自然养殖水体投喂CpG ODN和表面展示VP28的解脂耶罗维亚酵母对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)抗WSSV的免疫保护作用

用添加CpG寡聚核苷酸(CpG ODN)和表面展示VP28的解脂耶罗维亚酵母(VP28-yl)的饵料投喂凡纳滨对虾,进行田间中试实验。投喂30 d后进行WSSV感染实验,评估其对凡纳滨对虾的免疫保护作用。投喂实验结束后,CpG ODN投喂组对虾的相对增重率达到(65.8±7.8)% (P<0.05),这暗示CpG ODN可能具有促生长作用。WSSV攻毒后,CpG ODN和VP28-yl投喂组对虾中WSSV拷贝数与对照组相比均显著降低(P<0.05),相对免疫保护率分别可达到26.7%和36.7%。在投喂结束和WSSV刺激后,CpG ODN组对虾中的呼吸爆发水平均显著升高(P<0.05)。而在VP28-yl投喂组,WSSV引起的细胞凋亡则显著受到抑制(P<0.05)。此外,WSSV刺激后,STAT基因在CpG ODN组和VP28-yl组对虾中的表达水平均显著上调(P<0.05),分别在第5天和第3天达到最大值,而对照组中则显著下调。研究结果表明,CpG ODN和VP28-yl增强了凡纳滨对虾抗病毒免疫力,对养殖对虾病毒性疫病的防控具有显著作用,可以作为免疫增强剂添加在饵料中,具有在养殖生产中推广使用的前景。     

转基因vp28蓝藻口服疫苗半数有效量测定及其对斑马鱼的安全评价

蓝藻是对虾幼苗的天然饵料,使用转vp28基因蓝藻(Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942)直接投喂凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vanname)幼苗来防治白斑综合征病毒(WSSV),可起到“药食同源”的作用。转基因蓝藻作为对抗WSSV的口服疫苗,目前面临环境释放的安全性问题。斑马鱼是最常见的模式生物之一,本研究将转vp28基因蓝藻投喂凡纳滨对虾幼苗,验证其剂量梯度抗WSSV的影响,并测定其半数有效剂量(ED50)。以该剂量为依据投喂斑马鱼后,通过测定斑马鱼体内的酶学指标、进行组织切片观察以及养殖水体中氮磷等的变化,来探究转vp28基因蓝藻对水生生物、水体环境造成的影响。研究结果表明,随着转基因蓝藻口服疫苗剂量的增加,凡纳滨对虾幼苗抗WSSV的能力也随之增强,测得ED50为0.027 g。分别使用野生型和转基因型蓝藻配合饲料投喂斑马鱼15天,投喂结束后其生长状态良好、游动正常；投喂前后身体颜色无明显差异,不同组间体长增长的差异不显著(p > 0.05)。转基因组投喂的过氧化氢酶活力稍低于空白组和野生型组,过氧化物酶活力随着投喂天数的增长而呈现降低趋势；水质监测发现总氮和总磷无较大差异,投喂蓝藻的两组氨氮均要低于空白对照组,氨氮含量的提升对斑马鱼的抗氧化能力存在一定影响；组织切片发现斑马鱼各组的肝脏、心脏组织细胞无明显差异。研究表明转vp28基因蓝藻可有效增强凡纳滨对虾抗WSSV能力,且抗病能力随着口服疫苗剂量的升高而增强；投喂斑马鱼后,斑马鱼无明显的毒理效应，且对水质影响较小；转vp28基因蓝藻作为亚单位疫苗投放对水生生物的影响较小,可为后续产业规模应用提供基础。     

养殖水体中添加蜡样芽孢杆菌PC465 对凡纳滨对虾抗病力的影响

将蜡样芽胞杆菌(Bacillus cereus)PC465添加到凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)养殖水体中至终浓度分别为10~4、10~5和10~6 CFU/mL,以无益生菌添加的养殖组为对照组,定期检测实验对虾肠道和养殖水体中的细菌总数、弧菌总数以及水体中氨氮含量和亚硝酸氮含量。实验结果表明,水体中添加益生菌能降低凡纳滨对虾肠道内细菌数量,且与对照组相比差异显著(P0.05);高浓度的益生菌处理组可以明显降低养殖水体内弧菌数量(P0.05),但是益生菌并没有显著影响水体中的氨氮含量和亚硝酸氮含量。养殖4周后进行WSSV投喂感染实验,感染实验表明,实验组H组(益生菌浓度为10~6 CFU/mL)和M组(益生菌浓度为10~5 CFU/mL)凡纳滨对虾的累计死亡率分别为63.9%和74.6%,显著低于对照组100%的累计死亡率(P0.05)。感染实验期间采用荧光定量PCR方法测定了凡纳滨对虾3种免疫相关基因的表达情况,统计数据显示,益生菌处理组的脂多糖-β-1,3-葡聚糖结合蛋白(lipopolysaccharide-β-1,3-glucan-binding protein,LGBP)、β-1,3-葡聚糖结合蛋白-脂蛋白(beta-1,3-glucan-binding protein-lipoprotein,βGBP-HDL)、热激蛋白70(heat shock proteins,Hsp70)mRNA的表达量在WSSV感染后呈显著上调趋势。实验结果提示,水体中添加蜡样芽孢杆菌PC465可以提高凡纳滨对虾抗WSSV感染能力,其作用机制可能是降低对虾肠道和水体中的细菌和弧菌数量,或调节免疫相关基因的表达水平。     

不同盐度下饵料蛋白质含量对凡纳滨对虾生长、体成份和肝胰腺组织结构的影响

设计了蛋白质含量为20.61%、30.52%、40.43%和50.34%的4种饵料(分别为CP20、CP30、CP40和CP50),研究饵料蛋白质含量对不同盐度下(分别为低盐度LS 2、中盐度MS 22和高盐度HS 32)凡纳滨对虾[(0.0144±0.0047)g]生长、成活及体成份的影响,测定了不同处理组对虾的肝胰腺指数(HIS)和肥满度(CF),试验为期8周.结果显示:(1)盐度对凡纳滨对虾的生长、成活、肥满度和灰分含量均有显著影响(P<0.05),而对肝体指数、体粗蛋白、体粗脂肪和水分无显著影响(P0.05),中盐度组对虾各指标均最高,其次为高盐度组,低盐度组最低;中、高盐度组对虾的增重率、特殊体重(长)增长率均显著高于低盐度组对虾(P<0.05),而中、高盐度组对虾的各生长指标无显著差异(P＜0.05);(2)饵料蛋白质含量对凡纳滨对虾的各生长指标和体粗蛋白含量影响显著(P<0.05),对其它各指标影响不显著(P<0.05).各盐度下,对虾生长和体粗蛋白含量均随饵料蛋白质含量升高而升高,投喂CP20的对虾组显著低于其它各处理组(P<0.05);肥满度和肝体指数均先随饵料蛋白质含量升高至40.43%而升高,然后稍有下降;饵料蛋白质含量对各盐度下对虾成活率影响均不显著(P0.05).(3)双因素方差分析结果显示,盐度和饵料蛋白质含量,除对体灰分含量存着着显著的交互作用外(P<0.05),对其它体生化成份含量、生长及体形态指标的交互作用均不显著(P0.05).(4)饲料蛋白质含量明显影响了凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺的组织结构,投喂CP30和CP40饵料的对虾肝小体基膜完整,投喂CP40对虾的肝小体中还出现了大量的存储细胞(R细胞);而投喂CP20饵料的对虾肝小体分布松散,R细胞数量较小,并且部分肝小体基膜破损;而投喂CP50饵料的对虾的肝小体排列紧密,且B细胞内出现大量内容物质.结果提示,提高饵料蛋白质含量虽然在一定程度上加快对虾的生长速度和增加肥满度,但是并不能提高低盐底下凡纳滨对虾的成活率.饲料中蛋白质含量的不适宜,尤其是含量过低,会导致对虾肝胰腺的结构发生变化甚至发生不同程度的病理变化.     

植物乳酸杆菌对凡纳滨对虾生长、消化酶活性和肠道组织形态的影响

将体质量(8.10±0.13)g的凡纳滨对虾放养在室内500L玻璃纤维水桶中,以不同剂量(0、0.5%、1.0%和2.0%)的植物乳酸杆菌菌液(密度109 cfu/mL)拌料投喂,观察凡纳滨对虾的生长、消化酶活性和肠道组织结构的变化。结果显示,投喂15d后,0.5%和1%菌液组对虾的平均体质量、质量增加率和特定生长率均显著高于对照组(P0.05),饲料系数显著降低(P0.05);0.5%菌液组对虾肝胰腺消化酶和肠道消化酶活性显著增强(P0.05),对虾肠上皮细胞高度显著增加(P0.05)。研究结果表明,投喂0.5%植物乳酸杆菌可显著提高凡纳滨对虾消化酶活性和肠上皮细胞高度,促进对虾生长。     

氨氮胁迫下白斑综合征病毒对凡纳滨对虾的致病性

为了评价养殖水环境中氨氮(NH_4-N)对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)的危害性,开展了NH_4-N胁迫对凡纳滨对虾感染白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)后的死亡率、WSSV增殖速率和对虾主要免疫相关酶活性影响的实验。在NH_4-N胁迫质量浓度为15.6 mg·L-1,分别注射2×105和2×106个WSSV粒子,结果显示,NH_4-N胁迫下注射2×105个WSSV粒子的凡纳滨对虾第144小时死亡率达到53.3%,显著高于无胁迫组(40.0%)。对虾鳃组织WSSV荧光定量PCR检测结果显示,NH_4-N胁迫下凡纳滨对虾鳃组织内WSSV的增殖加快。此外,免疫相关酶活性结果显示,NH_4-N浓度突变会促使对虾血清中酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性短暂升高后持续降低。由此可见,NH_4-N胁迫会加快WSSV在患病凡纳滨对虾体内的增殖,导致更高死亡率,这可能是因为胁迫造成了对虾免疫相关酶活性降低和抗病原感染能力下降。     

饲料中添加芽孢杆菌PC465对凡纳滨对虾生长和STAT基因表达的影响

将坚强芽孢杆菌PC465浓缩菌液直接与饲料原料混匀后制成含106、108和1010CFU芽孢杆菌/g干物质的颗粒饲料，或者经冷冻干燥制成冻干粉，与饲料原料混匀制成含107CFU芽孢杆菌/g饲料的颗粒饲料，设连续投喂组、间隔“4+3”投喂组、间隔“1+1”投喂组，研究投喂剂量和投喂频率对对虾生长和类淋巴STAT基因表达的影响。研究发现，饲料中添加不同剂量的坚强芽孢杆菌PC465均能显著提高凡纳滨对虾的生长率和STAT基因表达(P<0.05)，而且跟添加量有一定关系；实验采取不同投喂频率投喂凡纳滨对虾，都能显著提高对虾的生长率和对虾淋巴器官中STAT基因的表达水平(P<0.05)，其中以连续投喂组的效果最明显。研究结果对对虾健康养殖有一定的参考价值。     

毒死蜱胁迫下WSSV对凡纳滨对虾的致病性

为了评价养殖水环境中毒死蜱对凡纳滨对虾生存的危害性,开展了毒死蜱胁迫下白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)对凡纳滨对虾致死实验,分析了毒死蜱胁迫下凡纳滨对虾鳃组织WSSV含量和肌肉组织乙酰胆碱酯酶活性变化。通过急性毒性实验测定了毒死蜱对凡纳滨对虾的半致死浓度(LC₅₀),随着暴露时间的延长,LC₅₀值显著下降,存在着浓度-反应的正向关系,96 h LC₅₀为0.758 μg/L(0.521～0.987 μg/L)。在此基础上,确定了毒死蜱胁迫实验浓度为0.2 μg/L,此浓度下药浴4 d后对凡纳滨对虾注射WSSV,结果显示:毒死蜱胁迫下注射WSSV组的对虾死亡率(83.33?Ee4.7%)极显著高于乙醇-WSSV组(40.00?Ee0.9%);对虾鳃组织WSSV荧光定量PCR检测结果显示:感染72 h后,毒死蜱-WSSV组WSSV含量约是乙醇-WSSV组的4倍;感染96 h后,毒死蜱-WSSV组WSSV含量显著增加,约是72 h毒死蜱-WSSV组的4.9倍,是96 h乙醇-WSSV组的5.9倍。毒死蜱胁迫下,对虾肌肉组织乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)活性低于对照组20%左右。由此可见,毒死蜱胁迫下,WSSV增殖速率加快,导致对虾死亡率升高。     

复方中草药对凡纳滨对虾生长、消化酶和免疫因子活性及抗WSSV的影响

研究复方中草药(葛根、黄连、金银花、板蓝根、黄芪、甘草、柴胡、当归、山楂、陈皮和茯苓)对凡纳滨对虾生长、消化酶和免疫因子活性及抗WSSV的影响,为对虾健康养殖提供科学依据。分别在饲料中添加0%(对照组)、0.4%、0.8%、1.2%、1.6%和2.0%该复方中草药,连续投喂凡纳滨对虾[体质量(0.026±0.007)g]28 d(每组3个重复,每个重复160尾),每隔1周随机采样10尾/桶测量体长、体质量,并取肝胰腺用于生长指标(WGR、SGR、FR和SR)、相关酶(淀粉酶、蛋白酶、脂肪酶、SOD、GPT和GOT)及MDA含量的测定。研究结果表明,复方中草药对凡纳滨对虾的生长均有提高,其中0.8%和1.2%添加组效果最佳,差异显著;且饵料系数显著下降。对虾肝胰腺消化酶(淀粉酶、蛋白酶、脂肪酶)和免疫相关因子(SOD、GPT和GOT)随养殖时间的延长,高酶活性逐渐由高添加量组向低添加量组移动,其中以0.8%和1.2%添加组效果最佳,差异显著;与对照组相比,0.4%,0.8%和1.2%添加组MDA含量差异显著下降。对照组和0.4%添加组对虾经投喂感染WSSV后全部死亡,但0.4%添加组对虾第1尾死亡时间、50%死亡时间以及100%死亡时间分别比对照组延后8 h、16 h和8 h;0.8%添加组成活率最高(33.3%),与其他组差异显著。复方中草药能促进对虾生长、消化,提高免疫和抗WSSV能力,其中以添加0.8%和1.2%效果最佳。     

氨氮和亚硝基氮共同胁迫对凡纳滨对虾感染WSSV的影响

为了评价养殖水环境中氨氮和亚硝基氮对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)的危害性,开展了氨氮和亚硝基氮共同胁迫对凡纳滨对虾感染WSSV后的死亡率、WSSV在患病对虾体内增殖速率和对虾主要免疫相关酶活性影响的研究。实验设置氨氮(NH+4)和亚硝基氮(NO-2)的共同胁迫浓度均为20 mg·L-1,分别注射10-4和10-5稀释度的WSSV提取液。结果显示,胁迫下感染10-4WSSV的凡纳滨对虾144 h死亡率达到100%,显著高于无胁迫组(76.67%),相同实验条件下高浓度病毒感染组死亡率高于低浓度组。对虾鳃组织WSSV荧光定量PCR检测结果显示,氨氮和亚硝基氮共同胁迫下凡纳滨对虾体内WSSV的增殖加快,感染48 h后胁迫组病毒量是无胁迫组的1.6倍,72 h时病毒量达到无胁迫组的2.0~3.7倍。此外,免疫相关酶活性结果显示,氨氮和亚硝基氮浓度突变会促使对虾血清中酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性先短暂升高然后降低。由此可见,氨氮和亚硝基氮共同胁迫会加快WSSV在患病凡纳滨对虾体内的增殖,导致更高死亡率,这可能是因为胁迫造成了对虾免疫相关酶活性的降低和抗病原感染能力下降所致。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

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.