三种香港牡蛎三倍体幼虫诱导方法的效果比较

以卵裂率、D形幼虫发生率、三倍体率等为指标,比较了高盐、低温及咖啡因诱导香港牡蛎(Crassostrea hongkongensis)三倍体幼虫的效果,同时也分析了诱导因子强度(或浓度)、持续时间、受精卵密度及受精后开始处理时间对诱导效果的影响。结果表明,高盐诱导三倍体的最适条件组合是在卵子密度1.0×107个/L的情况下受精后15 min,用盐度40的海水持续处理10 min,此时卵裂率为(39.60±2.14)%, D形幼虫发生率为(31.46±1.06)%,三倍体率可以达到(59.53±5.90)%;低温诱导三倍体的最适条件组合是密度为2.0×10~7个/L的卵子在受精后15 min,用10℃海水持续处理10 min,此时卵裂率为(21.00±4.90)%, D形幼虫发生率为(12.68±1.21)%,三倍体率为(51.09±2.67)%;咖啡因诱导三倍体的最适条件组合是卵子密度为1.0×10~8个/L,用咖啡因终浓度2.0g/L的海水在受精后15min,持续处理20 min,卵裂率为(85.46±4.78)%, D形幼虫发生率为(71.79±3.92)%,三倍体率可以达到(56.36±2.07)%。最适诱导条件下,咖啡因的诱导效率指数0.405高于高盐处理0.187、低温处理0.065。高盐及低温处理方法诱导出的幼虫三倍体率随生长降低极快且存活率低于咖啡因诱导方法,说明3种方法中咖啡因可能更适合用于香港牡蛎三倍体幼虫的诱导。本研究为香港牡蛎三倍体育种提供了基础数据和实践经验。     

CB诱导熊本牡蛎三倍体及其存活率与倍化率的变化关系

为诱导熊本牡蛎三倍体，研究了细胞松弛素B (CB)浓度、诱导起始时间、诱导持续时间等因素对卵裂率、D幼率、三倍体率的影响，并分析了幼虫、稚贝及成贝的存活率和三倍体率的变化特征。结果显示，CB浓度为0.5~0.6 mg/L，诱导起始时间为40%受精卵释放第一极体，诱导持续时间为20 min时可获得87%的三倍体率。卵裂率、D幼率、三倍体率的最大影响因素分别为CB浓度、诱导持续时间、诱导起始时间与诱导持续时间。三倍体率与卵裂率无显著负相关性，而与D幼率呈显著正相关。因此，减小CB浓度或诱导持续时间，可同时获得较高的三倍体率与幼虫产量。3~15日龄三倍体组与对照组的存活率分别由71.27%与96.09%降低至34.14%与58.80%，成贝期450日龄(9月)三倍体组与对照组的存活率分别为53.62%与44.67%。3~9日龄三倍体率从87%降低至77%，而90~450日龄三倍体率平均值为59.21%±4.99%，表明幼贝与成贝期三倍体率变化较小，三倍体率的维持与存活率无显著相关性。     

不同方法制备的三倍体长牡蛎养殖效果的比较

比较了细胞松弛素B(CB)和6-二甲基氨基嘌呤(6-DMAP)通过抑制受精卵极体释放的方法批量诱导三倍体长牡蛎的养殖效果.长牡蛎卵子在25℃的海水中受精,20～30min后,开始用浓度为0.5mg@L-1的CB处理,持续18～22min,受精卵处理密度为4.0～4.5×107个@L-1,三倍体产率为65.2%～70.1%,面盘幼虫孵化率为12.3%～14.5%,诱导效率指数为0.09.6-DMAP的使用浓度为400～420μmol@L-1,受精卵处理密度为3.0～3.5×107个@L-1,授精水温、处理起始和持续时间等与CB方法相同,三倍体产率为58.7%～65.4%,面盘幼虫孵化率为52.1%～55.4%,诱导效率指数为0.32.两种方法的采苗率基本相同,采苗器为基质较硬的栉孔扇贝贝壳.海区养殖采用浮筏夹苗吊养技术,两种方法诱导的三倍体牡蛎养殖性状没有明显差别.通过比较CB和6-DMAP两种诱导方法及三倍体的养殖效果表明,后者具有更好的应用性.     

6_二甲基氨基嘌呤诱导太平洋牡蛎三倍体_抑制受精卵第一极体释放

于 1996～ 1997年 ,用 6-二甲基氨基嘌呤 ( 6-DMAP)抑制受精卵第一极体的释放 ,诱导太平洋牡蛎产生三倍体。选用L16( 45)设计 ,进行三因素四水平的正交试验 :6-DMAP浓度 ,设15 0、30 0、45 0和 60 0μmol/L ;诱导时机 (即精卵混合后的时间 ) ,设 10、15、2 0和 2 5min ;诱导持续时间 ,设 10、15、2 0和 2 5min。试验平行重复二次。结果为最高三倍体诱导率为 ( 71.3± 1.2 ) % ,该实验组胚胎孵化率为 ( 5 5 .5± 3.1) % ,D形幼虫畸形率为 ( 10 .7± 1.6) %。根据直观分析结果 ,得出诱导太平洋牡蛎三倍体各因素的最优水平组合 :水温 2 5～ 2 5 .5℃ ,精卵混合 10min时 ,将受精卵浸泡在含 6-DMAP 60 0μmol/L的海水中 15min ;决定三倍体产生的三因素的主次顺序 :6-DMAP浓度→诱导时机→诱导持续时间。 6-DMAP浓度对三倍体诱导率影响显著 ,但诱导时机和诱导持续时间不显著。     

6-二甲基氨基嘌呤诱导泥蚶三倍体实验

于2001年5月,用6-DMAP抑制泥蚶受精卵第二极体的释放诱导三倍体的产生。实验设三个6-DMAP浓度梯度,分别为300μmol/L、450μmol/L、600μmol/L,处理时机为受精卵第一极排放体30％,处理持续时间为10min。结果:三倍体诱导率300μmol/L时为35.5％,450μmol/L时为48.6％,600μmol/L时约为58.5％,另外本实验还就6-DMAP浓度对D形幼虫孵化率和畸形率的影响以及在染色体制片过程中的有关问题进行了初步探讨。     

低渗诱导太平洋牡蛎三倍体以及与其他诱导方法的比较

通过低渗方法抑制受精卵第二极体(PB2)的释放,诱导太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)三倍体.在水温为23～25℃的条件下,分别采用不同低渗海水(盐度分别为4、6、8、10、12、14、16),在不同处理时机,即第1个第一极体(PB1)出现、30%的PB1出现、40%的PB1出现、50%的PB1出现以及第1个第二极体(PB2)出现时,对太平洋牡蛎受精卵进行10 min、15 min、20 min、25 min持续处理.处理后,于正常盐度海水中孵化,收集D形幼虫,通过流式细胞仪进行倍性测定,确定最佳诱导条件.结果表明,当太平洋牡蛎受精卵PB1出现40%时,在盐度为8的低渗海水中,持续处理15 min,得到最高三倍体诱导率为(89.16±1.39)%.与对照组相比,低渗诱导获得的三倍体幼虫表现出明显的生长优势.将低渗方法同高温(32℃)、低温(2℃)和6-DMAP(450μmo1/L)处理等多倍体诱导方法进行比较,结果显示,低渗组的卵裂率和孵化率显著高于高温、低温和6-DMAP诱导的太平洋牡蛎三倍体(P＜0.05).6-DMAP诱导的三倍体率虽略高于低渗诱导,但差异不显著(P＞0.05).通过综合评价指数(Ie)比较,认为低渗诱导多倍体的方法比高温、低温和6-DMAP诱导具有明显的优势.     

诱导异源三倍体鲍的初步研究

用细胞松弛素B（CB）处理九孔鲍♂×盘鲍♀受精卵,分别抑制其第一极体和第二极体、以及第二极体释放诱导异源三倍体。水温24℃,九孔鲍♂×盘鲍♀授精后10min,用浓度0.6～1.0mg/L的CB持续处理受精卵20～25min,抑制其第一极体的排放。而九孔鲍♂×盘鲍♀在受精后27min,当40%～50%受精卵排出第一极体时,用浓度0.6～1.0mg/L的CB持续处理受精卵10～15min,分别统计对照组和药物处理组的担轮幼虫率,并用倍体分析仪检测各组稚鲍的倍性。结果表明：对照组和药物处理组担轮幼虫的倍性较复杂,起始处理时间为10min,CB药物处理浓度为0.6mg/L,持续处理时间为25min,其三倍体率可达40.67%,担轮幼虫的孵化率为26.44%。起始处理时间为27min,CB药物处理浓度0.6mg/L,处理持续时间为10min,其三倍体率可达48.11%,担轮幼虫率的孵化率为29.86%。     

人工诱导栉孔扇贝雌核发育二倍体的初步研究

2004年5~6月,用紫外线照射法使精子遗传物质失活,结合用6-二甲基氨基嘌呤(6-dime-thylaminopurine,6-DMAP)处理受精卵抑制第2极体释放,诱导栉孔扇贝雌核发育二倍体。采用中心波长254nm、光照强度800μw/cm2·s的紫外线照射栉孔扇贝精子50s,然后立即与正常卵子授精,在20℃水温下,受精后35~40min光镜下观察到20%~30%卵子排出第1极体时,分别以40、50、60、70、80mg/L的6-DMAP持续处理受精卵10、15、20min,染色体计数法检测各处理组二倍体率,从而筛选诱导栉孔扇贝雌核发育二倍体两因素的最佳组合。结果表明,6-DMAP的浓度和持续处理时间对二倍体诱导率和D形幼虫率影响较显著,6-DMAP浓度以60、70mg/L较为适宜,最佳处理时间为20min,综合考虑,60mg/L6-DMAP处理20min组得到了最佳效果,二倍体率为57.6%、D形幼虫率22.25%。随后对筛选出的最佳条件组担轮幼虫进行了大量的染色体统计和流式细胞仪分析,结果基本一致,二倍体率分别为53.7%和57.3%。     

扇贝异源三倍体诱导

荧光显微观察表明,20℃水温下,栉孔扇贝(Chlamysfarreri)的卵与海湾扇贝(Argopecten irradians)的精子可以正常受精和发育,具备人工诱导三倍体的可行性.亲贝充分促熟后,分开催产,以20:1的精卵比授精;在50%的受精卵排出第1极体时,以60mg/L 6-二甲基氨基嘌呤(6-DMAP)处理受精卵10～25 min,可诱导75.23%～92.14%的三倍体;6-DMAP处理15 min综合诱导效果最好,三倍体诱导率可达88.56%,孵化率可达53.52%.得到的三倍体幼虫经基因组原位杂交(Genomicin situ hybridization,GISH)验证,为含有2套栉孔扇贝染色体组和1套海湾扇贝染色体组的异源三倍体.孵化后诱导组与杂交对照组(未经6-DMAP处理)幼虫生长越来越缓慢,受精后14 d其幼虫存活率分别下降到0.000 67%和0.002 24%,没有幼虫度过附着变态期.GISH分析显示,栉孔扇贝与海湾扇贝不同倍性的杂种后代早在担轮幼虫阶段就出现母本偏向性染色体转变.     

三倍体九孔鲍的育种和养成技术研究

当 5 0 %九孔鲍受精卵出现第一极体后 ,以 6 -DMAP为诱导剂 ,用不同的浓度和不同的持续时间抑制第二极体的释放诱导三倍体 ;并进行了生产性苗种培育和养成试验。结果表明 ,6 -DMAP的诱导浓度为30 0μmol·dm-3 、诱导持续时间为 10min时 ,其胚胎的三倍体率为 90 %以上 ,并且胚胎的孵化率高达 85 % ,幼体的畸形率较低 ,为 5 0 %～ 5 5 % ;经过 7个月培育 ,试验组养成鲍的三倍体率为 6 5 %以上 ;试验组养成鲍的平均壳长比对照组增长 10 % ,平均体重比对照组增重 30 %。与二倍体鲍相比较 ,三倍体鲍在壳长增长和体重增重等方面 ,显示了显著的优势 [t>t0 .0 1( 58) ]。     

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.