尼罗罗非鱼(♀)×萨罗罗非鱼(♂)杂交F_2与F_3群体遗传特征的微卫星分析

利用罗非鱼第二代遗传连锁图谱中微卫星标记对尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)(♀)×萨罗罗非鱼(Sarotherodon melanotheron)(♂)杂交后代F_2、F_3群体遗传特征进行了初步比较分析。结果显示,28对引物中有22对引物能有效扩增,未观察到杂交后代F_2、F_3中有多倍体个体现象。筛选出7个在尼萨罗非鱼杂交后代F_2、F_3群体中存在差异的位点。杂交F_2群体平均等位基因(Na)为2.71,平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.466,平均观测杂合度(Ho)为0.632;杂交F_3群体平均Na为2.14,平均PIC为0.370,平均Ho为0.432,杂交F_3遗传杂合性较杂交F_2降低。F_2自繁F_3过程中,F_3群体4个位点的等位基因与F_2完全相同,3个位点的等位基因少于F_2,且F_3群体在2个位点出现完全纯合,杂交F_3群体位点等位基因呈现纯合趋势。研究结果为尼萨罗非鱼杂交世代遗传变异与杂交利用积累基础资料。     

尼罗罗非鱼与萨罗罗非鱼回交一代与回交二代群体遗传特征的微卫星分析

利用尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)第二代遗传连锁图谱中微卫星标记,对尼罗罗非鱼♀与萨罗罗非鱼(Sarotherodon melanotheron)回交一代(BC1)和回交二代(BC2)群体遗传特征进行了分析。结果表明,从28个微卫星位点中筛选出9个在尼萨回交一代和回交二代中存在差异的扩增位点,这些多态性位点可作为尼萨回交一代和回交二代群体遗传鉴别的重要依据。尼萨回交一代群体的平均观测杂合度为0.670,多态信息含量为0.423;回交二代群体的平均观测杂合度为0.460,多态信息含量为0.365,回交二代群体的遗传多态性低于回交一代群体。与回交一代相比,尼萨回交二代群体的平均有效等位基因数较为一致(BC1:Ne=2.17,BC2:Ne=2.20),基因型数较为一致,但纯合基因型比例、优势等位基因频率均有明显提高,表明连续回交导致后代遗传同质性提高。     

尼罗罗非鱼（ ♀） × 萨罗罗非鱼（ ♂） F1家系亲权关系微卫星分析

利用尼罗罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）第2代遗传连锁图谱标记,对3组不同尼罗罗非鱼（♀）×萨罗罗非鱼（Sarotherodon melanotheron）（♂）杂交F1家系内亲权关系进行分析。结果显示,86个微卫星位点中共筛选出20个在尼罗罗非鱼、萨罗罗非鱼中存在差异的扩增位点,含13个种间特异性和7个共享带差异位点。尼萨杂交F1中,平均等位基因2.90,平均多态信息含量0.439,位点多态性较高。3个尼萨杂交F1家系组间遗传距离0.362~0.504,组内个体间遗传距离0.245~0.316,组内遗传距离明显小于组间。利用3个种间特异位点组合,可对3个不同家系组父、母本个体进行鉴别。通过对各组亲本与子代位点基因型分析,家系A、B和C组分别使用4、8和12个特异位点组合进行亲权鉴定,累积排除概率分别为99.99%、99.99%、99.91%,家系A、B组分别含3个半同胞家系,家系C组含2对非同胞或4个半同胞家系。     

尼罗罗非鱼与萨罗罗非鱼正反杂交后代耐盐性能的杂种优势及其与遗传的相关性的SSR 分析

对尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)♀×萨罗罗非鱼(Sarotherodon melanotheron)♂(F2)、萨罗罗非鱼♀×尼罗罗非鱼♂(F2)、尼罗罗非鱼、萨罗罗非鱼4个遗传型群体的耐盐性实验表明:(1)4个遗传型群体的平均成活时间(MST)、50%成活时间(ST50)以及96 h半数致死浓度(MLS-96)由高到低依次为:萨罗、萨罗×尼罗(F2)、尼罗×萨罗(F2)、尼罗,死亡率与盐度具有显著的回归关系(P<0.05);(2)两个杂交种超越尼罗的超亲杂种优势值(HN)表现为正值,超越萨罗的超亲杂种优势值(HS)表现为负值,说明它们的耐盐力都超过了尼罗,但都未超过萨罗;(3)尼罗×萨罗(F2)的平均杂种优势值(HM)表现为负值,萨罗×尼罗(F3)的HM除其MLS-96表现为负值,其MST和ST50均为正值,说明萨罗×尼罗(F2)的耐盐性能略优于尼罗×萨罗(F2).对尼罗×萨罗(F2)、萨罗×尼罗(F2)、尼罗×萨罗(F1)、萨罗×尼罗(F1)、尼罗、萨罗6个遗传型群体的SSR分析发现:(1)有效等位基因数(Ne)、平均遗传杂合度(He)及多态信息含量(PIC)3项指标一致,表明F2遗传多样性比亲本增强2/3左右,这与杂交种的基因重组有关:F2又比F1增强1/10左右,初步认为这与F2的遗传分化有关;(2)引物Os-64和Os-75仅在尼罗、尼罗×萨罗(F1)及尼罗×萨罗(F2)中扩增出条带,表现出强烈的尼罗母系遗传:引物Os-25和IGF仅在萨罗、萨罗×尼罗(F1)及萨罗×尼罗(F2)中扩增出条带,表现出强烈的萨罗母系遗传,这4条引物可作为判别杂交鱼母本来源的遗传标记.     

尼罗罗非鱼(♀)×萨罗罗非鱼(♂)F_1家系亲权关系微卫星分析

利用尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)第2代遗传连锁图谱标记,对3组不同尼罗罗非鱼(♀)×萨罗罗非鱼(Sarotherodon melanotheron)(♂)杂交F1家系内亲权关系进行分析。结果显示,86个微卫星位点中共筛选出20个在尼罗罗非鱼、萨罗罗非鱼中存在差异的扩增位点,含13个种间特异性和7个共享带差异位点。尼萨杂交F1中,平均等位基因2.90,平均多态信息含量0.439,位点多态性较高。3个尼萨杂交F1家系组间遗传距离0.362~0.504,组内个体间遗传距离0.245~0.316,组内遗传距离明显小于组间。利用3个种间特异位点组合,可对3个不同家系组父、母本个体进行鉴别。通过对各组亲本与子代位点基因型分析,家系A、B和C组分别使用4、8和12个特异位点组合进行亲权鉴定,累积排除概率分别为99.99%、99.99%和99.91%,家系A、B组分别含3个半同胞家系,家系C组含2对非同胞或4个半同胞家系。     

橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼微卫星遗传多样性分析及其与尼罗罗非鱼差异位点的筛选

用33对在尼罗罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）中能有效扩增的微卫星引物，对橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼（Oreochromis mossambicus）进行PCR扩增，结果有32对引物能获得稳定的特异性条带，占总数的97．0％，其中15个微卫星位点具多态性，表明大部分尼罗罗非鱼的微卫星位点存在于橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼中。用具多态性的15个微卫星位点，对橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼30尾个体进行扩增分析，结果共检测到44个等位基因，大小在113～232bp之间，平均多态信息含量（PIC）为0．4308，平均观测杂合度（鼠）为0．5489，平均期望杂合度（垃）为0．5248，个体间平均遗传距离为0.3132，表明所选橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼群体遗传多样性较丰富，种群结构比较合理。本研究还对尼罗罗非鱼和橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼间特异位点进行了分析，发现有7个位点（UNH899、UNH208、UNH853、UNH876、UNH222、UNH933、UNH773）可有效区分莫桑比克罗非鱼和尼罗罗非鱼，可作为罗非鱼种质鉴定的分子标记。[中国水产科学，2008，15（3）：400-406]     

耐盐罗非鱼育种回交效应评估

对罗非鱼2种回交子代、2种正反交子代(回交鱼的母本)、2种原始种(回交鱼的祖父、母本),共6种遗传型的生长特性、耐盐特性及遗传特征进行了研究.结果表明:(1)在盐度15、20及25时,2种回交子代的日均增重率皆比母本提高了30%～45%,差异显著(P=0.023).(2)SSR分析发现,2种回交子代接受尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)的遗传特征带分别为87.5%和79.2%,接受萨罗罗非鱼(Sarotherodon melanotheron)的分别为35.2%和41.2%;而2种正反杂交子代接受尼罗罗非鱼的分别为66.7%和41.7%,接受萨罗罗非鱼的分别为47.1%和88.2%.(3)回交子代与原始亲本尼罗罗非鱼的遗传距离较近,同正反交子代相比,回交子代生长性能有所进步,耐盐性能基本保持,扩增的特异性条带数目较少,表明遗传多样性走低和基因型纯合性走强的趋势.(4)两种回交子代间有一定差异,萨尼♀[萨罗罗非鱼♀×尼罗罗非鱼(♀)(F2)]×尼罗罗非鱼(♂)生长快5%,有效等位基因数、平均杂合度、多态信息含量等遗传指标较高,是优选的对象.     

罗非鱼性别相关微卫星标记的初步筛选

为分析罗非鱼群体的遗传多样性以及筛选与罗非鱼性别相关的微卫星标记。应用24对微卫星引物,使用常规PCR及聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳的方法在两个尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)群体和两个奥利亚罗非鱼(O.aureus)群体中初步筛选到UNH931、GM128、GM201、GM258、GM597以及UNH898共6个与性别相关的微卫星标记。然后使用降落PCR以及毛细管电泳的方法在两个尼罗罗非鱼群体、两个奥利亚罗非鱼群体以及ZY 1、WY 1、YY 1和YY 2型罗非鱼群体中进一步扩增这6个微卫星标记,统计各群体的遗传多样性参数:6个微卫星标记在上述群体共297个样本中检测到95个等位基因,其大小在97~302 bp之间,各位点在各群体等位基因数在1~13个之间,各群体平均观测等位基因数为2.167~9.333,平均有效等位基因数为1.624~4.966,平均观测杂合度为0.324~0.983,平均期望杂合度为0.329~0.782,平均多态信息含量为0.275~0.753;两个尼罗罗非鱼群体、WY 1和YY 2群体达到高度多态(PIC>0.5),两个奥利亚罗非鱼群体、ZY 1和YY 1群体为中度多态(0.25相似文献   

吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼抗病性状分子标记筛选及遗传多样性分析

文章采用微卫星标记技术,对吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼(GIFT strain Oreochromis niloticus)抗病群体和易感病群体进行了遗传差异分析。结果显示:在30个微卫星位点中20个能扩增出多态性高、重复性好和扩增条带清晰;抗病群体和易感病群体的平均等位基因数分别为2.5和2.4个;观测杂合度和期望杂合度分别为0.476和0.453,0.44和0.457;多态信息含量PIC分别为0.359和0.379;UNH845和UNH189位点在抗病群体中偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡(P0.05),GM180位点在易感病群体偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡,两个群体间的遗传距离和遗传分化指数0.055和0.054。此外GM251和GM462位点的差异等位基因片段(135bp和198bp)与抗病性状存在一定的连锁关系。以上结果表明,吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼抗病群体与易感病群体之间的遗传多样性差异不明显,筛选出2个与抗病性状相关的微卫星标记,为开展吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼抗病品种分子标记辅助选育奠定了基础。     

吉富罗非鱼微卫星标记与体质量、体形性状相关性分析

根据罗非鱼微卫星遗传图谱,在不同的连锁群上随机选择30个微卫星位点,研究它们在192尾不同家系吉富罗非鱼(Genetically Improved Fanned Tilapia,GIFT)中的遗传多样性及这些位点与体质量、体形性状的相关性.结果表明,30个位点共检测出126个等位基因,片段长度124～310 bp.各位点等位基因数为1～7个,平均等位基因数4.2个;多态信息含量(P1C)为0.259 4～0.716 7,平均0.580 8;杂合度(H)为0.306 4～0.753 1,平均0.632 2,表明该吉富罗非鱼群体遗传多样性比较丰富.最小二乘方差分析结果显示,位点GM041、GM542和GM304与吉富罗非鱼雌鱼体质量相关;位点GM041、UNH860、GM519和GM304与雄鱼体质量相关,位点UNH952与雄鱼体形相关.位点GM041、UNH860、GM304的AA基因型和位点GM519的DE基因型都有可能作为以体质量为选育目标的辅助标记,其中UNH860和GM304的AA基因型有望成为作为以体质量为选育目标的首选辅助标记.实验结果说明,吉富罗非鱼具有与体质量相关的标记越多,体质量也越大.     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.