vitro maximum stimulation by NH₄ ⁺ is similar for the two enzymes (200%). In contrast to Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, Na⁺/H⁺ ATPase activity is inhibited by supra-physiological (>20 mM) concentrations of NH₄ ⁺.     

Gill Na+-K+ ATPase, carbonic anhydrase activities and plasma osmotic and ionic variations during smoltification of Atlantic salmon in the north of Portugal

Gill Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase and carbonic anhydrase activities were measured, on a fortnightly basis, from February to July, in 0₊ age Atlantic salmon (Salmo solar), hatched and reared in a freshwater experimental station in Covas, northern Portugal. Plasma osmolarity and ionic composition were also measured. Gill Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity increased slowly until April (15–19 moles Pi mg prot^–1 h^–1). From April to late May there was a great increase in activity (19–32 moles Pi mg prot^–1 h^–1) followed by a sharp decline in June (15 moles Pi mg prot^–1 h^–1). In contrast, carbonic anhydrase activity decreased significantly from early April to early June (170-70 moles p-nitrophenol mg prot^–1 h^–1) and increased in late June, suggesting the existence of a compensatory mechanism for the changes in Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity. Plasma osmolarity and sodium concentration showed lower levels during the period of high ATPase activity. On the other hand, plasma calcium concentrations showed an increase during the same period (3.47–5.98 mm1^–1 of plasma). A transitory decrease in osmolarity and plasma sodium and chlorine concentrations occurred in March, prior to the surge in Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity, suggesting that the physiological changes, characteristic of parr-smolt transformation can be a consequence of this loss of freshwater osmoregulatory capacity.     

一株从草鱼中分离的嗜水气单胞菌的病原学及基因组特征

为确定南昌地区某渔场草鱼出血性败血症的病原体及病原特征,从患病草鱼的肝脏病灶中分离出一株致病菌A1310。对分离菌进行了形态特征、理化特性等表型生物学检验、人工感染实验及对抗菌药物的敏感性实验,并对其进行了全基因组测序、基于多序列位点分型(multilocus sequence typing,MLST)的系统进化分析及毒力基因分析。结果显示,生理生化鉴定证明该菌为嗜水气单胞菌,当浓度达1.0×10⁶ CFU/mL时,对草鱼有致病性;对供试20种抗菌药物中的青霉素等7种耐药,对卡那霉素等5种敏感;A1310株基因组框架序列共包含96个与毒力和防御相关基因,其中多药耐药性外排泵基因占大多数,约为22%;与美国斑点叉尾鮰分离株(S15-242、S15-458、S15-591、S15-700)聚类为同一进化分支;比较基因组分析发现,A1310具有一个删减版的Ⅵ型分泌系统(type Ⅵ secretion system,T6SS),基因数量为标准Ⅵ型分泌系统的80%,缺少vgrG和vca0109基因的部分片段。综上所述,来源于草鱼的嗜水气单胞菌菌株A1310,与美国斑点叉尾鮰分离株具有亲缘关系,含有多个已报道的嗜水气单胞菌的毒力基因。本研究不仅丰富了嗜水气单胞菌的生物学性状内容,也为嗜水气单胞菌的有效检验、防治和深入研究提供一定的参考,对草鱼的疾病防控具有一定意义。     

Survival of silver catfish fingerlings exposed to acute changes of water pH and hardness

Theaim of this study was to examine the survival of fingerlings of silver catfish,Rhamdia quelen, in water with different pH and hardnessvalues. Fingerlings (1.60 ± 0.14 g; 5.67 ± 0.15cm) were randomly assigned to 35 treatments (in triplicate) andmaintained in 44 L polyethylene tanks (10 fingerlings/tank) for 96h. Fingerlings were exposed to seven solutions of varying pH (3.5,3.75, 4.0, 7.0, 9.5, 10.0, and 10.5) and five solutions of varying hardness(30,70, 150, 300, and 600 mg.l^–1 CaCO₃).Survival was assessed at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. Fingerlingmortality was 100% after 12 h exposure to pH 3.5 at all hardnesslevels, whereas mortality at pH 3.75, 10.0, and 10.5 decreased with increasinghardness. There was no mortality of fingerlings exposed to pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.5at all hardness levels. The results allow us to conclude that the hardnesslevels studied do not affect the survival of silver catfish fingerlings exposedto pH 3.5, 4.0, 7.0, and 9.5 for 96 h. However, the increase ofwater hardness improved survival of fingerlings of this species exposed to pH3.75, 10.0, and 10.5.     

Changes in Na+,K+-ATPase activity and gill chloride cell morphology in the grouper Epinephelus coioides larvae and juveniles in response to salinity and temperature

The activity of the enzyme Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and morphological changes of gill chloride cells in grouper, Epinephelus coioides larvae and juveniles were determined 6–48 h after abrupt transfer from ambient rearing conditions (30–32 ppt, 26.5–30 °C) to different salinity (8, 18, 32, 40 ppt) and temperature (25, 30 °C) combinations. Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in day 20 larvae did not change at salinities 8–32 ppt. Activity decreased significantly (P <0.01) after exposure to 40 ppt at 25–30 °C, which was accompanied by an increase (P <0.05) in density and fractional area of chloride cells. Enzyme activity in 40 ppt did not reach a stable level and larvae failed to recover from an osmotic imbalance that produced a low survival at 25 °C and death of all larvae at 30 °C. Enzyme activity and chloride cell morphology in day 40 groupers did not change in 8–40 ppt at 25 °C and 8–32 ppt at 30 °C. A significant decrease and a subsequent increase in Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in 40 ppt at 30 °C was associated with the increase in chloride cell density resulting in an increased fractional area but a decreased cell size. Enzyme activity and chloride cells of day 60 grouper were unaffected by abrupt transfer to test salinities and temperatures. These results demonstrate that grouper larvae and juveniles are efficient osmoregulators over a wide range of salinities. Salinity adaptation showed an ontogenetic shift as the larvae grew and reached the juvenile stage. This development of tolerance limits may reflect their response to actual conditions existing in the natural environment.