三种CRISPR/Cas9基因敲除变异检测方法的比较分析

比较三种常用的CRISPR/Cas9基因敲除检测变异方法,从准确性、耗时、成本和应用限制等方面进行评估。采用T7核酸内切酶I、限制性内切酶和非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法分别对利用CRISPR/Cas9方法敲除的fibinb和ngs基因的50尾斑马鱼(Danio rerio)突变纯合个体和突变杂合个体进行检测,用野生型个体作对照;同时用非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳对CRISPR/Cas9方法敲除的ogn和ddb1基因的突变杂合个体进行了检测。结果表明:三种方法均能够区分突变杂合个体,其中T7核酸内切酶I检测法耗时最短,但该方法不能用于鉴定突变纯合个体;限制性内切酶检测法能够用于鉴定纯合个体,但需要有特异性的识别位点;非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法能够区分纯合和杂合个体,对序列无依赖性,能够检测出序列中存在的所有变异。成本上,非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法最经济;限制性内切酶的价格存在较大的差异,因此检测成本依赖于酶的价格。三种检测方法各有优缺点,在应用实践中可根据试验需要选择合适的方法。     

斑马鱼chac1基因的表达特征及其在髓系造血中的功能研究

为探索chac1基因(ChaC glutathione specific gamma-glutamylcyclotransferase 1)在早期胚胎发育中的功能，本研究以斑马鱼(Danio rerio)为研究对象首先分析了斑马鱼Chac1蛋白的序列特征并用qRT-PCR检测了chac1在斑马鱼胚胎不同发育阶段和成鱼不同组织中的表达模式，通过CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术在chac1基因的三个外显子上设计了3条sgRNA并通过测序及qRT-PCR检测其敲除效率。苏丹黑染色3 dpf(days post fertilization)野生型和chac1突变型斑马鱼幼鱼的中性粒细胞数量；qRT-PCR检测突变斑马鱼髓系造血相关因子。结果显示：chac1是母源基因，在受精后0～3 hpf(hours post fertilization)时其表达量较高，之后随着母本基因的影响逐渐变小，chac1的mRNA表达量下降；在斑马鱼成鱼中，其在肌肉、卵巢、脑中高表达；此外，突变型斑马鱼较野生型斑马鱼相比，其苏丹黑染色阳性信号更多；chac1突变后髓系造血转录调控因子pu.1的mRNA水平上调。综上...     

基于CRISPR/Cas9系统构建青鳉突变体

青鳉是研究基因功能、器官发生和发育机制的模式生物之一，基因编辑技术已在青鳉中得到广泛应用，但利用CRISPR/Cas9技术构建青鳉突变体的详细过程还未见报道。为了完整详细地阐明青鳉突变体的构建过程，实验以青鳉Olpax6.1基因的敲除为例，首先利用ChopChop 网站设计获得 Olpax6.1基因gRNA的靶点；其次通过PCR扩增和质粒酶切分别获得gRNA和Cas9 mRNA体外转录的模板，并通过体外转录合成gRNA和Cas9 mRNA；再将Cas9 mRNA和gRNA混合进行青鳉胚胎显微注射获得突变F₀；最后利用PCR、T7 Endonuclease Ⅰ酶切和Sanger测序筛选F₀与野生型杂交的子代获得相同突变类型的F₁，进而将相同突变的F₁进行杂交并筛选其子代，获得青鳉 Olpax6.1 敲除的纯合突变体，纯合突变体表现出眼部发育畸形的经典表型。本研究为青鳉突变体的构建提供详细完整的实验方案，同时也为其他鱼类突变体的构建提供技术参考。     

利用CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术敲除团头鲂socs1重复基因

以团头鲂细胞因子信号传导抑制蛋白1（SOCS1）基因socs1a和socs1b为编辑对象，在线分析并筛选出合适的靶点合成向导 RNA (guide RNA, gRNA)，然后对1~2细胞期的团头鲂胚胎进行gRNA和Cas9蛋白的混合注射。通过荧光定量PCR技术在转录水平检测socs1a和socs1b的表达，并通过测序平台在DNA水平鉴定基因序列的突变，成功建立了多种socs1的突变品系。与同期野生型(WT)相比，socs1a突变杂合体（SOCS1a^+/-）和socs1b 突变杂合体（SOCS1b^+/-）团头鲂生长性能增强、体质量显著增加，同时炎症因子基因中肿瘤坏死因子α基因(TNF-α)和白细胞介素6基因(IL-6)表达量显著增加，而白细胞介素1β基因(IL-1β)表达无明显变化。注射嗜水气单胞菌后，与野生型不同的是，IL-6和TNF-α在SOCS1a^+/-和SOCS1b^+/-团头鲂肝脏中的表达均有持续显著上升。本实验通过CRISPR/Cas9系统成功敲除了团头鲂socs1a和socs1b，为进一步探讨socs1的作用提供了一定的研究基础，同时为CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术在养殖鱼类中的合理应用提供了依据和借鉴。     

吉富罗非鱼硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶基因克隆、表达及其在斑马鱼中的转植研究

硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶(stearoyl-CoA desaturates, SCD)是单不饱和脂肪酸合成的关键限速酶,它在调节肝脏脂肪生成、脂肪酸代谢和脂质氧化方面发挥着重要作用。在本研究中,利用RACE技术克隆了吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromisniloticus)的完整scdcDNA序列,qRT-PCR分析了组织表达特点。为了验证scd基因的功能,利用CRISPR/Cas9技术构建scd基因敲除斑马鱼模型,研究了F3突变体的表型和基因表达变化,并结合高脂饲料实验验证了scd基因缺失后斑马鱼脂代谢的调控机制。结果显示,吉富罗非鱼scdcDNA序列全长1333bp,其中包括173 bp、1008 bp、152 bp的5’非编码区、开放阅读框和3′非编码区,编码335个氨基酸。scd基因在雄性和雌性罗非鱼的各组织中都有表达,在肝脏内表达量最高,脾脏内表达量最低。利用CRISPR/Cas9构建了scd基因敲除的斑马鱼(Daniorerio)模型进行功能验证,与野生型[SCD(+/+)]斑马鱼相比,纯合型[SCD⁽(–/–))]斑马鱼腹部明显膨大。Western blot...     

微卫星评价栉孔扇贝雌核发育二倍体纯合性

采用筛选获得的5对多态性微卫星引物对栉孔扇贝（Chlamys farreri）减数分裂雌核发育家系A和家系B、有丝分裂雌核发育家系A和家系B各30个个体、双亲及对照组40个个体进行了遗传变异分析，并对减数分裂和有丝分裂雌核发育后代的纯合性进行了比较。电泳结果表明，5对微卫星引物在减数分裂雌核发育和有丝分裂雌核发育个体中均能稳定重复地扩增出相应的序列；各雌核发育家系中均有部分个体出现父本基因，表明精子遗传物质失活不彻底，雌核发育组中存在正常受精个体；有丝分裂雌核发育二倍体在所有检测位点全部纯合，减数分裂雌核发育二倍体在部分位点纯合，但未发现在所有位点全部纯合的个体，在CFMSP007、CFMSP075、CFMSM009、CFMSM014和CFMSM020位点，杂合子比例分别为0．3400、0．3611、0．4884、0．4750和0．7500，平均杂合子比例为0．4829。研究结果显示，栉孔扇贝有丝分裂雌核发育二倍体均为纯合子，如精子的灭活率达到100％，有丝分裂雌核发育二倍体一代即可实现纯合，如再进行一次减数雌核发育即可建立纯系；减数分裂雌核发育二倍体由于具有较高的重组率，其与母本的遗传同质性较高。     

尼罗罗非鱼(♀)×萨罗罗非鱼(♂)杂交F_2与F_3群体遗传特征的微卫星分析

利用罗非鱼第二代遗传连锁图谱中微卫星标记对尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)(♀)×萨罗罗非鱼(Sarotherodon melanotheron)(♂)杂交后代F_2、F_3群体遗传特征进行了初步比较分析。结果显示,28对引物中有22对引物能有效扩增,未观察到杂交后代F_2、F_3中有多倍体个体现象。筛选出7个在尼萨罗非鱼杂交后代F_2、F_3群体中存在差异的位点。杂交F_2群体平均等位基因(Na)为2.71,平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.466,平均观测杂合度(Ho)为0.632;杂交F_3群体平均Na为2.14,平均PIC为0.370,平均Ho为0.432,杂交F_3遗传杂合性较杂交F_2降低。F_2自繁F_3过程中,F_3群体4个位点的等位基因与F_2完全相同,3个位点的等位基因少于F_2,且F_3群体在2个位点出现完全纯合,杂交F_3群体位点等位基因呈现纯合趋势。研究结果为尼萨罗非鱼杂交世代遗传变异与杂交利用积累基础资料。     

Tgf2转座系统在转RFP基因斑马鱼上的应用

提高目的基因的转植效率与可遗传效率是转基因鱼研制的关键点之一。本研究利用近年开发的金鱼转座子系统进行转基因斑马鱼的研制,探讨其在转基因鱼上应用的可行性。通过PCR方法,改造Tgf2转座子供体质粒pTgf2-EF1α-eGFP,将肌球蛋白轻链2启动子(mylz2)与红色荧光蛋白基因(RFP)定向插入其中,构建可在肌肉组织特异性表达红色荧光蛋白的Tgf2转座子供体质粒pTgf2-Mylz2-RFP。通过显微注射,将Tgf2转座子供体质粒与Tgf2转座酶mRNA共注射于斑马鱼(Danio ririo)受精卵中,共注射受精卵972粒,出膜后存活的仔鱼803尾,其中携带外源基因的仔鱼为615尾,阳性率为76.6%。转红色荧光蛋白基因斑马鱼首代F0培育至性成熟,将其中的10尾F0斑马鱼分别与野生型斑马鱼进行配对繁殖,其中1个组合产生了体表呈现均匀红色荧光的F1个体,因此RFP在F0的整合率为10%。将红色荧光F1个体培育至性成熟并与野生型鱼配对繁殖,F2的阳性个体占69%。本研究结果说明,由Tgf2转座子介导的转基因技术,可有效提高目的基因的转植效率与整合效率,在转基因鱼构建以及相关研究中具有开发应用前景。     

转基因鱼品系的纯化

外源基因(双链DNA)作为外显子可能整合在一条染色体上的不同DNA链上,转基因鱼的第一代为嵌合体。三杂交纯化过程方可获得转基因鱼纯合体:嵌合体与纯系个体两次回交,获得杂合子单一的杂合体;第二代杂合体自交可以获得纯合体。     

大口黑鲈GHRH基因启动子区域序列分析及其活性检测

生长激素释放激素(growth hormone releasing hormone,GHRH)是下丘脑弓状核合成和分泌的小分子多肽,其主要功能是调节垂体细胞合成和释放生长激素。为研究大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)GHRH基因5’侧翼启动子区域的活性和该区域中潜在的转录因子对GHRH基因表达的调控作用,对该基因5’端启动子区域约1400 bp长度的片段进行序列分析,预测顺式作用元件,获得了Oct-1、SP1、NF-1、C/EBPalp和C/EBP等多个潜在的调控GHRH基因表达的调节因子结合位点序列。在包括外显子1和内含子1的GHRH基因5’侧翼区两侧加入两个限制性酶切位点Xho I和Bam H I,对其进行改造,并将该片段插入红色荧光蛋白报告基因载体p DsRed2-1,构建了重组表达质粒pGHRH1-RFP。同时,用不含有外显子1和内含子1的GHRH基因5’侧翼区构建重组表达质粒p GHRH-RFP。将质粒pGHRH1-RFP和p GHRH-RFP转染鲤(Cyprinus carpio)上皮细胞(epithelioma papillosum cyprinid,EPC)。经过48 h的培养,在pGHRH1-RFP转染的部分细胞中检测到红色荧光蛋白表达。又将pGHRH1-RFP或p GHRH-RFP质粒注射到斑马鱼(Danio rerio)一细胞或二细胞期的胚胎中,注射了pGHRH1-RFP的胚胎在受精后48 h约有22.5%能检测到有红色荧光蛋白表达,受精后72 h约有29%的仔鱼检测到红色荧光蛋白表达。实验结果表明,目前分离到的GHRH基因5’侧翼序列具有启动基因表达的活性,且该基因的内含子1和外显子1是启动子的活性所必需的。另外,pGHRH1-RFP质粒注射的斑马鱼胚胎只能在胚胎和仔鱼的脊椎和肌肉中检测到RFP的表达,而在脑中没有检测到表达。推测扩增到的大口黑鲈GHRH启动子序列1407 bp(-1043 bp~362 bp)只是起到了驱动RFP脊椎和骨骼肌表达的作用,而不包括驱动在脑组织中特异性表达的启动子,本研究为GHRH基因功能的深入分析奠定了基础。     

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.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

A novel approach to denitrification processes in a zero-discharge recirculating system for small-scale urban aquaculture

This paper presents an innovative process to solve the nitrate build-up problem in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The novel aspects of the process lie in a denitrification bioreactor system that uses solid cotton wool as the primary carbon source and a unique degassing chamber. In the latter, the water is physically stripped of dissolved gaseous O₂ (by means of a Venturi vacuum tube), and the subsequent denitrification becomes more efficient due to elimination of the problems of oxygen inhibition of denitrification and aerobic consumption of cotton wool. The cotton wool medium also serves as a physical barrier that traps organic particles, which, in turn, act as an additional carbon source for denitrification. Operation in the proposed system gives an extremely low C/N ratio of 0.82 g of cotton wool/g of nitrate N, which contributes to a significant reduction of biofilter volume. The additional advantage of using solid cotton wool as the carbon source is that it does not release organic residuals into the liquid to be recycled. Operation of the system over a long period consistently produced effluents with low nitrate levels (below 10 mg N/l), and there was only a very small need to replace system water. The overall treatment scheme, also incorporating an aerobic nitrification biofilter and a granular filtration device, produced water of excellent quality, i.e., with near-zero levels of nitrite and ammonia, a sufficiently high pH for aquaculture, and low turbidity. The proposed system thus provides a solution for sustainable small-scale, urban aquaculture operation with a very high recovery of water (over 99%) and minimal waste disposal.     

Fertilization by refrigerator stored sperm of the Indian major carp, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)

This study reports on the spermatological properties, and on the development of a protocol for refrigerator storage (4°C) of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) sperm for artificial breeding. Volume, motility, concentration and pH of the freshly collected sperm were 2.21 ± 0.53 (μL g^?1 of fish weight) (mean ± SD), 95 ± 1 (%), 1.93 ± 0.44 × 10⁹ (cells mL^?1) and 7.56 ± 0.17 respectively. Sperm activation was evaluated at different osmolalities of NaCl solution, and motility ceased completely when osmolality of the extender was ≥287 mOsmol kg^?1. Sperm retained motility for 24, 72 and 108 h, after refrigerator storage when sperm were undiluted, suspended in Alsever's solution and suspended in Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol respectively. Fertilization rate of fresh eggs with sperm stored at 4°C in Alsever's solution and Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol was 77% and 60% with a hatching rate of 60% and 43% respectively. The fertilization and hatching success of the stored sperm suggests potential to use refrigeration for transporting genetic material to hatcheries for artificial breeding of L. calbasu in Bangladesh.     

Effects of metomidate anaesthesia or transfer to pur sea water on plasma parameters in ammonia-exposed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) in sea water

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) postsmolts weighing 150 ± 53 g were exposed to 14–15 mg l^–1 TA-N (total ammonia-N) in sea water in 1 m³ tanks for 24h. Blood samples were then taken A) immediately after the fish were netted from the exposure tanks and stunned by a blow to the head; B) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of an anaesthetic solution of metomidate in ammonia-free sea water; or C) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of ammonia-free sea water. Plasma TA-N level was 18% lower in the anaesthetised fish compared to in the fish sampled directly from the exposure tanks (p 0.05), and accordingly 16% lower in the fish transferred to pure sea water although this difference was not significant (p = 0.07). Plasma glucose level was higher in the fish transferred to pure sea water than in the fish receiving the two other treatments (p 0.05), but plasma urea, osmolality, Na^{+, Cl–, Ca2+ or Mg2+} levels did not vary significantly between the different treatments. Plasma TA-N level increased with time in the fish in the metomidate solution (p 0.02).