大黄鱼肌肉生长抑制素基因外显子I遗传多态性分析

肌肉生长抑制素是控制骨骼肌生长发育的重要细胞因子,采用PCR-SSCP和测序方法分析了大黄鱼肌肉生长抑制素基因外显子I的单核苷酸多态性,结果发现,外显子I有7个多态性位点,分别是270(G→A)、196(C→T)、349(A→T)、51(T→C)、352(G→A)、348(C→T)和264(G→T),但只有349位点和352位点的碱基突变造成错义突变,氨基酸变化分别为T→S和E→K,其他位点均属同义突变.存在7种基因型,它们的频率分别为0.2708、0.0833、0.3333、0.0208、0.1667、0.1047和0.0208,该基因位点的杂合度为0.709.统计分析表明,外显子I无论是基因型水平上的多态性还是氨基酸水平上的突变均与体长和体质量呈显著性相关(P<0.05),但与肌肉脂肪含量无显著相关(P>0.05).     

大口黑鲈肌球蛋白重链基因SNPs的筛选及与生长性状的关联

肌球蛋白是肌肉细胞的重要组成成分,影响肌纤维的组成和肌肉生长。为了研究肌球蛋白重链(MYH)基因多态性与大口黑鲈生长性状的相关性,本研究采用PCR技术扩增得到编码区序列全长为9759 bp的大口黑鲈MYH基因,该基因包含37个外显子和36个内含子,编码1940个氨基酸。采用直接测序法在MYH基因上筛选到8个单核苷酸多态性标记(SNP)位点(A-305G、G-558C、A-2784C、A-2816G、T-4765A、C-6206T、C-6811T和G-6935T),有4个位于外显子上,其中2个属于同义突变。用SNa Pshot方法对从同批繁殖、同塘养殖的大口黑鲈"优鲈1号"群体中随机选取的430尾个体中各位点的基因型进行检测。结果显示,内含子上的A-2784C和A-2816G位点完全连锁,所有位点在大口黑鲈"优鲈1号"群体中的平均有效等位基因数、平均观测杂合度和平均期望杂合度分别为1.635、0.406和0.373,仅C-6206T、C-6811T和T-4765A位点的基因型频率分布符合Hardy-Weinberg定律。采用一般线性模型分析各位点与大口黑鲈生长性状之间的相关性,研究发现,C-6811T位点CC基因型个体的体质量和全长显著大于TT基因型,CC基因型个体的体高和尾柄长显著大于CT和TT基因型,其余位点不同基因型个体间的生长性状均不存在显著差异。C-6811T位点与生长性状显著相关,可作为大口黑鲈分子标记辅助育种的候选标记。     

中华绒螯蟹肌肉抑制素基因(MSTN)同义突变对基因转录和翻译效率的影响

为分析同义突变对基因转录和翻译的影响,实验应用定点突变、体外转录和过表达等技术对中华绒螯蟹肌肉抑制素基因(Es-MSTN)中发现的5个SNP同义突变位点即SNP1(C/T)、SNP2(C/T)、SNP3(C/T)、SNP4(A/G)和SNP5(T/G),及其对应的12种基因型组合(CG、TA、1T、2T、3T、4A、5T、1C、2C、3C、4G和5G)进行了转录和翻译水平的研究。结果显示,12种基因型在体外转录中存在转录效率差异,1C基因型的转录水平最高,而CG和TA基因型的转录水平最低,差异显著;且TA基因型转录水平显著高于CG基因型。对上述基因型在293T细胞中进行过表达研究发现,不同突变基因型在转染后的不同时间(24、36、48、60、72、84、96和108 h)的表达强度存在显著差异,且TA突变基因型的表达强度显著高于CG突变基因型。研究表明,5个同义突变位点对中华绒螯蟹Es-MSTN的转录和翻译具有重要影响,同义突变也可能具有较为重要的生物学意义。     

草鱼GH基因3''部分序列多态性与生长性状及肌肉成分的相关性分析

为了解草鱼GH基因多态性与早期生长性状及肌肉成分的相关性,实验利用直接测序法从156尾草鱼GH基因的3′部分序列中共筛选到9个变异位点(分别命名为SNP1~SNP9:G2825A、G2914T、T2966G、A3002T、T3022C、A3301G、C3463T、C3547T、C3620T)。卡方检验结果显示,9个位点均未显著偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡,且均表现为中等多态性(0.25PIC0.5);经连锁不平衡分析发现,SNP3、SNP4和SNP5位点为一组完美连锁不平衡,SNP2、SNP7、SNP9位点为一组完美连锁不平衡;GH基因3′部分序列5个位点单倍型分析共发现6种单倍型,其中Hap1(30.4%)所占的比例最高,Hap6(4.8%)所占比例最低。利用GLM及多重比较对草鱼GH基因中9个SNPs多态性与早期生长性状和肌肉成分进行相关性分析,发现SNP2和SNP3位点的纯合突变型在体质量、体长和粗脂肪性状上均显著高于野生型和杂合突变型;在双倍型分析时得出了相似的结果,同时含有SNP2和SNP3位点纯合突变的双倍型组合在生长和粗脂肪性状上均显著性高于其他组合。研究表明,草鱼GH基因中SNP2和SNP3位点与早期生长性状及肌肉成分存在显著性相关,可作为草鱼生长及肉质改良的候选辅助分子标记,并且为进一步对相关变异位点的功能验证奠定研究基础。     

甘肃金鳟生长激素基因多态性与生长性状的相关分析

生长激素（ GH）基因能够影响动物的生长,是一个与生长性状有关的基因。以315尾甘肃金鳟（ Oncorhyn-chus mykiss）为研究材料,分析了GH基因外显子区域多态性,并对基因型与生长性状进行了关联性分析。 PCR-SSCP分析结果显示B等位基因在外显子2区域第903 bp处发生G/C突变,存在3种基因型AA、 AB和BB。 D等位基因在外显子5区域第3049 bp处发生T/G的突变,在3094 bp处发生C/A的突变,其中第3049 bp处发生的T/G的突变导致第157位氨基酸由组氨酸变为谷氨酰胺,为有义突变,共检测到3种基因型CC、 CD和DD个体。最小二乘法分析表明, BB基因型的全长值和体长值都显著高于AA和AB基因型（ P＜0.05）。 T3049 G和C3094 A突变点对全长、体长和体重均有显著性影响（ P＜0.05）,其中CC基因型的全长值、体长值和体重值都高于DD和CD基因型。在标记辅助育种中,这些分子标记可以为甘肃金鳟遗传改良提供基础的数据和参考。     

大口黑鲈肌肉生长抑制素基因单核苷酸多态性位点的筛选及其与生长性状关联性分析

采用PCR-SSCP和PCR-RFLP技术对大口黑鲈肌肉生长抑制素(myostatin,MSTN)基因全序列进行了SNPs位点筛选和分型,共筛选到2个单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)位点(C-1453T和T+33C),其中C-1453T位于启动子E8 box和Octamer(＋)调控元件之间的区域,T+33C的突变位于第一外显子区域,属于同义突变,氨基酸没有发生变化;利用一般线性模型分析单标记位点与大口黑鲈生长性状(体重、体长、体高、体宽和眼间距)相关性,均未达到显著水平(P>0.05)。将2个SNPs位点不同基因型组合成6种双倍型(去掉频率小于3%的组合),关联分析表明,双倍型D2在体重、体长、体高、体宽和眼间距的均值均高于其它双倍型,而双倍型D5在体重、体长、体高、体宽和眼间距的均值均低于其它双倍型,双倍型D2与D5之间在5个主要生长性状均存在差异显著(P＜0.05),推测双倍型D2对生长性状起正相关,而双倍型D5与大口黑鲈的生长性状呈负相关,因此推断MSTN基因突变位点双倍型D2与D5可作为大口黑鲈生长性状的两个标记位点,用其分子标记位点来辅助大口黑鲈育种工作以期加快育种进程。     

凡纳滨对虾α-淀粉酶基因的SNPs检测

利用PCR产物直接测序法,对凡纳滨对虾SPR和SPF 2个品种共40个样本的α-淀粉酶基因(GenBank序列号:AJ133526)的单核苷酸多态性(SNP)进行了研究。找到9个SNPs,分别为:C127T、A138G、T951C、T1083C、C1457T、A2147C、A2226G、A2297G和T2306C。其中1个SNP是第4外显子中的错义突变,2个SNPs分别是第5和第7外显子中的同义突变,6个SNPs是内含子中的突变。这些结果可为凡纳滨对虾的研究提供遗传学依据。     

草鱼醛缩酶B基因部分序列的SNP多态性及其与生长性状的关联分析

通过佛山市白金水产良种选育场提供的草鱼EST库的醛缩酶B基因重叠群的2个Contig扩增该基因的序列片段,采用直接测序法,经过序列比对,共筛到C+687G、C+1042A和A117C等3个颠换SNPs位点。C+687G位于醛缩酶B基因外显子6的63 bp处,为同义突变;C+1042A位于外显子8的43 bp处,为错义突变;A117C位于内含子7的117 bp处。采用Snapshot方法对同一群体的296尾草鱼的这3个SNPs位点进行检测和分型,并统计基因型频率。3个SNPs位点中AA的频率分别为42.9%、32.8%、32.8%;AB的频率分别为42.9%、45.9%、45.6%;BB的频率分别为14.2%、21.3%、21.6%。利用一般线性模型分析3个SNPs位点与草鱼体质量、体长等重要生长性状的关系,关联分析结果显示,C+687G位点不同基因型只在体长/尾柄长比值上存在显著差异(P0.05),和体质量等重要生长性状不相关。A117C和C+1042A两个位点都在体质量等4个生长性状上存在显著差异(P0.05)。将3个SNPs位点不同基因型两两位点组成3个组合的双倍型(都去掉了频率小于3%的组合),结果显示,C+687G和A117C以及C+687G和C+1042A的2个组合分别组成的7种双倍型在体质量等5个生长性状上都存在显著差异(P0.05);A117C和C+1042A组成的3种双倍型在体质量、眼间距等2个生长性状上都存在显著差异(P0.05)。研究认为,可以考虑将草鱼醛缩酶B基因作为生长相关的候选基因,用于草鱼的分子辅助育种。     

三疣梭子蟹生长相关 SNP 位点的鉴定

为了发掘三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)与生长相关的SNP,本研究基于三疣梭子蟹比较转录组学数据,筛选出生长相关候选基因片段19条,利用该基因序列设计引物进行PCR扩增,得到总长为17 387 bp的DNA片段;通过直接测序法发现74个SNP位点,分布频率为0.43/100 bp,其中转换突变的比例为80%,颠换突变的比例为20%,转换的比例远远大于颠换,符合"transition bias"原理。C/T(G/A)突变所占比例为60%,G/T(C/A)突变占20%,A/T突变占9.33%,G/C突变占10.67%,C/T(G/A)突变所占比例最大。内含子上突变发生的频率为1.34/100 bp,外显子上仅为0.17/100 bp,说明外显子上的碱基更加保守。通过飞行质谱法,在三疣梭子蟹生长性状分离群体中成功分型了10个SNP位点;通过卡方检验和多元方差分析的方法进行性状关联分析,发现3个SNP位点与生长性状显著相关(P0.05),并且comp58070-R31位点与生长性状极显著相关(P0.01);一般线性模型的多元方差分析显示,comp58070-R31位点与体重、全甲宽、甲宽3个性状极显著相关(P0.01),与体长、体高2个性状为显著相关(P0.05);comp46623-F49位点与甲宽显著相关(P=0.05);comp49193-R333位点与甲宽显著相关(P0.05)。通过对SNP位点的多态性分析发现,三疣梭子蟹SNP标记观测杂合度(Ho)范围为0.162 8~0.833 3,期望杂合度(He)范围为0.189 6~0.591 2,并且显示SNP标记的信息量低于微卫星标记。该研究的结果将有助于推进三疣梭子蟹分子标记辅助育种进程。     

刀鲚MSTN基因遗传多态性与生长性状的关联分析

为筛选刀鲚(Coilia ectenes)生长性状遗传改良的分子遗传标记,基于现有刀鲚转录组数据,利用基因克隆技术获得养殖刀鲚肌肉生长抑制素(myostatin,MSTN)基因的全长序列,采用PCR产物直接测序和SNaPshot技术分别进行基因多态性的筛选和分型,并将不同基因型与刀鲚的生长性状(体长、体高和体质量)进行关联分析。结果显示,养殖刀鲚MSTN基因的DNA序列主要由2个内含子和3个外显子组成,经SNP位点筛选,仅在第1内含子上筛选到2个颠换突变位点(g.564G>T和g.755G>T)和1个转换突变位点(g.786C>T);将3个SNP位点与生长性状进行关联分析发现,SNP位点g.786C>T与刀鲚的体长、体高和体质量呈显著性负相关,具有TT基因型个体的体长、体高和体质量显著低于CC型和CT型(P<0.05),而SNP位点g.564G>T和g.755G>T的不同基因型仅与刀鲚的体高具有一定程度的相关性;3个SNP位点对养殖刀鲚的群体遗传分析显示,刀鲚养殖群体的观测杂合度(H O)、期望杂合度(H E)和多态信息含量(PIC)分别为0.280~0.480、0.332~0.455和0.277~0.351,3个SNP位点均属于中度多态(0.25T有望作为剔除劣质刀鲚繁育亲本的候选分子标记。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

A novel approach to denitrification processes in a zero-discharge recirculating system for small-scale urban aquaculture

This paper presents an innovative process to solve the nitrate build-up problem in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The novel aspects of the process lie in a denitrification bioreactor system that uses solid cotton wool as the primary carbon source and a unique degassing chamber. In the latter, the water is physically stripped of dissolved gaseous O₂ (by means of a Venturi vacuum tube), and the subsequent denitrification becomes more efficient due to elimination of the problems of oxygen inhibition of denitrification and aerobic consumption of cotton wool. The cotton wool medium also serves as a physical barrier that traps organic particles, which, in turn, act as an additional carbon source for denitrification. Operation in the proposed system gives an extremely low C/N ratio of 0.82 g of cotton wool/g of nitrate N, which contributes to a significant reduction of biofilter volume. The additional advantage of using solid cotton wool as the carbon source is that it does not release organic residuals into the liquid to be recycled. Operation of the system over a long period consistently produced effluents with low nitrate levels (below 10 mg N/l), and there was only a very small need to replace system water. The overall treatment scheme, also incorporating an aerobic nitrification biofilter and a granular filtration device, produced water of excellent quality, i.e., with near-zero levels of nitrite and ammonia, a sufficiently high pH for aquaculture, and low turbidity. The proposed system thus provides a solution for sustainable small-scale, urban aquaculture operation with a very high recovery of water (over 99%) and minimal waste disposal.     

Fertilization by refrigerator stored sperm of the Indian major carp, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)

This study reports on the spermatological properties, and on the development of a protocol for refrigerator storage (4°C) of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) sperm for artificial breeding. Volume, motility, concentration and pH of the freshly collected sperm were 2.21 ± 0.53 (μL g^?1 of fish weight) (mean ± SD), 95 ± 1 (%), 1.93 ± 0.44 × 10⁹ (cells mL^?1) and 7.56 ± 0.17 respectively. Sperm activation was evaluated at different osmolalities of NaCl solution, and motility ceased completely when osmolality of the extender was ≥287 mOsmol kg^?1. Sperm retained motility for 24, 72 and 108 h, after refrigerator storage when sperm were undiluted, suspended in Alsever's solution and suspended in Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol respectively. Fertilization rate of fresh eggs with sperm stored at 4°C in Alsever's solution and Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol was 77% and 60% with a hatching rate of 60% and 43% respectively. The fertilization and hatching success of the stored sperm suggests potential to use refrigeration for transporting genetic material to hatcheries for artificial breeding of L. calbasu in Bangladesh.     

Effects of metomidate anaesthesia or transfer to pur sea water on plasma parameters in ammonia-exposed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) in sea water

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) postsmolts weighing 150 ± 53 g were exposed to 14–15 mg l^–1 TA-N (total ammonia-N) in sea water in 1 m³ tanks for 24h. Blood samples were then taken A) immediately after the fish were netted from the exposure tanks and stunned by a blow to the head; B) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of an anaesthetic solution of metomidate in ammonia-free sea water; or C) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of ammonia-free sea water. Plasma TA-N level was 18% lower in the anaesthetised fish compared to in the fish sampled directly from the exposure tanks (p 0.05), and accordingly 16% lower in the fish transferred to pure sea water although this difference was not significant (p = 0.07). Plasma glucose level was higher in the fish transferred to pure sea water than in the fish receiving the two other treatments (p 0.05), but plasma urea, osmolality, Na^{+, Cl–, Ca2+ or Mg2+} levels did not vary significantly between the different treatments. Plasma TA-N level increased with time in the fish in the metomidate solution (p 0.02).