不同卵色皱纹盘鲍(Haliotis discus hannai)幼鲍的生长与免疫比较

随机选取100只经过480 d养殖的3♀×10♂绿卵全同胞家系子一代(F1)的皱纹盘鲍(Haliotis discus hannai)幼鲍为实验材料,进行雌雄、卵色分类后,测量所有样本总重、壳长、壳宽等生长指标,并测定不同卵色幼鲍的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和溶菌酶(LZM)的活性,进行单因素方差分析(One-way ANOVA)。结果显示,在生长方面,不同卵色幼鲍的各生长指标无显著差异(P0.05),但绿卵幼鲍的各生长指标均高于其他3种卵色;在免疫酶活性方面,4种卵色幼鲍在SOD和CAT活性上无显著差异(P0.05),绿卵幼鲍的AKP、ACP和LZM 3种酶的活性与棕色和棕红色卵幼鲍存在显著差异(P0.05),而与棕绿色卵幼鲍无显著差异,其酶活性从高到低按卵色排列依次为绿色、棕绿色、棕色和棕红色。上述研究结果可为利用卵色选育皱纹盘鲍高产抗逆新品系提供依据。     

"翻背症"对方斑东风螺主要消化酶及免疫相关酶的影响

为探索方斑东风螺消化及免疫系统对"翻背症"的应答机制,采集了健康(对照组)和"翻背症"早期、中期和晚期的方斑东风螺,采用TCBS平板计数法检测螺体内弧菌含量,试剂盒法检测螺体内组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、溶菌酶(LZM)等免疫相关酶和胃蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶等消化酶活性。结果显示,方斑东风螺体内弧菌含量随病情的发展而显著增加,晚期达到最大值。发病早期,CAT、SOD、POD、ACP和胃蛋白酶等酶活性均显著上升。发病中期,POD、AKP、LZM活性均上升,且显著高于对照组和发病早期;与发病早期相比,CAT、SOD、ACP、胃蛋白酶、脂肪酶活性有所下降;与对照组相比,CAT、ACP活性仍显著升高,胃蛋白酶、脂肪酶活性显著降低,而SOD、淀粉酶活性无显著变化。发病晚期,各消化酶与免疫相关酶活性均较发病中期有所下降,但POD、ACP活性仍显著高于对照组,CAT、SOD、AKP、LZM活性与对照组无显著差异,而胃蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶活性显著低于对照组。研究表明,"翻背症"方斑东风螺体内弧菌的暴发过程中,机体的免疫系统与消化系统均参与了机体病害免疫应答反应,且可以采用CAT、POD和ACP活性作为方斑东风螺"翻背症"的检测评价指标。     

温度胁迫对皱纹盘鲍生理和生化活动的影响

为探讨温度胁迫下皱纹盘鲍(Haliotis discus hannai Ino)的响应机制,采用室内控温实验,通过设置4个温度梯度(5℃、10℃、20℃和25℃),设计温度骤变处理组(皱纹盘鲍从15℃暂养温度直接转移至各实验温度)和温度缓变处理组(0.5℃/12 h),分析温度剧烈变化和温度缓慢变化对皱纹盘鲍耗氧率和排氨率的影响及其差异性;并对高温和低温处理下皱纹盘鲍消化腺中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和溶菌酶(LSZ)活性的变化情况以及不同组织(血细胞和肌肉组织)中Cu/Zn–SOD基因的表达状况进行了研究。结果表明,皱纹盘鲍耗氧率和排氨率随海水温度的升高而增加,20℃达到最高值;25℃骤变处理组与缓变处理组耗氧率和排氨率间存在极显著差异(P0.01)。5℃和10℃骤变处理组皱纹盘鲍氧氮比(O/N)同缓变处理组间存在极显著差异(P0.01)。在高温胁迫后的3 h,消化腺中SOD、CAT和LSZ活性达到最高,而ACP活性在胁迫6 h后达到最高(P0.01);低温胁迫显著降低皱纹盘鲍LSZ的活性,于胁迫9 h后达到最低(P0.01)。不同温度胁迫下,皱纹盘鲍血细胞和肌肉组织中Cu/Zn–SOD基因的相对表达量均表现上调,与对照组存在显著差异性(P0.05)。本研究表明,温度胁迫能显著影响皱纹盘鲍的生理和生化活动,这将有助于探讨皱纹盘鲍夏季高死亡率的原因,为皱纹盘鲍健康养殖提供一定的理论依据。     

丙烯酸对仿刺参(Apostichopusjaponicus)幼参免疫酶活性的影响

为研究丙烯酸对仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)的免疫酶活性的影响,采用半静水式毒性测试方法,分别用3种不同浓度(0.84、4.20、21.00mg/L)丙烯酸处理24、48、72、96h后,检测仿刺参体腔液中酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性。结果发现:与对照组相比,各浓度丙烯酸处理24h后,ACP、CAT酶活性无显著差异,SOD酶活性显著上升;中、低浓度处理组AKP酶活性显著上升。48h后,随着丙烯酸处理浓度升高,ACP、AKP、SOD酶活性上升,具有剂量-效应正相关性;与对照组相比,中、低浓度处理组CAT活性显著降低,高浓度处理组CAT活性显著上升。72h后,随着丙烯酸处理浓度升高,SOD酶活性下降,具有剂量-效应负相关性。96h后,ACP、AKP酶活性与对照组无显著差异,高浓度组SOD酶活性极显著降低。上述结果表明:0.84~21.00mg/L的丙烯酸处理0~96h对仿刺参体腔液ACP、AKP、SOD和CAT等免疫指标有一定程度的影响。     

复方中草药对杂色鲍幼鲍血淋巴中几种酶活力的影响

将12种中草药按其不同的药理作用和药效进行配伍，形成5组复方中草药，分别编号为中草药1～5号。将以上中草药添加到杂色鲍幼鲍的人工配合饲料中，连续喂饲幼鲍，饲养47d后，测定幼鲍无细胞血淋巴中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、溶茵酶(LSZ)活力。结果显示，所有添加中草药的sOD活力均比对照组降低，中草药1、5号可提高幼鲍血淋巴的ACP和LSZ活力，而对AKP则起到降低的作用；中草药3、4号可提高幼鲍血淋巴的LSZ活力，却降低幼鲍血淋巴的ACP和AKP活力，中草药2号对ACP、AKP和LSZ活力均有提高作用，具有较突出的促进杂色鲍幼鲍免疫酶活力的功能。     

注射L-精氨酸和环磷酰胺对杂色鲍血清NO水平、NOS活性及免疫指标的影响

对杂色鲍(Haliotis diversicolor)分别按每kg体质量注射250mg、500mg和1000mg的L-精氨酸和5mg、10mg、20mg的环磷酰胺。每隔5d足部肌肉注射1次,共注射3次。第16天检测其血清中NO含量以及NOS活性的变化情况。同时采用注射环磷酰胺的方法(剂量为10mg/kg体质量),对杂色鲍血清中NOS活性进行负调控,分别在注射后3h、6h、12h、24h、48h、96h对血清NO水平和血清NOS、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)以及溶菌酶(LZM)活性进行测定,并探讨它们之间的相关性。结果显示,注射500mg/kg的L-精氨酸可以显著提高实验鲍血清中NO水平和NOS活性,而注射10mg/kg的环磷酰胺则可以显著降低实验鲍血清中NO水平和NOS活性。血清中NOS活性与ACP、AKP以及LZM等活性的相关系数分别为0.8074、0.8292和0.7408,相关显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01),NO与SOD及LZM的相关系数分别为0.9302和0.9413,相关极显著(P<0.01)。实验结果为人工调控鲍体内的NO含量、增强其自身的非特异性免疫功能,从而提高鲍的抵抗疾病的能力提供了科学依据,同时也证明NO和NOS可以作为评价鲍免疫功能强弱的指标。     

盐度和溶解氧对刺参非特异性免疫酶活性的影响

测定了不同盐度(20、25、30、35、40)和不同溶氧水平(充空气,DO 7~9mg/L)充纯氧,DO15~20mg/L;不充气,DO 2~5mg/L)对刺参体腔液中酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、溶菌酶(LZM)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性变化的影响。盐度试验结果表明,盐度急性变化会引起刺参体腔液ACP、AKP、LZM活性的升高和SOD活性降低,其中第10天时盐度对酶活性的影响最大。溶氧试验显示,过饱和溶氧(DO 15~20mg/L)可使刺参体腔液ACP、AKP、LZM、SOD活性维持在较高水平,不充气组(DO 2~5mg/L)刺参体腔液中ACP、AKP、LZM活性出现短暂升高。恢复性试验中,盐度20、25组对AKP活性和盐度20、40组对SOD活性的影响未恢复到初始水平,其余实验组均能恢复至初始水平,说明低盐对刺参免疫力的影响较大。充纯氧组刺参的AKP活性显著高于充空气组,表明高溶解氧水平在一定程度上提高了刺参免疫力。     

皱纹盘鲍与绿鲍杂交种生长比较

为探明皱纹盘鲍(Haliotis discus hannai)与绿鲍(Haliotis fulgens)种间杂交的受精、孵化和苗种发育规律,对皱纹盘鲍和绿鲍进行种间杂交,检测了不同组合受精率和孵化率,并以同期培育的皱纹盘鲍与绿鲍种间杂交F1(DF)、自繁F1(DD、FF)及回交F1(DD×DF、DD×FD)为研究对象。在相同养殖条件下,本文对皱纹盘鲍与绿鲍杂交、回交后代的生长、存活差异及相应的优势进行研究,为进一步探讨皱纹盘鲍与绿鲍的杂交效果、准确评价杂种优势提供理论依据。     

不同罗非鱼品系感染无乳链球菌后对血液和肝胰腺生化指标的影响

为探究无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)感染后对罗非鱼的血液和肝胰腺生化指标的影响，本研究以吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)抗病选育系F5代、奥尼罗非鱼(Oreochromis aureus × O. niloticus)、吉富罗非鱼“百桂”品系为对象，通过人工腹腔注射感染无乳链球菌，检测感染后不同时期肝胰腺和血液中的酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和溶菌酶(LZM)活性的变化。结果显示，奥尼罗非鱼、吉富罗非鱼抗病选育系F5代和吉富罗非鱼“百桂”品系的平均死亡率分别为55.4%、60.5%和78.6%，表明奥尼罗非鱼抗感染能力最强；3个品系感染无乳链球菌后，肝胰腺组织中的ACP、AKP、SOD和T-AOC酶活力均呈先升高后下降的趋势，其中，在感染后24 h，奥尼罗非鱼的AKP和CAT酶活力显著高于吉富罗非鱼抗病选育系F5代和吉富罗非鱼“百桂”品系；而感染后24 h，血清中ACP、AKP、LZM、CAT和T-AOC酶均显著升高，而SOD酶则下降，其中，奥尼罗非鱼的ACP、AKP、CAT和T-AOC酶活性明显高于吉富罗非鱼抗病选育系F5代和吉富罗非鱼”百桂”品系。综合比较6种酶在感染后不同时期的活性变化及3个品系的感染存活率，筛选出AKP和CAT作为评估罗非鱼抗无乳链球菌感染能力强弱的指标。     

病毒感染后杂色鲍部分血清免疫因子的变化

对杂色鲍(HaliotisdiversicolorReeve)进行病毒悬液和PBS(对照)注射感染,研究其血清免疫因子SOD、ACP、AKP、MPO活性的变化,并对实验结果进行统计学分析。结果表明,(1)注射病毒悬液组SOD活性变化为逐渐上升,至8h后达到最高点,然后逐渐下降;对照组SOD活力呈下降趋势,8h后上升,12h后恢复至初始水平,二者结果差异均为显著或极显著(P<0 05或P<0 01)。(2)注射病毒悬液组ACP与AKP活性的变化为:36h前变化不大,48h后明显上升;对照组ACP和AKP活性变化不大,二者结果除了第48小时外,差异均不显著(P>0 05)。(3)注射病毒悬液组MPO活性在第1小时内上升,然后逐渐下降,第8小时下降到最低点,随后逐渐上升;对照组在第1小时内下降,然后逐渐上升,第12小时升至最高点,然后逐渐下降,48h后与正常鲍活性基本一致。t检验显示,这两组结果在第1、4、8、24、36、48h差异显著或极显著(P<0 05或P<0 01),在第2、12小时差异不显著。结果显示,在人工感染病毒48h内,杂色鲍体内的免疫因子发生了明显的变化,血清中SOD活性降低,ACP及AKP活性显著升高,MPO活性显著升高。     

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.