Quality of raw and smoked fillets from clinically healthy Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar L., following an outbreak of pancreas disease (PD)

Pancreas disease (PD) is a viral disease of farmed salmonid fish, which causes huge economic losses. Pathological changes in skeletal muscle, pancreas and heart are hallmarks of PD. Stakeholders in the fish‐smoking industry have claimed that fillets from PD‐affected Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., are of poor quality. We therefore examined harvest‐ready, clinically healthy Atlantic salmon from a population of fish previously affected by PD. Histopathological changes in skeletal muscle tissues ranged from minor to severe. Fillet quality measurements showed that fish with severe skeletal muscle changes provided a paler raw fillet and a yellowish and harder cold‐smoked fillet than normal. PD had no significant effect on fillet gaping, bacteriological quality or off‐odour development during storage. An unexpected finding was a significant subendocardial fibrosis in 23% of the PD‐affected fish. The latter may indicate susceptibility to stress‐related heart failure.     

Physiological and molecular changes in large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea R.) with high‐fat diet‐induced fatty liver disease

Fatty liver disease is regularly observed in cultured large yellow croaker, and the disease leads to lower growth rates and reduced harvest yields. The goal of this study was to achieve a more detailed understanding of the physiological and molecular changes in response to high‐fat diet‐induced fatty liver in large yellow croaker. Large yellow croaker fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 9 weeks developed hepatic steatosis characterized by histological observation and significantly increased plasma triglyceride levels and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities. However, no significant differences in serum total protein, glucose, cholesterol, non‐esterified free fatty acids (NEFA), aspartate aminotransferase, high‐density lipoprotein and low‐density lipoprotein were observed between the normal diet and the high‐fat diet (HFD) group. The fatty acid composition of tissue lipids was not affected significantly by dietary lipid levels. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that the HFD decreased fatty acid synthase expression and increased PPARγ expression, but had no effect on lipoprotein lipase and PPARα expression. These results suggest that the HFD‐induced physiological changes and fatty liver may be due to the alteration of related gene expression. As such, further investigations of the metabolic pathways and differentially expressed genes are of particular significance in the mechanistic study and understanding of HFD‐induced fatty liver disease.     

Effect of predigested protein on growth and survival of Atlantic halibut larvae (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)

In this study Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) larvae (0.12 ± 0.04 g) were, from day 40 post first feeding, offered six diets in which 10% or 30% of the dietary protein was hydrolysed with (a) pepsin (P), (b) pepsin + trypsin (PT) or (c) pepsin + trypsin + chymotrypsin (PTC). In addition, a diet without hydrolysed protein was offered, and enriched Artemia was fed as control. The amount of soluble protein increased progressively with the enzyme treatments P, PT and PTC and with higher inclusion levels of hydrolysed protein. Survival was highest among the larvae offered Artemia (83 ± 0%) or the diet 10P (10% pepsin hydrolysed protein; 67 ± 4%). The diet 10P supported survival significantly better than the more hydrolysed diets 10PTC, 30P, 30PT and 30PTC, but not significantly better than the non‐hydrolysed diet and 10PT. Specific growth rate (SGR) was 1.76 ± 0.20 in average for all groups of larvae and was not significantly affected by the diets. Still, the larvae offered pepsin hydrolysed diets tended to have better growth (2.10 ± 0.05 SGR; P < 0.06) than the larvae offered the other hydrolysed diets. The larvae offered the formulated diets did not differ in chemical composition.     

Specific dynamic action in two body size groups of the southern catfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Silurus meridionalis</Emphasis>) fed diets differing in carbohydrate and lipid contents

Specific dynamic action (SDA), the energy costs associated with meal digestion and assimilation, is generally affected by body size and food composition. We assessed the postprandial metabolic response and calculated SDA in two size groups of the southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis), each fed one of two diets, high lipid or high carbohydrate, at a meal size of 4% the body mass. Using a continuous-flow respirometer, we determined the oxygen consumption rate at 2-h intervals until the postprandial oxygen consumption rate returned to the prefeeding level. None of the parameters (resting metabolic rate, Rpeak, factorial ratio, time-to-peak, duration, energy expended on SDA, or SDA coefficient) were significantly affected by diet nor was there an interaction between diet and body mass. Rpeak and energy expended on SDA for the whole fish body were significantly higher in the larger fish than the smaller one in both dietary treatments, whereas no significant effect of body size was found in mass specific values. Factorial ratio (range 3.41 to 3.60), peak time (range 9.6 to 12.7 h), SDA coefficient (range 9.36 to 10.36%), and SDA duration (range 62.0 to 71.0 h) did not significantly differ between body size groups. These results suggest that in S. meridionalis the percentage of assimilated energy allocated to SDA may be independent of the body mass.     

Identification and genetic characterization of yeasts isolated from freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man, in Taiwan

Since 1987, farmers in southern Taiwan have reported significant disease-related mortalities in freshwater prawns. Most mortalities have occurred during the winter, and usually almost all the adult prawns die within 4-5 days after clinical signs appear. Histopathological studies show that cells in hepatopancreatic ducts and tubules are vacuolized and degenerated. Large numbers of membrane-bound yeast aggregates are observed in the affected tissues. Two hundred and seventeen yeast isolates were obtained from diseased prawns, pond water and sediments from six areas. DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to analyse the yeast genomes and to categorize them into five groups. Conventional biochemical and metabolic methods were then used to identify the yeasts of each group. The results showed that two strains of Candida sake (I and II), Pichia anomala, Endomyces fibuliger and Candida famata were present. In addition, the RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) method was used to determine their genomic similarities. Two strains (I and II) of C. sake were the most similar (72%). C. sake I appears to be the primary causative agent of disease, based on frequencies of occurrence of the yeasts found in the diseased prawns.     

The occurrence of hyena disease in young cattle]

Eight juvenile cattle with symptoms of hyena disease are described. This represents the first occurrence of the condition in the Republic of Poland. The growth of the affected animals was retarded, with a marked difference in longitudinal growth of the femoral, humeral, tibial and metatarsal bones. The animals showed altered nickel, manganese and inorganic phosphate concentrations, which may be related to the disease. The genetic studies did not reveal any aetiological factors.     

Listeriosis of lambs, its occurrence in a large sheep flock and experiences with a possible immunization]

There are regional differences in the aetiology of the CNS form of listeriosis; whereas in some flocks it is predominantly the adult animals which are affected, other units encounter substantial lamb losses with only small numbers of diseased ewes. Attempts at treatment are only likely to be successful with the septicaemic form of the disease. The evaluation of a vaccine to reduce lamb losses caused by listeriosis is problematic. The fact that the live vaccine which is usually tested is a highly virulent vaccine, which may under certain circumstances cause listeriosis in lambs, makes its further use indefensible in our opinion.     

Oxygen uptake in the Antarctic teleost Pagothenia borchgrevinki. Limitations imposed by X-cell gill disease

Fish in a population of Pagothenia borchgrevinki in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, are affected by a gill disease (X-cell disease) which causes tissue hyperplasia that results in a decreased gill surface area and an increased water/blood diffusion distance. P. borchgrevinki acquires 95% of its oxygen via the gills, but damage to the gills by X-cell disease did not affect this function. There was no compensatory shift to cutaneous respiration. X-cell disease reduced the ability for oxygen uptake at low ambient P_{O 2} and the decreased uptake was related to the extent of the disease. _{O 2} max was greatly reduced in X-cell affected fish and substantially reduced their aerobic potential. This effect may impair the ability of diseased fish to catch prey and avoid predators.     

Inhibitory effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistia</Emphasis> tannin on digestive enzymes of Indian major carps: an in vitro study

Aquatic weeds are one of the major unconventional feed ingredients tested for aquafeed formulation. Tannin content in the water lettuce, Pistia, has been quantified (26.67 mg g⁻¹; dry weight) and graded levels of which (12.5–200 μg) have been incorporated in the reaction mixtures to evaluate any change in the in vitro activity of the principal digestive enzymes from the three Indian major carps (IMC), namely rohu (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla) and mrigala (Cirrhinus mrigala). Result of the experiment revealed that the Pistia tannin (PT) significantly inhibit/lower the activities of the digestive enzymes from three IMCs in a dose-dependant manner, even at very low concentration. Significant variation in the reduction of the enzyme activities was noticed between the three fish species, as well as between the three enzymes studied. Among the three species studied, digestive enzymes from L. rohita were found to be the most sensitive to the PT, whereas enzymes from C. catla were found to be comparatively least affected. On the other hand, protease and lipase activities were comparatively more affected than the amylase activity. The results of the study suggest that more stress should be given on the elimination of tannin while incorporating feed ingredients of plant origin in fish diets.     

Yersinia ruckeri—A threat not only to rainbow trout

Yersinia ruckeri (Y. ruckeri) can cause mortalities that are contributing to substantial economic losses in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) aquaculture sector. Because of its most characteristic clinical signs, the disease in rainbow trout caused by this pathogen is called enteric redmouth disease. Although it is considered to affect mainly salmonids, there are reports in the available literature of isolating this bacterium from other fish species, both clinically healthy and diseased. The aim of this study was to analyse the available data concerning yersiniosis in non‐salmonid fish. The analysed data indicate that Y. ruckeri is a threat not only to rainbow trout. Some of the affected species have high commercial importance and mortalities may contribute to high economic losses. The disease symptoms may not be specific and can be different from those characteristic for enteric redmouth in trout, which may lead to misdiagnosis. Collected information indicates that infection with Y. ruckeri should be taken into account in the diagnostic procedures not only in salmonids.     

Influence of temperature and salinity on the yellowleg shrimp, Penaeus californieinsis Holmes, prophenoloxidase system

The effects of salinity and temperature on plasma protein concentration and total haemocytic prophenoloxidase (proPO) were determined. Groups of 10 juvenile yellowleg shrimp, Penaeus californiensis Holmes, were acclimated for 20 days at different salinities (28%o, 32%o, 36%o, 40%o and 44%o at 25 °C) or temperatures (18, 22, 25, 28 and 32 °C at 36%o). While total protein levels were not affected, the quantities of proPO increased as salinity was elevated. Temperature affected both haemolymph parameters, showing a significant decrease in proPO at 32 °C, and an increase of protein at 28 and 32 °C. These results may help to explain the elevated disease susceptibility of shrimp at higher salinities and/or temperatures.     

Modelling giant red shrimp larval dispersal in the Sardinian seas: density and connectivity scenarios

The connectivity and three‐dimensional (3D) dispersion of the larvae of giant red shrimp, potentially released from known spawning areas along the Sardinia slope in the western Mediterranean Sea, were assessed using Lagrangian simulations forced by a 3D submesoscale permitting a regional ocean model. Biophysical simulations using the hydrodynamic conditions of the year 2012 were run to track propagules released from known spawning areas during the spawning period (May to September). Passive transport (PT) and vertical migration (VM) scenarios were tested, each with two possible pelagic larval durations (PLDs) of 21 or 42 days. Dispersion of propagules in the PT and VM scenarios differed in terms of travelled distance, export out of the domain (larger for VM), and depth distribution (shallower and bimodal for VM due to the larger variability of encountered currents). Connectivity patterns were investigated among eight release areas, and four predetermined Eco‐Regions, and results showed strong connectivity among the North‐Western (NW), Western (W), and Southern (S) regions of Sardinia, whereas the Eastern region was more segregated. Differences in connectivity patterns among scenarios were related mainly to the tendency of greater retention of propagules in the release area for the PT scenarios. This finding, together with existing hypotheses of vertical migration likely occurring during first egg‐larval phases, suggest that the VM scenarios are the most probable of the two hypotheses tested. Strong connectivity between the W and S sides of Sardinia and the relative isolation of the E side could have significant implications for the protection of this important resource.     

Soy protein concentrate as a protein source for Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup 1858) diets: effects on growth and amino acid metabolism of postlarvae

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of a dietary amino acid imbalance, originating from the use of a soy protein concentrate (SPC) as the major protein source, on the growth performance and amino acid metabolism of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) postlarvae. Senegalese sole (85.6±24.6 mg wet weight) were fed one of two experimental diets: one based on fish meal (FM) and another based on SPC. Diets were isonitrogenous (around 56% crude protein) and isoenergetic. Diet acceptability was very good and the growth rate was 6.9% day^?1 for sole eating the FM diet and 6.0% day^?1 for sole eating the SPC diet. Mass‐specific ammonia excretion and the activities of selected amino acid metabolic enzymes (ALAT, ASAT and GDH) did not present significant differences between treatments, although this may have been due to the high variability found for these parameters in the SPC treatment. This variability may suggest different capacities of individual fish to adapt to the possible methionine dietary deficiency. The utilization of amino acids as a substrate for lipogenesis does not seem to be affected by the dietary protein source, since NAPDH‐generating enzymes (G6PD and ME) had similar activities in both treatments. Amino acid metabolism in Senegalese sole postlarvae seems to be slightly affected by the dietary protein source. Nevertheless, the changes induced by the SPC diet do not seem to impair growth, at least at the high dietary protein level used in this experiment.     

Novel methodologies in marine fish larval nutrition

Major gaps in knowledge on fish larval nutritional requirements still remain. Small larval size, and difficulties in acceptance of inert microdiets, makes progress slow and cumbersome. This lack of knowledge in fish larval nutritional requirements is one of the causes of high mortalities and quality problems commonly observed in marine larviculture. In recent years, several novel methodologies have contributed to significant progress in fish larval nutrition. Others are emerging and are likely to bring further insight into larval nutritional physiology and requirements. This paper reviews a range of new tools and some examples of their present use, as well as potential future applications in the study of fish larvae nutrition. Tube-feeding and incorporation into Artemia of ¹⁴C-amino acids and lipids allowed studying Artemia intake, digestion and absorption and utilisation of these nutrients. Diet selection by fish larvae has been studied with diets containing different natural stable isotope signatures or diets where different rare metal oxides were added. Mechanistic modelling has been used as a tool to integrate existing knowledge and reveal gaps, and also to better understand results obtained in tracer studies. Population genomics may assist in assessing genotype effects on nutritional requirements, by using progeny testing in fish reared in the same tanks, and also in identifying QTLs for larval stages. Functional genomics and proteomics enable the study of gene and protein expression under various dietary conditions, and thereby identify the metabolic pathways which are affected by a given nutrient. Promising results were obtained using the metabolic programming concept in early life to facilitate utilisation of certain nutrients at later stages. All together, these methodologies have made decisive contributions, and are expected to do even more in the near future, to build a knowledge basis for development of optimised diets and feeding regimes for different species of larval fish.     

鱼类营养代谢性疾病相关基因数据库的调研与分析

集约化养殖条件下鱼类营养代谢性疾病频发,如何防治是目前亟待解决的问题。寻找导致营养代谢性疾病的关键基因,并研究其功能及作用机制是目前研究的热点。高通量测序技术为研究者提供了海量的基因信息,如何有效的挖掘、分析和存储数据并用于疾病的防治显得尤为重要。目前,鱼类营养代谢性疾病相关基因数据库的开发和利用仍处于研究初期。为了合理高效地利用现有的组学数据信息,本研究系统地调研了鱼类代谢性疾病相关数据库,明晰了NCBI数据库中265种鱼类的基因组大小和64种鱼类的染色体数目,获取了Ensembl数据库中17个目58种鱼类的基因组数据,收集了KEGG数据库中41种鱼类的糖类、脂类和蛋白质代谢相关基因。本文可为鱼类营养代谢性疾病基因数据库的研发提供数据支撑,并为鱼类营养代谢性疾病的治疗和预防奠定坚实的基础。     

饲料中添加核苷酸对凡纳滨对虾幼虾生长、肠道形态及抗氧化酶活力的影响

本实验旨在研究外源核苷酸混合物对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)幼虾生长性能、体组成、中肠肠道形态和抗氧化酶活力的影响。选取960尾初始体质量为(1.01±0.02)g的凡纳滨对虾,随机分为8组,分别投喂基础饲料和添加5种核苷酸混合物(5′-腺苷酸∶5′-胞苷酸∶5′-尿苷酸二钠∶5′-肌苷酸二钠∶5′-鸟苷酸二钠=1∶1∶1∶1∶1,mix-NT)的实验饲料,各实验组添加量分别为0.1、0.2、0.4、0.6、0.8、1.0和1.2 g/kg饲料,养殖期为7周。结果显示,饲料中添加5种核苷酸混合物对凡纳滨对虾的特定生长率(SGR)和饲料系数(FCR)影响不显著(P>0.05)。外源核苷酸显著影响凡纳滨对虾全虾水分含量(P<0.05),但对全虾粗蛋白、粗脂肪和灰分含量影响不显著(P>0.05)。肝胰指数(HSI)随饲料中核苷酸添加量的增加而显著升高(P<0.05),在0.6 g/kg组达到最高。0.4 g/kg组的肝胰腺谷草转氨酶(GOT)和谷丙转氨酶(GPT)活力及尿酸(UA)含量最低,但与对照组相比差异均不显著(P>0.05)。中肠肠壁厚度和肠绒毛高度均随着核苷酸添加量的增加呈先升高...     

Use of GIS and machine learning to predict disease in shrimp farmed on the east coast of the Mekong Delta,Vietnam

Diseases in shrimp farms in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam cause significant crop losses and are therefore of great concern to producers. Once a pond becomes infected, it is difficult to prevent spread of the disease to nearby shrimp farming areas. Thus, predicting the occurrence of disease is an essential part of reducing the risk for shrimp farmers. In this study, we applied an integrated geographic information system and machine learning system to predict three serious diseases of shrimp, namely, acute hepatopancreatic necrosis, white spot syndrome disease, and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei infection, based on data collected from shrimp farms in the Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, and Ca Mau provinces of Vietnam. We first constructed a map showing the distribution of these diseases using the locations of affected farms, and then we conducted spatial analysis to acquire the geographical features of the affected locations. This latter information was combined with environmental factors and clinical signs to form the set of independent variables affecting the outbreak of diseases. The neural network model outperformed the logistic regression, random forest, and gradient boosting methods in terms of predicting infection to estimate the probability of disease occurrence in farmed areas. Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease infected farms downstream of the Co Chien and Hau Rivers of Tra Vinh and west of Ca Mau. Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei infection is distributed in Soc Trang Province, while white spot syndrome virus has spread to the coastal districts of Soc Trang and Bac Lieu Provinces, where it is highly associated to water from a complex canal system.

     

Emaciation of pond-cultured snakehead, Channa striatus (Fowler)

Abstract. A new disease condition which may affect up to 20% of a population has been recognized in pond cultured snakeheads, Channa striatus (Fowler). Clinically, affected fish are inappetent and severely emaciated; histologically and ultrastructurally, emaciated pond reared snakeheads display extensive striated myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic degeneration and necrosis with inflammatory changes.     

Dietary nitrogen and fish welfare

Little research has been done in optimizing the nitrogenous fraction of the fish diets in order to minimize welfare problems. The purpose of this review is to give an overview on how amino acid (AA) metabolism may be affected when fish are under stress and the possible effects on fish welfare when sub-optimal dietary nitrogen formulations are used to feed fish. In addition, it intends to evaluate the current possibilities, and future prospects, of using improved dietary nitrogen formulations to help fish coping with predictable stressful periods. Both metabolomic and genomic evidence show that stressful husbandry conditions affect AA metabolism in fish and may bring an increase in the requirement of indispensable AA. Supplementation in arginine and leucine, but also eventually in lysine, methionine, threonine and glutamine, may have an important role in enhancing the innate immune system. Tryptophan, as precursor for serotonin, modulates aggressive behaviour and feed intake in fish. Bioactive peptides may bring important advances in immunocompetence, disease control and other aspects of welfare of cultured fish. Fishmeal replacement may reduce immune competence, and the full nutritional potential of plant-protein ingredients is attained only after the removal or inactivation of some antinutritional factors. This review shows that AA metabolism is affected when fish are under stress, and this together with sub-optimal dietary nitrogen formulations may affect fish welfare. Furthermore, improved dietary nitrogen formulations may help fish coping with predictable stressful events.