光照周期对褐牙鲆幼鱼生长、能量分配及生化指标的影响

在循环水实验系统中,设置1 L∶23 D、9 L∶15 D、12 L∶12 D、15 L∶9 D、24 L∶0 D(光L∶暗D)共5个光照周期处理组,研究其对褐牙鲆幼鱼生长及部分生化指标的影响。实验结束时褐牙鲆幼鱼的体质量为41.10~43.98 g,不同处理组间无显著差异,体质量未表现出与日光照周期长短的相关性。日生长系数只在21~30 d阶段内出现显著差异,整个实验期间的平均日生长系数为1.86~2.02,不同处理组间不存在显著差异,日生长系数随日光照周期的延长略呈下降趋势。不同阶段的摄食率在31~40 d阶段出现显著差异,12 L∶12 D处理组摄食率显著高于9 L∶15 D处理组。在整个实验期间,1 L∶23 D的褐牙鲆幼鱼摄食率为1.64,显著低于12 L∶12 D的褐牙鲆幼鱼的摄食率(1.79)。整个实验期间,1 L∶23 D的褐牙鲆幼鱼平均饲料转化效率为113.49,显著高于12 L∶12 D、15 L∶9 D、24 L∶0 D的褐牙鲆幼鱼,并略高于9 L∶15 D的褐牙鲆幼鱼,饲料转化效率随光照时间的延长呈下降趋势。实验期间摄食能的分配比例仅在排泄能上出现显著差异,15 L∶9 D最高,12 L∶12 D最低,其他各项能量分配均无显著差异。不同光照周期对耗氧率影响显著,15 L∶9 D最高,为0.252 mg/(g·h),24 L∶0 D最低,为0.173 mg/(g·h)。耗氧率随着光照时间的延长呈先上升后下降的趋势。血浆生长激素和类胰岛素生长因子I含量在不同处理组间也不存在显著差异,随光照时间延长也未表现出明显变动趋势。血浆褪黑素含量随光照时间的增加呈先下降后上升的趋势,12 L∶12 D处理组MT含量最低,但与其他处理组差异不显著。实验结束时肌肉RNA/DNA比值随光照周期延长呈先上升后下降变动趋势,其中15 L∶9 D和24 L∶0 D处理组的肌肉RNA/DNA比值显著高于1 L∶23 D处理。肝脏RNA/DNA比值以12 L∶12 D最高,15 L∶9 D最低。实验结果表明光照周期对褐牙鲆幼鱼摄食量和饲料转化效率产生显著影响,但摄食量减少的处理组由于耗氧率降低因而饲料转化效率得到提高,因此光照周期对生长没有显著影响。光照周期明显影响血浆褪黑素、肌肉和肝脏RNA/DNA比值,但生化指标的差异与生长无明显相关性。     

TGF-β/Smad信号通路响应光周期变化参与调控斑马鱼卵巢发育

为研究不同光周期条件下转化生长因子-β超家族/Samd (TGF-β/Smad)信号通路在斑马鱼(Danio rerio)卵巢中的作用,利用荧光定量PCR技术检测连续黑暗(0 L∶24 D, DD)、自然光照(14 L∶10 D, LD)和连续光照(24 L∶0 D, LL)条件下斑马鱼卵巢中TGF-β/Smad信号通路中相关基因的相对表达量,并利用免疫组化技术检测不同光周期条件下p-Smad2在斑马鱼卵巢中的定位情况。结果显示,在不同光周期条件下,TGF-β/Smad信号通路中信号分子在斑马鱼卵巢中的表达模式不尽相同,其中配体(tgfb3)、受体(tgfbr2a,tgfbr2b,tgfbr1b)和下游蛋白激酶(smad2和smad3a)的表达趋势一致,即在不同光周期处理3 d后,上述6个基因的相对表达量DD组最高,LL组最低,但处理7 d后则呈相反趋势。在斑马鱼卵黄发生前期至充分生长未成熟期的卵母细胞中均检测到p-Smad2蛋白信号,但光周期处理后未影响p-Samd2在斑马鱼卵巢中的定位。结果表明,光周期变化可能通过改变tgfb3/受体/蛋白激酶基因的表达模式影响斑马鱼的卵巢发育。     

光周期对雨生红球藻生物量、虾青素累积和抗氧化能力的影响

研究了不同光周期条件(0L∶24D、4L∶20D、8L∶16D、12L∶12D、16L∶8D、20L∶4D、24L∶0D)对雨生红球藻生物量(细胞密度和单位体积干质量)、虾青素含量(单位干质量虾青素含量和单个细胞虾青素含量)、丙二醛含量和总抗氧化能力的影响。生物量的测定采用显微细胞计数法和直接称质量法,虾青素含量、丙二醛含量和总抗氧化能力的测定采用分光光度法。试验结果表明,雨生红球藻生物量和丙二醛含量随光照时间的延长先升后降,虾青素含量和总抗氧化能力则随光照时间的延长逐渐升高;雨生红球藻生物量和丙二醛含量均在16L∶8D光周期条件下达到最大值,且显著高于连续黑暗和连续光照条件下的生物量和丙二醛含量(P0.05);雨生红球藻虾青素含量和总抗氧化能力在连续光照条件下最高,且均显著高于每日光照时间小于20h条件下的虾青素含量和总抗氧化能力(P0.05);在20L∶4D和连续光照条件下的雨生红球藻生物量、单个细胞虾青素含量和丙二醛含量无显著差异(P0.05),但这两种条件下的单位干质量虾青素含量和总抗氧化能力差异显著(P0.05);在连续黑暗条件下,雨生红球藻生物量、虾青素含量、丙二醛含量和总抗氧化能力均最低。本研究结果为雨生红球藻的大规模培养和虾青素的规模化生产和应用提供了理论基础。     

不同光周期下欧洲舌齿鲈幼鱼生长、摄食和肌肉营养成分的比较

选取450尾欧洲舌齿鲈（）幼鱼，体长（13.50±0.52）cm，体重（46.04±0.61）g，监测其在5种光周期（0L：24D、8L：16D、12L：12D、16L：8D、24L：0D，L表示光照时间，D表示黑暗时间）下的生长、摄食及肌肉营养成分等相关指标。实验周期为60 d。结果表明，8L：16D处理组的欧洲舌齿鲈的日增重系数显著高于其他各组（<0.05）；0L：24D和8L：16D处理组粗脂肪含量分别较16L：8D处理组分别提高了19.70%和21.67%（<0.05）。5种光周期下的欧洲舌齿鲈幼鱼肌肉中均检测到17种氨基酸，其中8L：16D和12L：12D处理组的肌肉中氨基酸总含量较0L：24D组分别提高11.60%和9.16%（>0.05）；肌肉中二十碳五烯酸（EPA）与二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）总含量在8L：16D处理组中最高，为14.21%，在0L：24D处理组中最低，为12.30%。不同光照周期对欧洲舌齿鲈幼鱼生长、摄食和肌肉营养品质均产生了不同程度的影响，综上所述，8L：16D和12L：12D光照环境更适宜欧洲舌齿鲈的生长。     

光照对纤细裸藻生长及光合色素含量影响的研究

为探讨光照对纤细裸藻的生长以及光合色素含量的影响,将纤细裸藻分别置于不同光照度(0、1500、3000、4500、6000 lx)、光照周期(16L∶8D、14L∶10D、12L∶12D、10L∶14D、8L∶16D)、光质(绿光495~530 nm、蓝光450~480 nm、红光615~650 nm、白光450~465 nm、黄光580~595 nm)条件下于恒温光照培养箱中静置培养,进行细胞密度以及色素含量的测定。试验结果显示,光照度、光照周期和光质对纤细裸藻生长及光合色素质量浓度有显著影响( P <0.05)。光照度1500、3000、4500 lx对纤细裸藻的生长均有积极作用,其中3000 lx光照度作用最为显著,细胞生长状态良好,光合色素质量浓度也高于1500、4500 lx;光照周期16L∶8D、14L∶10D和12L∶12D对纤细裸藻的生长有促进作用,其中14L∶10D组生长状况和光合色素质量浓度均优于其他处理组,8L∶16D组使纤细裸藻的生长受到抑制,其色素质量浓度也显著低于其他处理组( P <0.05);蓝光与白光组对纤细裸藻生长有显著促进作用( P <0.05),蓝光条件下色素质量浓度达到最高,更利于光合色素的积累。试验结果表明,适宜纤细裸藻生长及光合色素积累的光照条件为:光照度3000 lx,光照周期14L∶10D,蓝光培养。     

利用DD-PCR分离鳗弧菌刺激相关的牙鲆差异cDNA及表达

本研究采用mRNA差异显示技术(mRNA differentid display,DD-PCR)分离得到20个鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)诱导前后差异表达的牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)cDNA片段。通过对差异片段进行回收、再扩增、克隆、测序、序列比对以及验证分析后,得到9个阳性片段,其中2个片段与已知基因高度同源,一个与牙鲆C3补体高度同源,同源性98%,另一个与牙鲆TEGT(睾丸增强基因转录子)基因高度同源,同源性98%;其余7个为新的cDNA片段。基因表达分析表明,这9个差异片段均在处理组、对照组的不同器官和时间段差异表达,而且多数片段经鳗弧菌诱导后都在肝脏、肾脏、脾脏等鱼类主要免疫器官中上调表达,初步推测它们都是和牙鲆免疫或鳗弧菌病相关的基因。对这些基因进一步的功能研究将对牙鲆的抗病育种及养殖业提供重要的参考。     

大黄鱼高温适应的转录组学分析

为了探究大黄鱼高温胁迫条件下基因表达水平的变化,实验利用Illumina Hiseq 2500的125 pair-ended测序模式分别对大黄鱼高温处理组和常温对照组进行了转录组测序。对照组(3个生物学重复)和高温处理组(3个生物学重复)分别获得15.28和13.92 Gb测序数据,GC含量平均值约为51%。过滤后的高质量测序reads使用Bowtie2软件比对到大黄鱼参考转录组序列上估计基因表达量,进而进行基因表达差异统计学检验。以常温对照组为参比,高温处理组中阈值设为|log2(FC)|2和FDR0.05,共检测到1 259条显著差异表达基因。其中,821条基因为高表达,438条基因为低表达。随机选取12条差异表达基因,运用实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)进行了验证,结果证实转录组分析可靠。进一步将所有差异表达的基因进行GO功能注释和KEGG通路富集分析,结果发现大量差异表达基因的功能与氧化还原反应、蛋白质折叠和去折叠、糖和脂代谢以及某些疾病的发生相关。该研究结果为下一步深入研究大黄鱼高温适应的调控机制提供了重要的参考材料。     

水温、pH值和光照对斑马鱼受精卵孵化率的影响

分别通过单因素实验和正交实验探究水温、pH值和光照对斑马鱼受精卵孵化率的影响。依次进行的单因素实验显示,水温28℃,pH值7.5,光照强度100 lx,光周期10L∶14D时孵化率最高。正交实验结果表明上述因素对斑马鱼受精卵孵化率的影响为:水温pH=光照强度光照周期,理论最佳孵化条件为水温28℃,pH值8.0,光照强度100l x,光周期12L∶12D。在孵化过程中,受精卵孵化时间随着孵化温度的提高而缩短,且在发育过程中存在不同步现象。     

抑制差减杂交法克隆牙鲆变态早期差异表达的基因

为了克隆变态早期牙鲆头部差异表达的基因，采用抑制差减杂交法，以变态前的仔鱼头部表达的RNA作为驱动RNA，建立了牙鲆变态早期的差减cDNA文库，并利用相对定量RT-PCR对其进行了筛选。差减库的平均插入片段558bp左右，阳性率为81．8％。随机测定的45个克隆，在剔除假阳性克隆后，共得到22个不同的基因，其中13个为已知cDNA的同源基因，而另外9个为已知蛋白的同源基因，分别为prolactin receptor-like，COL1A1，M3-muscarinic receptor，Sfrs3，tropomyosin，ribosomal protein L27，ribosomal [rpteom S12，GAPDH，COL1A3。在所有22个基因中，COL1A1基因在差减库中的分布频率最高，为22．2％。RT-PCR检测结果表明，在所检测的11个基因中，所有基因在右眼移动前后的牙鲆头部均有表达，只是体现在表达水平上的不同。     

光环境因子对豹纹鳃棘鲈幼鱼栖息特性的影响

以豹纹鳃棘鲈[全长(17.5±0.6)cm、体质量(205.2±1.7)g]为研究对象,分别采用光梯度法和正交试验法,在小型循环水养殖系统中一个特制的养殖水槽和一组常规的养殖水槽内探究了豹纹鳃棘鲈幼鱼对白、蓝、绿、黄和红5种光环境的喜好性和三原色(红色A1、绿色A2、蓝色A3)及光周期(16L︰8D,B1;12L︰12D,B2;8L︰16D,B3)和光照度(1000lx,C1;1500lx,C2;2000lx,C3)对豹纹鳃棘鲈幼鱼栖息的影响。结果表明,光色和光照度对幼鱼幼鱼的栖息习性均有显著影响,在试验设定的光色和光照度范围内,同光色照射下,随着光照度的升高,幼鱼对光照度的敏感性越来越低,在不同光照度下的分布率差异不显著(P0.05);同强度光照射下,光波长越大,幼鱼分布率越高,随着光照度的升高,幼鱼对光波长的敏感度逐渐降低,但在不同光色下的分布率显著差异(P0.05)。正交试验结果,光色对豹纹鳃棘鲈幼鱼的栖息有显著影响(P0.05),光周期和光照度对豹纹鳃棘鲈栖息影响不显著(P0.05);极差分析结果,豹纹鳃棘鲈幼鱼最适宜栖息的光照环境是绿色光;光周期16L∶8D;光照度1500lx;影响豹纹鳃棘鲈幼鱼栖息的主要光照因子是光色,其次是光照度和光照周期。     

正常与性早熟中华绒螯蟹的Y-器官转录组分析

性早熟是中华绒螯蟹养殖过程中普遍存在的一个问题。为发掘中华绒螯蟹性早熟相关的重要功能基因,实验采用Illumina Hiseq 2000高通量测序技术获得了正常与性早熟雌蟹的Y-器官转录组数据,并进行比较分析。结果显示,测序分别获得44 619 538和43 052 958个clean reads,比对发现2655个差异表达基因,Gene Ontology(GO)功能分类分析将文库中的差异表达基因归类到3大功能(生物过程、细胞组分和分子功能)的42个类别中。KEGG富集分析将文库中的差异表达基因富集到134条特定的KEGG代谢途径,其中4条是显著性富集,包括酮体合成和降解、丁酸甲酯代谢、神经营养因子信号通路和碱基切除修复通路。通过RNA-seq技术获得了丰富的中华绒螯蟹Y-器官转录组信息,为中华绒螯蟹新基因克隆、性早熟成因与预防和Y-器官的研究提供有价值的数据。     

Photoperiod influences the growth, food intake, feed efficiency and digestibility of red sea bream (Pagrus major)

Two consecutive trials were conducted to investigate the effects of photoperiod manipulation on growth rate, food intake and feed conversion efficiency (Trial 1), and the digestibility of nutrients and energy (Trial 2) in red sea bream, Pagrus major (body weight 19–120 g). Fish were exposed to four photoperiods (6L:6D, 12L:12D, 16L:8D and 24L:0D) with light intensity 1500 lx on the water surface. The fish were fed with a commercial diet to apparent satiation. In Trial 2, 0.5% chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃) was used as an inert marker. Significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rates were observed in fish exposed to a 24L:0D photoperiod followed by 16L:8D, 6L:6D and 12L:12D photoperiods (P < 0.05). Food intake and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were also significantly higher in fish exposed to 24L:0D followed by 16L:8D, 6L:6D and 12L:12D photoperiods (P < 0.05). Fish exposed to 24L:0D and 16L:8D photoperiods showed significantly higher lipid and energy digestibility than those exposed to a 12L:12D photoperiod (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that the enhancement of growth performances under 16L:8D and 24L:0D photoperiods were attributed to improved appetite, greater food intake and higher feed conversion efficiency as well as higher digestibility.     

Feeding interval and photoperiod influence the growth performance of striped knifejaw,Oplegnathus fasciatus

A two‐factor experiment incorporating two photoperiods (16 L:8 D and 24 L:0 D) and four feeding intervals (6, 9, 12 and 24 h) was carried out to determine the most efficient feeding interval and photoperiod for striped knifejaw, Oplegnathus fasciatus. Fish were fed a commercial diet to apparent satiation for 10 weeks. Blood was collected to measure the stress indicators. Both the photoperiod and the feeding intervals had a significant effect on the growth performance of striped knifejaw; however, their interaction did not produce any significant effect. The final body weight, weight gain (%) and feed intake at 6‐, 9‐ and 12‐h feeding intervals under 16 L:8 D were significantly higher than those at the 24‐h interval irrespective of the photoperiod (P<0.05). The specific growth rate at 6, 9 and 12 h intervals of the 16 L:8 D photoperiod was significantly higher than that of the other feeding intervals, except at 12 h of the 24 L:0 D photoperiod (P<0.05). At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences in the plasma levels of cortisol, glucose and total protein observed in fish exposed to different photoperiods compared with the initial levels. The results suggested that a combination of a 16 L:8 D photoperiod and either of 6‐, 9‐ or 12‐h intervals can be used to stimulate the growth performance in striped knifejaw.     

Effect of combined photoperiod, water calcium concentration and pH on survival, growth, and moulting of juvenile crayfish (Procambarus clarkii ) cultured under laboratory conditions

The red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard), is one of the most commonly farmed freshwater species in inland China due to its high market value and consumer demand. The aim of this study was to determine the optimum combinations of photoperiod, water calcium concentration and pH for juvenile survival, growth and moulting. In our orthogonal experiment, the three environmental factors were varied at three levels (photoperiod: 16L:8D, 12L:12D and 8L:16D; calcium concentration: 45.5, 65.5 and 85.5 mg L⁻¹; and pH: 6.8, 7.8 and 8.8). Range analysis showed that the maximum survival of juvenile crayfish occurred at photoperiods of 16L:8D or 8L:16D, water calcium concentration of 45.5 mg L⁻¹ and pH of 7.8; maximum weight gain at photoperiod 16L:8D, water calcium concentration 65.5 mg L⁻¹ and pH 7.8; maximum length increase at photoperiod 16L:8D, water calcium concentration 65.5 mg L⁻¹ and pH 7.8; and the highest moult frequency at photoperiod 12L:12D, water calcium concentration 65.5 mg L⁻¹ and pH 7.8. Analysis of variance indicated that photoperiod, water calcium concentration and pH significantly influenced only the weight gain of juvenile crayfish ( P <0.05). Taking growth into consideration, we suggest that a photoperiod of 16L:8D, calcium concentration of 65.5 mg L⁻¹ and pH 7.8 might be optimal conditions for rearing juvenile P. clarkii .     

Muscle development and body growth in larvae and early post-larvae of shi drum, Umbrina cirrosa L., reared under different larval photoperiod: muscle structural and ultrastructural study

Shi drum specimens were maintained under four different photoperiod regimes: a natural photoperiod regime (16L:8D), constant light (24L), equal durations of light and dark (12L:12D) and a reduced number of daylight hours (6L:18D) from hatching until the end of larval metamorphosis. Specimens were then kept under natural photoperiod conditions until 111 days post-hatching. Muscle and body parameters were studied. During the vitelline phase, there was little muscle growth and no photoperiod effects were reported; however, a monolayer of red muscle and immature white muscle fibres were observed in the myotome. At hatching, external cells (presumptive myogenic cells) were already present on the surface of the red muscle. At the mouth opening, some presumptive myogenic cells appeared between the red and white muscles. At 20 days, new germinal areas were observed in the apical extremes of the myotome. At this stage, the 16L:8D group (followed by the 24L group) had the longest body length, the largest cross-sectional area of white muscle and the largest white muscle fibres. Conversely, white muscle hyperplasia was most pronounced in the 24L group. Metamorphosis was complete at 33 days in the 24L and 12L:12D groups. At this moment, both groups showed numerous myogenic precursors on the surface of the myotome as well as among the adult muscle fibres (mosaic hyperplastic growth). The 16L:8D group completed metamorphosis at 50 days, showing a similar degree of structural maturity in the myotome to that described in the 24L and 12L:12D groups at 33 days. When comparing muscle growth at the end of the larval period, hypertrophy was highest in the 16L:8D group, whereas hyperplasia was higher in the 24L and 16L:8D groups. At 111 days, all groups showed the adult muscle pattern typical of teleosts; however, the cross-sectional area of white muscle, white muscle fibre hyperplasia, body length and body weight were highest in the 24L group, followed by the 12L:12D group; white muscle hypertrophy was similar in all groups. Larval survival was higher under natural photoperiod conditions compared to all the other light regimes.     

Effects of photoperiod,light intensity,turbidity and prey density on feed incidence and survival in first feeding yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)(Bennett)

Zebrasoma flavescens (Bennett) aquaculture is limited by high mortality during first feeding. Photoperiod, light intensity, turbidity and prey density are culture parameters that have been shown to affect feed incidence and survival in some food fish species, offering a logical starting point to improve first feeding in Z. flavescens. This study aimed to determine the effect of photoperiod, light intensity, turbidity and prey density on feed incidence and survival in larval yellow tang age 3 DPH to 5 DPH (days post hatch). Larvae were reared in four photoperiods (24L:0D, 16L:8D, 12L:12D, 0L:24D), four light intensities (1,500, 3,000, 4,500 and 6,500 lx), three turbidity ranges (0 cells/ml, 100,000–200,000 cells/ml and 400,000–600,000 cells/ml) and four prey densities (1, 3, 6 and 9 per mL). Photoperiod at 16L:8D and 12L:12D significantly increased feed incidence; 16L:8D significantly increased survival. Light intensities at 3,000 and 4,500 lx significantly increased feed incidence. Larvae reared in 400,000–600,000 cells/ml fed and survived significantly better than those in clear water. Larvae in 1 per mL fed and survived significantly less than those fed at 6 per mL.     

Reproduction,growth and stress response in adult red sea bream,Pagrus major (Temminck & Schlegel) exposed to different photoperiods at spawning season

Adult red sea bream, Pagrus major (body weight, 1.0–2.0 kg) was exposed to three photoperiods [12 h light:12 h dark (12L:12D), 16 h light:8 h dark (16L:8D) and 24 h light:0 h dark (24L:0D)] from 2 months before spawning till the end of the spawning season to investigate growth, spawning and stress response. During the spawning season, tanks were checked every morning for spawned eggs. The growth performance in fish under 24L:0D was stimulated with significantly higher feed intake than those under other photoperiods (P<0.05). The number of eggs and gonadal histology confirmed that three and five females out of six in each of duplicate tanks of the 16L:8D treatment spawned. In contrast, only two out of six females in one tank of the 24L:0D treatment spawned, and no spawns were observed in the 12L:12D treatment. At the end of the spawning period, both 17β‐estradiol and testosterone levels were significantly higher in fish exposed to 16L:8D followed by 12L:12D and 24L:0D photoperiods (P<0.05). Photoperiod manipulation did not cause significant stress response in fish (P>0.05). The results suggest that stimulating the growth performance of red sea bream at reproductive stage with a 24L:0D photoperiod is possible if the fish are subjected to this photoperiod long before the onset of the spawning season.     

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.     

Effect of the photoperiod on the larval development,body growth and muscle cellularity of shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa L.)

Shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa L.) larvae were maintained under three photoperiod regimes: a natural photoperiod regime (16L:8D), continuous light (24L) and equal durations of light and dark (12L:12D) from the end of the vitelline phase to the end of the metamorphosis. Muscle and body parameters were studied at hatching and at 4, 10, 14, 39 and 55 days post hatching (dph). During the vitelline phase, the total body length growth was scarce, whereas the muscle grew significantly, being the hypertrophy of the main mechanism involved. Both the total body length and the hypertrophy were significantly greater at 16L:8D than in the rest of photoperiod regimes. At 10 and 14 dph, the greatest body length was reached at 16L:8D, followed by the 24L group, showing the 12L:12D group the lowest values. At 14 dph, the hypertrophy and hyperplasia were also higher at 16L:8D than in the rest of groups. At 39 dph, the highest values of body length were reached in both 16L:8D and 12L:12D regimes, this latter group reaching the highest values of hypertrophy, thus showing a compensatory growth when comparing with the previous stages. The end of the metamorphosis took place at 50–55 dph in all the groups, with 2.7–3.1 cm of body length (P > 0.05). At this stage, the transverse area of the white muscle was similar among the groups, but the greatest hypertrophy was reached at 16L:8D, whereas the highest hyperplasia was reached at 24L.