基于微卫星标记对长江江苏段鳙增殖放流效果评估

为评估长江江苏段鳙(Aristichthys nobilis)增殖放流效果,本研究基于微卫星标记的亲子鉴定技术,选用 10对扩增效果稳定的微卫星荧光标记引物,结合毛细管电泳对江苏省内良种场 563 尾鳙亲鱼和长江江苏段 687 尾回捕鳙进行基因分型,并对位点多态性及亲子鉴定结果进行了分析。结果表明,各位点等位基因介于 19~55 之间,其观测杂合度为 0.530~0.909(平均值为 0.748),期望杂合度为 0.818~0.929 (平均值为 0.882),多态性信息含量为0.797~0.924 (平均值为 0.871);Cervus3.0 模拟结果显示,当双亲未知且置信度为 95%时, 10 个微卫星位点的累积非亲权排除率为 99.996%。亲子鉴定结果发现,所有回捕鳙中有 42 尾与亲本之间存在亲子关系,被确认来源于鳙增殖放流群体,并由此推算此次评估亲本的放流子代对长江江苏段野生群体的贡献率为 6.11%。结果显示该研究进行的鳙亲子鉴定技术可为长江鳙增殖放流效果评估工作提供可靠的数据支撑,为长江渔业资源管理提供参考资料。     

微卫星分子标记技术在大黄鱼增殖放流效果评估中的应用

为研究微卫星分子标记在大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)增殖放流效果评估中的适用性, 本研究利用 8 个多态性丰富的微卫星位点, 对 100 尾放流大黄鱼亲鱼以及官井洋海域回捕的 295 尾大黄鱼样本进行亲子鉴定, 并提出了一种基于微卫星分子标记的大黄鱼回捕效果评估方法。8 个微卫星位点共检测到 78 个等位基因, 其观测杂合度为 0.511~0.939 (平均值 0.764), 期望杂合度为 0.643~0.897 (平均值 0.781), 多态性信息含量为 0.587~0.883 (平均值为 0.751); 通过 Cervus 3.0.7 软件模拟分析得到, 在置信度大于 95%的情况下, 8 个微卫星位点的个体累积排除率达到 99.99%以上水平; 2019 年 7 月从官井洋海域回捕到的 190 尾大黄鱼中, 检测出 5 尾与放流亲本存在亲子关系的个体, 占回捕样本总数的 2.63%。推算本次富发放流大黄鱼在回捕样本中所占比例为 60.53%左右, 进一步推算出 7 月富发公司放流大黄鱼的回捕率为 0.0038%左右。8 月、9 月的 105 尾回捕样品中未能检出标记个体。本研究构建的大黄鱼亲子鉴定技术体系不仅可为三沙湾大黄鱼增殖放流效果评估工作提供可靠的技术支撑, 亦可为三沙湾大黄鱼保护区的科学管理提供参考, 此外本研究对于我国其他海水鱼类的增殖放流评估工作的开展也将有重要的参考价值。     

放流三疣梭子蟹遗传多样性和贡献率初步研究

近年来我国沿海三疣梭子蟹自然资源明显下降,为恢复现有资源,辽宁省自2012年开始,连续实施了4年大规模人工放流工作。在目前的增殖放流中,为检测参与繁殖的三疣梭子蟹亲本和即将放流的子代间的遗传差异以及亲本对其子代的繁殖贡献率水平,利用10对具有丰富遗传多态性的微卫星分子标记,分别对9只三疣梭子蟹雌性亲本和179只即将放流的子代进行了遗传多样性分析及亲子鉴定。结果发现,子代的平均观测杂合度、平均期望杂合度和平均多态性信息含量数值均低于参与繁殖的雌性亲本,亲本和放流子代之间在观测杂合度、多态性信息含量参数方面并无显著差异(P0.05),但期望杂合度遗传参数存在显著差异(P0.05),子代的遗传多样性较雌性亲本呈下降的趋势。使用4个微卫星分子标记时,累积排除率≥0.998,亲子鉴定的准确率为56.98%;微卫星分子标记为6个时,累积排除率≥0.9999,准确率达到97.21%;当使用8个微卫星分子标记鉴定时,准确率达100%。同时发现,9只雌性亲本对子代均有贡献,最高为29.61%,最低为3.35%,不同亲本之间的贡献率存在显著差异(P0.05)。研究表明,微卫星可以作为有效的标记手段用于三疣梭子蟹增殖放流遗传评估中。上述试验结果将为我国三疣梭子蟹增殖放流的科学发展提供基础资料。     

牙鲆家系亲权鉴定的微卫星DNA标记分析

为准确进行不同家系的亲权鉴定,筛选具有高亲本排除概率的微卫星DNA标记,从牙鲆选育基础群体中挑选性腺发育良好的雌雄亲本各10尾建立全同胞家系10个,从独立饲养的每个家系中随机选取30尾个体组成系谱结构已知的家系群体,从混合培育的子代群体中随机选取200尾个体组成系谱结构未知的混合群体。48个微卫星DNA标记选自牙鲆第二代遗传连锁图谱,且均匀分布于24个连锁群上,每个连锁群2个标记。家系群体的遗传分析结果发现,10个拥有丰富遗传多态性的微卫星DNA标记表现出高的亲本排除概率,其Excl1和Excl2的范围分别为0.655~0.719和0.792~0.837。随鉴定所用微卫星DNA标记数目的增加,累计排除概率逐步升高。当使用8个微卫星DNA标记鉴定时,累计排除概率达到100%。利用这些标记开展混合群体的亲权鉴定,显示共有13个雌雄个体参与繁殖过程,不同亲本配组产生的后代数量存在差异,亲本与后代群体之间的各项遗传学统计指标不存在明显差异。研究表明,筛选出具有高亲本排除概率的微卫星DNA标记能够有效进行牙鲆家系的亲权鉴定,可以作为今后开展家系选育与DNA分子标记联合育种的候选标记。     

秦皇岛近海增殖放流区牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)回捕群体的遗传多样性分析

本研究利用12对微卫星标记对秦皇岛近海增殖放流区内的牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)回捕群体的遗传多样性进行分析,并与放流用牙鲆亲本群体和放流前群体的遗传多样性进行对比。结果显示,在3个群体中,等位基因数(N_a)为11.917–22.167个,平均观测杂合度(H_o)为0.800–0.836,平均期望杂合度(H_e)为0.814–0.845,平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.775–0.818。其中,回捕群体的平均N_a最多,为22.167,放流前群体的平均N_a最少,为11.917。平均H_o最大的是回捕群体(0.836),最小的是放流前群体(0.800)。平均H_e最大的是亲本群体(0.845),最小的是放流前群体(0.814)。在36个群体–位点组合中,有23个群体–位点组合显著偏离哈迪-温伯格平衡状态(P0.05)。3个群体的基因分化系数G_(st)值为0.005–0.043,遗传分化均为较弱。研究表明,3个群体均保持较高的遗传多样性,放流人工培育苗种对回捕群体的遗传多样性和遗传结构未产生明显的影响。     

基于微卫星标记的图们江大麻哈鱼亲子鉴定技术研究

大麻哈鱼(Oncorhynchus keta)是重要的洄游性经济鱼类,在中国分布于黑龙江、乌苏里江、绥芬河和图们江水域。为保护大麻哈鱼种质资源,恢复图们江流域野外种群数量,该研究基于微卫星标记技术,利用10对微卫星标记,对355尾回捕子代和91尾繁殖亲本开展了亲子关系鉴定研究。结果表明,检测等位基因数(N_a)201个,观测杂合度(H_o)为0.617～0.895,平均0.744;期望杂合度(H_e)为0.676～0.909,平均0.824;多态信息含量(PIC)为0.628～0.900,平均0.805。利用Cervus 3.0软件计算10个微卫星座位的累积非亲排除率(CEP)达99.95%。5个回捕样本与繁殖亲本存在亲子关系,确定为增殖放流的大麻哈鱼。该研究成功利用微卫星标记技术明确回捕大麻哈鱼归属地,为巩固中国鱼源国地位提供有力证据,同时为评估大麻哈鱼的增殖放流效果提供技术支撑。     

秦皇岛近海增殖放流区牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)回捕群体的遗传多样性分析

本研究利用12对微卫星标记对秦皇岛近海增殖放流区内的牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)回捕群体的遗传多样性进行分析，并与放流用牙鲆亲本群体和放流前群体的遗传多样性进行对比。结果显示，在3个群体中，等位基因数(Na)为11.917–22.167个，平均观测杂合度(Ho)为0.800–0.836，平均期望杂合度(He)为0.814–0.845，平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.775–0.818。其中，回捕群体的平均Na最多，为22.167，放流前群体的平均Na最少，为11.917。平均Ho最大的是回捕群体(0.836)，最小的是放流前群体(0.800)。平均He最大的是亲本群体(0.845)，最小的是放流前群体(0.814)。在36个群体–位点组合中，有23个群体–位点组合显著偏离哈迪-温伯格平衡状态(P<0.05)。3个群体的基因分化系数Gst值为0.005–0.043，遗传分化均为较弱。研究表明，3个群体均保持较高的遗传多样性，放流人工培育苗种对回捕群体的遗传多样性和遗传结构未产生明显的影响。     

大泷六线鱼放流群体与野生群体遗传多样性比较

基于线粒体DNA控制区高变区部分序列和4对微卫星标记,对大泷六线鱼放流群体及自然海域群体的遗传多样性与遗传差异进行了比较分析。线粒体DNA控制区序列分析的结果显示,413尾个体共检测到单倍型117种,其中仅Hap_3、Hap_7和Hap_17为共享单倍型,占总单倍型数目的2.5%;放流、野生群体特有单倍型分别为20种和66种,分别占总单倍型数的17.09%和56.41%,放流群体特有单倍型数明显低于野生群体;放流群体和野生群体核苷酸多样性分别为0.005 1~0.006 7和0.005 8~0.007 5,单倍型多样性分别为0.856 7~0.949 9和0.883 1~0.954 9,遗传多样性均较高。微卫星标记分析结果显示,放流、野生群体平均等位基因数(N_a)分别为13~44和13~27,平均多态信息含量为0.885 6和0.874 0,均具较高的遗传多态性;群体遗传结构分析结果表明,放流、野生群体间遗传分化水平较低。研究表明,山东近海大泷六线鱼放流群体与野生群体均具有较丰富的遗传多样性,且遗传结构未存在显著的群体分化。     

基于微卫星标记的钱塘江上游黄尾鲴增殖放流效果及其潜在遗传风险评估

为评估钱塘江上游黄尾鲴的增殖放流效果和潜在遗传风险,本实验利用已开发的11对微卫星引物,基于亲子鉴定技术对钱塘江上游增殖放流黄尾鲴的资源贡献率进行估算,同时开展黄尾鲴养殖群体和野外群体的遗传多样性比较,评估其增殖放流的遗传风险。结果显示,33尾繁殖亲本群体和105尾回捕群体的平均等位基因数(Na)为8.64,平均观测杂合度(Ho )为度为0.708,平均期望杂合度(He)为0.739,平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.703,11对微卫星引物多样性较高。亲缘关系分析表明,11座位累计非亲权（CEP）排除率达到99.999 98 0 %,在回捕的105尾黄尾鲴个体中,5尾回捕个体被确认为放流的子代,对野外群体的资源贡献率为4.76%。黄尾鲴养殖群体和野外群体均具有较高的遗传多样性,且群体内各个遗传参数相差较小,遗传多样性水平相近;分子方差分析（AMOVA）表明,遗传变异主要来自于群体内（95.92%）,遗传分化系数FST为0.053 59 ,群体间的Nm 为4.42,属于低等程度的分化,基因交流无障碍。综合分析表明,钱塘江增殖放流的黄尾鲴具有良好的资源恢复效果,且无放流带来的潜在遗传风险。     

基于微卫星标记的瓯江唇鱼骨增殖放流效果评估

为评估瓯江唇[HT5”,7]鱼[KG-*3]骨(Hemibarbus labeo)的增殖放流效果,利用已开发的10对微卫星引物,基于亲子鉴定技术,开展了瓯江增殖放流唇[HT5”,7]鱼[KG-*3]骨对野生群体的资源贡献率评估。结果显示:28尾繁殖亲本群体和103尾回捕群体中共检出等位基因数(N_a)133个,单个位点等位基因数(N_a)、多态信息含量(PIC)、观测杂合度(H_o)和期望杂合度(H_e)的变化范围分别为7~19个、0.501~0.883、0.328~0.787和0.523~0.897,对应的平均值分别为13.3个、0.703、0.598和0.737,10对微卫星引物均表现为高度多态性,可用于后续亲缘关系鉴定。亲缘关系分析表明,在亲本性别未知的情况下,非亲排除率(NEP)范围为0.043～0.400,10座位累计非亲排除率(CEP)达到0.999 999 62。亲子鉴定结果表明,在回捕的103尾唇[HT5”,7]鱼[KG-*3]骨个体中,3尾确认来源于增殖放流群体,由此推算出放流群体对野生群体的资源贡献率为2.91%。综合分析表明,瓯江唇[HT5”,7]鱼[KG-*3]骨增殖放流具有一定的资源恢复效果。     

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.