芽孢杆菌对草鱼养殖水质的影响

为研究芽孢杆菌对草鱼养殖水质的影响,选取体重约45g的草鱼210尾,随机分为2组,每组设3个平行重复.对照组在水中不添加任何菌,处理组每隔7d分别向水中按照1×108 cfu/m3添加芽孢杆菌菌粉,二组均饲喂基础日粮.草鱼养殖水体水质测定结果表明:与对照组相比,第28天处理组氨氮含量比对照组下降29.17％(P＜0.05).亚硝酸盐氮含量无显著性差异且在0.39 mg/L以下.第14天时,处理组硝酸盐氮含量比对照组降低60.26％( P＜0.01),在第21天和第28天分别比对照组提高26.98％(P＜0.05)和67.85％(P＜0.01).处理组的总无机氮含量在21d内无显著差异,第28天时下降了15.39％(P＞0.05).养殖水体pH值维持在6.8～7.6,各组之间无显著差异.养殖水体中添加芽孢杆菌可降低氨氮含量,改善养殖水体水质.     

臭氧前后置工艺变化对循环水半滑舌鳎养殖系统水环境的影响

为了进一步优化封闭式循环水处理的系统工艺和运行参数,通过循环水养殖半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)的试验手段,将循环水处理系统工艺中的臭氧投加位置进行前置与后置的比较分析,探讨臭氧工艺变化对半滑舌鳎循环水养殖系统水环境的影响.结果显示,养鱼池进水口化学需氧量(COD)浓度都随着氧化还原电位(ORP)的增加而降低,臭氧后置比前置COD浓度下降更快,在ORP达到356 mV时,COD浓度降低29.38％;养鱼池进水口的氨氮、亚硝酸氮浓度后置低于前置;随着臭氧添加浓度的增加,系统对COD、氨氮、亚硝酸氮的去除率都显著增加(P＜0.05),且当达到356 mV时,后置时系统对COD、氨氮、亚硝酸氮的去除率达到最大分别为34.89％、50.63％、20.64％.结果表明臭氧最佳的投加位置在循环水处理工艺的后端,臭氧投加量控制在ORP指标350 mV时,对氨氮、亚硝酸氮的去除效果更具优势,并可清新水质,节省纯氧用量.     

包膜硫酸钠/过氧化氢/氯化钠加合物对尼罗罗非鱼养殖水体的改善效果

选取经食盐水浸浴10 d后平均体重为40 g左右的健康尼罗罗非鱼,随机分成两组,一组为对照组.另一组为试验组,每组设3个重复,每个重复30尾,饲养于水族箱中.试验组按3 g/m3水的添加量投放包膜硫酸钠/过氧化氢/氯化钠加合物,每2 d投放1次,试验期20 d,试验期间不换水,24 h增氧,每天两次投饵,不捞残饵,研究包膜硫酸钠/过氧化氢/氯化钠加合物对尼罗罗非鱼养殖水体的改善效果.结果表明,(1)试验组和对照组水体的溶氧和pH值没有明显的差异;试验组和对照组氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮和COD浓度均随着试验时间的延长而升高,相同时间点试验组水体氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮和COD浓度均低于对照组,其中氨氮在第12、15和20天达到显著水平(P＜0.05),亚硝酸盐氮和COD在第9、12、15和20天达到显著水平(P＜0.05);(2)与对照组相比,试验组养殖水体细菌数量显著降低(P＜0.05);(3)与对照组相比,试验组尼罗罗非鱼日增重、特定生长率和存活率分别提高40%(P＜0.05)、40.9%(P＜0.05)和14.2%(P＜0.05),饵料系数降低12.3%(P＜0.05).     

复合微生物制剂在日本鳗鲡土池精养中的应用

本研究开展了对日本鳗鲡(Anguilla japonica) 精养殖土池,定期泼洒施用一种复合微生物制剂（Freshplus净水剂）的对比试验,定期监测了处理组和对照组池塘的水温、pH、溶氧、氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮、硝酸盐氮、COD、碱度等水质指标,并分析对比了鳗鱼养殖效果。结果表明：Freshplus净水剂的施用能显著降低鳗鱼土池水体氨氮浓度60.5% (p＜0.05)、显著提高鳗鱼生长速度33.0% (p＜0.05),降低饲料系数9.6% (p＜0.1)。     

不同养殖模式及光照对凡纳滨对虾生长和水质的影响

利用室内水泥池4种不同养殖模式(虾单养或混养不同鱼类)和2种光照(自然光和弱光)对凡纳滨对虾生长、产量和水质的影响开展了研究。试验共设6个试验组,2个对照组,每个组别共设3个重复:自然光虾单养组、弱光组对虾单养、自然光虾鳅混养、弱光虾鳅混养、自然光虾鲢混养、弱光组虾鲢混养、自然光虾鳅鲢混养、弱光虾鳅鲢混养,养殖70d。测定试验前后试验池虾规格、总质量、存活率及饵料系数和鱼的规格、总质量。每隔15~20d测定水质指标。试验结果表明,单养组的虾自然光条件下规格显著大于其他组(P0.05),而弱光单养组的虾规格显著小于其他组(P0.05),其他组别差异不显著(P0.05)。饵料系数方面,单养组显著大于混养组(P0.05),存活率混养组显著高于单养组(P0.05),自然光组饵料系数和存活率显著高于弱光组(P0.05)。水质方面,养殖期间各组的硝态氮、亚硝态氮、氨氮呈稳步上升趋势,但亚硝态氮质量浓度,虾单养组和虾鳅混养组均显著高于虾鲢混养组和虾鳅鲢混养组(P0.05),自然光组显著低于弱光组(P0.05),氨氮,虾单养组显著高于其他组(P0.05),自然光组低于弱光组(P0.05)。试验结果显示,适当的光照是凡纳滨对虾生长的重要因素,泥鳅能大幅提高池塘经济效益节约成本,而鲢鳙鱼可有效地改善水质,当泥鳅以及鲢鳙鱼共同混养在虾池时,保证对虾池水质良好的同时,可提高对虾养殖的产量。     

三疣梭子蟹、凡纳滨对虾、菲律宾蛤仔和江蓠混养结构优化的实验研究

利用海水陆基实验围隔优化了三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)、凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)、菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)和菊花江蓠(Gracilaria lichevoides)的混养结构。实验设6个处理组,分别为蟹-虾(CS)、蟹-虾-贝(CSB)、蟹-虾-贝-藻(CSBJ1、CSBJ2和CSBJ3),以梭子蟹单养为对照(C),每个处理组设置了4个重复。结果表明,各处理组梭子蟹个体规格差异不显著(P0.05),产量以CSBJ2处理组最高;CSBJ1和CSBJ2组凡纳滨对虾的平均体重、特定生长率以及成活率均显著高于其它处理组(P0.05);凡纳滨对虾产量以CSBJ2最高,显著高于其它处理组(P0.05);混养江蓠处理组菲律宾蛤仔成活率显著提高,但产量与其它处理差异不显著;养殖期间,CSBJ2处理组亚硝氮含量总体上显著低于其它处理(P0.05),混养江蓠各处理水体氨氮浓度养殖后期均显著降低(P0.05),而CSBJ1和CSBJ2组总氮和总磷浓度在中后期显著低于其它处理(P0.05)。本研究表明,虾蟹贝混养系统中搭配适宜密度的菊花江蓠,可以有效改善水质,减少水体中总氮、总磷浓度以及氨氮、亚硝氮等有害物质含量,提高梭子蟹和对虾的产量和成活率及菲律宾蛤仔的成活率。在本研究条件下,虾、蟹、贝和江蓠混养的最佳配比为三疣梭子蟹6ind/m2,凡纳滨对虾45ind/m2,菲律宾蛤仔30ind/m2和菊花江蓠0.36kg/m2。     

高温对海带(Saccharina japonica)抗氧化酶及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以海带(Saccharina japonica)幼苗为材料,研究了高温(25℃)条件下其抗氧化酶、叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光参数的变化.研究表明,(1)高温组的可溶性蛋白含量在处理12 h后达最大值(P＜0.05),相比初始含量升高了37.9％.(2)随着胁迫时间的延长,高温组的丙二醛(MDA)含量呈增加趋势,在48h时达最大值,与对照组差异显著(P＜0.05).(3)高温组海带幼苗的叶绿素含量随胁迫时间延长呈下降趋势,胁迫48 h时,叶绿素含量达最小值,与初始值相比下降了38.5％ (P＜0.05).(4)在高温条件下,过氧化物酶(POD)活性随胁迫时间延长逐渐下降,在48 h时达最小值,与初始值相比下降47.2％,呈显著性差异(P＜0.05);超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性呈现波动趋势,处理8h后,SOD活性达最小值;40h后,SOD活性达最大值,与初始值相比上升了36％ (P＜0.05).过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性随胁迫时间延长呈下降趋势,处理36h后,海带幼苗的CAT活性略有升高;处理48 h后,CAT活性达最小值,与初始值相比下降了75.8％ (P＜0.05).(5)高温条件下,海带幼苗的光化学最大量子产量(Fv/Fm)随着胁迫时间延长呈现下降趋势,处理48 h后,高温组的Fv/Fm达最小值,与初始条件相比下降了56.8％,呈显著性差异(P＜0.05).本研究可为海带的耐高温品种选育提供理论依据.     

益生菌对半滑舌鳎养殖水质及仔稚鱼生长的影响研究

为研究益生菌对水质因子及半滑舌鳎仔稚鱼生长指标的影响.设置添加益生菌的试验组和未添加益生菌的空白对照组进行饲喂试验,定期测定水质因子并从每组随机抽取鱼体测定其生长指标.研究发现,采用相同饵料喂食半滑舌鳎仔稚鱼,投喂益生菌对试验组pH、DO、温度、氨氮、亚硝氮没有显著影响(P＞0.05),表明添加益生菌对水质无不良影响.试验组半滑舌鳎仔稚鱼的体长增长率较对照组虽无明显差异,但增重率、肥满度和成活率显著提高(P＜0.05),表明益生菌的使用可显著提高经济效益.     

复合益生菌对草鱼养殖水体水质和菌群结构的影响

为研究草鱼养殖水体中添加复合益生菌水质调节剂对水体水质和菌群的调节作用,实验采用氮磷等指标监测水质,采用454焦磷酸盐测序方法分析菌群结构,结果显示,处理组的氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮和总氮浓度一直低于对照组,但差异不显著;处理组硝酸盐氮浓度低于对照组,且在18d下降了56.59％;处理组的总无机氮含量低于对照组,且在15d下降了28.75％.处理组正磷酸盐和总磷浓度略低于对照组,无显著差异.15 d水样的454焦磷酸盐测序结果与对照组相比,处理组菌群多样性更高,厚壁菌门和变形菌门分别减少了91.21％和21.75％,拟杆菌、放线菌和蓝细菌分别增加了288％、435％和848％.在变形菌门中,α-变形杆菌和β-变形杆菌分别比对照组提高了318％和18％,γ-变形杆菌比对照组降低了78.82％.研究表明,该复合益生菌具有一定水质调控功能,且能显著改变菌群结构.     

溶解碳源与固体碳源对对虾生物絮团养殖系统的影响

为探讨溶解碳源与固体碳源在凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)生物絮团养殖过程中的影响，设置5个不同碳源搭配组、花生壳粉组、红糖组、花生壳粉∶红糖(1∶1)组、花生壳粉∶红糖(2∶1)组以及花生壳粉∶红糖(1∶2)组，分别进行为期40 d的南美白对虾养殖试验，每4 d进行一次水质监测，试验结束时对对虾肝胰腺取样进行谷胱甘肽-S转移酶活性测定并且将抽滤滤膜进行高通量测序分析，探究不同类型碳源且不同搭配比例对生物絮团养殖系统内水质、对虾生长性能、微生物多样性及其群落结构的作用。结果显示：在水质调控方面，花生壳粉∶红糖(2∶1)组的氨氮在整个试验周期始终维持在较低水平，氨氮峰值仅为(2.43±0.45)mg/L,而氨氮峰值最大的花生壳粉组高达(9.80±0.35)mg/L;亚硝酸盐氮在对照组中呈上升趋势，在生物絮团组浓度呈先上升后下降趋势，花生壳粉∶红糖(2∶1)组的浓度变化拐点要比其他处理组提前；在硝酸盐氮水平，除对照组外其余生物絮团组都呈上升趋势，花生壳粉∶红糖(2∶1)组在试验结束时硝酸盐氮质量浓度高达(17.84±1.20)mg/L;在微生物群落分析中，副球菌属是属...     

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.     

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.