凡纳滨对虾感染致急性肝胰腺坏死病副溶血弧菌(Vp_(AHPND))的定量分析

对虾急性肝胰腺坏死病(Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease,AHPND)是由致AHPND副溶血弧菌(AHPND-causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus,VpAHPND)携带的pVA1-like质粒所表达的PirA~(Vp)和PirB~(Vp)毒力蛋白对对虾肝胰腺的急性毒性所致。本研究用2.19×10~5 CFU/ml VpAHPND分离株20130629002S01对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)进行浸泡感染,于感染后2~9 d采集对虾的肝胰腺、鳃、肠道、肌肉组织,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法,检测各组织中的pir AVp拷贝数。结果显示,感染后凡纳滨对虾各组织均能检测到pirA~(Vp),其中,肝胰腺在感染后第4天达到峰值,为8.71×10~4 copies/mg,而鳃、肌肉、肠道分别在第3、4、5天达到峰值,分别为9.08×10~3、2.59×10~4、5.76×10~4 copies/mg。早期感染鳃组织中先出现Vp_(AHPND)的富集,在高死亡发生期,Vp_(AHPND)数量在肝胰腺和肠道出现高峰,在死亡数量逐渐下降的后期,各组织的Vp_(AHPND)均快速下降,肠道、肝胰腺和肌肉中的Vp_(AHPND)水平趋于接近。对虾肝胰腺组织病理切片显示,同一时间有临床症状的病虾和濒死对虾相比,濒死对虾表现出更严重的AHPND病理特征,且二者的组织病理特征均随着感染时间的延长变得更为严重,但检测到的Vp_(AHPND)数量呈下降趋势。研究表明,在Vp_(AHPND)感染过程中,组织中的pirA~(Vp)基因数量不能代表对虾的发病程度,发病程度及组织病理严重的AHPND样品中Vp_(AHPND)的数量不一定处于高水平状态。     

卵黄抗体对凡纳滨对虾生长、免疫及抗VpAHPND感染的影响

为探讨特异性卵黄抗体抗致急性肝胰腺坏死病副溶血弧菌 (Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease, VpAHPND) 感染的效果及其机制,防控对虾急性肝胰腺坏死病 (Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease, AHPND),本研究以添加不同剂量VpAHPND卵黄抗体制剂 (0、0.2%和0.5%) 的饲料投喂凡纳滨对虾幼虾,测定对虾的生长率和存活率、对虾肝胰腺免疫酶活力和免疫基因相对表达水平,通过浸浴感染实验测定免疫对虾抗VpAHPND感染的能力。生长实验结果显示,免疫28 d后,免疫组与未添加卵黄抗体制剂的对照组对虾在平均生长率、特定生长率和存活率方面均无显著性差异。免疫功能实验结果显示,免疫14 d后,与对照组相比,0.2%免疫组对虾肝胰腺的酚氧化酶 (PO)、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、溶菌酶 (LZM) 活力显著升高,抗菌肽 (Crustin) 基因的相对表达水平也显著升高,而β-1,3-葡聚糖结合蛋白-脂蛋白 (β-GBP-HDL) 基因的相对表达水平则显著降低。浸浴感染实验结果显示,0.2%免疫组对虾的存活率显著高于对照组;0.2% VpAHPND卵黄抗体制剂对凡纳滨对虾的相对免疫保护率为63.77%。研究表明,口服卵黄抗体不会对凡纳滨对虾的生长和存活产生不良影响,0.2%的VpAHPND卵黄抗体制剂通过提升凡纳滨对虾的PO、SOD、LZM活力和Crustin基因表达水平,增强凡纳滨对虾的免疫功能,从而提高对虾抗VpAHPND感染的能力,具有很强的应用潜力。本研究为使用特异性卵黄抗体防控AHPND提供了依据,也为其作用机制研究提供了参考。     

干露时间对凡纳滨对虾抗氧化功能的影响

将体长(8.32±1.43) cm健康有活力的凡纳滨对虾置于室温25℃的封闭实验台上,0、5、15、30 min后分别活体采样,测定肌肉、心脏、胃、肠道、肝胰腺和血淋巴的抗氧化相关指标,研究干露对凡纳滨对虾抗氧化功能的影响。试验结果表明,干露15 min组凡纳滨对虾胃、血清、肝胰腺丙二醛含量显著高于对照组(P0.05);随着暴露时间延长,干露组凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺组织总抗氧化能力呈下降趋势,各组与对照组相比显著降低(P0.05);肠道、心脏和胃总抗氧化能力水平呈先升后降的趋势;随着暴露时间的延长,凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺和肌肉中总超氧化物歧化酶以及肝胰腺中γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶活性呈下降趋势,肌肉与肠道中的γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶活性无显著性变化(P0.05)。短时间(5 min)干露对凡纳滨对虾组织抗氧化功能破坏较小,而长时间(30 min)干露可明显降低组织的抗氧化能力;干露对凡纳滨对虾对抗氧化功能的影响具有组织特异性。通过检测凡纳滨对虾抗氧化代谢指标,进而探索缺氧不同时间段凡纳滨对虾抗氧化酶活性的变化规律,总结对虾机体抗氧化剂和抗氧化能力的时空图谱,为养殖过程中缺氧现象提供基础资料,为凡纳滨对虾无水运输技术的开发提供参考数据。     

凡纳滨对虾中发光坎氏弧菌的分离、鉴定及致病性

为研究凡纳滨对虾死亡的致病机理,实验采用TCBS培养基从濒死凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺分离到浅绿色、直径3～7 mm的发荧光菌落;革兰氏染色为阴性短杆菌;经API20E鉴定,分离株PvL-1与坎氏弧菌参考菌株CAIM249相似度为90%;fitZ序列与坎氏弧菌CP020076相似度为99.31%;gapA序列与坎氏弧菌EF596552相似度为98.89%;采用坎氏弧菌种特异性引物对PvL-1进行PCR分析,可扩增出坎氏弧菌种特异性片段,不能扩增出轮虫弧菌和哈维氏弧菌特异性片段,上述结果表明PvL-1为坎氏弧菌成员。分离菌株在10%脱纤维羊血平板呈β溶血,脱脂奶粉平板出现明显透明圈,表明存在溶血性和胞外蛋白酶活性。分析了PvL-1的急性肝胰腺坏死病、溶血素基因、菌毛基因和其他毒力基因,表明PvL-1具有AP4、TLH、vcahHly、flaC、mukF、gloB、sodB和esrB等毒力基因。PvL-1可使健康凡纳滨对虾发病死亡,濒死凡纳滨对虾与自然发病虾呈现类似症状,对凡纳滨对虾半数致死浓度(LD50)2.94×104 CFU/尾;病理组织观察发现,人工感染发病凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺小管细胞脱落、崩解、血细胞浸润等,与自然发病凡纳滨对虾病理特征相同。研究表明,本次实验分离到可发光的坎氏弧菌PvL-1,对凡纳滨对虾有较强致病性,拓展了对凡纳滨对虾发光坎氏弧菌的认知。     

恩诺沙星对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei) CYP2基因表达及氨基比林-N-脱甲基酶活性的影响

以凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)为研究对象,运用RT-PCR方法测定CYP2基因在凡纳滨对虾组织中的表达分布,并分析不同剂量恩诺沙星对凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺中CYP2基因表达和氨基比林-N-脱甲基酶(APND)活性的影响.结果显示,CYP2在肝胰腺、鳃、血淋巴、肌肉、甲壳、肠、胃、心脏和眼柄中均有分布,在肝胰腺中表达量最高,胃次之,血淋巴中表达量最低.口服低(15 mg/kg)、中(30 mg/kg)、高(60 mg/kg)3个剂量恩诺沙星药饵后,凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺中CYP2基因表达和APND活性较对照组均呈现下降趋势;药物浓度越高,基因表达量和酶活性越低,表明恩诺沙星可抑制CYP2在凡纳滨对虾体内的表达.在生产实践中联合用药时,应考虑到因恩诺沙星对CYP2的抑制作用而导致经其代谢的药物在生物体内的蓄积和毒性增强.     

恩诺沙星对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)CYP2基因表达及氨基比林-N-脱甲基酶活性的影响

以凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)为研究对象,运用RT-PCR方法测定CYP2基因在凡纳滨对虾组织中的表达分布,并分析不同剂量恩诺沙星对凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺中CYP2基因表达和氨基比林-N-脱甲基酶(APND)活性的影响。结果显示,CYP2在肝胰腺、鳃、血淋巴、肌肉、甲壳、肠、胃、心脏和眼柄中均有分布,在肝胰腺中表达量最高,胃次之,血淋巴中表达量最低。口服低(15 mg/kg)、中(30 mg/kg)、高(60 mg/kg)3个剂量恩诺沙星药饵后,凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺中CYP2基因表达和APND活性较对照组均呈现下降趋势;药物浓度越高,基因表达量和酶活性越低,表明恩诺沙星可抑制CYP2在凡纳滨对虾体内的表达。在生产实践中联合用药时,应考虑到因恩诺沙星对CYP2的抑制作用而导致经其代谢的药物在生物体内的蓄积和毒性增强。     

对虾肝胰腺坏死病副溶血弧菌双重微流控荧光定量PCR快速检测技术的建立与应用

急性肝胰腺坏死病(AHPND)是对虾养殖过程中最常见、最严重的疾病,给对虾养殖造成重大经济损失。AHPND病原种类多、基因型复杂,现有的针对不同病原的检测技术目标导向较弱、检测成本高、时间消耗长,对虾健康养殖亟待开发AHPND的精准快速诊断技术。本研究针对AHPND病原体携带编码一种二元毒素pirA和pirB大型质粒的遗传共性,基于pirA和pirB基因设计特异性引物并建立微流控荧光定量PCR检测方法。该方法对致病基因pirA和pirB特异性强、灵敏度高,最低检测限分别为5.43×100和4.31×101 copies/μL,样品平均检测时间为26 min左右。为进一步评估该方法在实际应用中的准确性,以含有pirA和pirB毒性质粒的副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)进行人工感染实验。结果表明,感染后的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)鳃丝、肝胰腺、肠道和肌肉等组织随时间的推迟均能检测到pirA和pirB;从感染2 h的结果来看,pirB比pirA检出率更高。此外,致病因子pirA和pirB比toxR的检出率更高,更适合对AHPND致病原的检测。本研究建立的微流控荧光定量PCR检测的方法具有快速、灵敏、高通量、污染少、现场检测、一体化集成等优点。该技术不仅适用于实验室,更符合养殖基层的现场快速检测需求,为及早认知疾病发生风险和病害精准防控提供了新的技术手段与理论支撑。     

白斑综合征病毒感染对凡纳滨对虾热休克蛋白60和90表达的影响

采用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)感染凡纳滨对虾不同时段鳃、肠、肝胰腺、肌肉、类淋巴和血细胞组织中热休克蛋白(HSP)60和90基因mRNA转录水平的变化。结果显示,HSP60和HSP90在这6个组织中都有表达,WSSV感染影响各组织中HSP60和HSP90 mRNA转录水平的表达,WSSV感染抑制HSP60在鳃、肠、肌肉和血细胞的表达,促进HSP90在鳃、肠、肝胰腺、肌肉、血细胞和类淋巴的表达,表明HSP60和HSP90参与WSSV感染免疫反应。     

凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)传染性皮下及造血组织坏死病毒(IHHNV)及虾肝肠胞虫(EHP)的荧光定量PCR检测

2013年,河北、天津等地区养殖的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)育苗期出现死苗、出苗率低的情况,生产上,仔虾个体大小差异较大,造成了严重损失.本研究采用荧光定量PCR方法(Real-time PCR)对天津大港地区采集的108尾凡纳滨对虾仔虾样品进行单尾病原检测.结果显示,传染性皮下及造血组织坏死病毒(Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus,IHHNV)和虾肝肠胞虫(Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei,EHP)均有检出.IHHNV阳性检出率100％,每微克对虾组织DNA的病毒拷贝数为103-107,且个体较大的样品(1.2-2.0 cm)携带病毒拷贝数偏高;EHP阳性检出率为49.1％,每微克对虾组织DNA的拷贝数为103-105,且集中于个体较小样品(0.7-1.1 cm).对IHHNV和EHP阳性凡纳滨对虾样品进行生物学体长与病毒载量指数相关性分析,显示IHHNV载量指数与对虾生长速率呈正相关,虾组织IHHNV平均载量达8.51×104 copies/μg DNA,为较高的感染水平;EHP的载量与对虾生长速率呈负相关关系,与较大个体阳性检出率较低相对应,虾组织EHP平均载量达到2.19× 104 copies/μg DNA,为较高的感染水平.由此,该批凡纳滨对虾仔虾患病为IHHNV和EHP的混合感染所致,本研究数据为IHHNV和EHP病原混合感染流行情况及其对养殖育苗期仔虾生长的影响提供科学依据.     

凡纳滨对虾感染虾肝肠胞虫的群体及组织间差异性分析

对来自河北黄骅(HH)、山东平度(PD)、江苏吴江(WJ)和山东日照(RZ)的4个凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)群体进行了对虾生长参数测量,用Taq Man q PCR检测了凡纳滨对虾各群体的肝胰腺组织中和RZ群体多种组织中的虾肝肠胞虫数量(Amount of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei,EHP)。结果显示,在主要生长相关参数中,RZ群体最优,该群体EHP载量也最低。不同群体的样本数EHP对数直方图的模式存在差异,HH和PD群体的EHP对数呈双峰分布,而WJ和RZ群体的EHP对数呈单峰分布,代表EHP在不同群体中可能存在不同的传播模式。EHP对数呈单峰分布的群体或从多峰分布的群体中分离出的高EHP对数子群体的对虾体长或体重与EHP对数呈显著的负相关。RZ群体中,各个体不同组织中EHP从高到低的顺序依次是肝胰腺中肠血淋巴鳃肌肉。肝胰腺、中肠和鳃3个组织中EHP对数相互间的相关性为99.9%的极显著水平(P0.001);除了中肠与血淋巴和肝胰腺与血淋巴以外,其余组织间EHP对数的相关性也达到极显著(P0.01)或显著(P0.05)水平。用DIG标记的EHP探针对肝胰腺、肌肉、鳃、肠道组织的原位杂交显示,肝胰腺是主要的EHP感染组织,其他组织中杂交信号较弱,但各组织中有少数细胞的EHP易感。     

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.     

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.