饲料中添加生物素对草鱼幼鱼生长、体成分和血清生化指标的影响

在纯化饲料中分别添加生物素0、0.05、0.10、0.20、0.40、0.80、1.60 mg/kg投喂初始质量为(5.92±0.25)g的草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)幼鱼8周,研究了不同生物素添加量对草鱼幼鱼生长性能、饲料系数、机体营养成分、血清生化指标的影响。试验结果显示:与对照组相比,添加生物素提高了草鱼幼鱼的增重率、特定生长率,降低了饲料系数。添加量为0.40 mg/kg时草鱼幼鱼的特定生长率和增重率最大,饲料系数最低,并与对照组存在显著差异(P<0.05);添加不同水平生物素对草鱼幼鱼全鱼水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪含量无显著影响,但添加量为0.40 mg/kg时粗蛋白含量最大。0.10 mg/kg组和0.20 mg/kg组的全鱼灰分含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05);添加生物素对血清总蛋白(TP)、血糖(GLU)和总胆固醇(TC)无显著影响,但显著提高了血清甘油三酯(TG)含量,各添加组TG含量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),1.60 mg/kg添加组的高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。综合本试验结果,草鱼幼鱼饲料中生物素适宜添加量为0.40 mg/kg。     

饲料锌水平对星斑川鲽幼鱼生长、组织积累和抗氧化功能的影响

以酪蛋白和明胶为蛋白源,七水硫酸锌为锌源,在基础饲料中分别添加锌0,50,100,150,200,400mg/kg,制成6种含有不同锌水平的精制饲料(19.95,71.06,118.50,174.00,226.10和411.20mg/kg),投喂初始体重为(62.89±0.51)g的星斑川鲽幼鱼66d,研究饲料锌水平对星斑川鲽幼鱼生长、体成分、组织锌积累及抗氧化能力的影响。结果表明,随着饲料锌水平的增加,星斑川鲽的增重率(WGR)显著升高(P<0.05),在174.00mg/kg锌饲料组达最大值,而锌水平高于174.00mg/kg时,其增重率和特定生长率(SGR)变化不显著(P>0.05),SGR和WGR的变化趋势相同,且SGR的最大值及饲料系数(FCR)的最小值均出现在174.00mg/kg锌饲料组;全鱼营养成分各处理组间均无显著差异(P>0.05),锌添加量为0mg/kg饲料组的肌肉脂肪含量显著高于其它各组(P<0.05);411.20mg/kg锌饲料组的全鱼、脊椎骨和肌肉中锌积累量显著高于其它各组(P<0.05),当饲料锌水平为118.50～411.20mg/kg时,全鱼、脊椎骨和血清中锌积累量显著高于...     

实用饲料添加肌醇对草鱼生长、脂质代谢及抗氧化机能的影响

为探讨肌醇对草鱼生长、脂质代谢及抗氧化机能的影响,以实用饲料配方为基础,分别添加0(对照)、50、100、150、200、300和400 mg/kg肌醇,配制成7组等氮等脂的饲料,每组饲料设4个重复,每个重复饲喂初始体质量为(15.00±0.15)g的草鱼25尾,养殖56 d。结果显示,饲料中添加100~150 mg/kg肌醇能显著提高草鱼终末均重(FBW)、增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)及饲料效率(FE);随饲料肌醇添加水平的上升,全鱼脂肪、肝脏脂肪和脂肪沉积率先升后降,在50~300 mg/kg均与对照组存在显著差异,且均在100 mg/kg达到最大值。肌肉脂肪则逐渐下降并趋于稳定,在100 mg/kg达到最小值,100~400 mg/kg差异不显著;肠脂肪酶、血浆总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)含量及高密度/低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C/LDL-C)均呈先升后降的趋势,除LDL-C在各组间差异不显著外,其余指标均在100~150 mg/kg达到最大值;添加肌醇能显著增强肝脏和肌肉中肉碱脂酰转移酶(CPT-I)和乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC)的活性。与对照组相比,100 mg/kg肝脏CPT-I的增幅比例低于ACC的增幅比例,肌肉则相反;当肌醇添加水平为100~150 mg/kg时,肝脏和肌肉中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性显著升高,丙二醛(MDA)含量及血浆中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)均显著降低。研究表明,实用饲料添加适宜的肌醇能改善草鱼的生长、饲料转化和肝脏功能,促进脂肪消化,加快脂肪酸的合成与分解代谢,使全鱼和肝脏增脂、肌肉降脂,且能够提高肝脏和肌肉的抗氧化机能。以FE和SGR为效应指标,草鱼实用饲料肌醇适宜添加量为90.3~96.4 mg/kg。     

肌醇对胭脂鱼生长、体成分和部分血清生化指标的影响

以酪蛋白、明胶和鱼粉为蛋白源配制6组实验饲料,分别在饲料中添加0、75、150、300、600和1 200mg/kg的肌醇,每组设3个重复,连续投喂初始体质量(10.01±0.24)g的胭脂鱼(Myxocyprinus asiaticus)幼鱼8周,考察饲料中添加不同水平的肌醇对胭脂鱼幼鱼生长性能、全鱼以及肌肉营养成分和部分血清生化指标的影响,以确定胭脂鱼幼鱼饲料中肌醇的适宜添加量。结果显示:随着饲料中肌醇含量增加,胭脂鱼幼鱼增重率、成活率和特定生长率呈先上升后稳定的趋势,均在300 mg/kg组时达到稳定;饲料肌醇对全鱼体成分无显著性影响,肌肉脂肪含量在300 mg/kg组时显著低于未添加组;饲料中肌醇对血清总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和血清甘油三酯均有显著性影响;饲料中肌醇(150 mg/kg)不足时,血清中谷草转氨酶和谷丙转氨酶的活性显著高于其它实验组。以特定生长率为评价指标,经折线回归分析,饲料中补充310.3 mg/kg的肌醇时,胭脂鱼幼鱼获得最大生长。     

饲料中添加锌对星斑川鲽幼鱼生长、生理生化指标和机体抗氧化的影响

以酪蛋白和明胶为蛋白源,以七水硫酸锌为锌源,在基础饲料中分别添加锌0、50、100、150、200、400mg/kg,配制成6种等氮等能的精制饲料,饱食投喂初始体重为62.89±0.51g的星斑川鲽幼鱼66d,探讨饲料锌水平对星斑川鲽幼鱼生长、血液生理生化指标和机体抗氧化功能的影响.结果表明,添加150～400mg/kg饲料锌显著提高了星斑川鲽幼鱼的增重率(WGR)(P<0.05),且WGR的最大值及饲料系数(FCR)的最小值均出现在150mg/kg锌饲料组.添加100～200mg/kg饲料锌显著提高了试验鱼血液红细胞数量(P<0.05),0mg/kg锌饲料组的血细胞比容和血红蛋白含量均显著低于其他各组(P<0.05).血清蛋白含量不受饲料锌添加量的影响(P>0.05).血清溶菌酶(LSZ)活力随着锌添加量的增加而显著升高(P<0.05),在锌添加量为150mg/kg时达最高值;当添加量高于150mg/kg时,LSZ活力变化不显著(P>0.05).0与50mg/kg锌饲料组的血清铜锌-超氧化物歧化酶(CuZn-SOD)活力显著低于其他各组(P<0.05).0和50mg/kg锌饲料组肌肉丙二醛(MDA)含量显著高于其他各组(P<0.05),以150mg/kg锌饲料组最低(P<0.05).建议星斑川鲽幼鱼精制饲料中锌的适宜添加量为150mg/kg.     

草鱼幼鱼对饲料中泛酸需要量的研究

研究了饲料中泛酸钙添加量对平均体重(4.80±0.32)g的草鱼幼鱼生长和部分生理指标的影响。在相同基础配方中分别添加泛酸钙0、8、15、30、60、120、240 mg/kg饲料,进行为期8周的养殖试验,每个处理3个重复。结果表明:饲料中添加泛酸钙能提高草鱼幼鱼的增重率和特定生长率,降低饲料系数,对成活率无显著影响(P>0.05)。对照组的总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量显著低于添加组(P<0.05),各添加组无显著差异(P>0.05)。鱼体灰分含量不受饲料中泛酸钙含量的影响,但能提高鱼体水分、蛋白和脂肪含量(P<0.05)。基于特定生长率折线法分析,草鱼幼鱼获得最佳生长时的饲料泛酸钙最低需求量为25 mg/kg。     

肌醇对氨氮应激下团头鲂幼鱼免疫的影响

为了研究氨氮应激下肌醇对团头鲂幼鱼免疫的影响,实验选择初均重为(3.40±0.07)g的健康团头鲂幼鱼450尾,随机分为6组,每组3个重复,分别投喂含肌醇0、101.2、202.3、404.8、809.1和1 616.4 mg/kg的精制饲料,实验期为90 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,氨氮应激前,404.8 mg/kg肌醇添加组显著提高了团头鲂幼鱼淋巴细胞百分比、补体3、补体4和血液呼吸爆发活性(P0.05);氨氮应激12 h,404.8和809.1 mg/kg肌醇添加组的血液白细胞、红细胞、淋巴细胞百分比、血红蛋白和血清补体3、补体4水平显著升高(P0.05),皮质醇水平显著降低(P0.05),202.3和404.8 mg/kg肌醇添加组的血细胞呼吸爆发活性显著提高(P0.05);氨氮应激72 h,404.8 mg/kg肌醇添加组的血液白细胞、红细胞、淋巴细胞百分比、血红蛋白、血清补体3和血细胞呼吸爆发活性显著升高(P0.05),皮质醇水平显著下降(P0.05),809.1 mg/kg肌醇添加组的血清补体4水平显著升高(P0.05)。研究表明,饲料中添加适量的肌醇(404.8 mg/kg)即可增强团头鲂幼鱼的免疫力,对团头鲂幼鱼抗氨氮应激起到了一定的保护作用。     

饲料中添加谷胱甘肽对草鱼组织中谷胱甘肽沉积和抗氧化能力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)至0 mg/kg、100 mg/kg、200 mg/kg、300 mg/kg、400 mg/kg和500 mg/kg,分别投喂草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)幼鱼8周,草鱼幼鱼体质量(4.09±0.01)g,观察GSH在草鱼组织中沉积以及对草鱼抗氧化功能的影响.结果表明,饲料中添加外源GSH对草鱼生长影响不显著(P＞0.05),实验组肌肉中GSH含量显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),肝脏中GSH含量在GSH添加水平为200 mg/kg时显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),肝脏和肌肉中丙二醛(MDA)在GSH添加水平为300 mg/kg组达到最低,显著低于对照组(P＜0.05).添加GSH对血清中GSH和MDA影响不显著(P＞0.05).草鱼肝脏中谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活力在400 mg/kg组显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),肌肉中GR活力有增高趋势但差异不显著(P＞0.05);肝脏和肌肉中γ-谷氨酰转移酶(γ-GT)均高于对照组,分别在300 mg/kg组和200 mg/kg组达到显著水平(P＜0.05);肝脏中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活力、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)能力不同程度升高,均在200 mg/kg组达到最高,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05);血清GSH-PX活力和T-AOC有增高趋势但与对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05);血清和肝脏中活性氧(ROS)含量分别在400 mg/kg和300 mg/kg组达到最低,显著低于对照组(P＜0.05).结果提示,饲料中添加GSH能够促进草鱼肝脏和肌肉中GSH的沉积,提高肝脏及肌肉中GR和γ-GT活力,以及肝脏中GSH-PX和SOD活力与总抗氧化能力,减少肝脏中MDA含量,降低肝脏及血清中ROS含量,因此GSH在水产饲料中具有广泛的应用前景.     

草鱼幼鱼对烟酸的需要量

草鱼幼鱼的初始体重为(12.43±0.80) g,试验分为7组,其饲料中烟酸含量分别为5.1、9.8、16.6、32.2、66.7、130.1、271.5 mg·kg-1,每组设3个重复,每桶30尾鱼,日投喂率2%～3%,饲养试验周期为8周.研究不同含量烟酸对草鱼幼鱼生长性能、饲料系数、机体营养组分、造血功能及血脂的影响,以确定草鱼幼鱼饲料中适宜烟酸需要量.试验结果表明:①添加烟酸显著提高了特定生长率、增重率和草鱼幼鱼的存活率,对草鱼幼鱼肥满度无显著影响;烟酸含量为32.2 mg·kg-1时草鱼的特定生长率和增重率最大,饲料系数最低,并与其它各组存在显著差异;②添加烟酸对草鱼全鱼水分、灰分无显著影响,显著提高了全鱼粗脂肪含量,但各添加组间无显著差异,饲料中烟酸含量为66.7 mg·kg-1时,全鱼粗蛋白含量显著高于对照组及9.8 mg·kg-1组;③添加烟酸显著提高了血液红细胞计数和血红蛋白含量,但对血清胆固醇和甘油三酯无显著影响,烟酸含量为16.6 mg·kg-1及以上时显著提高血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇与低密度脂蛋白胆固醇,与对照组和9.8 mg·kg-1组存在显著差异.基于折线法分析,草鱼幼鱼获得最佳生长时对饲料中烟酸的最低需求量为25.5 mg·kg-1.     

灭活植物乳杆菌及其代谢物对草鱼生长性能和肠道健康的影响

为评估灭活植物乳杆菌(Lactobacillus plantarum)及其代谢物在草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)饲料中的应用效果,配制4 组分别含0%(对照组)、300、600和900 mg/kg植物乳杆菌及其代谢物 (LPM)的等氮等能饲料,饲喂草鱼幼鱼[初始体重：(80.47±1.04) g] 6 周。结果显示,草鱼增重率和饲料效率在LPM添加量为300 mg/kg时分别较对照组显著提高19.09%和8.57%(P＜0.05)。LPM添加组肥满度显著低于对照组,且添加量为900 mg/kg时,脏体比较对照组显著降低18.84%(P＜0.05)。全鱼粗蛋白质含量、饲料蛋白质效率和蛋白质沉积率均在添加量为300 mg/kg达到最大值,分别较对照组显著提高4.40%、11.97%和7.64%(P＜0.05)。LPM添加组肝胰脏和肠道蛋白酶活性较对照组显著升高(P＜0.05)。LPM添加量为600 mg/kg时,草鱼肠道的绒毛数量、绒毛长度和绒毛宽度显著高于对照组 (P<0.05)。饲料中添加LPM对草鱼肠道菌群的多样性无显著影响(P>0.05)。LPM添加量为300 mg/kg时,乳杆菌属和梭菌属的细菌丰度较对照组显著升高(P<0.05)。嗜水气单胞菌、诺卡氏菌、副溶血弧菌对LPM极度敏感。血清总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇的含量随着LPM添加量的增加而增加。LPM 添加组血清总蛋白、白蛋白含量和碱性磷酸酶活性较对照组显著升高(P<0.05)。综上,饲料中添加300~600 mg/kg LPM能够抑制有害菌的繁殖,改善肠道功能,调节免疫功能,保障肝胰脏的正常功能,提高饲料蛋白质利用,进而提高草鱼生长性能。     

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.