东海北部哈氏仿对虾的种群动态及其最高持续渔获量

哈氏仿对虾是东海北部主要的拖虾渔业对象。在雌性的体长组成中，70－90mm的个体占优势，占总数的63％。应用ELEFANⅠ和ELEFANⅡ技术对哈氏仿对虾每月的体长资料进行分析，结果表明：生长参数K＝1.7，极限体长L∞＝128mm，自然死亡系数M＝2.7427，总死亡系数Z＝8.323，利用率E＝67.06%，极限年龄为1.3234岁，选择体长为59.67mm，补充类型为二季补充型。通过单位补充量产量Y／R和单位补充量产值Yv/R分析表明，该群体的利用已到了相当充分的水平，若保持现有的捕捞水平，把开捕体长增大至70mm时，单位补充量产量可增加1.77%，产值可增加10.78%。但若捕捞死亡水平继续增加，产量几乎不再增加，而产值却明显下降。     

吕泗渔场小黄鱼和棘头梅童鱼秋季脂肪酸组成及食性研究

石首鱼科鱼类小黄鱼（）是吕泗渔场重要的经济鱼种，为了解两者营养价值、摄食习性及食性转变，测定2018年秋季在吕泗渔场采集的46尾小黄鱼和36尾棘头梅童鱼脂肪酸组成，基于脂肪酸标记法进行食性分析。结果显示，小黄鱼和棘头梅童鱼PUFA/SFA比值、n-3/n-6比值在常见水产鱼类中较高，小黄鱼n-3/n-6比值与体长呈显著正相关（<0.01）。小黄鱼体长<70 mm时植物食性贡献较高（P<0.05），体长≥100 mm时植物食性显著减少（<0.05），小黄鱼（2.6~5.9）和棘头梅童鱼（2.6~3.3） DHA/EPA部分重合。研究表明，小黄鱼和棘头梅童鱼营养价值较高，大个体小黄鱼鱼油营养价值更高，小个体棘头梅童鱼则更有利于心血管健康。两者营养级部分重合，食性相似，都是随着体长增加植物食性减少，肉食食性增加且食性转变时的体长相近，因此，两者可能存在一定的食物竞争和生态位重合。     

东海北部近海棘头梅童鱼食物组成的季节变化及随发育的变化

根据2006年7月～2008年12月采集于东海北部近海的棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)样品,共测定体长在23～157 mm范围内的棘头梅童鱼474 ind,应用卡方检验和聚类分析等方法,对棘头梅童鱼食物组成的季节变化及随个体发育的变化进行了分析。结果显示:东海北部近海棘头梅童鱼的食物种类夏季出现较多,春季出现较少;91～110 mm体长组出现较多,≤50 mm体长组和>130 mm体长组出现较少。食物多样性指数春季较高,秋季较低;≤50 mm体长组较低,>130 mm体长组较高,食物多样性指数随体长的增加而升高。卡方检验显示,棘头梅童鱼主要食物种类宽尾刺糠虾(Acanthomysis latiscauda)、中国毛虾(Aceteschinensis)、七星底灯鱼(Myctophum pterotum)和中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus)的出现频率有极显著的季节变化,中华假磷虾(Pseudeuphausia sinica)的出现频率有显著的季节变化;宽尾刺糠虾和七星底灯鱼的出现频率随体长的变化极显著,而中国毛虾、中华假磷虾和中华哲水蚤的出现频率随体长的变化不显著。聚类分析结果表明,棘头梅童鱼春冬季、夏季和秋季三个时期的食物组成差异显著;体长聚类分两组,即体长>70 mm和≤70mm之间食物组成有明显差异。通过分析发现:东海北部近海棘头梅童鱼食物的季节变化与该海域饵料生物的季节变化密切相关;食物组成随发育的变化符合"最佳摄食理论",其饵料生物种类和大小随棘头梅童鱼体长的增加发生了显著的变化。     

东海北部哈氏仿对虾资源量评估

根据2005～2008年东海北部哈氏仿对虾的生物学数据,应用FISATⅡ软件的ElEFANⅠ技术计算生长参数,得到VonBertalanffy生长方程的相关参数为L∞=123.4mm,K=1.70,t0=-0.16,自然死亡系数M=2.55,总死亡系数Z=5.81,捕捞死亡系数F=3.26。应用长度结构的实际种群分析,得出稳定状态下资源量为2.86×104吨。利用Beverton-Holt和Thompson-Bell模型对单位补充量的产量Y/R和单位补充量的产值Yv/R进行分析,表明在现行状态下,该群体未出现过度捕捞现象。综合考虑当前可能的捕捞强度及经济效益,在有利于保持较高产量的前提下,建议在适当降低捕捞强度的同时把哈氏仿对虾的开捕体长由55.6mm增加至74.0mm。     

鱼类最佳体长频率分析组距研究

随着计算机技术的发展,近几年以鱼类体长频率为基础估算鱼类生物学特征值的体长频率分析法迅速被广泛应用,而确定体长分组组距是开展鱼类体长频率分析的必要步骤,但往往不被重视,常被随意采用为1mm、5mm或10mm等。为了尽量减少误差,本研究根据1997年12月至1998年12月在珠江口水域尖尾罟网和掺缯网周年月度渔业资源调查中康氏小公鱼（Stolephorus commersoni）和棘头梅童鱼（Collichthys lucidus）的生物学测定资料,分别以不同的体长分组组距重构体长频率组成数据,采用FAO推出基于ELEFAN技术的FiSATⅡ软件估算渐近体长L∞和生长系数K值,进一步估算鱼类资源开发参数（Z,M,F,E）,分析以不同体长分组组距为基础估算结果的差异。结果表明,以相差较大的不同分组组距重构体长频率组成数据来估算渐近体长L∞、生长系数K和资源开发参数均有明显的差异,建议以体长全距、体长标准差和样品数量等影响因素来共同确定某种鱼类的体长分组组距,从而提高估算结果的可信度,以达到定量分析鱼类生物学特征值的目的。     

野生和养殖棘头梅童鱼肌肉营养成分分析及比较

采用生理生化方法,对野生和养殖棘头梅童鱼肌肉常规营养成分、氨基酸和脂肪酸组成进行了测定.结果表明,与野生棘头梅童鱼相比,养殖棘头梅童鱼肌肉中粗脂肪含量较低,水分含量较高,且差异显著(P<0.05),蛋白质和灰分含量则无显著性差异(P>0.05);在氨基酸方面,野生和养殖棘头梅童鱼肌肉中均检出18种氨基酸,其中养殖组的酪...     

浙江近海棘头梅童鱼生长规律与群体组成的研究

本文根据浙江近海棘头梅童鱼的生物学测定资料,应用Von Bertalanffy鱼类生长方程分析棘头梅童鱼的生长规律,并与另外几种石首鱼科鱼类进行比较,显示出梅童鱼具有寿命短、生长迅速特性。同时,通过对棘头梅童鱼群体组成分析,认为浙江近海捕捞以采用梅童鱼拖网或定置刺网为好,渔期以冬春季比较适宜。     

浙江南部海域银姑鱼的生活史参数估算及资源评价

为了评估银姑鱼资源开发状态，实验根据2016年在浙江南部海域底拖网的调查数据，研究了银姑鱼的生活史参数，并基于单位补充量模型对其资源状态进行评价，进而探讨不同自然死亡系数和捕捞选择性对资源评价结果的影响。结果显示，银姑鱼渐近体长估计值为25.36 cm，生长速率为0.32/年，当前开捕体长(13.52 cm)远小于其初次性成熟体长(17.79 cm)；自然死亡系数估计值为0.74，总死亡系数为2.62，当前捕捞死亡系数为1.88。基于以上参数，构建了单位补充量渔获量YPR模型和单位补充量亲体生物量SSBR模型，随着F的增加，YPR先增大后减小，而SSBR则减少。银姑鱼生物学参考点F_0.1为0.78，F_max为3.43，F_20%为0.66，F_40%为0.33，可知当前捕捞强度远大于防止补充型过度捕捞警戒线F_20%。敏感性分析结果显示，自然死亡系数的不确定性将明显影响单位补充量模型的研究结果和相关生物学参考点的估算值，而不同选择性系数，尤其是开捕体长，也直接影响单位补充量模型的结果。研究表明，当前浙江南部近海银姑鱼种群已处于补充型过度捕捞状态，为维持渔业资源的可持续发展，建议适当减小开发力度，增大开捕体长；为提高资源状态评价的准确性，建议减小自然死亡系数的不确定性。本研究可为银姑鱼资源的养护和管理提供科学建议。     

东海中华管鞭虾种群动态及持续渔获量分析

中华管鞭虾为东海区桁杆拖虾和沿岸定置张网作业重要的渔获对象。本文根据2006-2008年桁杆拖虾监测调查数据整理的各月体长频率数据,应用FiSATⅡ软件分析结果表明：Von Bertalanff生长方程的参数K=1.2,极限体长L∞=112.88mm,t0=0.267;根据Pauly经验公式估算的自然死亡系数M=2.03606;由变换体长渔获曲线法估算的总死亡系数Z=4.71,利用率E=56.77%,开捕体长Lc=65.32mm;应用体长VPA方法估算的年平均资源量为47.74×10^9ind、2.58×10^4t。通过单位补充量产量、产值分析表明,该群体利用合理,开捕体长亦处最佳位置,若降低10%左右的捕捞努力量水平,既能使产值最大化（4.92亿元）,又能实现中华管鞭虾的可持续利用。     

棘头梅童鱼精子超低温冷冻保存研究

为保护和利用棘头梅童鱼种质资源,以常用无机盐及葡萄糖配制的5种溶液(依次编号A、B、C、D、E)作为稀释液,不同体积分数的DMSO作为抗冻剂,采用2 mL冻存管和两步降温的方式,对棘头梅童鱼精子的超低温冷冻保存技术进行了研究,并利用人工养殖黄姑鱼的成熟卵子对冻存3年的棘头梅童鱼冷冻精子的授精能力进行检验。结果表明,以E溶液为稀释液、10%DMSO为抗冻剂、两步降温方式冷冻保存的棘头梅童鱼精子在37℃水浴解冻后复活率较高,为(76.67±10.41)%^82.33±4.62%;以上述方法冻存3年的棘头梅童鱼冷冻精子与人工养殖黄姑鱼的成熟卵子杂交,受精率达到(20.26±4.12)%。     

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.