新对虾等位酶的遗传控制

应用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术，对新对虾（Metapenaeus.spp）的养殖群体进行了7种等位酶的电泳检测和谱带遗传分析，确定了17个等位酶位点和22个等位基因，其中有4个位点是多态的，它是Esr-1、Sod-1、Me-4、Aat-1(P0.95f标准）。有一个等位基因的位点有Est-2、Lhd-1、Ldh-2、Sdh-1、Me-1、Me-2、Me-3、Me-5、Aat-2、Mdh-1、Mdh-2、Mdh-3、Mdh-4；有二个等位基因的位点有Sod-1、Me-4、Aat-1；有三个等位基因的位点有Est-1。本研究揭示了新对虾群体等位酶位点及其等位基因带谱的变异式样，为新对虾的遗传育种及遗传结构的研究提供了一批等位酶位点及其等位基因的参考图谱。     

斑节对虾等位酶遗传分析

应用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术，对斑节对虾的养殖群体进行了8种等位酶的电泳检测和谱带遗传分析，确定了15个等位酶位点和19个等位基因，其中只有1个位点是多态的，它是Est-1（P0.95标准），有一个等位基因的位点有Est-2、Sod-1、Ldh-1、Adh-1、Sdh-1、Sdh-2、Me-1、Me-2、Mdb-1、Mdh-2、Mdb-3；有二个等位基因的位点有Est-1、Sdh-3、Aat-1、Aat-2、本研究揭示了斑节对虾群体等位酶位点及其等位基因带谱的变异式样，为斑节对虾的遗传育种及遗传结构的研究提供了一批 等位酶位点及其等位基因的参考图谱。     

企鹅珍珠贝同工酶酶谱特征及其遗传分析

采用垂直板状聚丙烯酰胺梯度凝胶电泳分离技术,对企鹅珍珠贝闭壳肌、外套膜、鳃、消化盲囊、足组织的SOD、EST、LDH、G6PDH、MDH、ME 6种同工酶酶谱特征及其遗传控制进行了研究。6种同工酶在不同组织中的表达有明显的差异,同工酶分析共检测到18个位点,其中有16个位点具多态性,群体中,多态位点比例为88.8％,平均杂合度为0.396±0.029。有13个多态位点上的基因型频率与Hardy-Weinberg定律相符(P>0.05),位点Ldh-1、Ldh-2、Sod-2极显著偏离该平衡(P<0.01)。在G6pdh-1位点发现较高频率的无效等位基因。     

莱州湾三疣梭子蟹的生化遗传分析

采用聚丙烯酰胺不连续凝胶垂直板电泳技术对三疣梭子蟹的同工酶进行检测。分析了13种同工酶在莱州湾三疣梭子蟹肌肉中的表达情况,并对同工酶的表型进行了生化遗传分析。结果表明,13种同工酶有22个基因位点编码,其中Ldh-1,Me-3,Gdh-1,Sdh-1,G6pd-1和Sod-3共6个位点是多态的,多态位点百分数是27.3%。三疣梭子蟹的平均每个位点的等位基因的有效数目Ae为1.2270,平均每个位点的预期杂合度He为0.1170,实际杂合度Ho为0.2159。同时还分析了三疣梭子蟹的各个多态位点的Hardy-Weinberg偏离指数:Ldh-1、Me-3和Sod-3的d值都为1.0000,Gdh-1、Sdh-1和G6pd-1的d值分别为0.5047、0.8726和0.0597。这些数据表明,莱州湾三疣梭子蟹的种质资源还处于较好的状态。     

卵形鲳鲹不同组织同工酶表达的差异

运用聚丙烯酰胺垂直梯度凝胶电泳法对卵形鲳鲹（Trachinotusovatus）6组织（肌肉、心脏、肝脏、肾脏、脑、脾脏）的5种同工酶（EST、LDH、MDH、ME和AST）进行了初步研究，并对5种同工酶的同工酶位点及其酶谱表型进行了分析。结果表明，卵形鲳够的5种同工酶系统具有不同程度的组织特异性。EST由2个基因位点编码，Est-1在这6种组织中都存在，Est-2只存在于肝脏和。肾脏中；LDH由3个基因位点编码，共检测到3条谱带，Ldh-2只存在于肾脏中；MDH由2个基因位点编码，Mdh-1表达为MDH1和MDH22条酶带，Mdh-2表达为MDH31条酶带，在肝脏中的活性最强；ME由1个基因位点编码，只检测到1条酶带，肝脏的含量丰富；AST由2个基因位点编码，只在肝脏和肾脏中检测到，共检测到3条谱带。     

红鳍东方鲀6种同工酶的组织特异性及基因位点分析

采用水平淀粉凝胶和聚丙烯酰胺凝胶垂直电泳法,对2龄野生红鳍东方鲀的肌肉、肝脏、肾脏、心脏、眼、鳃6种组织中的苹果酸酶(ME),乳酸脱氢酶(LDH),异柠檬酸脱氢酶(IDH),葡萄糖脱氢酶(GLCDH),磷酸葡萄糖变位酶(PGM)和酯酶(EST)共6种同工酶进行了研究。结果表明,以上6种同工酶存在明显的组织特异性。LDH在除肝脏外的5种组织中活性很强,GLCDH只在肝脏中表达,鳃组织中的GLCDH和肌肉组织中的EST表达活性都很弱。6种同工酶共检测到12个基因位点,其中ME和PGM有两个基因位点编码,EST有5个基因位点编码。本试验还检测到Ldh-1、Est-1、Est-2、Est-3和Est-4共5个基因位点具有多态现象(P0·99),多态位点比例为41·67%,在12个基因位点共观察到17个等位基因表达,平均每个位点表达的等位基因数为1·417个。同时在红鳍东方鲀眼组织中发现,AB3型和B4型LDH间有一条酶带弱表达。     

感染桃拉综合症病毒的凡纳滨对虾体内4 种同工酶酶谱的变化

采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶垂直平板电泳法，对凡纳滨对虾（Litopenaeus vannamei）成体的复眼、肝脏、心脏、鳃和肌肉等5种组织中的酸性磷酸酶（ACP）、碱性磷酸酶（AKP）、酯酶（EST）和过氧化物酶（POD）4种同工酶进行研究，并将健康虾与感染桃拉综合症病毒（TSV）病虾的同工酶酶谱进行比较。结果表明，这4种同工酶在凡纳滨对虾体内的不同组织均有分布，但在酶活性和条带数量上存在不同程度的组织特异性，其中4种同工酶均在肝脏组织中表达最强，ACP和POD在肌肉中、EST在复眼中表达最弱，AKP在复眼中不表达。感染TSV后，病虾的ACP和AKP均出现酶带数量减少和酶活性降低，如病虾的ACP酶谱在肝脏、心脏和鳃中缺失的酶带数分别为2、1和1条，酶活性也呈现下降；AKP酶谱在肝脏、心脏和肌肉中缺失的酶带数分别为3、4和3条，且酶活性均明显降低；而病虾的EST和POD表达的酶带数和酶活性却均有明显增加，尤其是在肝脏和心脏中，EST分别新增3条和5条酶带，POD各新增1条酶带。总之这4种同工酶的表型在健康虾和病虾之间存在着明显的差异，尤其是在肝脏中的变化最为明显，说明肝脏中这4种同工酶的特异性变化可以作为研究凡纳滨对虾桃拉综合症的生理生化指标。     

吻鮈不同组织乳酸脱氢酶及酯酶同工酶研究

采用聚丙烯酰胺垂直梯度凝胶电泳法对采自赣江上游流域的吻鮈肝脏、脾脏、肌肉、肾脏、心脏和脑6种组织中的乳酸脱氢酶和酯酶同工酶进行了研究。结果表明,吻鮈乳酸脱氢酶同工酶共检测到3条酶带,在肝脏、肾脏中检测到2条,其余组织中检测到1条。肌肉及脑组织中表达活性最高,其次为肾脏、肝脏、肾脏,心脏中表达最弱。吻鮈酯酶同工酶共检测到5条酶带,肾脏中检测到5条,肝脏中检测到4条,肌肉中3条,脾脏中2条,心脏中1条。肾脏中表达活性最高,其次为肝脏、脑、肌肉和脾脏,心脏中表达活性最弱。由结果可见吻鮈乳酸脱氢酶及酯酶分布具有组织特异性。     

菲律宾蛤仔4个野生群体的同工酶分析

采用聚丙烯酰胺不连续凝胶垂直电泳技术对黄、渤海沿岸4个野生菲律宾蛤仔群体的同工酶进行了检测,8种同工酶共记录了18个基因座位,其中Est-1、Est-2、Sod-1、Sod-2、Ldh-1和Ldh-2共6个位点是多态的,多态座位百分数为33.33%。测得4群体平均等位基因数目为1.4412,平均有效等位基因数目1.1260,平均实际杂合度0.0570,平均期望杂合度0.0825,Hardy-Weinberg遗传偏离指数-0.2358,表明菲律宾蛤仔4个野生群体的遗传多样性属偏低水平。     

大口黑鲈糖稳态基因的克隆、分子特征及其营养调控的分析

为进一步研究大口黑鲈(Micropterussalmoides)糖稳态调控特性,本研究克隆了糖稳态调控基因gp1、gp2、pepck1、pepck2、hk、pfk和g6p,分别编码878、842、635、624、918、780和338个氨基酸序列,并进行了进化树、空间分布和禁食对其基因表达影响的分析。多序列比对和进化树分析显示,这些基因与其他脊椎动物的同源序列具有较高相似性。组织表达分析结果显示这些基因主要集中分布于肝脏和肌肉,但呈现出组织表达差异性。其中,gp1在肌肉表达量最高,肝脏次之,在脾脏表达量最低。gp2在肌肉中的mRNA水平也最高,在心脏、肝脏表达也较为丰富。pepck1主要分布在肝脏和肠,在脑、脾脏、肾脏和脂肪中分布较少。pepck2在肝脏和脑中高表达,而在脾脏和鳃中表达量最低。对于hk,其在肝脏、肌肉和心脏的mRNA水平显著高于其余组织。肝脏中g6p的表达也显著高于其余组织。除此之外,其在肌肉、肠和脂肪中分布也较为丰富。pfk的mRNA水平在肝脏和心脏最高,其次是肠和鳃。对实验大口黑鲈禁食后发现,肝脏gp2、pepck2和g6p的表达从禁食第6小时开始上调并持续到24h...     

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.