急性拥挤胁迫对鲤血液中皮质醇及几项生化指标的影响

通过对鲤(Cyprinus carpio)3 h急性拥挤胁迫(密度70g/L)实验,并在胁迫开始前(对照)、胁迫结束后的第0至168 h采样测量几项血液指标。实验结果显示在3 h拥挤胁迫结束之时(0 h),鲤血清皮质醇、血糖和乳酸水平均显著高于胁迫前对照值(P<0.05),而游离脂肪酸水平极显著低于对照值(P<0.01)。之后这些指标继续发生波动,但一段时间后均可恢复至对照水平并保持稳定。实验期间血清甘油三酯和胆固醇水平并未出现显著变化(P>0.05)。该结果提示3 h拥挤胁迫可引起鲤体内血清皮质醇水平及部分血液生化指标发生改变,这可能是为了弥补应激期间机体对能量需求的增大。     

运输胁迫对银鲳血清皮质醇、血糖、组织中糖元及乳酸含量的影响

研究分析了运输胁迫2、4、8和12 h后银鲳血清皮质醇、血糖、组织中糖元及乳酸含量的变化。选取平均体质量为(10.05±0.23) g的银鲳幼鱼为试验对象,共设3组运输密度,分别为4、8和16 g/L。每个时间段的运输结束后,将取样后剩余的鱼转入1 m³水体的圆形玻璃钢桶中观察24 h,以统计各自的累计死亡率。研究结果显示,16 g/L密度组在运输12 h后成活率为91.25%,其余均为100%;运输胁迫导致皮质醇含量显著升高(P<0.05),运输4 h后,血清皮质醇含量均达到最高值,12 h后皮质醇含量虽较运输4 h后有所降低,但仍显著高于试验初的水平,且此时16 g/L密度组的皮质醇含量均显著高于4和8 g/L密度组(P<0.05);血糖、血清与肌肉中乳酸含量在运输胁迫后均显著升高(P<0.05);肝脏与肌肉中糖元含量在运输胁迫后均显著降低(P<0.05),但在整个运输胁迫过程中,肝脏组织中糖元含量的降低程度明显高于肌肉组织。统计分析得出,较高的运输密度会加重银鲳的应激性反应,并推测在小水体开放式运输的情况下,规格为10 g左右的银鲳幼鱼,其运输密度不宜超过16 g/L。此外,在运输胁迫下,银鲳机体的能量供给主要来自肝脏糖元的动员。     

不同水平维生素E对高温应激及常温恢复后团头鲂血清生化指标、肠道抗氧化能力的影响

为研究饲料中添加不同水平的维生素E(VE)对急性热应激及常温恢复条件下团头鲂血清生理生化、激素及肠道抗氧化指标的影响,实验挑选180尾健康、规格一致的团头鲂(45.00±0.50)g,分成3组,每组4个平行,每组分别添加不同量维生素E(0、50和400 mg/kg饲料)。饲养90 d后,对团头鲂进行32℃应激1 d,并在25℃常温恢复7 d。结果表明:应激前,50 mg/kg VE组显著提高了肠道谷胱甘肽的活性(P<0.05);高温应激后,与对照组相比,50 mg/kg VE组在高温应激1 d后显著降低了谷丙转氨酶和皮质醇含量,常温恢复7 d后显著降低了谷草转氨酶、皮质醇的含量(P<0.05),显著提高了碱性磷酸酶、谷胱甘肽和超氧化物歧化酶活性(P<0.05);与对照组比,400 mg/kg VE添加组在32℃应激1 d及25℃恢复1 d后显著降低了谷丙转氨酶活性(P<0.05),常温恢复7 d后显著降低了皮质醇浓度,在应激1 d及恢复7 d后均显著降低了丙二醛浓度(P<0.05),400 mg/kg VE添加组在高温应激1 d后显著提高了碱性磷酸酶活性和三碘甲腺原氨酸含量,常温恢复7 d后显著提高了碱性磷酸酶活性(P<0.05)。因此,添加适量的维生素E(50～400 mg/kg)有利于调节血脂变化,提高团头鲂肠道抗氧化能力,并且可缓解高温应激对团头鲂血液指标波动的影响,减轻脂质过氧化水平,对团头鲂起到一定保护作用。     

船舶噪声对大西洋鲑体质量、皮质醇及部分免疫指标的影响

为探讨船舶噪声对大西洋鲑(Salmo salar)体质量、皮质醇及部分免疫指标的影响,选取平均体质量为(44.01±11.0)g的大西洋鲑,通过噪声处理组[(120±5)dB、(150±5)dB]以及对照组试验,测定大西洋鲑体质量以及机体血清中皮质醇激素(ORT)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)及总胆红素含量的变化情况。结果显示:试验组和对照组的大西洋鲑体质量增长差异不显著(P>0.05);血清中总胆红素、碱性磷酸酶、皮质醇从试验开始至结束,差异显著(P<0.05);在第10天,试验组的质量浓度显著高于对照组,呈现先上升后下降并趋于稳定的趋势。两试验组存在差异显著(P<0.05),各生化指标质量浓度呈现先上升后下降并趋于稳定的趋势。该研究可为大西洋鲑工业化健康养殖提供参考。     

热应激对大正三色锦鲤非特异性免疫指标及HSP70基因表达的影响

为探讨锦鲤的抗逆机理,在实验室条件下研究了持续热应激对大正三色锦鲤非特异性免疫指标及HSP70基因相对表达量的影响。分别于应激前、应激后2、6、10、14、18、22、26 h进行取样测定呼吸爆发、补体蛋白3(C3)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)以及热休克蛋白70(HSP70)基因的相对表达量。结果发现,热应激后呼吸爆发降低,在应激后2、10、18～26h降低显著(P<0.05);热应激2 h后血清中C3含量略有上升,应激6～26 h过程中与应激前相比均下降,应激14～22 h显著地下降(P<0.05);热应激下血清中SOD有上升的趋势,但差异不显著(P>0.05);热应激下,血清中MDA浓度升高,应激10～18 h上升显著(P<0.05);应激后2、26 h HSP70基因的相对表达量与应激前相比显著性地上升了5.93倍、2倍(P<0.05),应激后6～22 h HSP70基因的相对表达量与应激前水平无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结果表明,热应激影响锦鲤非特性免疫指标,降低锦鲤非特异性免疫力;HSP70的表达受热应激调节,热应激下诱导合成的HSP70对锦鲤起到一定的应激保护作用。     

丁香酚对“优鲈3号”幼鱼运输水质及其血液、肌肉生理指标的影响

为探索适合“优鲈3号”幼鱼的麻醉运输方法，开展了丁香酚对“优鲈3号”幼鱼的静水麻醉试验和模拟麻醉运输试验，监测了麻醉运输试验中的水质变化和幼鱼血液、肌肉生理指标的变化。结果表明：随着麻醉剂浓度的升高，幼鱼进入麻醉的时间缩短，复苏时间延长，静水麻醉使用丁香酚的最适质量浓度为12～18 mg/L。综合考虑运输需求、幼鱼存活率以及残留代谢，选择能达到轻度麻醉期的6 mg/L为模拟麻醉运输试验的麻醉剂浓度。以质量浓度为6 mg/L的丁香酚对幼鱼进行麻醉后进行10 h模拟运输，分析运输水质、幼鱼生理指标的变化发现：随着运输时间的延长，麻醉组和对照组水体的pH均显著降低，麻醉组的pH总体高于对照组；随着运输时间的延长，水体中氨氮质量浓度显著升高，麻醉组总体低于对照组。幼鱼血清中的皮质醇(COR)浓度随着运输时间的延长呈现先升高再下降的趋势，且麻醉组峰值出现的时间早于对照组。幼鱼血清中尿素氮(BUN)和乳酸(LD)含量以及谷草转氨酶(AST)活性也随着运输时间的延长而升高，麻醉组总体低于对照组。幼鱼肌肉中的乳酸与pH呈负相关关系，乳酸含量随着运输时间的延长而显著升高，pH则总体呈下降趋势。     

两种麻醉剂对罗非鱼携氧相关血液指标的影响

分别用3个浓度梯度的MS-222和苯唑卡因对尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)(6.050 0±1.710 3)g进行6 h浸泡式麻醉(水温30.7~32.3℃),然后抽取尾部静脉血,测定血液生理生化指标。重点分析了与生物携氧功能密切相关的6个指标的变化,结果显示:(1)较高浓度(25 mg/L、40 mg/L)MS-222导致红细胞数目(Er)升高,而苯唑卡因导致该值大幅下降;(2)两种麻醉剂对红细胞平均血红蛋白含量(MCH)都无显著影响,且MS-222处理后,血液的血红蛋白浓度(Hb)也无明显变化,但经苯唑卡因麻醉处理后,Hb显著下降,且降幅随药物浓度升高而显著增大。     

运输对养殖黄颡鱼血液生化和肌肉物性分析指标的影响

测定了在10.4~11.2℃下运输4 h后不同时间(0 h、1 h、3 h、6 h、12 h、1 d、3 d、7 d和20 d)养殖黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)血液生理生化指标和肌肉物性分析指标的变化。结果显示,运输引起了黄颡鱼血清皮质醇和血糖浓度的显著升高(P0.05),在运输结束12 h后恢复到正常水平。运输后鱼体血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)均有显著性升高,随着恢复时间的推移逐渐回降到正常水平;但过氧化物酶(POD)活性并未出现显著性差异,维持稳定的水平。运输后肌肉硬度、弹性、胶黏性、凝聚性、咀嚼性、回复性等物性分析指标均显著性降低。除了凝聚性和咀嚼性之外,其他肌肉物性分析指标在运输结束72 h后恢复到正常水平。研究表明,长途运输造成了养殖黄颡鱼的应激反应,对肌肉物性特征产生了显著的影响,但运输后的恢复可使鱼体抗氧化能力和肌肉物性分析指标回复到正常水平。     

热应激对银鲫生化指标和HSP70 mRNA表达的影响

本研究旨在探讨热应激对银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)生化指标及肝脏HSP70 mRNA表达的影响,选取平均体重为(72.8±10.1) g的银鲫,分别在热应激前(25℃,对照组)、热应激后(32℃,0 h、2 h、6 h、10 h)和恢复适温后6 h (25℃,恢复组)的条件下,测定机体血浆乳酸(LD)、血浆葡萄糖(Glu)、肝糖原(Gly)、己糖激酶(HK)、丙酮酸激酶(PK)和肝脏HSP70 mRNA表达量变化。研究表明,实验组乳酸含量从热应激开始至恢复期,差异始终不显著(P>0.05);实验组血浆葡萄糖水平在热应激后0 h、2 h、6 h,极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);实验组肝糖原水平在热应激0 h时,极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),其余时间点差异不显著(P>0.05);己糖激酶活力在热应激后2 h,显著高于对照组(P>0.05);丙酮酸激酶活力在热应激后6 h,极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);热应激后2 h,肝脏中HSP70 mRNA表达量达到最高(P<0.01),恢复至适温后,表达量与应激前无差异(P>0.05)。本研究为进一步探究银鲫的高温应激作用机制及调控机理提供参考数据,同时,也为银鲫养殖和育种等生产实践提供相应参考依据。     

电麻醉对珍珠龙胆石斑鱼麻醉效应与血液生化指标的影响

为研究电麻醉工艺对珍珠龙胆石斑鱼麻醉效应与血液生化指标的影响,将暂养24 h后的石斑鱼投入电击箱,采用脉冲直流电压对鱼体进行电击,以未电击组作为对照组,通过计算麻醉率、休眠时间和72 h存活率作为其麻醉效应的评价指标,优选100 V、110 V和120 V 3组电压,通过测定血液中48 h内的谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶、乳酸脱氢酶、葡萄糖、乳酸和皮质醇6项血液生化指标,分析鱼体的生理应激情况。结果显示:通电时间一定时,电压越大,麻醉率越高,休眠时间越长,存活率越低;试验鱼在电刺激期与电紧张期停留时间越短;100 V、110 V、120 V电压均能对珍珠龙胆石斑鱼完全麻醉且72 h存活率为100%。100 V试验组平均休眠时间17.0±3.84 min,且各项生化指标均优于其他试验组;与对照组相比,除谷草转氨酶数值较对照组明显上升外,谷丙转氨酶活力、乳酸脱氢酶活力均显著性低于对照组,血清中葡萄糖、乳酸以及皮质醇含量与对照组差异不显著。研究表明,采用100 V标准脉冲直流电电击3 s对鱼体没有永久性损伤,是一种耗时短、伤害小的珍珠龙胆石斑鱼的麻醉方式,可以提升珍珠龙胆石斑鱼保活运输过程中的品质与效率。     

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.