四指马鲅淋巴器官发育组织学观察

采用石蜡组织连续切片和HE染色技术,对1~60 dph(Days post hatching)四指马鲅(Eleutheronema tetradactylum)的淋巴器官个体发育进行研究,描述了淋巴器官发育特点及组织学特征。结果显示,在盐度为9.0±0.5,水温为(28±2)℃条件下,3 dph胸腺原基出现,由4~6层未分化干细胞和淋巴母细胞样的细胞组成;胸腺发育迅速,主要由淋巴细胞填充;至25 dph皮质区和髓质区分明显,胸腺发育基本完成。3 dph头肾原基形成,由前肾管和少量造血干细胞组成;5 dph胸腺淋巴细胞向头肾迁移,头肾开始淋巴化;随着鱼体生长,造血干细胞分化成不同类型细胞;18 dph前肾管开始退化,至53 dph完全消失,头肾主要由网状内皮系统支持下的淋巴造血组织构成。7 dph脾脏原基形成,至16 dph开始淋巴化;脾脏内皮系统较头肾发达,但其发育速度较胸腺和头肾慢,淋巴细胞明显少于胸腺和头肾。研究表明,四指马鲅淋巴器官原基出现及淋巴化的顺序是胸腺、头肾、脾脏。免疫淋巴器官结构及功能尚未发育完善,可能是四指马鲅在变态期间幼体死亡率高的主要原因之一。     

军曹鱼淋巴器官发育的形态学研究

运用组织学及组织化学的染色方法,对出膜后第1～44天(Days post-hatch,dph)的军曹鱼Rachycentron canadum头肾、脾脏和胸腺发育过程进行研究.首先观察到前肾管,3 d后,在肾管附近发现原始的造血千细胞,逐渐有红细胞和大淋巴细胞产生.之后,脾脏出现,其内毛细血管和红细胞丰富,还分布少量巨噬细胞.胸腺虽然是最后出现的淋巴器官,但是发育的非常快,内外分区明显.可以得出其淋巴器官出现顺序是头肾、脾脏和胸腺.在小淋巴细胞出现前,发现各淋巴器官内存在一些与非特异免疫机制相关的细胞,如巨噬细胞和网状细胞等.淋巴器官原基出现后开始淋巴化,其顺序是胸腺、头肾和脾脏.在采样的时间段里未观察到浆细胞,可能军曹鱼淋巴器官至此仍未发育成熟.     

细鳞鲑早期发育过程中免疫器官发生

应用连续切片技术和显微观察法,对胚胎末期至仔鱼期的细鳞鲑(Brachymystax lenok)免疫器官(头肾、胸腺及脾组织)早期发育进行了系统研究。研究表明,在实验水温为10.0～16.2℃时,细鳞鲑的免疫器官原基发生及其淋巴化的先后顺序均为胸腺、头肾和脾。仔鱼出膜前5 d胸腺原基形成,出膜前1 d胸腺即出现少量淋巴细胞,仔鱼19日龄后,结缔组织和毛细血管渗入胸腺实质而形成小梁,仔鱼35日龄左右,胸腺己经分化出模糊的内区和外区;仔鱼出膜前2 d,出现头肾原基,由未分化的造血干细胞组成,仔鱼3日龄后,头肾由肾小管构成,10日龄后,组织开始淋巴化,仔鱼35～45日龄,肾小管上皮细胞开始退化,头肾内出现血窦,并进一步淋巴化,50日龄后,肾小管退化完毕,头肾主要由淋巴组织和大量血窦构成;5日龄细鳞鲑仔鱼,脾原基出现,16日龄后,脾开始淋巴化,35～50日龄,脾内建立起发达的微血管系统以及血窦结构。细鳞鲑的免疫器官分化较早,其发育速度较其他淡水硬骨鱼类相对滞后,但组织淋巴化速度较快。本研究旨在揭示细鳞鲑早期死亡率高的根本原因,为实现细鳞鲑的规模化养殖提供科学基础。     

中华鲟免疫器官的早期发育

为了解中华鲟(Acipensersinensis)免疫器官早期发育的形态和组织学特征,实验以1～300dph中华鲟子二代的仔鱼、稚鱼和幼鱼为研究对象,使用连续石蜡切片技术和显微观察方法对免疫器官(头肾、胸腺和脾脏)的发育过程进行观察和记录。结果显示,培育水温为12.9～22.6℃时,中华鲟免疫器官原基出现的先后顺序为头肾(3dph)、胸腺(7dph)和脾脏(9dph);免疫器官淋巴化先后顺序为胸腺(12dph)、头肾(15dph)和脾脏(33dph)。仔鱼发育至15 dph可见头肾和胸腺间有淋巴细胞"桥"连接现象,180dph胸腺内可见哈氏小体结构,头肾、胸腺和脾脏内含有黑色素细胞或黑色素巨噬细胞中心(MMCs)。总体而言,中华鲟免疫器官发育具有原基出现时间早、发育速度慢和发育周期长的特点。由于仔稚幼鱼免疫系统发育不完善,建议在其培育过程中加强病害防治和早期疫苗的开发。     

孵化至12月龄大黄鱼免疫器官的发育变化

研究孵化至12月龄大黄鱼的淋巴器官如头肾、胸腺、脾的生长发育和免疫细胞数量的变化,首先应用显微与超微技术研究大黄鱼初孵仔鱼至12月龄免疫器官——头肾、胸腺与脾脏的发育。3日龄仔鱼出现头肾原基,原始造血干细胞最早被发现于头肾,很快分化成不同类型的细胞。4日龄仔鱼出现脾脏原基和胸腺原基。脾脏靠近内脏,含大量窦状隙,有丰富的毛细血管、血细胞与血小板。胸腺是最迟出现的淋巴器官,但发育较快。胸腺位于鳃腔背上角,主要由胸腺细胞(淋巴细胞)和上皮细胞组成,分为外区和内区,二者虽没有明显界限,但容易区分。研究结果还表明,随着年龄和鱼体重量的增长,胸腺、头肾和脾脏的重量均有增长的趋势,脾脏重量与体重的关系要比与年龄的关系更为密切,头肾、胸腺重量与年龄的关系要比与体重的关系更为密切。胸腺、头肾和脾脏的白细胞总数随着年龄的增长不断增加。但每毫克胸腺、头肾和脾脏内白细胞数量与年龄间线性关系不明显。头肾比脾脏淋巴化程度高。在研究中发现,血液内各细胞组成与大黄鱼月龄及季节的变化没有明显的改变。     

卵形鲳够免疫器官的早期发育

研究了卵形鲳鲹（Trachinotus ovatus）仔、稚鱼期间3种免疫器官的发生和发育过程。结果表明,3种免疫器官原基出现的先后顺序是头肾、脾脏和胸腺,出现时间分别为2日龄、3日龄和3日龄。其中,头肾的早期发育过程可分为原基形成期、造血功能发展期和泌尿功能退化期。进入稚鱼期后头肾的肾小管分布相对减少,表明头肾已不是主要的泌尿功能区。6-8日龄仔鱼脾脏中造血干细胞向红血细胞分化并产生大量未成熟红细胞。22日龄时脾脏组织体积进一步增大,内部血细胞参与血液循环。胸腺原基出现后胸腺细胞增多、体积增大,细胞嗜碱性不强。10-13日龄时胸腺细胞的嗜碱性增强,淋巴细胞开始增多,此时胸腺开始分区。20-22日龄稚鱼期结束时胸腺的内区和外区进一步分化,分区更为明显,表明胸腺进一步成熟。未发现胸腺和头肾之间淋巴细胞迁移的现象。     

黄颡鱼头肾的组织发生与组织结构研究

为深入了解黄颡鱼的免疫机能,采用组织学方法,对孵化后1～48 d的黄颡鱼鱼苗头.肾的组织发生进行了观察;对5月龄幼鱼和成鱼头肾的组织结构进行了观察.结果表明,出膜后1 d,头肾仅由肾小管组成;出膜后2d,头肾小管间出现未分化的细胞团;出膜后7 d,头肾小管间出现淋巴细胞团;此后淋巴细胞及造血细胞的数量逐渐增多;出膜后26～43 d,肾小管逐渐萎缩直至完全消失,头肾完成由排泄器官向淋巴器官的转变.黄颡鱼头肾含丰富的静脉血管、血窦以及处于不同发育时期的各类免疫细胞.肾上腺组织细胞分布于头肾门静脉以及头肾组织中静脉管周边.其幼鱼头肾所含酸性颗粒细胞较成鱼头肾丰富,而成鱼头肾则具有较多的黑色素巨噬细胞,且常常在血管附近聚集形成黑色素巨噬细胞中心.     

黄河鲤肾脏的显微和亚显微结构观察

应用常规解剖学和组织学方法在光镜和电镜下观察成体黄河鲤肾脏的显微和亚显微结构。试验结果显示,黄河鲤的肾脏包括头肾和中肾两部分。头肾实质中没有肾单位,主要由造血组织和淋巴组织构成,可观察到黑色素巨噬细胞中心和甲状腺滤泡;中肾实质中包含有肾小体、肾小管和拟淋巴组织,肾小体由鲍曼氏囊和与其相接触的血管球组成。肾小管由颈段、第一近曲小管、第二近曲小管、间段、远曲小管和集合管组成;拟淋巴组织包括血管、淋巴细胞、血细胞、粒细胞、黑色素巨噬细胞和甲状腺滤泡。结构观察显示,黄河鲤头肾已退化为具有造血功能的免疫器官,中肾为主要的泌尿器官,黄河鲤在硬骨鱼的进化中处于中等地位。     

草鱼头肾发生组织学与免疫组织化学观察

为研究草鱼头肾的组织发生发育,应用组织学技术,对1 ～ 103 dph(day post hatching)的草鱼头肾进行观察分析,描述了头肾的组织结构变化及免疫球蛋白M(IgM)阳性细胞及过碘酸雪夫氏(PAS)阳性细胞的发生和分布.结果显示,6 dph,出现头肾原基,原基中原肾管分化形成的肾小管之间出现散在的干细胞.7 dph至16 dph,造血干细胞逐渐分化成不同类型的细胞,免疫细胞数量逐渐增加;17 dph至103 dph,肾小管逐渐退化至完全消失,网状内皮系统支持下的淋巴造血组织构成头肾的主要部分.40 dph肾上腺细胞团开始出现.65 dph与成鱼头肾的组织结构接近,作为淋巴-肾上腺组织存在.PAS阳性细胞最早在7 dph出现;IgM阳性细胞最早出现于17 dph;之后,IgM阳性细胞及PAS阳性细胞逐渐增多,分布于整个头肾组织.研究表明,65 dph草鱼头肾在组织上发育基本成熟;头肾作为草鱼免疫器官的早期发育可以分为3个阶段:无参与免疫反应的细胞、只具有参与非特异性免疫反应的细胞以及参与非特异性免疫反应及特异性免疫反应的细胞组织结构逐步发育完善.     

花鲈鳃与鳔器官发育的组织学与形态学观察

为阐明花鲈鳃与鳔器官的发生机制,实验采用连续组织切片技术接合形态学观察对出膜后1～45 d花鲈胚后发育的鳃与鳔器官的发生、发育过程进行了系统的观察与研究。结果显示,花鲈仔稚鱼鳃的胚后发育分为4个阶段,鳃原基出现期(0～3 d)、鳃丝分化期(4～14 d)、鳃小片分化期(15～25 d)与鳃器官完善期(26～45 d)。在水温15～18°C条件下,花鲈孵化后的第1天,鳃原基出现;孵化后的第15天,仔鱼假鳃上分化出鳃小片结构;孵化后的第25天,仔鱼各鳃弓上均分化出鳃小片结构;孵化后的第45天,稚鱼鳃结构发育完全,与成鱼相同。组织学观察结果显示,花鲈鳔器官的发育时期分为形成、扩张、充气和退化4个阶段。花鲈初孵仔鱼未出现鳔原基,在孵化1 d后,仔鱼出现鳔原基,5 d后仔鱼鳔开始扩张,11 d后仔鱼鳔充气完成,13 d后仔鱼鳔开始退化。     

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.