高温应激下无乳链球菌感染对尼罗罗非鱼血清生化指标和组织病理的影响

为探究高水温对尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌病暴发的影响,以体质量为(62.0±3.33)g的尼罗罗非鱼为研究对象,设置生长最适宜组(29°C)和高温应激组(33°C)2个处理水平,暂养7 d后分别进行人工感染实验统计累计死亡率,并于攻毒后0、12、24、48、96和120 h采集血液和组织样本,开展高温应激下无乳链球菌感染对尼罗罗非鱼血清生化指标和组织病理影响的研究。结果显示,水温33°C高温应激组尼罗罗非鱼累计死亡率显著高于29°C组;谷丙转氨酶(ALT)活性在感染96 h之后33°C组的值显著高于29°C组;谷草转氨酶(AST)活性在感染48 h之后33°C组的值显著高于29°C组;钾(K+)和钠(Na+)含量感染120 h时29°C组的值和攻毒前都没有显著性差异,而33°C组分别显著高于和低于攻毒前;肌酐(CREA)含量在感染12 h以后33°C组的值都显著高于29°C组;白蛋白/球蛋白(A/G)的值在120 h时33°C组的值显著低于29°C组;血清碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性29°C组随时间延长而升高,33°C组则先升高后降低,但33°C组的达峰时间更短;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性的变化趋势都是先升高后降低再升高;组织病理学观察显示高温应激使肝细胞排列紊乱,索状结构不清,脾脏和肾脏轻微充血;感染12 h后脾脏均严重充血,感染24 h后脾脏结构均被破坏,呈淀粉样变性,坏死;感染48 h后肾小球均发生萎缩,肾小管上皮细胞变性、坏死;33°C组鱼的肝脏感染96 h后严重脂肪变性和细胞内玻璃样变性,而29°C组鱼的肝脏在感染120 h后才发生相似的病理变化。研究表明高温应激抑制了鱼体免疫系统,降低了尼罗罗非鱼对无乳链球菌的抵抗力,脾脏对无乳链球菌感染响应最快,高温应激使病原菌感染对肝脏损伤更为迅速,感染后期受损更严重。     

BALB/c小鼠用于评价尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌毒力的研究

实验采用BALB/c小鼠作为实验动物,旨在建立尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌毒力测定的BALB/c小鼠模型。BALB/c小鼠经腹腔注射尼罗罗非鱼源无乳链球菌建立感染模型,比较了尼罗罗非鱼源无乳链球菌分别感染尼罗罗非鱼和小鼠的LD_(50)差异,分别测定了不同毒力尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌对尼罗罗非鱼和小鼠的毒力。结果显示,小鼠经腹腔注射无乳链球菌,在24 h内出现死亡现象,且对小鼠脑、肝脏、脾脏、肾脏等组织造成损伤。3次测定尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌TFJ0901对尼罗罗非鱼和小鼠LD_(50)分别为7.7×10~7、2.2×10~8、3.5×10~9 CFU/mL和405、361、419 CFU/只。将无乳链球菌TFJ0901和THN0901感染尼罗罗非鱼(1.0×10~7 CFU/mL)和小鼠(100 CFU/只),尼罗罗非鱼和小鼠存活率分别为100%、6.7%±5.8%和100%、0,其存活率都具有显著性差异。将无乳链球菌TFJ0901和TFJ-F感染尼罗罗非鱼(3.0×10~8 CFU/mL)和小鼠(2 500 CFU/只),尼罗罗非鱼的存活率分别为73.3%±11.5%和80.0%±10.0%,存活率差异不显著,小鼠存活率分别为13.3%±11.5%和100.0%,存活率具有显著性差异。研究表明,本实验成功建立了BALB/c小鼠作为尼罗罗非鱼源无乳链球菌毒力测定的稳定模型,测定不同毒力的尼罗罗非鱼源无乳链球菌对小鼠毒力与对尼罗罗非鱼毒力一致,且该模型能够区分尼罗罗非鱼模型难以区分的毒力相近的无乳链球菌。     

尼罗罗非鱼无乳链球菌病的病理学研究

为了解尼罗罗非鱼感染无乳链球菌后各组织的病理变化,运用革兰氏染色和电镜负染技术对一株从自然发病的尼罗罗非鱼上分离的无乳链球菌进行形态观察,采用组织切片和超薄切片电镜技术对患病尼罗罗非鱼的肝脏、脾脏、肾脏、脑、心肌、骨骼肌、肠、鳃等8种组织进行病理学研究,探讨该病的致病机理。结果显示,革兰氏染色呈阳性,负染后透射电镜观察多数细菌呈链状排列;组织病理学变化主要是各内脏器官的广泛充血、水肿、变性和炎性细胞浸润,严重的细胞坏死;超微病理显示,大量球菌侵染脾脏等内脏组织,破坏细胞结构和各种细胞器;细胞界限模糊,细胞核畸形,线粒体肿大,嵴断裂,溶解;粗面内质网肿大、核糖体脱落;细胞质空泡化严重;心肌和骨骼肌纤维断裂、紊乱、肌节长短不一;肠微绒毛排列不整齐、长短不一;眼中有纤维性沉积。研究表明,无乳链球菌能造成尼罗罗非鱼全身性组织器官损害和炎症反应,尤其是肝脏、脾脏、肾脏和脑等重要器官功能障碍和衰竭,最后导致鱼体死亡。     

自然感染无乳链球菌罗非鱼的比较病理学及毒力基因谱分析

在自然感染无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)的罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)成鱼、稚鱼和自然携带无乳链球菌的罗非鱼体内分别获得14株、4株和2株无乳链球菌。临床和组织病理学分析显示,罗非鱼成鱼出现无规则游动,脑、眼眶、鳃和鳍条充血,眼球突出、白浊,内脏器官肿大、充血,以肾小管玻璃样变性、脑膜炎和心外膜炎等组织病理学变化为特征;罗非鱼稚鱼体表无明显症状,但部分内脏器官呈现肿大、充血现象,以脾脏血管区出血、肾小管上皮细胞变性、脑组织炎症反应较轻为其主要组织病理学特征。此外,罗非鱼胃固有层内及稚鱼肝脏组织中有大量的嗜酸性粒细胞浸润,可观察到无乳链球菌在成鱼的脑、心脏以及稚鱼肝脏中增殖;自然携带无乳链球菌的罗非鱼临床症状和组织学病变均不明显。PCR检测发现,各无乳链球菌毒力基因谱相同,但自然感染无乳链球菌的罗非鱼成鱼、稚鱼和自然携带无乳链球菌的罗非鱼的病理学损伤差异显著。     

尼罗罗非鱼p38MAPK基因克隆与表达分析

为了探究p38MAPK与尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)免疫功能的相关性,本实验运用cDNA末端快速扩增技术(rapid amplification of cDNA ends,RACE)获得尼罗罗非鱼埃及品系ntp38MAPK的cDNA全长序列,结果显示,该序列全长1789 bp,开放阅读框(Open Reading Frame,ORF)长1086 bp,5′非编码区(Untranslated Region,UTR)长342 bp,3′UTR为361 bp。ORF编码361个氨基酸,预测分子量为41.598 kD,理论等电点为5.10。序列含有p38家族典型保守的Thr-Gly-Tyr(TGY)双磷酸化位点以及紧密相连的底物结合位点Ala-Thr-Arg-Trp(ATRW)。同源性以及系统进化树分析结果显示,尼罗罗非鱼的p38MAPK与大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)和鲈(Dicentrarchus labrax)的相似性最高。采用qRT-PCR的方法研究了ntp38MAPK在各组织以及无乳链球菌感染过程中的表达差异情况,结果显示,ntp38MAPK在各组织均有表达,其中在肌肉的表达量最高,心脏、肝脏、脾脏次之,头肾中的表达量最低。无乳链球菌感染过程中,脾脏、头肾中ntp38MAPK的表达量在2 h开始上调,肝脏中4 h开始上调,8 h后肝脏、脾脏和头肾中的表达量都有所下降,24~72 h趋于平稳,表明ntp38MAPK在尼罗罗非鱼抵抗链球菌侵染过程中发挥重要作用。     

吉富罗非鱼感染无乳链球菌后肝脏组织在不同时期蛋白质组的表达差异

为研究罗非鱼感染无乳链球菌前后肝脏组织蛋白质的表达变化。本研究以吉富罗非鱼为材料,采用双向电泳技术分析其在无乳链球菌感染胁迫下24 h、48-144 h、12 d与对照组（未感染）肝脏组织蛋白质组的变化,对差异表达蛋白进行质谱分析鉴定。结果显示：吉富罗非鱼在无乳链球菌胁迫下,3个实验组的蛋白质图谱与对照组相比存在显著差异,共有30个蛋白点发生显著改变,其中13个表达上调,17个下调,2个下调蛋白点在感染12 d组消失。通过MALDI-TOF-MS MS/MS质谱分析和数据库检索对这些蛋白质进行了功能分类,发现它们涉及到能量代谢、细胞防御与应激、消化免疫、抗氧化与排毒等许多方面。推测这些蛋白可能在吉富罗非鱼对无乳链球菌胁迫的抗性反应中发挥了重要作用。研究结果为无乳链球菌疫苗的研制及吉富罗非鱼抗病品种选育奠定了基础。     

尼罗罗非鱼补体C9基因的克隆和组织表达分析

为了探究补体C9在尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)免疫中发挥的作用,本研究克隆并分析了尼罗罗非鱼补体C9基因(OnC9)。结果显示:OnC9的cDNA序列全长2 502 bp,包含1 761 bp的开放阅读框(ORF),编码586个氨基酸。氨基酸序列同源性分析表明,OnC9与牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)补体C9氨基酸相似性最高,达73.0%,与其他鱼类补体C9的相似性介于49.3%~71.4%之间。实时荧光定量PCR检测结果表明,OnC9基因在所检测的各个组织或器官中表达水平有明显差异,在肝脏中表达量最高,其次是肠道、后肾、皮肤、肌肉、鳃,在脑、脾脏、心脏、头肾、胸腺和血液中表达量最低。在无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)感染鱼体后,肝脏、后肾等组织中OnC9表达量表现为在感染12 h、48 h(或36 h)、120 h先后出现三个峰值的波动表达的规律。说明OnC9在无乳链球菌感染尼罗罗非鱼后的免疫应答中发挥作用。     

无乳链球菌不同途径感染吉富罗非鱼后病原菌在体内的分布规律研究

为探讨无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)感染罗非鱼(Oreochromis spp)的致病途径。采用腹腔注射、灌胃和浸泡三种方式对吉富罗非鱼进行无乳链球菌(HN016菌株)胁迫感染,利用平板活菌计数法统计三种方式感染后病原菌在体内组织的分布。注射和灌胃两种方式感染后均出现典型的链球菌感染发病症状,其中注射组在感染24 h后出现死亡高峰,死亡率为92.5%;灌胃组感染48 h后出现死亡高峰,死亡率为90%;而浸泡组,感染后均没有出现明显的发病症状,也没有出现死鱼。注射组和灌胃组在感染后2 h,其脾脏、肝脏、前肾、胃、腮、皮肤和肌肉组织中均可分离出病原菌,5 h后在脑组织中均可分离出病原菌,8 h后各组织分离出的病原菌数达到峰值;而浸泡组在感染8 h后才从各组织中分离出病原菌,且它们的数量均低于同时期的注射组和灌胃组。注射和灌胃两种方式可使吉富罗非鱼快速感染无乳链球菌而发病,而浸泡方式感染后病原菌虽可以侵入机体,但不表现出症状。由此,我们推测在自然条件下养殖的罗非鱼是通过口腔采食携带无乳,链球菌的食物而被感染。     

尼罗罗非鱼铁调素调节蛋白在宿主抵御病原菌侵染和调节铁稳态中的功能

为了研究铁调素调节蛋白(hemojuvelin,HJV)在硬骨鱼中抵御病原菌感染和维持自身铁稳态过程中的作用,实验扩增了尼罗罗非鱼铁调素调节蛋白基因(Onhjv)的开放阅读框(ORF),分析其在健康尼罗罗非鱼各组织中的分布模式及在抵御病原菌感染和调节铁稳态中的相关作用。结果显示,Onhjv的ORF全长由1 248个碱基组成,编码415个氨基酸,在不同物种之间具有一定的保守性。实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)结果显示,Onhjv在尼罗罗非鱼各组织中广泛分布,并在肝脏中的表达量最高。在无乳链球菌或嗜水气单胞菌感染后,Onhjv在肝脏、脾脏、肠和鳃中的表达量均显著上调。体外头肾单核/巨噬细胞和肝细胞中Onhjv表达量在受到这2种病原菌应激下也显著上调。此外,在1和10μmol/L FeCl_3溶液刺激后,Onhjv表达量在肝脏、脾脏、肠和鳃等组织,以及头肾单核/巨噬细胞和肝细胞中的表达量也呈显著上调。受重组罗非鱼IL-6蛋白[(r)OnIL-6]刺激后,头肾单核/巨噬细胞中Onhjv表达量显著上调,表明炎症因子可以促进Onhjv表达。研究表明,尼罗罗非鱼铁调素调节蛋白在宿主抵御病原菌感染和维持铁稳态的过程中发挥作用。本实验为探究HJV在硬骨鱼中的生物学功能提供了参考,同时为进一步研究铁代谢在宿主防御病原菌感染过程中的重要作用提供理论指导。     

尼罗罗非鱼γ-干扰素基因的克隆、结构分析及组织表达

γ-干扰素(interferon,IFN)是调控天然免疫与细胞免疫的一种重要细胞因子,在抵抗病毒入侵和细菌感染中发挥重要作用。该研究从尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)脾脏组织中扩增到γ-干扰素基因的c DNA,大小为621 bp,编码206个氨基酸。生物信息学分析表明,尼罗罗非鱼γ-干扰素分子(On IFNγ)具有信号肽、IFN特征序列及核定位信号。预测的三级结构与人类IFNγ晶体结构最相似。q PCR检测显示,IFNγ在正常鱼体内的脾脏中表达量最高,其次是肠、鳃和肾脏。感染无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)后,On IFNγ在脾脏、肾和鳃中的表达均显著上调(P0.05)。On IFNγ在相关免疫器官中的高表达、受感染后的表达上调,说明其在罗非鱼免疫防御中可能具有重要作用。该研究为进一步开展On IFNγ基因的功能研究、探讨其在抗病转基因及抗病选育中的开发应用奠定了基础。     

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.