Histology of the developing digestive system and the effect of food deprivation in larval green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris)

The histological development of the digestive tract in hatchery-reared green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) larvae and the effects of food deprivation on the digestive system organization were studied from hatching until 31 days post-hatching (dph). At hatching, the larval digestive system consisted of two rudiments: a large endodermal yolk sac and a primordial hind-gut. During the endogenous feeding phase, the wall of the yolk sac differentiated into the stomach (glandular and non-glandular regions) and the anterior and intermediate intestine, while the hind-gut primordium differentiated into the spiral valve and rectum. At the onset of exogenous feeding (15 dph at 16 °C), the organization and cytoarchitecture of the digestive system in green sturgeon larvae was generally similar to those of juveniles and adults. Larvae deprived of food exhibited a progressive deterioration, with subtle pathological changes observed after 5-d starvation: shrinkage of digestive epithelia, tissue degeneration, and necrosis were observed at 10–15 d of starvation (30 dph). No changes were observed in the mucous secretion of different regions of the digestive tract of food-deprived larvae. The histological analysis of the larval digestive system may be used to evaluate the nutritional condition of larval green sturgeon in their nursery habitats in spawning rivers, which are affected by dams and flow diversions.     

Histological and histochemical changes in the digestive tract of white sturgeon larvae during ontogeny

Ontogenetic changes in digestive tract histology and digestive enzyme histochemistry were investigated 11 to 36 days post-hatch in white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus larvae. From initiation of exogenous feeding (12 days post-hatch), larvae were fed a commercial salmonid diet for the ensuing 24 days. The digestive system of white sturgeon displayed a high degree of morphologic organization and functionality at the onset of exogenous feeding. An enhancement of digestive capacities occurred with transition to active feeding. On day 2 of feeding, there was a clear increase of alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase M, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, and -glutamyl transpeptidase activity in the brush border of the spiral intestine. This strong activity is an apparent confirmation of the importance of this segment of the intestine for protein digestion and nutrient absorption. The functional development of the pyloric intestine occurred on day 4 and was concomitant with an increase in the activity of brush border and cytoplasmic enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase, dipeptidyl peptidase II, - and -galactosidases. The absence of acetylcholinesterase, lactase, nonspecific esterase, and weak activity of exopeptidases and alkaline phosphatase in the anterior intestine suggests that this segment of the intestine may be less important in nutrient absorption than the pyloric and spiral intestines. The observed quantitative and qualitative differences in enzyme activity along the intestine indicate a high degree of specialization of each segment for specific digestive and absorptive processes.     

Ontogeny of the digestive tract in butter catfish Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch) larvae

The ontogeny of the digestive tract was studied histologically in butter catfish Ompok bimaculatus from hatching to 30?days post-hatching (dph). At hatching, the digestive tract of butter catfish consisted of a straight tube with a smooth lumen dorsally attached to the yolk sac. Between 1 and 2 dph, the mouth opened, oral valves were visible and canine-like teeth and taste buds were detected. During this period, intestine was differentiated into the anterior and posterior intestine, and the digestive accessory glands were also developed. Exogenous feeding started at 2?dph, and there was a 2-day mixed endogenous–exogenous feeding period. Most of the yolk sac reserves were consumed between 2 and 3 dph, and by 5?dph, the yolk sac was completely depleted and no longer visible in histological sections. Between 3 and 4 dph, several vacuoles (neutral lipids) were observed in the intestine and also in hepatocytes, indicating a functional absorption of nutrients from food. At 8 dph, differentiation of gastric glands was noticed, and by 9–11?dph, there were abundant gastric tubular glands arranged along numerous longitudinal folds. During the same period, pyloric sphincter appeared as an epithelial fold that separated the stomach from the anterior intestine. From 12 dph to the end of the study at 30?dph, no noticeable histological modifications were observed. The development of gastric glands is considered as the last major events in digestive tract development and their presence designates the end of larval period and the onset of the juvenile period. Hence, it is suggested that, butter catfish larvae have a morphologically complete digestive tract by 12?dph. These findings on the development of the digestive system in butter catfish may lead to a better understanding of the ontogeny and would be useful to improve the larval rearing techniques of this promising catfish species for freshwater aquaculture diversification.     

Activities of digestive enzymes and histology of digestive system during larval development of devil stinger (Inimicus japonicus)

Devil stinger is a valuable demersal scorpaenid fish while the rearing of stinger larvae still relies on live prey. This study was conducted to illustrate the development of the main digestive enzymes and digestive system during larval development of this species to provide evidence for the application of artificial feeds. Enzymatic and histological assays were conducted from 1 day post hatching (dph) to 36 dph in larvae. The result showed that the selected digestive enzyme activities increased significantly after 15 dph. Specifically, the total trypsin activities increased significantly from 18 dph to 33 dph. The total pepsin and amylase activities increased significantly first and thereafter decreased significantly. The lipase activities followed the similar pattern with trypsin. With regard to the histological study, the stinger larvae open their mouth to first feeding at 3 dph and turned into totally exogenous nutritional stage at 6 dph. In addition, mucous membrane, rich in goblet cells, was widely distributed in oesophagus epithelium at 18 dph. The height and amounts of gastric gland in cardia and main body of the stomach increased gradually with the development of stinger larvae after 15 dph. The intestine length of stinger larvae was short, and goblet cell was abundant in anterior intestine after 12 dph, not the posterior intestine. The ontogeny of liver and pancreas started from newly hatched stage, and the differentiation of liver was prior to pancreas. The above findings would provide evidence for the use of artificial feeds from the larval stage of stinger larvae (at least from 21 dph).     

Histomorphological changes in digestive tract of golden mahseer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tor putitora</Emphasis>) during different developmental stages

Histomorphological changes in digestive tract of golden mahseer (Tor putitora) were examined in larvae [starting from hatching to 45 days post-hatching (dph)], fry, fingerling, and adult. Digestive tract appeared during hatching, on the dorsal side of yolk sac, as a straight tube with a narrow lumen. Mouth opening and appearance of liver and pancreas were observed at 2 dph, and subsequently anal opening, appearance of goblet cells in esophagus, and posterior intestine were evident at 3 dph. The remodeling of oral cavity in terms of epithelial stratification, appearance of taste buds, and goblet cells were observed in a window of 4–5 dph. Intestinal folding was found to be initiated at 8 dph. From 12 to 45 dph, thickening of oral and esophageal mucosal/extramucosal layers, increase in intestinal folding, increases in the density of goblet cells in entire gut were observed. Within the same time window, other histological changes such as disappearance of vacuoles in liver, and abundance of zymogen granules in pancreas were also observed. Supranuclear vesicles in mid-to-posterior intestine were found to be prominent from first feeding to 45 dph; however, this phenomenon was no longer evident in fry and fingerling. Overall, the increase in intestinal folding and complexity of extramucosal layer were found to be continuous from the first appearance to adult, and this inferred the fact that the nutritional physiology, in terms of digestion and assimilation, progressively changes throughout the life stages of golden mahseer. Findings of this study will, therefore, help in preparing diets for different life stages of this fish, and in addition, the present information widens the understanding of digestive physiology of golden mahseer.     

美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)消化系统胚后发育的组织学观察

通过形态学与连续组织切片的方法,对美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata) 1-34 d仔鱼消化系统的胚后发育进行系统观察,分析描述鱼体消化道(食道、胃与肠道)以及消化腺(肝脏与胰腺)的发育过程.对1-15 d仔鱼连续取样,每次取样30尾,15 d后隔天取样,每次取样15尾.结果显示,在水温为(24±1)℃、盐度为30-32的条件下,初孵仔鱼卵黄囊体积很大,消化管为封闭的管状结构.美洲黑石斑鱼孵出3d后,口裂形成、开始摄食,肛门与外界连通,消化道逐渐分化形成食道、胃及肠道,肝脏、胆囊和胰腺也逐渐形成.7d后,卵黄囊与油球基本消失,食道、胃部以及肠道黏膜褶皱开始形成,消化道黏膜上皮细胞逐渐分化,肝脏出现脂肪颗粒,仔鱼具备了基本的摄食能力.11d时,仔鱼食道可见黏液细胞,随日龄的增加上皮组织中黏液细胞数量迅速增多,褶皱日益丰富;胃部分化形成贲门部、胃本体与幽门部,胃壁褶皱不断增多、伸长;肝脏血窦与中央静脉明显.20d时,鱼体胃腺形成,说明胃部消化、吸收蛋白质的能力增强;肠道次级黏膜褶皱出现,肠圈与褶皱更加复杂化;胰脏分布有大量酶原颗粒.32 d时,仔鱼消化道组织结构分明,自腔面向内依次为黏膜层、黏膜下层、肌层与浆膜层,消化道与消化腺结构和功能逐步完善.仔鱼3-7 d为内源性营养向外源性营养过渡期,应及时提供充足适口的生物饵料,仔鱼20 d后可以逐渐驯化投喂微型配合饲料.     

Development of digestive system and swim bladder of larval nase (Chondrostoma nasus L.)

Digestive tract and swim bladder differentiation during nase (Chondrostoma nasus L.) larval development was evaluated using histological methods. The mouth, pharynx and oesophagus were impervious at the time of hatching. The straight tubular intestine consisted of undifferentiated cells and was situated over the yolk sac. The intestine, lined with a single layer of columnar epithelial cells, opened on 2 day posthatching (dph). First evidence of protein digestion and absorption by the enterocytes was observed on the sixth day, while lipid digestion and absorption began on the ninth day of larval development. Intestinal mucous cells developed and became active by the fourth day. The posterior chamber of the swim bladder inflated on the third day, while the anterior one filled 12 dph. Complete yolk sac resorption took place on the ninth day.     

Digestive enzyme activity during early larval development of the Cuban gar Atractosteus tristoechus

The ontogenesis of digestive enzymes (proteases, amylases, lipases, and phosphatases) in Cuban gar Atractosteus tristoechus was determined in larvae between 5 and 18 days after hatching (DAH). Variations in specific activities of most enzymes were related to the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding and to the transition from the larval to the juvenile stage. Alkaline protease activity was not detected until 8 DAH in contrast to acid protease activity, which was quantifiable at 5 DAH. Acid protease activity was consistently higher than alkaline protease activity, indicating the presence of a functional stomach in the early stages of larval development. The acid protease activities of larvae and adults were compared by means of zymogram analysis. Four acid protease bands were found in adults (two more than in larvae). This result is the first time that more than one band of acid proteolytic activity has been found in Lepisosteidae. High lipase activity indicated the importance of lipid utilization, particularly during yolk-sac absorption. In contrast to the other enzymes studied, amylase activity was consistently low, probably due to the strictly carnivorous diet of gar larvae and their low capacity for carbohydrate digestion. High activities of aminopeptidase and acid and alkaline phosphatases suggest intestinal absorption. This result, together with the existence of a short gut and a lower proteolytic activity in the intestine than in the stomach, suggest that most of the proteolytic activity takes place in the stomach, while the primary function of the intestine is nutrient uptake.     

Ontogeny of the digestive tract in shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa L.) reared using the mesocosm larval rearing system

Histological changes of the digestive tract were studied in shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa) from hatching until 41 days post hatching (dph), when the fry had a mean (±S.D.) total length (TL) of 32 ± 2 mm and wet weight (WW) of 0.42 ± 0.07 g. Larvae were reared using the mesocosm technique, the most natural among commercially employed rearing methods for marine larvae. Shi drum opened their mouth at 2 dph (2.78 ± 0.09 mm TL), at which time 90% of the larvae already had an inflated swim bladder. The differentiation of the digestive tract into buccopharynx, esophagus, and anterior and posterior intestine was completed by 3 dph (2.82 ± 0.07 mm TL), 1 day after the onset of exogenous feeding. The alimentary canal started coiling and formed its first loop at 2 dph, while the pancreas and liver were differentiated at 3 dph. Yolk sac reserves lasted until 7 dph (4.3 ± 0.1 mm TL), suggesting a brief period of endogenous and exogenous feeding. The first esophageal goblet cells appeared at 7 dph containing acid mucins and at 8 dph taste buds appeared on the buccopharyngeal epithelium. The stomach was morphologically differentiated at 9 dph (5.5 ± 0.1 mm TL) when gastric glands became abundant in the cardiac region, and the first pyloric caeca appeared at 14 dph (10.1 ± 0.9 mm TL). Supranuclear eosinophilic vacuoles were observed in the posterior intestine between 3 and 11 dph (6.3 ± 0.9 mm TL). Their number decreased as the stomach differentiated, suggesting a change in the protein digestion mechanism. The results of the study suggest a rapid development of shi drum and its digestive system and underline the possibility of weaning larvae to artificial feed even earlier than the 12 dph employed in the present study.     

Evaluation of weaning performance of California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) larvae using growth,survival and digestive proteolytic activity

This study evaluated weaning success of California halibut, Paralichthys californicus, larvae onto a microdiet at various stages of development utilizing growth, survival and digestive enzyme activity. Weaning onto a microdiet was evaluated at 16, 26, 36 and 46 days posthatch (dph). Alkaline and acid proteases and leucine aminopeptidase activities were measured after weaning and compared between the weaned treatment and Artemia‐fed controls. Survival was significantly lower in the microdiet‐fed treatments compared to the control groups. Growth was significantly reduced in all weaning treatments compared to the control, except for the 46 dph group. No differences in enzyme activities were detected between treatment and diet at 16 and 26 dph; however, activities were higher for the microdiet‐fed larvae at 36 and 46 dph. This study demonstrates that California halibut larvae possess a differentiated and effective digestive system early in development and can be weaned with relative success (>40% survival) before completion of the metamorphosis (i.e., 36 dph). The lack of weaning success at an early date cannot be entirely because of the absence of a functional stomach but could be related to, among other factors, the low‐microdiet ingestion rates observed and higher leaching of smaller microdiets.     

Development of digestive enzyme activity in spotted rose snapper,Lutjanus guttatus (Steindachner, 1869) larvae

We describe digestive enzyme activity during the larval development of spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus. Trypsin, chymotrypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, pepsin, amylase, lipase, and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities were evaluated using spectrophotometric techniques from hatching through 30 days. The spotted rose snapper larvae present the same pattern of digestive enzyme activity previously reported for other species in which pancreatic (i.e., trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase) and intestinal (i.e., acid and alkaline phosphatases and leucine aminopeptidase) enzymatic activities are present from hatching allowing the larvae to digest and absorb nutrients in the yolk-sac and live prey by the time of first feeding. The digestive and absorption capacity of the spotted rose snapper increases during the larval development. A significant increase in individual activity of all enzymes occurs at 20 DAH, and around 25 DAH, the juvenile-type of digestion is observed with the appearance of pepsin secreted by the stomach, suggesting that maturation of the digestive function occurs around 20–25 DAH. Our results are in agreement with a previous suggestion that early weaning may be possible from 20 DAH. However, the patterns of enzymatic activities reported in our study should be considered during the formulation of an artificial diet for early weaning of the spotted rose snapper.     

Effects of weaning age and diets on ontogeny of digestive activities and structures of pikeperch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sander lucioperca</Emphasis>) larvae

Growth and ontogeny of digestive function were studied in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larvae weaned on artificial food at different ages. Three weaning treatments initiated respectively on day 9 (W9), day 15 (W15) or day 21 (W21) post-hatching (p.h.) were compared with a control group, fed Artemia nauplii from first feeding until the end of the rearing trial on day 36 p.h. The digestive enzyme activities and the ontogeny of digestive structures were investigated using enzymatic assays and histological methods. Growth of pikeperch larvae was significantly affected by precocious weaning. Pancreatic (trypsin and amylase) and intestinal (leucine-alanine peptidase, leucine aminopeptidase N and alkaline phosphatase) enzyme activities were detected from hatching onwards, increased at the moment of first feeding and then decreased. Pepsin secretion occurred at day 29 p. h. only, concurrently with the stomach development and differentiation of gastric glands. In the early weaning group (W9) the maturation process of intestinal enterocytes seems to be impaired and/or delayed and several signs of malnutrition were recorded. Except for alkaline phosphatase activity, no differences in enzyme activities and development of digestive structures were observed among the control, W21, and W15 groups. Moreover, at the end of the experiment, no differences in proteolytic activities were observed among larvae from the different treatments, indicating that, in surviving individuals, the digestive structures were properly developed and the larvae had acquired an adult mode of digestion. Based on the artificial diet used, our results suggested that pikeperch larvae can be weaned from day 15 p.h. without significant adverse effect on digestive capacities (except for alkaline phosphatase) or development of digestive tract, while earlier weaning impaired the onset of the maturation processes of the digestive system, both in terms of morphological structures and enzymatic activities.     

Proteolytic Activity in California Halibut Larvae (Paralichthys californicus)

The digestive tract of many marine fish larvae undergoes numerous morphological and functional changes during ontogeny that can substantially influence larval survival under culture conditions. Increasing our knowledge of the digestive capacity and nutritional requirements of the larvae of new candidate species for aquaculture will aid in the development of optimal feeding protocols and greatly improve production under hatchery conditions. In this study, we assess the proteolytic capacity of California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) larvae using biochemical and histological analyses. Newly hatched larvae were reared in a semiclosed recirculating system and fed with highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA)–enriched rotifers from hatching until 19 d posthatch (dph) and HUFA‐enriched Artemia nauplii thereafter. Total and specific activity of trypsin and leucine‐aminopeptidase (LAP) and acid and alkaline protease activities were assessed throughout development using spectrophotometric techniques. Trypsin‐like activity and LAP and alkaline protease activities were detected shortly after hatching and before the opening of the mouth. Acid protease activity was not detected until 36–40 dph, concomitant with the development of the gastric glands. The specific activity of trypsin and LAP showed two distinct peaks at 8 and 20 dph. The second peak coincided with the shift from rotifers to Artemia. Hence, newly hatched California halibut larvae possess alkaline proteolytic activity before first feeding. Based on the digestive capacity evaluated in this study and the timing of the development of the functional stomach, we propose that California halibut can be adequately weaned to formulated microdiets around 36 dph.     

褐菖鲉消化道的组织学和组织化学

褐菖鲉消化道的组织学和组织化学=Study on histology and histochemistry of digestive tract in Sebastiscus marmoratus[刊，中]/石戈（浙江海洋学院海洋科学学院，浙江 舟山 316004），王健鑫，刘雪珠，王日昕//水产学报.－2007，31（03）.－293～302 利用光镜技术对褐菖鲉消化道进行了组织学和组织化学研究。组织学研究表明：褐菖鲉消化道由口咽腔、食道、胃和肠4部分组成。口咽腔较大，上下颌，犁骨及腭骨均有细齿带,粘膜由复层鳞状上皮组成，并含有大量黏液细胞和少量杯状细胞；食道粗而短，上皮组织包括扁平上皮层区域和单层柱状上皮层区域，上皮含有大量杯状细胞和黏液分泌细胞，粘膜层的固有膜中含有腺体；胃呈Y型，包括贲门、胃体和幽门3个区域，胃粘膜由单层柱状上皮组成，在贲门和胃体部的粘膜层中有厚的结实层，上皮有大量的胃小凹和胃腺组织；胃幽门部括约肌明显，幽门上皮不含胃小凹；胃与肠相接处有8～9个指状幽门盲囊，其形态学和组织学特征与前肠类似；肠道上皮由单层柱状上皮细胞组成，丰富的微绒毛形成明显的纹状缘，上皮中含有大量杯状细胞，肠道系数为0.54。组织化学研究显示：幽门、幽门盲囊和肠上皮细胞顶端胞质和纹状缘具碱性磷酸酶活性；幽门盲囊及肠道上皮细胞顶端胞质中检测到酸性磷酸酶活性；在贲门部和胃体部的固有层以及幽门上皮还检测到酯酶活性，且酯酶定位于幽门柱状上皮细胞胞质的上半部。整个消化道的粘膜层中存在许多粘液细胞：食道上皮含大量酸性粘液细胞，胃上皮细胞均含有中性粘液，而肠道由前向后中性粘液物质逐渐减少，酸性粘液物质逐渐增多。组织学和组织化学的结果表明褐菖鲉食道有润滑和微弱的消化作用，胃有消化脂类和吸收糖类的功能；幽门和盲囊有较强的吸收脂类的功能；前肠、中肠和后肠有活跃的细胞内消化和吸收功能，整个消化道结构与其肉食性功能密切相关。图3参29     

牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)仔稚幼鱼肠道菌群结构比较分析

采用MiSeq 16S rRNA高通量测序技术和生物信息学分析方法,构建了牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)工厂化人工育苗模式下仔稚幼鱼阶段6个不同发育时期18个样品的16SrRNA基因测序文库,共获得7462个OTU (Operational Taxonomic Unit),分类为42个菌门972个菌属.对肠道菌群的形成过程及结构多样性变化分析显示,牙鲆初孵仔鱼的菌群组成多样性丰富,体内的优势菌为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes);在9日龄和21日龄摄食轮虫(Rotifer)和卤虫(Artemia sp.)幼体样品中,肠道的优势菌群结构较单一,变形菌门成为此时期肠道的优势菌群;45日龄摄食配合饲料后,肠道中变形菌门的相对丰度显著降低,厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门的相对丰度明显增大,成为肠道菌群的优势菌群.在属水平的菌群结构中发现,牙鲆仔稚幼鱼肠道优势菌群的种类和数量都发生了较大变化,在9日龄和21日龄时期肠道中弧菌属(Vibrio)相对丰度最高,到45日龄后相对丰度锐减到最低水平;拟杆菌属(Bacteroides)和普氏菌属(Prevotella)在80日龄后达到较高水平,成为肠道优势菌属;厚壁菌门的8个菌属在80-115日龄时期均发展成为优势菌属,定植于牙鲆的肠道.本研究揭示了工厂化人工育苗模式下牙鲆仔稚幼鱼肠道菌群结构及演替规律.     

黄条鰤仔稚幼鱼消化酶活性变化研究

为了解黄条鰤(Seriola aureovittata)早期发育阶段的消化生理特性,测定了黄条鰤胚胎、仔稚幼鱼阶段脂肪酶、淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶和碱性磷酸酶活性变化。结果显示,在黄条鰤仔鱼出膜前胚胎阶段,即能检测到脂肪酶、淀粉酶和碱性磷酸酶活性;初孵仔鱼体内(1 d)初次检测出胰蛋白酶的活性。脂肪酶和碱性磷酸酶比活力在仔鱼孵化后迅速增强(P<0.05),在4 d开口时,2种酶比活力达最高值;淀粉酶比活力在7 d时达最大值;胰蛋白酶比活力在仔鱼阶段缓慢上升,15 d时比活力最大。稚鱼阶段内脏团中脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶活性基本维持稳定,幼鱼阶段内脏团脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶活性都呈现上升趋势;稚鱼和幼鱼阶段内脏团中淀粉酶活性下降并基本稳定于较低水平。研究表明,黄条鰤仔稚幼鱼发育过程中,各种消化酶活性变化明显,且与其发育阶段和食性密切相关。在尚未摄食饵料的早期仔鱼体内已存在消化酶,认为其是母源传递而来,不是由外源性饵料所致;幼鱼阶段内脏团脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶比活力明显提高,这反映出随苗种生长发育,其肠道结构和消化机能逐渐完善,并且对脂肪、蛋白质的需求逐渐增强。     

Morphological and histological changes in digestive tract development during starvation in the miiuy croaker

A histological method was used to describe the ontogenetic development of the digestive tract of laboratory-reared miiuy croaker (Miichthys miiuy) and to evaluate the effects of short-term food deprivation on the morphology and histology of the digestive tract. Larvae and juveniles were maintained at 24 °C in a thermostatically controlled system. Three starvation experiments were conducted during different developmental stages: 1–7 days after hatching (dah; prior to benthic swimming); 26–35 dah (during settling); and 42–53 dah (after benthic swimming). According to the structural changes in the ontogenetic development of the digestive tract, three stages were observed. The first stage was from hatching to 3 dah; the digestive tract was undifferentiated in newly hatched larvae and then showed remarkable morphological changes and differentiation. During this period, larvae depended on endogenous nutrition. The second stage (4–20 dah) was a critical period in which larvae transitioned from endogenous feeding to exogenous feeding and the digestive tract fully differentiated into the buccopharynx, oesophagus, stomach, anterior intestine and posterior intestine. Goblet cells and vacuoles appeared in the digestive tract, and pharyngeal teeth and taste buds developed. During the third stage (20–36 dah), the gastric glands developed and the stomach differentiated into the fundic, cardiac and pyloric regions. At 25 dah, pyloric caeca developed and mucosal folds and spiral valves were clearly distinguishable. After 30 dah, the digestive tract did not undergo any noticeable differentiation, indicating the complete development of the digestive system. The wet weight and SGR (specific growth rate) of miiuy croaker larvae and juveniles greatly decreased when they were deprived of food, and compensatory growth was observed in re-feeding juveniles. The livers of starved larvae and juveniles were atrophied and dark coloured, the intestines were transparent and thin, and the stomach cubages were reduced. The histological effects of starvation were mainly evident in the degeneration of cells in digestive organs, as seen in the shrinkage and separation of cells and the loss of intercellular substances in the liver, pancreas, intestine and stomach. These changes became more severe with increased duration of starvation. In addition, the histological structure of the digestive tracts of starved larvae and juveniles partly recovered after re-feeding, and the effects of starvation on miiuy croaker were age dependent.     

黄条仔稚幼鱼消化酶活性变化研究

为了解黄条(Seriola aureovittata)早期发育阶段的消化生理特性,测定了黄条胚胎、仔稚幼鱼阶段脂肪酶、淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶和碱性磷酸酶活性变化。结果显示,在黄条仔鱼出膜前胚胎阶段,即能检测到脂肪酶、淀粉酶和碱性磷酸酶活性;初孵仔鱼体内(1 d)初次检测出胰蛋白酶的活性。脂肪酶和碱性磷酸酶比活力在仔鱼孵化后迅速增强(P<0.05),在4 d开口时,2种酶比活力达最高值;淀粉酶比活力在7 d时达最大值;胰蛋白酶比活力在仔鱼阶段缓慢上升,15 d时比活力最大。稚鱼阶段内脏团中脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶活性基本维持稳定,幼鱼阶段内脏团脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶活性都呈现上升趋势;稚鱼和幼鱼阶段内脏团中淀粉酶活性下降并基本稳定于较低水平。研究表明,黄条仔稚幼鱼发育过程中,各种消化酶活性变化明显,且与其发育阶段和食性密切相关。在尚未摄食饵料的早期仔鱼体内已存在消化酶,认为其是母源传递而来,不是由外源性饵料所致;幼鱼阶段内脏团脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶比活力明显提高,这反映出随苗种生长发育,其肠道结构和消化机能逐渐完善,并且对脂肪、蛋白质的需求逐渐增强。