不同饲料对军曹鱼组织消化酶活力的影响

比较研究了投喂冰鲜鱼和人工配合饲料的军曹鱼胃、前肠以及肝脏消化酶(蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶)活力.试验结果表明,(1)蛋白酶活力:前肠与肝脏的蛋白酶比活力,投喂配合饲料组显著高于冰鲜鱼组(P<0.05),而胃中的蛋白酶比活力以冰鲜鱼组显著高于配合饲料组(P<0.05);(2)胰蛋白酶活力:胃中胰蛋白酶比活力,冰鲜鱼组显著高于配合饲料组(P<0.05),前肠与肝脏的胰蛋白酶比活力配合饲料显著高于冰鲜鱼组(P<0.05);(3)淀粉酶活力:胃中的淀粉酶比活力,冰鲜鱼组显著高于配合饲料组(P <0.05),前肠的淀粉酶比活力则是配合饲料组显著高于冰鲜鱼组(P<0.05),两种饲料对军曹鱼肝脏淀粉酶比活力影响不显著(P>0.05);(4)脂肪酶活力:胃及前肠的脂肪酶比活力两种饲料间差异不显著(P>0.05),但肝脏的脂肪酶比活力则以配合饲料组显著高于冰鲜鱼组(P<0.05).     

鱼类消化酶活性与其体长、体重和水质的相关性研究

对主养草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)池塘中4种鱼类消化器官的胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶的活性与鱼体长、体重及主要水质指标的相关性进行了研究。结果显示,草鱼肠道和肝胰脏的胃蛋白酶与水温具有显著正相关(P<0.05),而草鱼肠道胰蛋白酶、肠道和肝胰脏的脂肪酶以及鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)肝胰脏中淀粉酶与水温呈负相关(P>0.05)。4种鱼的消化酶活性与总氮和总磷呈正相关。匙吻鲟(Polyodon spathula)的脂肪酶和淀粉酶活性与化学耗氧量呈负相关;除鲢外,其他3种鱼的胃蛋白酶活性均与水体硬度和碱度呈正相关,而胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶均与水体硬度和碱度呈负相关。草鱼和鳙(Aristichthys nobilis)肠道胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶以及匙吻鲟消化道和肝脏胰蛋白酶与鱼的体长、体重均具有显著的正相关。     

pH对嘉陵江鲇消化酶活性的影响

采用酶学分析方法研究了pH对嘉陵江鲇(Silurus asotus)胃、前肠、中肠、后肠和肝胰脏中蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性的影响。结果表明,在设定的pH范围内,鲇各消化酶的活性均随着pH的升高呈现先升后降的变化趋势。鲇胃、肠道和肝胰脏中蛋白酶的最适pH分别为2.2、7.0、7.4;淀粉酶的最适pH均为7.0,脂肪酶的最适pH分别为7.0、7.0、7.4。除胃蛋白酶的最适pH为酸性外,其它消化酶的最适pH均为中性或弱碱性。说明嘉陵江鲇的各种消化酶的活性存在着器官特异性。在最适pH条件下,蛋白酶的活性为前肠>肝胰脏>胃>中肠>后肠,淀粉酶的活性顺序为肝胰脏>胃>前肠>中肠>后肠,脂肪酶的活性顺序为肝胰脏>胃>前肠>中肠>后肠。表明在不同pH条件下,相同部位的同种消化酶活性的差异显著;在各自最适pH条件下,不同器官的同种消化酶活性也有显著差异。     

不同水平蚯蚓和蚯蚓粪对改良鲫消化酶活性的影响

为研究赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia foetida)及蚓粪对改良鲫(Carassius auratus)消化酶活性的影响,分别以赤子爱胜蚓及蚓粪为添加剂,配制了蚯蚓浆添加量分别为2.5%、5.0%、7.5%和蚓粪添加量分别为2.0%、4.0%、6.0%的6组饲料,进行了为期100 d的投喂试验。结果显示:(1)与对照组相比,在饲料中添加5%的蚯蚓可极显著提高改良鲫整个肠道脂肪酶、后肠胰蛋白酶、后肠胃蛋白酶的活性(P0.01);显著提高后肠淀粉酶、前肠胃蛋白酶、中肠胰蛋白酶的活性(P0.05)。在饲料中添加4%的蚓粪,可极显著提高前肠和后肠脂肪酶、后肠胃蛋白酶的活性(P0.01);显著提高前肠胃蛋白酶的活性(P0.05);但可极其显著降低中肠脂肪酶的活性(P0.01)。(2)饲料中添加蚯蚓不会影响淀粉酶、脂肪酶、胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶在肠道和肝脏中的分布规律,试验组鱼的肝脏中未检测出脂肪酶活性。饲料中添加蚓粪不会影响胃蛋白酶的活性分布,但对脂肪酶、淀粉酶和胰蛋白酶的分布规律有影响。(3)从提高改良鲫消化酶活性的效果看,蚯蚓的作用优于蚓粪。     

配合饲料对青石斑鱼生长和消化酶活性的影响

探讨市售配合饲料对青石斑鱼生长和消化酶活性的影响,为日后研制青石斑鱼的全价配合饲料提供依据.将120尾2龄雌性青石斑鱼随机分成两组,每组3个平行,分别用小杂鱼(对照组)和湿颗粒饲料(试验组)饲喂112 d.从每个平行中随机抽取5尾鱼,测定特定生长率和消化酶活性.试验结果:试验组鱼的特定生长率显著高于对照组(P<0.05);在胃部,试验组鱼的胃蛋白酶活性高十对照组(P<0.05),胰蛋门酶活性低于对照组(P<0.05);在肠道,试验组鱼的脂肪酶、胃蛋白酶活性高于对照组(P<0.05);在肝脏,试验组鱼的脂肪酶、胰蛋白酶活性均低于对照组(P<0.05).结果表明,投喂配合饲料可以显著提高青石斑鱼胃部的胃蛋白酶活性、肠道的脂肪酶和胃蛋白酶活性,但也降低了胃部、肠道和肝脏的胰蛋白酶活性;同时,配合饲料可以提高青石斑鱼的生长速度.     

大弹涂鱼仔稚鱼和早期幼鱼的消化酶活性

采用酶学分析的方法，研究了大弹涂鱼前期仔鱼、后期仔鱼、稚鱼和早期幼鱼发育过程中胰腺酶、肠酶和胃蛋白酶活性的变化。结果表明，(1)4种胰腺酶(淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶、糜蛋白酶和羧肽酶A)和8种肠酶(麦芽糖酶、蔗糖酶、乳糖酶、海藻糖酶、纤维二糖酶、碱性磷酸酶、氨基肽酶和γ-谷氨酰转肽酶)的比活力均在仔鱼期较高，稚鱼期降至最低，早期幼鱼则急剧上升，而每尾鱼酶的总活力却随着幼体的发育而逐渐增加；(2)胃蛋白酶活性在后期仔鱼才开始检测到，此后一直呈显著上升趋势；(3)早期幼鱼肠部位的4种胰腺酶活性分别占其酶总活性的百分比均显著高于稚鱼期；(4) 稚鱼期仅3种肠酶(麦芽糖酶、纤维二糖酶和γ-谷氨酰转肽酶)高度富积在肠刷状缘膜上，而早期幼鱼除蔗糖酶外的7种肠酶在肠刷状缘膜上的富集系数均大于5.1。由此得出结论，(1)在仔鱼期，蛋白质的消化是依靠胰腺酶进行的，进入稚鱼期，胃蛋白酶开始对蛋白质的消化起重要作用；(2)在早期幼鱼，胰腺分泌机制及肠细胞已完全成熟，标志着成鱼的消化模式的形成。     

2龄西伯利亚鲟消化酶活性分布

研究了人工养殖条件下2龄西伯利亚鲟(Acipenser baerii)消化酶活性及分布特征。通过对5种消化器官(胃、肝脏、幽门盲囊、十二指肠、瓣肠)中淀粉酶、蛋白酶、脂肪酶3种消化酶活性的测定,结果发现,幽门盲囊、十二指肠、瓣肠是淀粉酶的主要分泌器官,淀粉酶活性在幽门盲囊中最高,其次是十二指肠,幽门盲囊和十二指肠之间无显著性差异(P0.05),但均显著高于瓣肠(P0.05);胃和肝脏淀粉酶活性极低,与幽门盲囊、十二指肠、瓣肠有显著性差异(P0.05)。胃和瓣肠是蛋白酶分泌主要器官,胃中蛋白酶活性最高,其次是瓣肠,二者之间有显著性差异(P0.05);幽门盲囊、十二指肠和肝脏蛋白酶活性显著低于胃和瓣肠(P0.05)。瓣肠、十二指肠和幽门盲囊是脂肪酶分泌的主要器官,瓣肠中脂肪酶活性最高,其次是十二指肠,二者之间无显著性差异(P0.05),但显著高于幽门盲囊(P0.05);胃和肝脏脂肪酶活性最低,与前三者差异显著(P0.05)。研究结果表明,西伯利亚鲟3种消化酶的主要分泌器官不同,研究结果可为了解西伯利亚鲟的消化生理特点提供依据。     

不同发育时期月鳢消化酶活性的研究

对月鳢(Channa asiatica)稚鱼、幼鱼和成鱼的主要消化酶活性及分布进行了研究。结果表明,随着鱼体的发育和生长,月鳢消化系统各器官组织的各种消化酶活性逐渐增强,尤其是蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性的增强更为明显。月鳢幼鱼蛋白酶活性以肠组织最大、肝胰脏次之、胃组织最小,且肠组织和肝胰脏中该酶活性显著高于胃组织;胰蛋白酶活性以肝胰脏最大,胃组织和肠组织均表现较小;淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性均以胃组织最大,且显著大于肠组织和肝胰脏。月鳢成鱼蛋白酶活性以中肠粘膜组织和后肠粘膜组织最高,前肠粘膜和肝胰脏次之,胃粘膜最低;胰蛋白酶活性以中肠粘膜组织和前肠粘膜最高,胃粘膜组织次之,肝胰脏小于胃粘膜,后肠粘膜组织的胰蛋白酶活性最小;淀粉酶活性以后肠粘膜组织和中肠粘膜组织最大,肝胰脏次之,胃粘膜组织和前肠粘膜组织最小;脂肪酶活性以胃粘膜组织最大,其它器官组织该酶活性均表现较小。     

青海湖裸鲤和花斑裸鲤消化酶活力对比

本实验对比研究青海湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris przewalskii)和花斑裸鲤(Gymnocypris eckloni)消化酶活性差异。两种鱼各挑选9尾体重100g左右的鱼作为实验对象,分别检测肝胰脏、前肠、中肠及后肠中的脂肪酶、淀粉酶、糜蛋白酶和胰蛋白酶活性。结果表明:作为无胃鱼,两种鱼肠道消化酶活性显著高于肝胰脏,其中前肠是主要的消化器官,后肠具有较高的蛋白质消化能力。通过对比研究发现青海湖裸鲤具有较高的脂肪和糖类消化能力,而花斑裸鲤具有较高的蛋白质消化能力。     

3种养殖鰤鱼消化相关酶活性的比较分析

为深入了解鰤鱼的消化生理特性,测定并比较分析了3种鰤鱼[高体鰤(Seriola dumerili)、黄条鰤(Seriola lalandi)、五条鰤(Seriola quinqueradiata)]的消化系统(胃、幽门盲囊、前肠、中肠、后肠和肝脏)中5种消化相关酶(胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶、碱性磷酸酶和酸性磷酸酶)活性与组织分布特点。结果显示,3种鰤鱼中5种消化相关酶主要分布在幽门盲囊、肝脏和肠道中。3种鰤鱼胃组织中胃蛋白酶活性无差异。幽门盲囊中胰蛋白酶活性：黄条鰤>高体鰤>五条鰤(P<0.05),高体鰤肝脏组织中胰蛋白酶活性显著高于其他2种鰤鱼(P<0.05);胃、中肠、后肠组织中α-淀粉酶活性：五条鰤>黄条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05),幽门盲囊、前肠组织中α-淀粉酶活性：黄条鰤>五条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05);胃、幽门盲囊组织中脂肪酶活性：黄条鰤>五条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05),前肠、后肠、肝脏中脂肪酶活性：五条鰤>黄条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05);3种鰤鱼的酸、碱性磷酸酶活性组织分布趋势基本一致,其中,黄条鰤幽门盲囊组织中酸、碱性磷酸酶活性最高(P<0.05)。研究表明,3种鰤鱼消化相关酶活性的组织分布特点基本一致,幽门盲囊是5种酶作用的主要靶器官,除胰蛋白酶外,高体鰤其他4种酶活性均显著低于其他2种鰤鱼,黄条鰤幽门盲囊和肠道的5种酶活性显著偏高。结果可为揭示鰤属鱼类的消化生理特性、研制适宜鰤属鱼类消化特点和种特异性生长的高效专用配合饲料提供理论依据。     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.