盐度对条石鲷幼鱼Na+/K+-ATP酶活力的影响

研究了盐度变化对条石鲷幼鱼鳃、肾脏和肝脏中Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力的影响。经不同盐度(8、18、28、38、48)的处理,条石鲷幼鱼3种组织Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力均受到不同程度的影响。经低盐度(8和18)处理的幼鱼鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力在前6 h略微增加,然后逐渐降低,在处理24 h时下降到最低,之后又开始增加。经高盐度(38和48)处理时,鳃中Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力在前6 h有所降低,然后迅速升高,并在处理24 h时达到最大,之后酶活力逐渐降低,并在处理96 h后与对照组无显著性差异(P>0.05)。所有盐度处理组幼鱼肾脏Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力在处理开始6 h均稍有增加,而从处理6 h开始降低,在处理24 h下降到最低,此后酶活力又呈现增加的趋势。在盐度为8的处理组中,肝脏Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力与肾脏中变化趋势相似,而其它3组则逐渐降低,在处理24 h时达到最低,之后又逐渐增加。结果表明,条石鲷幼鱼适盐范围广,具有较强的渗透压调节能力。3种组织的Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力酶活性在盐度为18～38的范围内变化不明显,而在8和48的盐度下变化较大,最终酶活力均高于对照组。与肾脏相比,盐度变化对鳃和肝脏Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力的影响较大。     

盐度驯化对史氏鲟鳃Na+/K+ ATP酶活力、血清渗透压及离子浓度的影响

对史氏鲟在盐度驯化过程中鳃Na⁺/K⁺ATP酶活力、血清渗透压及血清离子（Na⁺、K⁺、Cl^-）浓度进行了检测和分析，探讨了史氏鲟驯化过程中血清渗透压调节机制。研究表明：史氏鲟在不同盐度（10、20、25）下经过驯化，鳃Na⁺/K⁺ATP酶活力显著高于对照组鳃Na⁺/K⁺ATP酶活力(P<0.05），其活力是对照组的2～2.5倍。驯化过程中，3种不同盐度阶段下鳃Na⁺/K⁺ATP酶活力首先表现为下降，随着驯化时间的延长，活力逐渐增加，最后下降并趋于平稳。血清渗透压也随盐度的增加而上升，盐度10时最高，达到(328.77±26.78) mmol·kg^-1，此后逐渐下降并稳定在290 mmol·kg^-1左右，略高于淡水中血清渗透压。不同盐度下，血清渗透压和鳃Na⁺/K⁺ATP酶活力的变化趋势相同。3种不同盐度下史氏鲟血清K⁺浓度平均值保持在3.00～3.30 mmol·L^-1之间，与对照组相比无显著差异（P>0.05）。3种盐度下血清Na⁺和Cl^-浓度变化趋势基本一致，随着盐度的增高而增高，盐度20时达到最高。盐度20以下血清Na⁺和Cl^-含量没有显著差异（P>0.05）。史氏鲟血清渗透压调节可以分为3个阶段：一是应激反应阶段，主要表现为鳃Na⁺/K⁺ATP酶活力受到抑制，陡然下降；二是主动调节阶段，鳃Na⁺/K⁺ATP酶被重新激活，且活力逐渐上升；三是适应阶段，鳃Na⁺/K⁺ ATP酶趋于平稳。     

盐度胁迫对三疣梭子蟹鳃Na+/K+-ATPase酶活的影响

通过钼蓝法测定三疣梭子蟹在3组实验盐度的胁迫过程中第2对和第6对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase酶活的变化,比较了3组实验盐度胁迫1 d时,鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活大小。结果表明,在盐度胁迫初期,3组实验盐度下第2对和第6对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活下降;之后,各组实验盐度下第2对和第6对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活开始随胁迫时间增长而上升;最后,各组实验盐度下第2和第6对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活下降并趋于稳定。另外,胁迫1 d时,各组实验盐度下三疣梭子蟹前5对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活显著低于后3对鳃Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase的酶活。三疣梭子蟹对盐度变化的调节可分为被动应激期(酶活力下降)、主动调节期(酶活力逐渐上升)和适应期(酶活力稳定);三疣梭子蟹后3对鳃是离子转运、渗透压调节的主要部位。     

低盐胁迫对黄姑鱼(Nibea albiflora)幼鱼鳃离子调节、呼吸代谢酶和皮质醇的影响

挑选平均体重为(5.0±1.4) g,平均全长为(8.3±0.8) cm的黄姑鱼(Nibea albiflora)幼鱼,进行低盐度胁迫试验,以23盐度组为对照组,设置9和16两个盐度胁迫组,在0、1、3、7 d进行取样。通过检测鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶(NKA)、Ca2+-ATP酶、H+-ATP酶、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)活力以及血清皮质醇含量,研究低盐度对黄姑鱼离子调节和呼吸代谢的影响。结果显示,鳃NKA活力在盐度胁迫后出现显著增强(P<0.05);Ca2+-ATP酶活力略有上升后即出现下降的变化,而H+-ATP酶活力呈现上升后恢复的变化。血清皮质醇含量在低盐度胁迫后呈显著的波动变化(P<0.05),9和16盐度组的皮质醇水平交替上升。鳃LDH活力在低盐度胁迫后显著增强(P<0.05),且9盐度组增强程度大于16盐度组。鳃SDH活力先减弱然后增强,9盐度组在7 d时增强十分显著(P<0.05)。试验中,仅9盐度组出现实验鱼死亡两尾的情况,16及23盐度组黄姑鱼进食和活动均正常,9盐度组略差。研究表明,盐度降低可显著影响黄姑鱼幼鱼离子调节能力及呼吸代谢功能。盐度胁迫程度超过黄姑鱼适应能力与机体储备的承受范围会对机体造成伤害。     

不同饲料对银鲳幼鱼增重率、肝脏脂酶及抗氧化酶活性的影响

利用营养学与生物化学的方法,研究分析了不同饲料对银鲳幼鱼增重率、饲料系数、肝脏脂酶及抗氧化酶活性的影响。试验共设4组不同饲料,依次为饲料1(新鲜鱼肉糜)、饲料2(新鲜鱼肉糜+饲料)、饲料3(新鲜鱼肉糜+饲料+蛏子肉糜)和饲料4(新鲜鱼肉糜+饲料+蛏子肉糜+桡足类)。试验用银鲳幼鱼的平均体重为(4.80±0.11)g,每组饲料设3重复,试验周期为9周。研究结果显示,不同饲料可显著影响银鲳的增重率,各饲料组中以饲料1组的增重率最低,并显著低于其它各饲料组;饲料4组的增重率最高,并显著高于饲料2、3组的增重率(P<0.05)。饲料系数以饲料1组最高,且显著高于其它3组饲料组;饲料2、3、4组饲料系数间并无显著性差异(P>0.05)。饲料1组肝脂酶与总脂酶活性均显著低于其它3组饲料组(P<0.05),但饲料2、3、4组间肝脏脂蛋白脂酶、肝脂酶和总脂酶活性均未有显著性差异(P>0.05)。各组间肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)与谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活性均未有显著性差异(P>0.05),但均以饲料1组最低、饲料4组最高;饲料1、2、3组间肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性未有显著性差异(P>0.05),但饲料4组CAT活性显著高于饲料1组的CAT活性(P<0.05)。分析结果表明,单纯利用鱼肉糜作为饲料不利于银鲳的生长;饲料中添加桡足类不但有助于促进银鲳的生长,也可提高其抗氧化能力。     

镉诱导鲫肝细胞内Ca2+-ATP酶与金属硫蛋白的表达

研究了镉诱发鲫肝细胞相关的胞内游离钙离子变化,以及Ca²⁺-ATP酶及金属硫蛋白表达量的变化。试验分为对照组、5、10、15、20 μmol/L CdCl₂ 5个组。Ca²⁺用Fura-2/AM方法检测,试验后24 h用荧光倒置显微镜观察细胞内游离钙离子变化;分光光度法检测Ca²⁺-ATP酶;石墨炉—原子分光光度法检测了细胞内镉离子浓度;免疫酶联法(ELISA)检测了金属硫蛋白(MT)含量。结果显示,镉可导致细胞存活率下降,具有一定的毒性。镉离子引起胞内Ca²⁺荧光强度和Ca²⁺-ATP酶活性增加(P＜0.01)。随镉浓度升高,处理组Ca²⁺-ATP酶浓度活性分别是对照组的4.52、6.73、6.68、7.19、6.18倍;暴露24 h后各组细胞内镉离子均有上升,其中5 μmol/L组最高,达(2.045±0.322) μmol/L;各处理组金属硫蛋白(MT)含量增高(P＜0.01),且5 μmol/L低浓度组MT增幅最大,达17.15%。结果提示,镉诱导下细胞内Ca²⁺升高,MT表达量上升,且MT可螯合进入细胞内的镉离子,这种螯合可能是降低镉毒理作用的机制之一。     

盐度对大菱鲆幼鱼生长和肌肉营养成分的影响

将平均体质量为(7.16±0.07)g的大菱鲆幼鱼分别饲养在不同盐度(12、18、24、30和36)的水体中60 d,以探讨盐度对幼鱼特定生长率、生长激素、成活率、摄食率、饲料效率和肌肉营养成分的影响。结果表明:大菱鲆幼鱼在盐度分别为18、24、30和36的水体中均生长良好,成活率为100%,特定生长率分别为1.97、1.87、1.87和2.00 %/d;在盐度为12的水体中,幼鱼的成活率和特定生长率均显著低于盐度30组(对照组)(P<0.05),分别为80.77%和1.45 %/d。生长激素为0.41～1.66 ng/mL时,盐度18和36组均显著高于盐度30组(P<0.05),而盐度12组显著低于盐度30组(P<0.05)。饲料效率为1.12%～1.38%时,盐度18、24和36组均显著高于盐度30组(P<0.05),而盐度12组显著低于盐度30组(P<0.05)。摄食率为1.19～1.28 %/d时,盐度12和24组均显著低于盐度30组(P<0.05),其它盐度组之间均无显著差异(P>0.05)。幼鱼特定生长率随血清生长激素和饲料效率的升高而增大,与盐度的相关性不显著。幼鱼肌肉中的粗蛋白质含量随水体盐度的升高而降低,除盐度12和18组之间无显著性差异外(P>0.05),其余各盐度组之间均存在显著性差异(P<0.05);盐度12组幼鱼肌肉中的粗脂肪低于其它盐度组,灰分显著高于其它盐度组(P<0.05),其余各盐度组之间粗脂肪和灰分均无显著性差异(P>0.05);各盐度组之间幼鱼肌肉中的水分均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。综上所述,适当降低盐度可改善大菱鲆幼鱼生长和肌肉品质,其适宜盐度为18。     

盐度胁迫对魁蚶稚贝血淋巴渗透压及鳃Na~+/K~+-ATP酶活力的影响

文章研究了盐度胁迫下魁蚶(Anadara broughtonii)稚贝(壳长25~35 mm)血淋巴渗透压和鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶活力的变化。结果显示,突变胁迫下,盐度20、25、35、40组的稚贝血淋巴渗透压均在48 h内显著降低或波动升高后趋于稳定,盐度15组则需96 h完成波动调整。以日变幅5渐变至高盐40过程中,稚贝血淋巴渗透压在48 h内趋于稳定;低盐15组仅需72 h完成渗透压调节,调整时间显著小于突变组。盐度突降胁迫下,各处理组稚贝鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶活力12 h后显著升高,24 h分别达到最大值,随后快速回落并稳定在高于对照组水平;盐度骤升胁迫下,鳃ATP酶活力波动降低,在12~24 h达到最小值后稳定在低于对照组水平。低盐(15)和高盐(40)渐变组的鳃ATP酶活力变幅均小于突变组。盐度胁迫下鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶活力的响应方式不同,即低盐胁迫时活力增强,高盐胁迫时活力降低。采用盐度渐变的驯化处理更有利于魁蚶稚贝应对盐度胁迫。     

低盐胁迫对黄姑鱼(Nibea albiflora)幼鱼鳃离子调节、呼吸代谢酶和皮质醇的影响

挑选平均体重为(5.0±1.4)g,平均全长为(8.3±0.8)cm的黄姑鱼(Nibea albiflora)幼鱼,进行低盐度胁迫试验,以23盐度组为对照组,设置9和16两个盐度胁迫组,在0、1、3、7 d进行取样。通过检测鳃Na~+/K~+-ATP酶(NKA)、Ca~(2+)-ATP酶、H~+-ATP酶、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)活力以及血清皮质醇含量,研究低盐度对黄姑鱼离子调节和呼吸代谢的影响。结果显示,鳃NKA活力在盐度胁迫后出现显著增强(P0.05);Ca~(2+)-ATP酶活力略有上升后即出现下降的变化,而H~+-ATP酶活力呈现上升后恢复的变化。血清皮质醇含量在低盐度胁迫后呈显著的波动变化(P0.05),9和16盐度组的皮质醇水平交替上升。鳃LDH活力在低盐度胁迫后显著增强(P0.05),且9盐度组增强程度大于16盐度组。鳃SDH活力先减弱然后增强,9盐度组在7 d时增强十分显著(P0.05)。试验中,仅9盐度组出现实验鱼死亡两尾的情况,16及23盐度组黄姑鱼进食和活动均正常,9盐度组略差。研究表明,盐度降低可显著影响黄姑鱼幼鱼离子调节能力及呼吸代谢功能。盐度胁迫程度超过黄姑鱼适应能力与机体储备的承受范围会对机体造成伤害。     

盐碱胁迫对尼罗罗非鱼鳃Na+/HCO3-共转运子、碳酸酐酶基因表达的影响

为了探讨盐碱胁迫条件下鱼类渗透生理调节机制,以尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)为实验材料, PCR扩增得到了Na⁺/HCO₃^-共转运子(NBCe1)基因cDNA部分序列,比较了单盐(盐度10、盐度15)、单碱(1.5 g/L、3 g/L NaHCO₃)、盐碱混合(盐度10,碱度1.5 g/L;盐度15,碱度3 g/L)胁迫后不同时间(0 h、6 h、12 h、24 h、48 h、72 h、96 h)血清渗透压、离子浓度(Na⁺、K⁺、Cl^-、Ca²⁺)以及鳃碳酸酐酶(CA)活性、CA与NBCe1基因mRNA表达变化。结果显示,不同胁迫条件下,血清渗透压、离子浓度、鳃组织CA酶活、CA与NBCe1基因mRNA表达变化均与胁迫强度呈正相关。随时间推移,血清渗透压、离子浓度呈现先上升后下降的变化趋势,单盐、盐碱混合组血清渗透压值较单碱组高。单盐、单碱、盐碱混合组中, NBCe1基因mRNA在鳃中均呈略微上调,但不显著(P>0.05)。单碱组和盐碱混合组鳃CA活性较单盐组高,低盐碱胁迫(盐度10,碱度1.5 g/L)下CA活性较晚达最高值;不同胁迫条件下, CA基因mRNA表达均表现上调,单碱、盐碱混合组更为显著(P<0.05),推测CA较NBCe1对体内HCO₃^-转运作用更为显著。研究结果为尼罗罗非鱼盐碱适应生理调节提供了基础资料。     

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.