罗非鱼源蜡样芽孢杆菌分离、鉴定及药敏特性研究

从福建漳州某养殖场患出血病死亡的罗非鱼肝脏、肾脏及脾脏分离到一株致病性菌株FJLF。对该菌进行了形态特征观察、理化特性测定及16S rRNA序列分子鉴定。生理生化特征和16S rRNA基因序列分析结果显示,分离到的FJLF株为蜡样芽孢杆菌(Bacillus cereus)。人工感染该菌后发病鱼出现与自然发病类似症状,且从病灶中分离到与原感染菌一致菌株。腹腔注射后该菌株对罗非鱼的半致死剂量LD_(50)=2.30×10~6CFU/g。FJLF株对诺氟沙星、头孢噻肟、新霉素及卡那霉素等8种抗生素高度敏感;对环丙沙星、痢特灵、红霉素及链霉素中度敏感;对苯唑西林、青霉素、头孢拉定及阿莫西林等10种抗生素耐药。     

患腹水病牙鲆病原菌分离、鉴定及病原菌的特性

为确定引起河北北戴河地区养殖牙鲆患腹水病死亡的病原,本实验从患腹水病牙鲆体内分离到3株优势菌,对分离株进行生理生化鉴定和16S rRNA序列比对来确定分离株的生物学地位,进一步通过毒力基因(toxR、vhhA、vhhB)鉴定及组织病理学分析其病理特征,并通过人工回感实验分析分离株毒性。结果显示,通过生理生化实验及16S rRNA序列比对,确定此次从患病牙鲆中分离到的3株菌株均为哈维氏弧菌;经鉴定,3株分离株毒力基因(toxR、vhhA、vhhB)结果均为阳性,病理组织切片结果显示,该分离株对牙鲆多器官(肠、肾脏、脾脏和肝脏)均可造成不同程度的病理损伤,呈全身性感染;人工回感实验显示,菌株BDHYPFS-Y1G对牙鲆的半致死浓度为LD50=5.88×106 CFU/mL,低于自然状态毒性;药敏实验表明,3株分离株均对呋喃妥因高度敏感。本实验确认了此次牙鲆腹水病的病原菌,并初步研究了病原菌致病性以及药物敏感性,以期为牙鲆工厂化养殖疫病防控提供科学依据。     

珍珠龙胆石斑鱼(Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀×E.lanceolatus♂)幼鱼溃疡病病原分离及鉴定分析

本研究对患溃疡病的珍珠龙胆石斑鱼(Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀×E.lanceolatus♂)幼鱼进行病原分离和鉴定。从患病鱼分离到一株优势菌HW2018,回归感染实验证实其为致病菌。经形态学观察、16S rDNA以及生理生化等综合鉴定,菌株HW2018为弧菌属哈维氏弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)。3×10~(4 )cfu/g肌肉和腹腔注射,周死亡率均达到100℅。药敏分析结果显示,哈维弧菌HW2018对多种抗生素敏感,对碳青霉烯类的美罗培南、氟喹诺酮类的环丙沙星和左氧氟沙星尤为敏感;对氨苄西林耐药。     

大口黑鲈鲁氏耶尔森氏菌的分离鉴定、主要毒力基因及致病性研究

为探明2021年3月福建某水库养殖大口黑鲈疾病暴发的原因,实验从患病大口黑鲈肝脏、肾脏、脾脏中分离优势菌,通过人工感染实验确定病原菌,并综合16S rDNA基因序列分析、生理生化和质谱特征等技术对该病原菌进行种属鉴定,同时,进行毒力基因检测、药物敏感性实验以及组织病理学观察。结果显示,从病鱼脾脏中分离获得1株优势菌并鉴定为鲁氏耶尔森氏菌;该菌株对大口黑鲈的半致死剂量为3.8×10⁵ CFU/尾;该菌株携带yrP1、yhl A、yhl B等毒力基因,对恩诺沙星、盐酸多西环素、氟甲喹、硫酸新霉素、氟苯尼考等5种药物相对敏感。组织病理学观察发现,鲁氏耶尔森氏菌的感染造成大口黑鲈肝脏、肾脏、脾脏不同程度的损伤,表现为明显的变性、坏死及炎症细胞的浸润等。本研究首次报道了鲁氏耶尔森氏菌对养殖大口黑鲈的致病性,可为养殖大口黑鲈鲁氏耶尔森氏菌病的诊断和药物防治提供参考依据。     

斜带石斑鱼病原菌(哈维氏弧菌)的分离与鉴定

从患病斜带石斑鱼 (Epinepheluscoioides)肝脏组织分离到EcGY0 2 0 4 0 1菌株 ,经人工感染、回归感染实验证实为致病菌。通过API系统和菌体常规形态特征、培养特性和生理生化反应指标测定以及 16SrRNA测序分析等综合鉴定 ,Ec GY0 2 0 4 0 1菌株为弧菌属哈维氏弧菌 (Vibrioharveyi) ,其半致死剂量LD50 为 2 .7× 10 6CFU/g鱼体重。药敏试验结果表明 ,EcGY0 2 0 4 0 1菌株对利福平、四环素、喹诺酮类及头孢曲松等抗生素较为敏感     

美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)“突眼症”的病原菌分离鉴定

养殖中患有"突眼症"的美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)的症状表现为眼球白浊、充血、异常增生。从眼球病灶部位分离纯化得到1株优势菌,在TCBS培养基上生长迅速,菌落中部隆起,黄色,有黏性,杆状菌,端生单鞭毛,属于革兰氏阴性菌,定名为CJG01。人工感染实验证实,其对美洲黑石斑鱼有较强的致病性,可引起幼鱼眼球突出、脱落,肌肉溃烂,骨胳外露。解剖感染组的幼鱼发现,患病幼鱼的肝脏、肾脏红肿,脾脏肿大,肠道内有淡黄色液体。其半致死浓度LD50为2.67×10~5 CFU/ml。API 20NE快速鉴定及相关生理生化实验结果显示,菌株CJG01的生长温度为28–37℃,最适温度为28℃,在含盐量为0–5%之间的TSB培养基可生长,对弧菌抑制剂O/129敏感,氧化酶反应阳性,鸟氨酸脱羧酶反应阳性,V-P反应阴性,可同化甘露醇、麦芽糖、苹果酸,不能同化葡萄糖、阿拉伯糖、甘露糖、癸酸、已二酸、柠檬酸、苯乙酸等,菌株CJG01的生理生化特性与哈维氏弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)一致。对病原菌的16S r DNA序列对比分析及系统进化树分析显示,菌株CJG01与哈维氏弧菌序列同源性最高,达99%。药敏实验证实,该菌株对氨苄西林、头孢氨苄、头孢拉定、诺氟沙星、青霉素、多粘菌素B、阿奇霉素等药物不敏感,对头孢唑林、恩诺沙星、链霉素、红霉素、克拉霉素等药物中度敏感,对抗生素头孢哌酮、头孢曲松、头孢他啶、氧氟沙星、洛美沙星、氟罗沙星、环丙沙星、氯霉素、新生霉素、新霉素、庆大霉素、卡那霉素、呋喃唑酮、利福平、四环素、米诺环素等种药物敏感。     

鲤鱼细菌性败血症病原菌的研究

从具有典型细菌性败血症症状的病鱼或濒死鱼中分离到2 株优势菌,经分离培养、人工感染试验、毒力因子、16S rRNA基因序列的测定及药敏试验,研究分离菌的生理生化特征、致病性及药物敏感性.根据2 株分离菌的菌落形态、生化特性和16S rRNA基因序列的测定结果(同源性为99%),确定为嗜水气单胞菌.人工感染试验的症状与自然发病相似,且再次感染后又分离到该菌株.2 株菌对阿米卡星、氨曲南、头孢噻肟等15 种药物均敏感,对氨苄西林均耐药,对复方磺胺表现出菌株差异.对其敏感的15 种药物可作为防治鲤鱼细菌性败血症的首选药物.     

南移仿刺参体表溃疡症病原菌的分离鉴定及药敏分析

从福建省霞浦县网箱吊笼养殖的患病仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)体壁中分离得到1株优势菌。人工感染实验证实该菌株为致病菌,经形态学、生理生化指标、16S rRNA序列分析和Biolog自动微生物鉴定系统鉴定,确定该病原菌为哈维氏弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)。药敏试验表明,该病原菌对阿奇霉素、大观霉素、呋喃妥因、氯霉素、头孢吡肟、头孢呋辛、头孢噻肟、头孢他啶、头孢哌酮和复方新诺明等11种抗生素类药物敏感。     

淡水白鲨头部溃烂病病原的分离鉴定及药敏试验

从患头部溃烂病的淡水白鲨(Pangasius sutchi)肝脏中分离到1株优势菌BS1,分别以腹腔注射、创伤浸泡和直接浸泡三种方式感染淡水白鲨。结果显示:该菌株能感染淡水白鲨,且毒力较强,腹腔注射0.2 m L该菌液(1×108cfu/m L)可导致受试淡水白鲨100%死亡,创伤浸泡感染(1×107cfu/m L)死亡率达83.3%,直接浸泡感染(1×107cfu/m L)死亡率为0%,受感染淡水白鲨出现与自然感染相同的症状。对菌株BS1进行形态特征观察和主要理化特性分析,初步鉴定为嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)。进一步选用16S rRNA对该菌进行分子鉴定,序列结果进行BLAST分析并构建进化树,结果表明:16S rRNA基因与Gen Bank上登录的嗜水气单胞菌的相应序列具有很高的同源性,进化树聚为一支。综合生理生化与分子鉴定结果,判定所分离的菌株为嗜水气单胞菌。药敏试验结果显示:该菌株对左氟沙星、诺氟沙星、恩诺沙星、氧氟沙星、庆大霉素、卡那霉素、新霉素、妥布霉素、阿奇霉素9种药物高度敏感。     

美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)“突眼症”的病原菌分离鉴定

养殖中患有“突眼症”的美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)的症状表现为眼球白浊、充血、异常增生.从眼球病灶部位分离纯化得到1株优势菌,在TCBS培养基上生长迅速,菌落中部隆起,黄色,有黏性,杆状菌,端生单鞭毛,属于革兰氏阴性菌,定名为CJG01.人工感染实验证实,其对美洲黑石斑鱼有较强的致病性,可引起幼鱼眼球突出、脱落,肌肉溃烂,骨胳外露.解剖感染组的幼鱼发现,患病幼鱼的肝脏、肾脏红肿,脾脏肿大,肠道内有淡黄色液体.其半致死浓度LD50为2.67× 105 CFU/ml.API 20NE快速鉴定及相关生理生化实验结果显示,菌株CJG01的生长温度为28-37℃,最适温度为28℃,在含盐量为0-5％之间的TSB培养基可生长,对弧菌抑制剂O/129敏感,氧化酶反应阳性,鸟氨酸脱羧酶反应阳性,V-P反应阴性,可同化甘露醇、麦芽糖、苹果酸,不能同化葡萄糖、阿拉伯糖、甘露糖、癸酸、已二酸、柠檬酸、苯乙酸等,菌株CJG01的生理生化特性与哈维氏弧菌(Vbrio harveyi)一致.对病原菌的16S rDNA序列对比分析及系统进化树分析显示,菌株CJG01与哈维氏弧菌序列同源性最高,达99％.药敏实验证实,该菌株对氨苄西林、头孢氨苄、头孢拉定、诺氟沙星、青霉素、多粘菌素B、阿奇霉素等药物不敏感,对头孢唑林、恩诺沙星、链霉素、红霉素、克拉霉素等药物中度敏感,对抗生素头孢哌酮、头孢曲松、头孢他啶、氧氟沙星、洛美沙星、氟罗沙星、环丙沙星、氯霉素、新生霉素、新霉素、庆大霉素、卡那霉素、呋喃唑酮、利福平、四环素、米诺环素等种药物敏感.     

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.