基因重组草鱼生长激素(r-gGH)对草鱼鱼种生长的促进作用

家蚕多角体病毒表达系统在家蚕体内表达基因重组的草鱼生长激素(r-gGH)，具有与天然草鱼生长激素(GH)相似的免疫原性和生物活性。为了节省基因工程研究中的下游工作 (基因产物的分离和提纯)，本研究将含有r-gGH的家蚕直接作为饵料源，冻干并磨碎后拌在饵料中投喂草鱼鱼种，通过养殖实验及生化测定分析对比r-gGH促进草鱼鱼种生长的剂量依存关系，筛选活性强的处理剂量和处理时间，期望为鱼类养殖生产提供一种较为经济、来源容易、方法简易而又切实可行的促进鱼种生长并且可以大规模应用的方式。实验结果表明，投喂含有r-gGH的家蚕，有相当一部分被鱼体消化道吸收，进入血液循环。投喂2 h和6 h 后，草鱼鱼种的血清GH水平均显著高于对照组(投喂基本饲料)和投喂正常家蚕组；每天投喂和隔2天投喂，均使草鱼鱼种的血清GH水平显著升高，并对草鱼鱼种生长都有明显的促进作用。短期(3 d)和长期(42 d)投喂含有r-gGH 的家蚕，无论是低剂量(10 mg·g^-1饲料)还是高剂量(20 mg·g^-1饲料)，均极其显著地提高草鱼鱼种的血清GH水平；长期(42 d)投喂亦对草鱼鱼种的生长有显著的促进作用，鱼体的相对体重增长率、相对体长增长率、食物转化率和肥满度显著增加。     

Dietary administration of astaxanthin improves feed utilization,growth performance and survival of Asian seabass,Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790)

This study was undertaken to assess the impacts of dietary astaxanthin supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization, survival, and serum growth hormone (GH) availability of Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer, with special reference to dose–response relationships and variations during different feeding phases (short‐term, medium‐term and long‐term). Fish were fed the following diets in triplicate for 90 days: the control (CD), AX50 (50 mg astaxanthin/kg diet), AX100 (100 mg astaxanthin/kg diet) and AX150 (150 mg astaxanthin/kg diet). The findings revealed that fish exhibited significant linear increments (p < .05) in specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain, feed utilization efficiency and survival when fed various diets with escalating levels of astaxanthin. Supplementation with dietary astaxanthin significantly augmented (p < .05) GH levels in fish. Significant positive associations (p < .05) were observed between circulating serum GH levels and SGR of fish from all groups following three consecutive feeding phases, denoting a robust cause‐and‐effect relationship. Circulating GH concentrations were considered as a sensitive biomarker of growth performance in Asian seabass. This study illustrated that supplemental astaxanthin could be administered in culture protocols to improve the growth rate and commercial hatchery production of Asian seabass, and possibly other teleost species.     

Improvement of growth performance,digestive enzymes and body composition of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) following feeding on probiotics: Bacillus licheniformis,Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The individual and combinational effects of probiotics on Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) were evaluated through assessing the growth performance, proximate body composition, digestive enzymes and intestinal morphology. On the basis of feeding with experimental diets, the fish were assigned into four groups denoted as follows: control (basal diet), D‐Pro (basal diet + Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis), D‐Pro/Yeast (basal diet + B. subtilis and B. licheniformis + Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Yeast (basal diet + S. cerevisiae). Maximum mean weight and length were measured for the fish fed with D‐pro regime. weight gain (WG), body weight gain (BWI%),  feed efficiency (FE%), protein efficiency rate (PER), lipid efficiency rate (LER), and condition factor (CF) demonstrated the highest values for the fish fed with the diets containing D‐Pro and/or D‐Pro/yeast. LER and food conversion ratio (FCR) showed the highest performance for the fish received the D‐Pro diet. The diets containing D‐Pro exhibited higher performance in enhancing the activity of protease and lipase than the one supplemented only with the yeast, whereas the regimes treated with the yeast exhibited higher amylase activity. The fish received D‐Pro exhibited the highest protein and fat contents, yet did the lowest contents of moisture and total ash. Taken together, the findings revealed that the dietary administration of the D‐Pro and D‐Pro/Yeast could improve the growth performance of A. persicus.     

Effects of dietary thyroid hormones on the red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)

Four separate 8-week feeding trials were conducted to assess the effects of supplementing semipurified diets with either triiodothyronine (T₃) or thyroxine (T₄) at 0, 2, 10, and 50 mg/kg on growth and body composition of juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) held in artificial brackish water (6‰) and artificial seawater (32‰). At both levels of salinity, increasing doses of T₃ resulted in fish with reduced weight gain, feed efficiency, condition factor (weight × 100/length³), and muscle ratio (muscle weight × 100/body weight), as well as a lighter body color. Significant (p < 0.05) effects of T₃ on the proximate composition of whole body, liver, and muscle were variable, generally reflecting decreased lipid and protein storage in liver and muscle, respectively. The two highest doses of T₃ given to seawater adapted fish increased survival. Dietary T₄ supplementation had no distinctive effects on appearance, growth or proximate body composition. These results indicate that whereas T₃ may function to regulate protein and lipid metabolism in red drum, dietary supplementation with T₃ leads to a hyperthyroidism-induced catabolic state. The elevated endogenous thyroid hormone levels found in fish fed optimal diets may thus adequately supply tissue needs during juvenile growth.     

Effects of rhythmic temperature change on the growth,body composition and energy budget of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀)

Effects of rhythmic temperature change on the growth, body composition and energy budget of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂ × E. fuscoguttatus ♀) were investigated. Nine groups of fish received repeating cycles of low‐temperature manipulation (22°C) for 1, 2 and 4 days followed by recovery temperature (28°C) for (3, 7 and 11 days), (6, 14 and 22 days) and (12, 28 and 44 days) respectively, designated as L1R3, L1R7, L1R11, L2R6, L2R14, L2R22, L4R12, L4R28 and L4R44 respectively. In the control group (C), fish were reared at 28°C throughout the whole experiment. After 96‐day feeding trail, the final weight, relative weight gain rate, specific growth rate, food conversion efficiency and apparent digestibility coefficient of fish in L4R28 were significantly higher than those of control (p < .05). The crude protein contents of fish in L2R14, L2R22, L4R12, L4R28 and L4R44 were significantly higher compared to the control (p < .05). According to energy budget, fish in L4R28 exhibited significantly higher proportion of food energy assimilated into growth and lower proportion consumed for excretion than the control fish (p < .05). These results indicated the occurrence of complete or over growth compensation in hybrid grouper, and the use of repeated cycles of low temperature (22°C) for 4 days followed by recovery temperature (28°C) for 28 days could obtain enhanced growth, that is overcompensation, with improved apparent digestibility coefficient, food conversion efficiency and energetic efficiency into growth. This technique would be more practically applicable in indoor culture for this species.     

Cichlasoma dimerus responds to refeeding with a partial compensatory growth associated with an increment of the feed conversion efficiency and a rapid recovery of GH/IGFs axis

Many fish species display compensatory growth (CG), a phenomenon by which fasted fish grow faster during refeeding. However, most studies use a group‐housed fish approach that could be problematic in social fish when interaction between individuals is not considered or eliminated. Additionally, the growth hormone (GH)/insulin‐like growth factors’ (IGF‐1 and IGF‐2) axis is implicated in postnatal growth in vertebrates, but its relevance in CG is not fully understood. Thus, the aim of this work was to determine whether CG occurs in a social fish, Cichlasoma dimerus, using an individually held fish approach and secondly, to evaluate the GH/IGFs expression profile during refeeding by 3 days and 3 weeks. C. dimerus showed partial CG. The feed conversion efficiency (FCE) was higher in three‐day‐refed fish, which presented higher GH plasma and mRNA levels than controls but shown no differences in liver and muscle GH receptors (GHR1 and GHR2) and IGFs mRNA levels. Surprisingly, three‐week‐refed fish exhibited GHR1 and IGF‐2 increments, but a reduction in GHR2 expression in muscle. These results show a strong association between GH levels, growth rate and FCE during refeeding, and a long‐lasting effect of refeeding on muscular expression of GHRs and IGF‐2.     

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.     

The effect of feeding a novel multistrain yeast fraction on European seabass (Dicentrachus labrax) intestinal health and growth performance

Fish were fed a single‐strain yeast fraction (SsYF; 2 g/kg) or a multistrain yeast fraction (MsYF; 0.8 g/kg) for 10 weeks. The results demonstrated significant (p ≤ 0.03) elevations in weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, and feed conversion ratio in fish fed the yeast fraction‐supplemented diets. In the distal intestine, a significant elevation in microvilli density was observed after 5 and 10 weeks of dietary supplementation with MsYF and SsYF, respectively, compared to control fed fish (p < 0.001). A significant elevation (p = 0.02) in the perimeter ratio was observed in fish fed diets supplemented with the yeast fractions. After 10 weeks of feeding on the experimental diets, Rt‐qPCR demonstrated a significant downregulation (p < 0.05) in the stress response genes, heat‐shock protein 70 (hsp70) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (pcna), in fish fed diets supplemented with the yeast fractions. Significant (p < 0.05) elevations in interleukin 1‐beta (il1β) and interleukin‐10 (il10) gene expression were observed in fish fed diets supplemented with the MsYF compared to the other dietary groups. These findings suggest that feeding an MsYF specifically at a lower incorporation rate < 1 g/kg, compared to a commercial SsYF at 2 g/kg, is effective in improving the intestinal health status and growth performance of European seabass.     

Feed intake, growth and feed conversion efficiency of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.)

The individual food intake of each fish in each of four groups of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.) (mean weight: 422 g) was monitored by direct observation over a period of 21 days. Gross feed conversion efficiency (= growth·feed intake^?1), net feed conversion efficiency and maintenance ration were estimated by regression analysis. Specific growth rates were found to be linearly related to weight-specific consumption at a temperature of 8–9°C: growth = 1.922· feed intake ? 0.242. Maintenance ration was 0.126% of body weight day^?1. The gross feed conversion efficiency increased asymptotically with increasing feed intakes and growth rates, and was found to approach 1.9 at high growth rates (0.5 on a dry weight basis). One feeding per day seemed to be sufficient for maximum food intake and growth rate.     

A Preliminary Study on the Effects on Growth,Condition, and Feeding Indexes in Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,after the Prophylactic Use of Potassium Permanganate and Oxytetracycline

The prophylactic use of potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) and oxytetracycline and its effects on catfish growth were assessed. For eleven weeks, healthy channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, juveniles were exposed to KMnO₄ and oxytetracycline. KMnO₄‐treated fish were exposed to 1 ppm twice a week for 1 h, while oxytetracycline‐treated fish received a 50 mg/kg dose in the feed (35 fish per tank, two tanks per treatment). Assessed parameters included body weight and length, specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake (FI), condition, and feed conversion index (FCI). Potassium permanganate did not have a suppressive effect on growth, while oxytetracycline significantly enhanced growth on channel catfish (weight and length), as they were heavier (12.5%) than KMnO₄‐treated fish and controls at the end of the trial. SGR (%/d), FI, and FCI were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the three groups of fish. Condition index (K) was significantly higher (ANOVA, P < 0.05) in the oxytetracycline‐treated fish. The present study suggests that, at concentrations commonly used in aquaculture, exposure of healthy channel catfish to oxytetracycline enhanced growth, while KMnO₄ does not induce growth suppression.     

Effect of Salinity on Growth,Feed Utilization,and Survival of Tilapia rendalli Under Laboratory Conditions

ABSTRACT

Juvenile T. rendalli were evaluated for 10 weeks to determine the effect of salinity on growth, feed utilization, and survival in tanks. Fish weighing 3.94 ± 0.44 g were stocked into twelve 50-L rectangular tanks at 15 fish /tank. The fish were raised in three salinity levels (5, 10, 15‰, and freshwater as a control). There were three replicate tanks per treatment. After the feeding experiment, a digestibility trial was conducted for two weeks. After 70 days, fish in the 10‰ treatment grew significantly larger (P < 0.05) than those in 5‰, 15‰, and freshwater. T. rendalli cultured in 10‰ had significantly lower feed conversion ratios and higher feed conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratios. Survival of the fish was significantly (P < 0.05) different and depended on salinity level. The apparent digestibilities of crude protein, fat, ash, and gross energy were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T. rendalli cultured in the 10‰ salinity treatment. However, apparent digestibility of dry matter did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) between 10‰ and 5‰. The results obtained indicate that 10‰ is optimal for T. rendalli in tank culture.     

Survival, growth, food conversion efficiency and plasma osmolality of juvenile Siganus guttatus (Bloch, 1787): experimental analyses of salinity effects

We studied the effects of salinity on survival, growth, food conversion efficiency and plasma osmolality of juvenile Siganus guttatus in two independent experiments. In the first experiment, fish were transferred from 30 ‰ salinity to freshwater, 5, 10, 20 and 30 ‰ salinities for 192 h. No fish died when transferred directly from 30 ‰ to salinities >5 ‰. However, all fish died in the freshwater treatment. In the second experiment, survival, growth, feeding rate, food conversion efficiency and plasma osmolality of fish were analyzed during 6 weeks in salinities of 5, 10, 20 and 30 ‰ (control). At the end of this experiment, the final weight and the specific growth rate of fish were significantly greater at 10 ‰ than fish in all other treatments. Feeding rate increased significantly with decreasing salinity: 10 ‰ > 20 ‰ > 30 ‰. However, the food conversion efficiency was not significantly different between fish in any treatment. Plasma osmolality of fish in 20 and 30 ‰ salinity was significantly greater than fish reared at 10 or 5 ‰. A salinity of 13.95 ‰ (411.88 mOsmol/kg) was the point of isosmolality for juvenile S. guttatus.     

Effect of stocking density on the growth performance and yield of Nile tilapia [Oreochromis niloticus (L., 1758)] in a cage culture system in Lake Kuriftu,Ethiopia

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of stocking density on the growth performance and yield of Oreochromis niloticus in cage culture in Lake Kuriftu. The treatments had stocking densities of 50 (50F), 100 (100F), 150 (150F), and 200 (200F) fish per m^?3. All treatments were in duplicate. Juveniles with an average weight of 45. 76±0.25 g were stocked in the treatments. The fish were fed a composite mixture of mill sweeping, cotton seed, and Bora food complex at 2% of their body weight twice per day using feeding trays for 150 days in powdered form. The growth performance of O. niloticus was density dependent. The final mean weight of O. niloticus ranged 147.76±0.28–219.71±1.42 g and the mean daily weight gain was 0.69±0.01–1.15±0.02 g day^?1. Fish held in cages with lower density were heavier than the ones held at higher densities, and showed higher weight gain and daily weight gain. The most effective stocking density, in terms of growth parameters, was 50 fish m^?3. The gross yield (4.5–20.55 kg cage^?1) showed a significant difference with increasing stocking density (P<0.05). Moreover, the apparent food conversion ratio (2.48–7.22) was significantly affected by stocking density (P<0.05). However, survival rate was not affected by stocking density (P>0.05). It can be concluded that the most effective stocking densities were at 50 fish m^?3 cage for larger size fish demand in a short period and 200 fish m^?3 for higher gross production with supplementary feed.     

Growth performance,survival, feed utilization and nutrient utilization of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) larvae co‐fed Artemia and a micro‐diet containing freshwater atyid shrimp (Caridina nilotica) during weaning

Problems of limited number of dry feeds as supplement or replacement of live feeds have led to poor larval nutrition in many species of fish. Therefore, the suitability of co‐feeding 8‐day‐old African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) posthatch larvae using live feed (Artemia salina) and formulated dry diet containing freshwater atyid shrimp (Caridina nilotica) during weaning was investigated. The experiment ended after 21 days of culture and respective groups compared on the basis of growth performance, survival, feed utilization and nutrient utilization. Larvae co‐fed using 50%Artemia and 50% formulated dry diet resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) better growth performance, food gain ratio (FGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and productive protein values (PPV) than other treatments. The lowest growth performance occurred in larvae weaned using 100% formulated and commercial dry diets. Better survival of over 90% was obtained in larvae weaned using 50%Artemia and 50% dry diet, while abrupt weaning using 100% dry diets resulted in lower survival (<75%). These results support a recommendation of co‐feeding C. gariepinus larvae using a formulated dry diet containing C. nilotica and 50% live feed when weaning is performed after 8 days posthatching period.     

Effects of 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) and 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) on growth of GH-transgenic coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kitsutch

GH-transgeniccoho salmon (Oncorhynchus kitsutch) juveniles were fed diets containing 3,5,3-triiodo-L-thyronine (T₃; 30 ng/g fish) or 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU; 20 ug/g fish), to assess the effect of these drugs on the physiology, growthand survival in comparison with untreated transgenicand non-transgenic salmon. After 84 days, food intake, feed efficiency, survival, growth, hepato-somatic index (HSI), viscera-somatic index (VSI), plasma L-thyroxine (T₄), T₃and growth hormone (GH) levels,and cranial morphological abnormalities were determined. Growth of transgenic salmon was significantly faster than the nontransgenic salmon,and was increased by exogenous T₃and reduced by PTU. Food intake of transgenic salmon was higher than that of the nontransgenic group, but was reduced by exogenous PTU administration. Food conversion efficiency of transgenic salmon was lower than that of nontransgenic salmon,and also was increased by T₃ but reduced by PTU in the transgenic fish. The survival rate in all transgenic groups was significantly higher than that of nontransgenic,and transgenic T₃and PTU treatment groups showed higher survivals than the transgenic-control group. The HSIand VSI of the transgenic fish were higher than the nontransgenic fish;and both parameters in the transgenic salmon were increased by PTU, but reduced by T₃. The plasma T₄ level in transgenic salmon was approximately 1.5-fold higher relative to the nontransgenic fish, whereas no difference was observed among the transgenic groups. Plasma T₃ levels in transgenic salmon were also approximately 2-fold higher relative to the nontransgenic fish. However, the plasma T₃ level in transgenic animals was increased by exogenous T₃ administration, but was reduced by exogenous PTU to that observed in nontransgenic salmon. The plasma GH level of transgenic fish was higher than that of the nontransgenic salmon,and the level was increased by the exogenous T₃, whereas exogenous PTU did not reduce significantly GH levels in transgenic salmon. Transgenic fish also displayed cranium, jawand opercular abnormalities typical of the effects of this gene construct incoho salmon, indicating that some imbalance in growth processes has been induced. However, these abnormalities (especially cranial disruptions) were diminished by administration of exogenous PTU. In conclusion, exogenous T₃and PTU treatments can induce hyperthyroidismand hypothyroidism, respectively,and have inverse effects on growthand skeletal abnormalities of transgenic salmon constitutively expressing GH.     

Determining the strength of exploitative competition from an introduced fish: roles of density,biomass and body size

Britton JR, Cucherousset J, Grey J, Gozlan RE. Determining the strength of exploitative competition from an introduced fish: roles of density, biomass and body size. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2011: 20: 74–79. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – As species introductions can result in increased resource competition for coexisting species in the receiving ecosystems, the effects of increased exploitative competition for limited food resources from an introduced fish (Pseudorasbora parva) on a coexisting fish (Cyprinus carpio) were tested experimentally using a substitutive–additive design. Additive treatments revealed that the growth of C. carpio was significantly suppressed following the introduction of P. parva with the magnitude of growth suppression directly proportional to P. parva density and biomass. A substitutive treatment that tested for the effect of intraspecific competition revealed that when C. carpio were introduced at a similar biomass to P. parva, there was no significant difference in the extent of the suppressed growth. At the same density, however, the effect of C. carpio (higher biomass) on growth was significantly above that of P. parva (lower biomass). This was independent of the initial body sizes of the introduced fishes. Thus, the interspecific competition imposed by P. parva was only as strong as the intraspecific competition of C. carpio when present at a similar biomass.     

Growth performance and physiological responses in striped knifejaw, Oplegnathus fasciatus, held under different photoperiods

The growth performance and stress response in striped knifejaw, Oplegnathus fasciatus (body weight 100–300 g) reared under four photoperiods (6L:6D, 12L:12D, 16L:8D and 24L:0D) were investigated. Fish were fed a commercial diet to apparent satiation, two times a day for 8 weeks. A trial of acute handling and confinement stress was also carried out to investigate the stress-induced levels of different stress indicators in O. fasciatus. Blood was also collected from undisturbed fish which was considered as control. Although there were no significant differences in weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) in fish exposed to 6L:6D, 16L:8D and 24L:0D photoperiods, all parameters in these photoperiods were significantly higher than those of 12L:12D photoperiod (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in protein retention efficiency (PRE) between fish exposed to 16L:8D and 24L:0D photoperiods, but PRE in both photoperiods was significantly higher than that of 12L:12D photoperiod.Acute stress significantly increased the plasma levels of cortisol (110.3 ng ml^− 1) and glucose (195.4 mg dl^− 1), and decreased plasma levels of total protein (0.8 g dl^− 1); however, all parameters were returned back to the levels indistinguishable from those of control, undisturbed fish within 24 h. The levels of cortisol, glucose and total protein in fish exposed to different photoperiods during the study were far from the stress-induced levels (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that the growth performance of O. fasciatus reared from 100 to 300 g can be stimulated significantly by using the manipulated photoperiods where feeding time may be playing an important role to increase food intake and feed conversion efficiency. It also revealed that the artificial photoperiods did not cause significant stress response in fish.     

Stimulation of catalase activity in carp (Cyprinus carpio) ovarian follicles by gonadotropin in vitro

The changes in catalase activity in carp (Cyprinus carpio) ovarian follicles at different developmental stages were investigated. The effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on catalase activity and estradiol secretion by carp ovarian follicles was studied to establish a developmental role of catalase in folliculogenesis in fish ovary. The follicular homogenates from large follicles showed higher (9.45 ± 0.64 units/mg protein) catalase-specific activity than the small follicles (2.94 ± 0.22 units/mg protein). The FSH significantly (P < 0.05) stimulated the catalase activity in both size categories of the follicles in vitro. At the dose level of 100 ng FSH/ml culture medium, about 38 and 25% increase in catalase-specific activity was observed compared with the respective controls in small and large follicles respectively. The increase in catalase after FSH treatment was also accompanied by a similar increase in estradiol secretion. This study indicates that catalase might play a functional role in carp ovarian follicles.     

Osmoregulatory actions of growth hormone in juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Growth hormone (GH) effectively promotes seawater (SW) adaptation in salmonids, but little is known of its effect in tilapias. Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of recombinant eel GH (reGH) on osmoregulatory actions and ultrastructural features of gill chloride cells in juvenile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Tilapia showed a markedly improved SW survival, when directly transferred from freshwater (FW) to 62.5% SW 24h after a single reGH injection (0.25 or 2.5 µg g^-1) or 3 reGH injections (0.25 µg g^-1 every other day). Plasma Na+ and Mg²⁺ levels were significantly reduced by reGH (0.25 and 2.5 µg g^-1) compared with saline injections; Ca²⁺ concentrations were reduced significantly by high dose of reGH (2.5 µg g^-1) after SW transfer. However, fish failed to survive more than 24h when directly transferred to 70% SW, although the fish treated with reGH could survive longer than the controls. When examined by electron microscopy, the chloride cells were identified as mitochondrion-rich and an extensive tubular system was induced by GH treatment. The results of the present study suggest that, similar to its effect on salmonids, GH also exerts acute osmoregulatory actions and enhances SW adaptation in juvenile tilapia. GH also stimulates the differentiation of chloride cells toward SW adaptation.     

Effects of embryonic exposure to α‐lipoic acid or ascorbic acid on hatching rate and development of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

This study investigates the effects of embryonic exposure to two different antioxidants on growth and development in fish. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos (100 per group) were exposed to lipoic acid (LA, 6–12 μM) or ascorbic acid (AA, 100–200 μM) and the hatching rate, standard lengths (SL) at hatching, development and growth post‐hatching monitored. The SLs at hatching were increased (P<0.05) in both antioxidant‐exposed groups relative to the controls, with no effect on yolk reserves. This enhanced development persisted up to 15 days post hatching. At hatching, cell proliferation rates (P<0.0005) and basic fibroblast growth factor (P<0.001), were greater in the antioxidant‐exposed fish than in the controls (0 μM antioxidant); no oxidative DNA damage was detected (P>0.05). Activity of the endogenous antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase was greater (P<0.001) in LA‐treated fish than in the controls. The results suggest that embryonic treatment of zebrafish with LA or AA during embryogenesis enhanced cell proliferation, leading to increased somatic growth in the larval stages, persisting into the juvenile stage. The findings support the treatment of embryonic fish with antioxidants for enhanced results in aquaculture.