圆斑星鲽仔鱼变态前消化系统发生的形态学和组织学研究

对初始孵化到孵化后26d（变态前）的圆斑星鲽（Verasper vazriegatus Temminck et Schlegel）仔鱼的消化系统发生进行形态学和组织学研究。研究表明，在水温为12．5～15．5℃时，初始孵化仔鱼消化道细而直，两端封闭，位于卵黄囊背方。随着仔鱼发育，消化道延长，肝胰脏出现。孵化后6d，仔鱼开口，消化道贯通，开始摄食。孵化后10d，消化道明显分为口咽腔、食道、胃、小肠、直肠，黏膜上皮褶皱增多。孵化后14d，卵黄囊消失，仔鱼完全依靠外源性营养。孵化后26d，胃壁较厚处出现胃腺，但不发达，幽门盲囊尚未出现。由结果可见，孵化后6d仔鱼开口，可开始投喂轮虫；孵化后26d，消化系统的结构和功能逐渐完善，消化吸收能力增强，但由于胃的结构和功能尚不完善，此阶段还应以活体饵料为主，一方面可逐渐加大轮虫的投喂量，另一方面可适当投喂较大的卤虫无节幼体等。本研究旨为圆斑星鲽人工育苗中饵料种类及投喂时间的选择提供理论依据。     

漠斑牙鲆胚胎及仔稚鱼发育的形态学观察

对漠斑牙鲆(Paralichthys lethostigma)胚胎及胚后发育进行观察,描述各发育时期的发育时序和形态特征.在水温18.5±0.5℃,盐度32～33的条件下,受精卵历时49 h脱膜而出,孵化后仔鱼在水温20.5±0.5℃时,4日龄开口摄食,26日龄进入变态期,45日龄左右完成变态成为幼鱼.漠斑牙鲆的卵子为浮性卵,油球一个.刚孵化仔鱼的消化道细直,3日龄肛门开通,4日龄卵黄囊消耗殆尽,开口摄食.在原肠期胚体下包约1/2时,在视囊和胚盘上出现点状星状的黑色素细胞.孵化后体两侧菊花状黑色素均匀分布;进入变态期后,体两侧的幼体色素逐渐收缩消失,同时在有眼侧出现个体较小的圆形成体色素细胞.在早期发育过程中,伴随着冠状鳍条的发生、伸长和缩短吸收.无鳔器官的发生.     

牙鲆（♀）×圆斑星鲽（♂）杂交子代的胚胎及仔鱼发育

以牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)为母本,圆斑星鲽(Verasper variegatus)为父本进行科间远缘杂交,观察和记录了杂交受精卵胚胎及胚后仔鱼的发育情况,描述了各时期的形态特征。杂交受精卵为浮性卵,其受精率和孵化率分别为(71.18±0.14)%和(61.65±0.19)%,胚胎发育的畸形率为(17.00±0.06)%,4日龄仔鱼出苗率为(58.63±0.19)%,35日龄仔鱼的成活率为(57.08±0.20)%。在水温为(15±0.5)℃、海水盐度为29~30的条件下,受精卵经74 h孵化。孵化后4 d开口摄食,17 d开始变态,35 d完成变态。变态时,37%的仔鱼向右偏转,63%的仔鱼向左偏转。结果表明,牙鲆和星鲽杂交不存在配子不亲和,受精卵可以正常发育,杂交子代可以正常成活和生长。本研究旨为下一步杂交育种奠定基础。     

圆斑星鲽仔稚鱼色素细胞发育和体色变化

为研究圆斑星鲽早期发育过程中色素细胞的形态和分布,实验对1~72日龄的圆斑星鲽鱼苗进行了连续的显微观察,并绘制了早期发育生长曲线。结果显示,圆斑星鲽从20日龄开始进入快速的增长期,在水温12~19.5°C时完成变态发育需要50 d,黑色素细胞最早出现,数量最多,黄色素细胞次之,虹彩细胞最后发育,数量最少。变态前黑色素细胞密度先升高后降低,在9日龄密度最大为1390个/mm~2,色素细胞逐渐密集鱼体两侧对称分布;变态开始后鱼体两侧色素不对称,有眼侧体表黑色素细胞逐渐溶解消退,由成体黑色素细胞代替,体色变深,黑色素细胞密度稳定在150个/mm~2;无眼侧黑色素细胞逐渐消溶退化,体色逐渐变白。白化个体在变态开始后出现,有眼侧不能形成成体黑色素细胞,形成白化。     

褐牙鲆(♀)×犬齿牙鲆( ♂)杂交子一代胚胎发育及仔稚鱼形态学观察

杂交是目前水产育种中应用最为广泛、最有成效的育种途径,为了选育一个能够促进中国海水鱼类养殖业发展,改善目前养殖褐牙鲆发病严重的现状的牙鲆类养殖新品种,对褐牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)(♀)×犬齿牙鲆(P.dentatus)(♂)的杂交进行了研究。在Nikon MS800解剖镜下对褐牙鲆(♀)×犬齿牙鲆(♂)人工杂交子一代的胚胎及胚后发育进行观察,并使用Nikon数码相机拍摄其发育特征,描述了各发育时期的发育时序和形态特征。杂交子一代胚胎发育可分为卵裂前期、卵裂期、囊胚期、原肠期、神经胚期、器官发生期、尾芽期、肌肉效应期、脱膜孵化期共9个时期,除克氏泡出现时期以及胚体开始扭动时期具有相对特异性外,胚胎发育过程与褐牙鲆相比无显著差异。在水温(16.5±0.5)℃,盐度32~33的条件下,受精卵历时67 h完成孵化。(19±0.5)℃水温下,仔鱼3 d以前营内源性营养(卵黄囊仔鱼),3 d开口摄食营外源性营养(前弯曲期仔鱼),20 d左右进入变态期(弯曲期仔鱼),40 d后基本完成变态进入稚鱼阶段,生活方式由浮游转为底栖生活,50 d左右全身被鳞。同时观察了自胚胎发育时期至幼鱼期体表色素的分布及形态变化过程,描述了仔鱼变态期冠状鳍条、眼位置和尾部的发育、变化过程。早期生活史无鳔器官发生。     

棕点石斑鱼(♀)×鞍带石斑鱼(♂)杂交子代胚胎及仔稚幼鱼发育的跟踪观察

本研究阐述了棕点石斑鱼(♀)×鞍带石斑鱼(♂)杂交子代(简称珍珠龙胆石斑鱼)的胚胎发育和仔稚幼鱼形态发育的特征及其养殖过程中的一些难点、要点,以期为今后苗种的规模化培育生产提供参考依据。通过对珍珠龙胆石斑鱼各个发育期连续取样,系统观察并记录各发育期的形态变化及生长特征。结果表明,1)在水温27-28℃条件下,历时25 h 25 min孵化出膜,整个发育过程划分为卵裂期、囊胚期、原肠胚期、神经胚期和器官形成期。2)在水温(27.0±0.5)℃、盐度30、p H 8的培育条件下,根据卵黄囊、第二背鳍棘和腹鳍棘的生长与伸缩及鳞片、体色的变化将胚后发育分为仔鱼、稚鱼、幼鱼3个时期。仔鱼期根据卵黄囊的有无分为前期仔鱼和后期仔鱼。初孵至孵化后4 d为前期仔鱼;孵化后5 d,仔鱼卵黄囊完全消失,成为后期仔鱼;孵化后32 d,50%的仔鱼进入稚鱼期;孵化后46 d,50%的稚鱼完成变态,成为幼鱼。初孵仔鱼的全长平均为(1.65±0.11)mm,发育至70 d时,幼鱼平均全长已达(75.47±0.19)mm。跟踪观察的结果发现,珍珠龙胆石斑鱼作为杂交子代,从受精到发育的各阶段均能健康正常地生长发育,且生长快速、抗病力强,具有"虎斑头、龙胆尾"的外型,具有明显的杂交优势。     

星斑川鲽远缘杂交初步研究

为了探索川鲽(Platichthys stellatus)远缘杂交的可行性,2007年进行了星斑川鲽♀×条斑星鲽♂、星斑川鲽♀×圆斑星鲽♂、大菱鲆♀×星斑川鲽♂杂交试验.结果表明:星斑川鲽♀×条斑星鲽♂、星斑川鲽♀×圆斑星鲽♂杂交不存在配子不亲和,受精卵可以正常发育,杂交子代存活和生长正常;而大菱鲆♀×星斑川鲽♂杂交胚胎能够发育,但孵化出仔鱼为畸形,24 h后死亡.     

绿鳍马面鲀胚胎和仔鱼早期发育的初步观测

利用显微数码摄像系统观测绿鳍马面纯受精卵的胚胎发育和初孵仔鱼的形态特征,结果表明:绿鳍马面纯的卵为球形沉性的粘性卵,卵径平均为644 μm,未受精卵及早期胚胎有油球多个;在18.7～19.2 ℃水温条件下孵化,受精后约40～50 min胚盘形成,1 h 10 min进入卵裂期,6 h 10 min进入高囊胚期,9 h 20 min进入低囊胚期,10 h后进入原肠胚,21 h 40 min后听囊形成,23 h 40 min后形成柯氏囊,41 h30 min后耳石形成,多数胚胎油球溶合为1个,50 h后胚体环绕卵黄达1.3周以上,73.5 h陆续孵出,孵化积温为1375～1411 ℃·h.初孵仔鱼呈前位抱卵方式,油球位于卵黄囊的前端,85 h后开口摄食,5～6 d卵黄囊和油球吸收完,8 d第1背鳍棘突出背鳍膜,18 d发育到稚鱼期.     

七带石斑鱼胚胎及仔稚鱼形态观察

对七带石斑鱼胚胎和仔稚鱼发育过程进行了观察,描述了从受精卵到仔稚鱼各发育时期的形态特征;在水温22±0.5℃、盐度30条件下进行七带石斑鱼仔鱼的饥饿耐受力实验,记录了饥饿条件下初孵仔鱼的存活与生长、卵黄囊与油球的利用情况。结果表明,胚胎发育可划分为卵裂期、囊胚期、原肠胚期、神经胚期和器官形成期。在水温20.5±0.5℃、盐度30.0条件下,受精卵历时38h45min孵化出膜。初孵仔鱼全长1.059±0.071mm,至4日龄全长2.27～2.36mm时,卵黄囊完全消失;16日龄,全长4.99mm时,鳔形成;至25～30日龄,尾鳍鳍条发育完整。在饥饿条件下,初孵仔鱼的死亡高峰出现在孵化后4～6d,半数死亡时间出现在5d,至7d饥饿仔鱼全部死亡。卵黄囊期仔鱼的生长可分为3个阶段:仔鱼初孵时的快速生长期,卵黄囊消失前后的慢速生长期,以及在不能建立外源性摄食后的负生长期。随着生长发育时间的延长,饥饿仔鱼与正常条件下仔鱼的生长差异显著(P<0.05)。饥饿仔鱼体长较短,头大且体瘦,长期饥饿后脑后部下陷。     

斜带石斑鱼胚胎及仔稚幼鱼形态发育

对斜带石斑鱼(Epinephelus coioides)的胚胎及仔稚幼鱼形态发育进行了观察与研究,详细描述从受精卵到初孵仔鱼的28个具体发育时期的形态特征和发育时间。根据研究观察结果,将斜带石斑鱼胚胎发育划分为卵裂期、囊胚期、原肠胚期、神经胚期和器官形成期。在水温(25±0.5)℃、盐度31.0p、H 7.8的海水中,斜带石斑鱼胚胎历时28 h 30 min完成整个胚胎发育孵化出膜。胚后发育主要根据卵黄囊、腹鳍棘及第二背鳍棘、鳞片、体色的变化分为仔鱼期、稚鱼期、幼鱼期。仔鱼期根据卵黄囊的有无又分为早期仔鱼和晚期仔鱼。在水温24.5~29.2℃,盐度28.8~33.5,pH 7.5~8.5的海水中,培育至36 d,发育最快的斜带石斑鱼结束仔鱼期进入稚鱼期;培育至42 d,发育最快的稚鱼完成变态,成为幼鱼。斜带石斑鱼胚后发育过程中最明显的变化是腹鳍棘与第二背鳍棘以及鳍棘上小刺的长出与收回。     

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.