五氯酚钠对梨形环棱螺毒理效应的研究

采用在体暴露试验的方法,研究了不同浓度五氯酚钠(Na-PCP)在不同暴露时间(24、48、72和96 h)下对梨形环棱螺的急性毒性,以及Na-PCP对肝脏、鳃和腹足中精氨酸激酶(AK)活性的影响.结果显示,Na-PCP对梨形环棱螺的半致死浓度为0.411 mg/L,安全浓度为0.0411 mg/L;在Na-PCP暴露下,梨形环棱螺肝脏中单位蛋白AK活性在低浓度下被诱导增长,在高浓度下则出现被抑制的现象,鳃和腹足中单位蛋白AK活性伴随Na-PCP浓度的增加而下降,表现出时间剂量效应,且腹足中下降幅度相对鳃中较大.试验结果表明AK活性可以作为指示五氯酚钠对梨形环棱螺毒理效应的生物标志物.     

基于IBR模型的Cu2+对厚壳贻贝的毒性效应研究

为了研究Cu2+对厚壳贻贝(Mytilus coruscus)的毒性效应，开展了厚壳贻贝幼体在Cu2+水溶液中的96 h急性毒性效应实验及7 d胁迫实验，将厚壳贻贝内脏团、鳃组织中的超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide dismutase, SOD)、过氧化氢酶(Catalase, CAT)、脂质过氧化水平(Lipid peroxidation, LPO)以及金属硫蛋白(Metallothioneins, MT)作为生物标志物，应用综合生物标志物响应(Integrated biomarker response, IBR)指数整合4种生物标志物。结果显示，Cu2+对厚壳贻贝幼体的96 h半致死浓度为1.55 mg/L，内脏团、鳃组织各个生物标志物指标呈现出不同的变化趋势，内脏团、鳃组织SOD、CAT活性以及鳃组织MT含量均呈先上升后下降的趋势，内脏团组织MT含量及内脏团、鳃组织MDA含量均呈持续上升的趋势。IBR值呈先上升后下降的趋势，内脏团组织IBR值高于鳃组织。研究表明，生物标志物的变化与Cu2+暴露浓度有关，IBR分析可以辨别不同暴露浓度之间的差异，可以作为量化污染物暴露效应的有效工具。     

Cd2+对缢蛏谷胱甘肽硫转移酶、磷酸酶活性的影响

通过重金属暴露法,研究了不同质量浓度Cd2+（0.005、0.025、0.05、0.1 mg/L）在168 h内对缢蛏消化腺和鳃组织谷胱甘肽硫转移酶（GST）、酸性磷酸酶（ACP）、碱性磷酸酶（AKP）活性的影响。结果显示,Cd2+对两种组织GST活性均有激活作用,且高浓度比低浓度更易快速诱导其活性,但在暴露的后期（>96 h）,两个较高浓度组（0.05、0.1 mg/L）GST活性均出现下降;两种组织的ACP活性（鳃组织0.005 mg/L组除外）在暴露的6h即被显著诱导,并表现出剂效关系,但高浓度组更快达到峰值后就持续下降,于暴露中后期（>72 h）被不同程度抑制;消化腺（0.005 mg/L浓度组除外）和鳃AKP活性在暴露168 h内均表现出“抑制-诱导-抑制”的规律,并且较高浓度组活性反而比低浓度组更易被激活,各组AKP活性被诱导达到最高值后就持续下降直至被再次抑制。Cd2+在低浓度水平下即能引起缢蛏两种组织的GST、ACP、AKP活性变化,表明Cd2+的胁迫可对缢蛏机体的解毒体系和新陈代谢产生影响。     

盐度对大鳞副泥鳅抗氧化酶及组织结构的影响

为研究盐度对大鳞副泥鳅（Paramisgurnusdabryanus）Na+-K+-ATP酶（NKA）、抗氧化酶活性及组织结构的影响,试验设置4、8、12共3个盐度组和一个淡水组（对照）,以全长（17.60±0.69）cm,体质量（35.51±5.30）g的大鳞副泥鳅进行14 d胁迫试验。结果表明：盐度升高使鳃Na+-K+-ATP酶活力上升,第7 d 时3个试验组Na+-K+-ATP酶活性均达到峰值且盐度8和12组显著高于淡水组（P<0.05）。肝脏SOD和CAT活性均表现为先上升后下降的趋势,且分别于胁迫12 h和2 d时达到最大值;3个盐度组的GSH-PX酶活性在6 h和12 h均有所升高,且盐度12组显著高于淡水组（P<0.05）。盐度4、8和12组肝脏MDA含量分别在第1 d和7 d达到最大值且显著高于淡水组（P<0.05）。组织切片结果显示,盐度12组的鳃小片变窄,鳃小片间距变大,泌氯细胞数量增多;肝细胞空泡化严重,血窦扩张范围增大,并出现细胞轮廓模糊、细胞核偏移、细胞核溶解。上述结果表明,盐度胁迫对大鳞副泥鳅的Na+-K+-ATP酶、抗氧化酶活性具有显著的诱导作用,并对其鳃和肝组织造成损伤。     

铜在西施舌鳃和消化腺蓄积及对SOD和CAT活性影响

为了研究重金属铜(Cu2+)在西施舌鳃、消化腺组织中的蓄积规律及其对超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的影响,本文采用急性毒性实验的方法,将西施舌置于不同浓度Cu2+溶液进行实验。结果显示,鳃组织中的Cu2+在第4天时达最大蓄积量,为79.7μg/g,消化腺组织则在第8天蓄积量达最大,为139.2μg/g,Cu2+的最大蓄积均出现在0.16 mg/L胁迫组,消化腺Cu2+浓度蓄积均随胁迫浓度的增加而升高;鳃、消化腺组织CAT活性均呈先升高后降低趋势,且后者CAT活性显著高于前者;鳃组织SOD活性呈先升高后降低趋势,且受到显著诱导(P0.05),消化腺组织的SOD活性则呈下降趋势,在0.16 mg/L胁迫组,鳃和消化腺组织的SOD活性均分别在第3~4天受到极显著抑制(P0.01),表明CAT和SOD活性可作为指示西施舌受Cu2+污染程度的重要指标。     

菲律宾蛤仔对镉、铜暴露的蓄积作用及其抗氧化酶系统的响应研究

研究了镉（Cd）、铜（Cu）2种重金属单一暴露下菲律宾蛤仔（Ruditapes philippinarum）肝胰腺和鳃组织内的重金属富集特征和抗氧化酶活力变化特点。结果表明,蛤仔肝胰腺与鳃对Cd、Cu的富集量随重金属浓度与暴靠时间的增加而增火,具有明显的浓度效应与时间效应;菲律宾蛤仔对Cd的富集能力高于Cu,H．肝胰腺中审盖属的蓄积量高于鳃;蛤仔肝胰腺和鳃组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱廿肽过氧化物酶（（;Px）和谷胱竹肽硫转移酶（CST）活力在暴露的某些时段被显著诱导（P〈0．05）,似随暴露时问延长或重金属浓度增加,SODf11GST活力则被显著抑制（P〈O．05）,而CPx活力随暴露时问延K逐渐恢复至对照组水平、菲律宾蛤仔肝胰腺和鳃2种组织中SOD和GST的活性变化可作为海洋Cu^2＋Cd^2＋钙染的牛物标志物．     

太湖似刺鳊鮈染色体组型分析及细胞核DNA含量

采用PHA、秋水仙素碱腹腔或背部肌肉注射，活体培养法，用空气干燥法制片，运用Micromeasure version 3.3染色体分析软件和Photoshop 7.0对似刺鳊鮈染色体数目和核型进行了分析；同时，取似刺鳊鮈血细胞、尾鳍、鳃、肌肉、性腺和肝脏为材料，以鸡血细胞为DNA标准（2.50pg/2c），使用EPICS-XL型流式细胞仪测定了似刺鳊鮈细胞核DNA含量。结果显示：染色体众数2n=50，染色体大小的绝对值为0.86～2.32µm，平均长度为1.63µm，未观察到次缢痕及异配型染色体，亦未发现有随体，核型公式为18m+20sm+8st+4t，NF=88。6个组织细胞核DNA含量分别为：尾鳍3.779 pg/2c，鳃4.007 pg/2c，肌肉3.819 pg/2c，性腺(卵巢4.242 pg/2c、精巢1.842 pg/2c)，肝脏3.905 pg/2c。尾鳍、鳃、肌肉和肝脏的细胞核DNA含量不存在显著差异（p＞0.05），但都极显著高于血细胞DNA含量（p＜0.01）；卵巢细胞核DNA含量约为精巢的2倍。     

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。     

重金属在鲫幼鱼组织中的积累与分布

研究了安全浓度的混合重金属铜(Cu)、锌(Zn)、铬(Cr)和镉(Cd)污染物在鲫幼鱼组织中短期的积累和分布。实验结果表明:Cu、Zn、Cd和Cr4种重金属之间的联合作用为毒性剧增的协同作用。Cd和Cr在鲫鱼的鳃和肝脏中有极明显的积累(P<0.01),在肌肉中的积累并不明显。除在暴露的12h和24h时观察到Zn在肝脏中有较明显的积累(P<0.05)外,Cu和Zn暴露期间在鱼体各组织中无明显的积累。观察到Cd、Cr和Zn3种重金属的暴露初期,在肝脏中都可见到一个积累高峰,而后又有所下降,推断这与混合重金属间的相互作用有关,也可能与肝脏中金属硫蛋白(MT)的解毒功能有关。Cd和Cr在鳃和肝脏中分别属中度和轻度富集重金属,而Zn在肝脏中属中度富集重金属。     

甲氰菊酯对鲤鳃Na^＋-K^＋-ATP酶活性及组织损伤的影响

采用半静止染毒法,探讨甲氰菊酯对鲤（Cyprinus carpio）的急性毒性和对鳃组织Na＋-K＋-ATP酶活性的影响及组织的病理损伤。急性毒性结果表明,甲氰菊酯对鲤的96 h半致死质量浓度（LC50）为8.53μg·L-1,安全质量浓度（SC）为0.853μg·L-1。设置1/2 96 h LC50以下的5个质量浓度0、0.43μg·L-1、0.85μg·L-1、1.71μg·L-1、4.27μg·L-1作用于鲤21 d,分别在第1、第3、第7、第14和第21天采集组织样品进行酶活测定以及组织病理学观察。结果表明,鳃组织中Na＋-K＋-ATP酶活性随着暴露时间的推移其动态变化呈先下降后上升、之后又有所回落的趋势。暴露第3天各组酶活性降至最低点,与对照组相比差异极显著（P〈0.01）,其抑制率分别达到42.49%、27.48%、59.03%和46.31%;第14天各组酶活达最高值并显著（P〈0.05）或极显著（P〈0.01）高于对照组;第21天除最高浓度组显著低于对照组外,其余3组仍高于对照组。H-E染色显示,鳃组织学损伤主要是鳃小片扭曲,上皮细胞和柱状细胞脱落,鳃小片毛细血管扩张充血,粘液细胞和基部细胞增生,严重时鳃小片粘连,呈棍棒状病变。以上损伤具有剂量相关性和时间积累效应。     

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.     

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.     

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.