迟缓爱德华氏菌间接ELISA快速检测法

以迟缓爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella tarda)WY28作为抗原,免疫新西兰兔,获得效价为1:2 048的多克隆抗体;以此多克隆抗体作为-抗,山羊抗兔IgG-HRP作为酶标二抗,建立迟缓爱德华氏菌的间接EIJSA快速检测法.采用棋盘滴定法确定抗原与一抗的最佳工作浓度分别为106 CFU·mL-1和1:10 000;酶标二抗的最适工作浓度为1:1 000.病原菌检测灵敏度为每孔103 CFU.该方法标准化后具有快速、灵敏等特性,与肠杆菌科其他细菌参考菌株无交叉反应,具良好的特异性.对养殖场发病大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)和半滑舌鳎中分离的细菌菌株进行检测,从56株分离菌株中检测出27株迟缓爱德华氏菌,阳性检出率为48.2%.该方法的建立有助于快速准确地诊断由迟缓爱德华氏菌引起的养殖鱼类病害.     

养殖大菱鲆病原菌迟缓爱德华氏菌的分离鉴定及其疫苗研制

2006年9月山东胶南某养殖场大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)发生病害,从患病大菱鲆脾脏分离出优势菌株WY28,人工感染试验证实WY28菌株对大菱鲆和斑马鱼(Danio rerio)有较强的致病性,其对大菱鲆和斑马鱼的半数致死剂量(LD50)分别为39cfu/g(Bw)(3.3×102cfu/ind)和2.1×104cfu/g(Bw)(6.4×103cfu/ind).综合该菌在形态与生理生化特征及16S rDNA同源性等方面的实验结果,确定WY28菌株为迟缓爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella tarda).该菌对先锋霉素V、庆大霉素、氟哌酸、痢特灵等抗生素敏感.WY28菌株经福尔马林灭活制成灭活疫苗,对大菱鲆进行腹腔注射免疫,免疫后第4周测得免疫鱼血清中抗迟缓爱德华氏菌的抗体效价平均为1:1 280.免疫后第6周.免疫鱼血清中抗迟缓爱德华氏菌的抗体效价达到更高水平(平均值为1:3 289.6).攻毒试验表明,受免鱼的相对存活率明显高于对照组.由此可见,利用从病鱼体内分离的迟缓爱德华氏菌菌株制备的灭活疫苗能使大菱鲆较有效抵御迟缓爱德华氏菌强毒株的攻击.     

二温式聚合酶链反应鉴别诊断迟缓爱德华氏菌病

根据迟缓爱德华氏菌株23S rDNA基因,设计合成一对引物XZE15、XZE16,建立了二温式聚合酶链反应(PER)鉴别诊断迟缓爱德华氏菌株的技术.特异性试验表明,对3株迟钝爱德华氏菌株进行PCR扩增出与预期大小相一致的284 bp的特异性片段,但对3株钻鱼爱德华氏菌及其他对照鱼病病原体核酸模板的PCR扩增不出现任何条带;敏感性试验结果显示,该二温式PCR可以检测到10 Pg的迟钝爱德华氏菌DNA.     

养殖澳洲宝石鱼迟缓爱德华氏菌的分离鉴定及致病基因的检测

从患病澳洲宝石鱼体内分离到一株致病菌(编号Et4),对该菌的生化特性及致病基因进行检测,并进行了药敏和人工感染实验。结果显示:菌株Et4的生化鉴定结果与迟缓爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella tarda)标准菌株(AY77513)一致;其16S rRNA序列,经同源性比对与迟缓爱德华氏菌核苷酸相似度最高,达99%;根据迟缓爱德华氏菌的致病基因Ⅲ型分泌系统装置蛋白esaV基因序列设计引物,进行PCR扩增,得到708 bp序列,该序列与迟缓爱德华氏菌的esaV基因序列相似性达99.3%,说明菌株Et4具有esaV基因。菌株Et4对环丙沙星等较敏感,对其它药物中度或不敏感,具有较强的致病力(LD50=3.74×104CFU/mL),从病鱼中可以重新分离出此菌。综合形态学、生化特性、16S rDNA序列及致病基因序列鉴定其为迟缓爱德华氏菌。     

一株血鹦鹉迟缓爱德华氏菌的分离鉴定及药敏试验

为确定天津市某养殖场血鹦鹉(Cichlasoma var.)发病死亡的原因,并对其进行有效的预防与治疗,本试验对患病的血鹦鹉进行病原的分离鉴定、回归感染及药敏试验。从病灶处分离出一株疑似病原菌命名为XYW-1,经人工感染后具有致病性,临床症状与自然发病症状一致,半致死浓度为4.75×10 ~5 CFU/mL;经生化鉴定和16S rDNA序列分析,XYW-1为迟缓爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella tarda);以18种抗生素对迟缓爱德华氏菌进行了药物敏感性测定,结果显示迟缓爱德华氏菌仅对头孢噻肟、头孢吡肟、阿莫西林、氨曲南、多西环素、氟苯尼考、氯霉素7种药物敏感。     

迟缓爱德华氏菌及鱼类迟缓爱德华氏菌病研究进展

为较全面的认识迟缓爱德华氏菌及其引发的鱼类迟缓爱德华氏菌病,有效的鉴定、防治与控制迟缓爱德华氏菌的感染,对迟缓爱德华氏菌生物学特性及其致病力、鉴定方法、免疫控制等方面做如下综述。     

迟钝爱德华氏菌在水产动物中致病性及致病因子的若干研究

正迟钝爱德华氏菌又称迟缓爱德华氏菌或缓慢爱德华氏菌,属于肠杆菌科的爱德华菌属(Edwardsiella)。它是该细菌家族中较早发现的成员之一。于1959年由日本的Sakazaki和Murata首先从蛇的肠道中分离得到。E.tarda是一种革兰氏阴性短杆菌,没有荚膜、芽孢,长度约2~3μm,直径约lμm,有周生鞭毛,能运动。该菌为兼性厌氧菌,生长温度范围为5~42℃,最适生长温为25~35℃;适宜pH范围为5.5~9.0,但pH7.2时生长较好;耐盐浓度范围为0~4%。同时,E.tarda可产H2S,能在胆硫乳琼脂(DHL)上形成黑色中心的特征菌落。     

黑棘鲷内脏结节病病原的分离、鉴定及致病性研究

2017年4月,浙江台州某海水养殖公司跑道式养殖池黑棘鲷大量发病,病鱼活力下降、食欲减退、体表溃疡,剖检可见肝脏、脾脏、肾脏肿大且有不同程度的白色结节,同时伴随大量腹水。用胰蛋白胨大豆琼脂(TSA)从典型结节病濒死黑棘鲷器官分离到革兰阴性短杆菌。分离病原菌AS15对健康黑棘鲷的致病力结果显示,AS15腹腔注射可使健康黑棘鲷发病死亡,死亡黑棘鲷可出现自然发病症状,在(24±1)°C的条件下,(25±2) g黑棘鲷的半数致死浓度(LD_(50))为6.5×10~4 CFU/尾。经API 20E鉴定,分离菌株AS15生理生化特性与类杀鱼爱德华氏菌LADL05-105和迟缓爱德华氏菌典型菌ATCC15947相似度为86.2%,与杀鱼爱德华氏菌ET~T883的相似度为82.8%;AS15的16S rDNA与杀鱼爱德华氏菌ET~T883同源性达99%,gyrB与类杀鱼爱德华氏菌LADL05-105和杀鱼爱德华氏菌ETT883同源性分别为100%和98%;16S rDNA进化树显示,AS15与ETT883、LADL05-105聚为一簇,gyrB进化树与LADL05-105、NCIM2056聚为一簇;采用4种爱德华氏菌属种特异性引物对AS15进行PCR分析,结果显示,AS15可扩增出类杀鱼爱德华氏菌的种特异性片段,不能扩增出迟缓爱德华氏菌、鲇鱼爱德华氏菌、杀鱼爱德华氏菌的种特异性片段,表明AS15属类杀鱼爱德华氏菌成员。分析了AS15的菌毛基因、sodB等毒力基因,发现AS15具有fimA、fimB、fimC、fimD等4种菌毛基因和sodB、citC、esrB、mukF、katB等毒力基因。本实验首次从黑棘鲷上检出致病性类杀鱼爱德华氏菌,该菌对黑棘鲷的发病机制和毒力机理还需进一步研究。     

鳗鲡爱德华氏病病原菌及一新种

本文报道在我国浙江省发现的鳗鲡爱德华氏病病原菌特征。从患病鳗鲡内脏分离到9株菌,用其中的E895205等4株菌进行人工感染,死亡率均为100％,与自然发病症状相似。这些菌株的特征一致。均为G~-短杆菌,单个,周鞭毛,兼性厌氧,发酵葡萄糖产酸产气。氧化酶阴性,接触酶阳性,产H_(?)S。不能利用柠檬酸盐和丙二酸盐作为唯一碳源,鸟氨酸和赖氨酶脱羧酶阳性。属爱德华氏菌属细菌。比较已报道的四个种,认为E895205等菌株为一新种,定名为浙江爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella zhe jiangensis sp. nov.)。     

发病鲆鲽类分离菌株的16S rRNA基因测序分析

细菌性疾病是中国海水养殖鲆鲽类的主要病害,为全面了解病原菌种类,本研究对1999~2012年从山东、江苏、河北、天津等沿海地区养殖场发病鲆鲽鱼类中分离得到的124株优势菌株进行了16S rRNA基因测序和系统发育学分析。将基因序列与GenBank核酸序列数据库进行相似度比对分析,结果显示,有83株与弧菌属(Vibriosp.)细菌相似度最高,11株与气单胞菌属(Aeromonas sp.)细菌相似度最高,4株与爱德华氏菌属(Edwardsiella sp.)细菌相似度最高,26株为其他15种属的细菌。根据系统发育学分析结果,进一步将66株菌鉴定为16个种,优势种为溶藻弧菌(V.alginolyticus)、哈氏弧菌(V.harveyi)、鳗弧菌(V.anguillarum)、杀鲑气单胞菌(A.salmonicida)和迟缓爱德华氏菌(E.tarda)。选择其中的9株鳗弧菌和4株迟缓爱德华氏菌进行人工感染实验,结果显示,其中7株鳗弧菌和3株迟缓爱德华氏菌对大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)有较强的致病性。研究结果可为阐明中国海水养殖鲆鲽类的流行病发生历史、病原种类、病原监测及疾病控制提供重要参考。     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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

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