军曹鱼Ig μ重链的全长克隆及在各组织中的定量分析

采用同源克隆和RACE技术,克隆了军曹鱼Igμ重链的cDNA全序列,并通过荧光定量技术分析其在组织中的表达。军曹鱼Igμ的cDNA全长1933bp,3的非编码区域(UTR)为164bp,5UTR为26bp,开放阅读框为1743bp,编码580个氨基酸,分子量为64.831ku,理论等电点6.6。推测的军曹鱼Igμ全长氨基酸序列与已报道的鱼类的相似性最高为60%,最低为30%,同两栖类的相似度在30%~33%,同其他高等的动物相似度不足30%。较保守的CH4区和鱼类相似性在64%~71%,同其他生物的相似度仅为31%~33%,具有较强的物种特异性。军曹鱼Igμ中存在半胱氨酸和色氨酸的保守位点以及FR2骨架区的GKGLEW和在FR3的YYCAR保守序列。Igμ链基因在健康鱼体中除了肾以外在其它各组织中均有表达,在肠中的表达量最高。经鲨鱼弧菌刺激48、96、192h后,在采样的各个组织中均有表达,心脏、鳃、肠道在刺激后48h表达量明显增加,脾脏、胃和脑0h时的表达量较高,肝脏、头肾以及肾脏192h后表达较显著。从时间上看,黏膜免疫屏障最先抵御外来抗原,其后,依次是肝脏、肾、头肾产生免疫应答,说明系统免疫在长时间的抵御外来抗原时发挥着重要作用。     

多鳞铲颌鱼RPL34基因3’端序列的克隆与表达

采用同源克隆和cDNA末端快速扩增技术,从多鳞铲颌鱼雄生殖腺中首次克隆得到核糖体蛋白L34 3’末端cDNA序列。该3’末端cDNA序列长297bp,预测开放阅读框为162bp,编码53个氨基酸的蛋白质,经BLAST比对,该cDNA序列与斑马鱼、斑点叉尾鱼回、非洲爪蟾、大西洋鲑同源率达到82%～85%。利用实时定量RT-PCR检测核糖体蛋白L34mRNA在多鳞铲颌鱼组织中的表达,以及注射激素后在生殖腺中的表达。研究结果表明,核糖体蛋白L34基因在多鳞铲颌鱼雄生殖腺中特异性表达;核糖体蛋白L34在雌性生殖腺、心、脑、鳃、肠和肌肉中表达量较少,其中在雌性生殖腺表达量最低,雄性生殖腺表达量高于雌性生殖腺、肝、心、脑、鳃、肠、肌肉、脾,差异极显著(P0.01)。在雄性生殖腺注射甲基睾丸酮后,核糖体蛋白L34基因的表达量对照组高于注射组,差异显著(P0.05),在雌性生殖腺注射雌二醇后,核糖体蛋白L34基因表达量对照组高于注射组,差异极显著(P0.01)。     

军曹鱼MHC-Ⅰα基因全长cDNA的克隆及其组织表达分析

采用同源克隆和末端快速扩增（RACE）方法，得到1330bp的军曹鱼（Rachycentroncanadum）MHC-Ⅰα全长cDNA片段。该序列包括76bp的5’末端非编码区（UTR），189bp的3’UTR及1065bp的开放阅读框（ORF），编码354个氨基酸，预测其蛋白质分子量约40．10kDa，等电点5．70。构建MHC-Ⅰα氨基酸序列的系统进化树并进行氨基酸相似性比对，结果表明，军曹鱼和已知鱼类及人类（Homosapiens）MHC-Ⅰα氨基酸的同源性在27．9％～67．1％之间。所推测的蛋白序列具有一些重要特征，包括前导肽、α1、α2、α3区、CP／TM／CYT区和保守的半胱氨酸等。Real—timePCR检测结果显示，MHC-Ⅰα基因在各个正常军曹鱼组织中均表达，但表达量各有不同，其中较强的表达于头肾；中等程度表达于鳃、脾和肠；在心、脑和肌肉中表达较弱。     

金钱鱼MHC II β 基因结构、多态性与组织表达分析

为探究金钱鱼(Scatophagus argus)MHC Ⅱβ基因的结构和特性,采用同源克隆和RACE等技术,在获得cDNA全序列的基础上,分析其内含子序列、基因多态性和组织表达情况。结果表明,金钱鱼MHC IⅡβ基因cDNA序列全长1172 bp,其中5′UTR长34 bp,3′UTR长388 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长750 bp,编码249个氨基酸,包含信号肽、β1结构域、β2结构域、连接肽(CP)、跨膜区(TM)和胞质区(CYT);MHC Ⅱβ基因由6个外显子和5个内含子组成,其中内含子3将β2结构域分开。从43尾金钱鱼的209个有效克隆中,获得209条不同的核苷酸序列,可归为48个等位基因主型,分别命名为Scar-DXB*0101~Scar-DXB*4801,揭示金钱鱼MHC Ⅱβ基因的多态性很丰富。RT-PCR检测发现,金钱鱼MHC Ⅱβ基因在所检测的11种组织中均有表达,其中在脾、鳃、肠和皮肤中表达量较高,在肾、胃、心脏表达量中等,而在眼、脑、肝、肌肉中表达量较低。对健康金钱鱼人工感染嗜水气单胞菌后,发现其MHC Ⅱβ基因在肝、脾、鳃、肾等组织中的表达量均发生了不同程度的变化,证明该基因在金钱鱼免疫反应中有重要作用。在NJ法构建的系统树中,金钱鱼与舌齿鲈、大西洋鲑等硬骨鱼类的亲缘关系相对较近,而与铰口鲨、原鸡、小鼠、人等的亲缘关系则依次渐远。     

Na+-K+-ATPase α1基因全长cDNA的克隆及序列分析和表达

为了解Na+-K+-ATPase α1基因的分子结构及其在建鲤盐度调控过程中起到的作用,采用同源克隆和末端快速扩增(RACE)的方法分离克隆了建鲤(Cyprinus carpio var.jian)Na+-K+-ATPase α1基因全长cDNA,得到3 397 bp的全长cDNA,包括3 081 bp的开放阅读框(ORF),232 bp的5-末端非编码区(UTR)以及219 bp的3-末端非编码区(UTR)。对推测的该基因氨基酸序列进行同源性比对和系统分析显示:建鲤与其他鱼类该基因的氨基酸序列相似度为90.22%~95.52%,与斑马鱼(Danio rerio)相似度最高(95.52%),与虱目鱼(Chanos chanos)相似度偏低,其次是平鲷(Rhabdosargus sarba)、萨罗罗非鱼(Sarotherodon melanotheron)、底鳉(Fundulus heteroclitus)、黑鲷(Acanthopagrus schlegelii)、马苏大马哈鱼(Oncorhynchus masou)和虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss),与大西洋鲑(Salmo salar)的相似度最低(90.22%),与非洲爪蟾(Xenopus laevis)和人(Homo sapiens)的相似度分别为89.62%和89.51%。以上结果表明,不同物种间的Na+-K+-ATPaseα1基因的氨基酸序列极为保守。用实时定量PCR(RT-PCR)检测该基因在建鲤鳃、肾、肠、肝、脑和脾的相对表达量,其中脑最高,其次是鳃、脾、肾、肠,肝最低,这表明脑、鳃和脾是建鲤Na+-K+-ATPase α1基因主要的表达器官。本研究旨为进一步探索建鲤的盐度调控机制奠定分子基础。     

军曹鱼白细胞介素1β基因的克隆、分析及表达

采用同源克隆和锚定PCR技术，从军曹鱼(Rachycentron canadium Linnaeus)中克隆到白细胞介素1β(interleukin-1β)基因cDNA的全序列。军曹鱼IL-1β的cDNA全长1104bp，3′非编码区域(UTR)为255bp，5′UTR为108bp，开放阅读框(ORF)为741bp，编码246个氨基酸，分子量大约为27．68kD，理论等电点为5．71。同源性分析表明，该序列与其他鱼类甚至哺乳动物的IL-1β基因具有很高的相似性，并含有白细胞介素家族的签名序列(signature)。同时，利用RT—PCR技术，对特异性病原刺激下该基因在鱼体内的表达情况进行初步研究，发现IL-1β基因在鱼体的多种组织中都有表达，而经过脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide，LPS)刺激后，目的基因在组织中的表达明显增加，但是在不同组织内的表达存在差异。研究显示，军曹鱼IL-1β基因存在组成型和诱导型2种表达调控机制，在抵御病原感染过程中发挥重要作用。     

剑尾鱼卵黄蛋白原C(Vg C)全长cDNA的克隆及表达

利用逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)和cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)等方法,克隆获得剑尾鱼卵黄蛋白原C(Vg C)基因的全长cDNA序列。剑尾鱼Vg C基因cDNA序列全长4 011 bp,其5′非编码区包含12 bp和3′非编码区包含246 bp;含有一个3 753 bp的开放阅读框(ORF),编码1 250个氨基酸,推测其编码氨基酸分子量大小为141.7 ku,编码氨基酸序列与其他鱼类卵黄白原C编码氨基酸序列相似性在44%～85%。荧光定量PCR结果显示,Vg C在剑尾鱼肝脏中表达量最高,脾、肾、卵巢中有微量表达,脑、肌肉、鳃中几乎没有检测到表达;对不同时间暴露在雌激素中剑尾鱼肝脏进行实时荧光定量PCR表达分析的结果表明,Vg C在剑尾鱼肝脏中第5天表达量最高,随后降低,第9天后维持相对较低的表达量。研究首次克隆了剑尾鱼Vg C基因全长cDNA序列,并对Vg C在剑尾鱼体内表达组织器官分布及雌激素诱导后不同时间表达谱进行了初步研究,为剑尾鱼生殖生理及环境污染物监测应用等不同领域研究打下重要基础。     

黄条鰤hsp70基因克隆及其在早期生长发育过程中的表达调控特性

热休克蛋白(heat shock proteins, HSPs)在鱼类的应激与免疫反应中发挥重要的生理调控作用，HSP70是该家族的重要成员。为探讨热休克蛋白在大洋性经济鱼类黄条鰤 (Seriola aureovittata)生长发育中的生理作用，本研究克隆获得了黄条鰤hsp70基因的全长cDNA序列，并采用定量PCR技术测定了其组织分布及在早期生长发育过程中的表达特征。结果显示，黄条鰤 hsp70基因的cDNA序列全长为2 332 bp，其中，5′-UTR长度为187 bp，ORF长度为1 920 bp，3′-UTR长度为225 bp，编码639个氨基酸，蛋白质分子量为70.1 kDa，等电点为5.16。黄条鰤 hsp70 mRNA的组织表达具有性别二态性差异，其中，在雌性鳃、心、脾脏和卵巢组织中显著高表达(P<0.05)，且以卵巢中表达量最高；雄性垂体、鳃、头肾和精巢组织显著高表达(P<0.05)，且以鳃中表达量最高。胚胎发育过程的表达检测显示，在卵裂前的受精卵中可检测到hsp70的表达，表明其具有亲本遗传的特性。同时，在胚胎发育过程的各个时期都可检测到hsp70 mRNA的表达，且在低囊胚期之前的各发育阶段一直保持较低表达水平，在原肠前期开始显著上调表达(P<0.05)，其后保持相对较高表达水平，至胚胎孵化出膜期达峰值。在仔稚幼鱼中，hsp70 mRNA在初孵仔鱼和1 d仔鱼中高表达，其后在4 d仔鱼中显著降低(P<0.05)，其后显著上调表达，至15 d仔鱼达峰值，其后在20 d仔鱼显著下降，并在25 d后稚鱼和幼鱼中保持相对较低表达水平。研究结果可为深入认识黄条鰤hsp70基因的结构特征、发生发育及其早期生长发育阶段的表达调控功能提供依据。     

棘头梅童鱼肝型脂肪酸结合蛋白基因克隆及组织表达分析

为进一步了解肝型脂肪酸结合蛋白基因(L-FABP基因)在棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)营养调控、脂肪酸代谢和免疫应答等方面的功能作用,以棘头梅童鱼全基因组组装数据为基础,获得L-FABP基因的含开放阅读框的cDNA序列,利用生物信息学方法分析编码的蛋白质结构及进化关系,采用荧光定量(qRT-PCR)技术研究了不同组织中L-FABP基因的表达情况。结果表明,L-FABP基因cDNA序列为475 bp,其中5’非翻译区为51 bp,3’非翻译区为40 bp,开放阅读框为384 bp,编码127个氨基酸。其结构由10个β-折叠链和2个α-螺旋链组成,在氨基酸3~126位点间具有保守的脂质/胞质性脂肪酸结合结构域。棘头梅童鱼L-FABP基因与大黄鱼、条纹狼鲈同源性较近,与绿河鲀、尼罗罗非鱼和斑马鱼同源性较远。L-FABP基因在棘头梅童鱼肝脏、肠道、眼、大脑、心脏、肌肉、胃、鳃、脾脏、头肾和中肾中均有表达,其中肝脏中的L-FABP相对表达量最高,显著高于其他组织(P<0.05)。     

牙鲆胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白IGFBP-1 cDNA全长的克隆及表达分析

利用RACE-PCR技术,从牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)的肝脏组织总RNA中克隆得到胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-1(insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1, IGFBP-1)基因的全长cDNA序列,该cDNA全长为1070 bp,开放阅读框为729 bp,编码242个氨基酸。通过系统进化树分析,牙鲆IGFBP-1与鱼类IGFBP-1基因聚为一支；通过同源性比对,牙鲆IGFBP-1基因的核苷酸序列与大菱鲆同源性最高,为95%,而其推导的氨基酸序列与其它鱼类如大菱鲆、五条鰤、黄金鲈、红点鲑、鲤鱼和斑马鱼的同源性分别为89%、89%、84%、79%、67%和67%。半定量RT-PCR分析表明,牙鲆IGFBP-1基因存在母源转录本,合子基因在孵化前的胚胎阶段及早期仔鱼中仅有较低水平的表达,在后期仔鱼中表达逐渐增高；牙鲆IGFBP-1基因在肝脏中表达量最高,在胃、脾、肠、性腺、肾、鳃、脑、心脏和肌肉中也有不同程度的表达。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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).