溴氰菊酯在欧洲鳗鲡体内药代动力学研究

在试验水温(25±1)℃时,按100μg·L-1的剂量给欧洲鳗鲡药浴溴氰菊酯36h后,采用气相色谱法测定血浆和肌肉中的药物浓度,研究了溴氰菊酯在欧洲鳗鲡体内的代谢及消除规律.采用DAS自动化药动学分析程序对数据进行分析.结果表明:欧洲鳗鲡血浆和肌肉中溴氰菊酯经时过程均符合一级吸收一室开放模型,血浆中主要药动学参数为:T1/2k为148.296h,Cmax为18.446μg·L-1,Tmax为14.7h.肌肉中主要药动学参数为:T1/2k为386.912h,Cmax为44.291μg·kg-1,Tmax为49.6h.肌肉作为可食性组织,且消除较慢,因此选取肌肉组织作为残留检测的靶组织,以10μg·kg-1为最高残留限量,在本试验条件下,建议休药期不低于9d.     

孔雀石绿及其主要代谢产物在欧洲鳗鲡肌肉中的蓄积及消除规律

为了解孔雀石绿及其有毒代谢产物无色孔雀石绿在鱼体中的蓄积与消除规律,达到对孔雀石绿的禁用监控,本试验对初始体重为(12.42±2.18) g的欧洲鳗鲡进行0.1 mg·L-1 和0.2 mg·L-1 浓度(P1和P2组)孔雀石绿药浴24 h,再转移到清水中养殖120 d,采用高效液相色谱法测定肌肉组织中孔雀石绿及无色孔雀石绿的残留.在药浴过程中,鳗鲡肌肉组织中孔雀石绿平均含量不断升高,P1和P2组分别于药浴12 h和24 h达到最高值(720.5 ±192.6) μg·kg-1和(1404.8±421.9) μg·kg-1;在清水养殖过程中,孔雀石绿在鳗鲡肌肉中含量波动式下降,并于水浴2160 h (90 d)时两个处理组都低于检测限度.肌肉中所含无色孔雀石绿,在药浴过程以及清水养殖的开始一段时间内不断升高,P1和P2组分别于水浴的72 h和120 h达到最高值(960.1±251.0) μg·kg-1和(1 625.8±183.2) μg·kg-1,然后呈波动式下降,至实验结束(水浴120 d)时两个实验组肌肉中还有一定残留.结果表明,无色孔雀石绿的代谢消除时间较长,可以作为检测的标志物.另外,不同浓度的孔雀石绿在鳗鲡肌肉中的代谢规律相似,只是随药浴浓度升高,肌肉中孔雀石绿和无色孔雀石绿含量最高值出现时间有所滞后,以及消除时间相对延长.     

阿维菌素在鲈鱼肌肉组织中的残留与消除规律

为了解实际养殖过程中使用阿维菌素药物后,鲈（Lateolabrax japonicus）对阿维菌素的蓄积及消除规律,以指导阿维菌素药物在实际生产中的应用。以毒性试验为基础,在确定96 h半致死质量浓度（LC50）后,以0.25倍LC50,即指导用药量,质量浓度为4 ng·mL-1,结合实际养殖用药情况,药浴72 h后换水,观察阿维菌素在鲈鱼肌肉组织中的残留与消除规律。文章建立高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定鲈鱼中阿维菌素残留量的方法,并以此法测定鲈鱼肌肉组织中阿维菌素的质量浓度。结果表明,随着药浴时间的延长,鲈鱼肌肉组织中的阿维菌素质量分数逐步增加,在药浴结束时达到峰值8.767μg·kg-1,随后阿维菌素在体内的残留量随消除试验的进行逐渐下降,至第528小时降至检测限以下。     

氟苯尼考在欧洲鳗鲡体内的药物代谢动力学的研究

应用反相高效液相色谱法对口灌和肌肉注射氟苯尼考在欧洲鳗鲡(Anguilla anguilla)体内的代谢规律进行了研究.按100 mg·kg-1口灌给药后血浆、肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中氟苯尼考浓度的达峰时间分别为2h、6h、0.5h、1h,以后开始缓慢下降,给药2d后血浆、肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中的氟苯尼考浓度分别为4.209μg·mL-1、0.792μg·g-1、0.493μg·g-1、1.448μg·g-1,给药3d后血浆中的氟苯尼考浓度分别为0.0836μg·mL-1,肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中的氟苯尼考浓度均未检出;按100mg·kg-1肌肉注射给药后血浆中氟苯尼考浓度达峰时间为0.5h,以后开始缓慢下降,给药5d后血浆中的氟苯尼考浓度为0.1151μg·mL-1,给药10d后血浆中的氟苯尼考浓度未检出.口灌氟苯尼考在欧洲鳗鲡体内血浆、肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中分布可用开放性二室模型来描述,口灌给药的血浆、肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中的消除半衰期(T1/2β)分别为27.939h、18.844h、11.83h、36.87h;肌肉注射氟苯尼考在欧洲鳗鲡体内血浆、肌肉、肝脏、肾脏中分布可用开放性一室模型来描述,肌肉注射给药的血浆中的消除半衰期(T1/2β)为37.52h.     

药浴给药恩诺沙星及其代谢产物在欧洲鳗鲡体内的药代动力学研究

应用反相高效液相色谱法,研究药浴给药条件下,恩诺沙星及其代谢产物环丙沙星在欧洲鳗鲡体内的药代动力学.按10mg·L-1药浴给药后,恩诺沙星在欧洲鳗体内各组织器官中分布可用开放性二室模型来描述.血浆、肌肉、肝脏和肾脏中恩诺沙星达峰时间分别为44.27h、42.74h、50.69h、95.80h,以后开始缓慢下降,血浆、肌肉、肝脏和肾脏中代谢产物环丙沙星达峰时间分别为48.89h、55.34h、54.64h、100.0h.给药3个月后血浆、肌肉、肝脏和肾脏中的恩诺沙星浓度分别为0.0844μg·mL-1、0.09959μg·g-1、0.01242μg·g-1、3.7164u·g-1;恩诺沙星在血浆、肌肉、肝脏和肾脏中的消除半衰期(T1/2β)分别为908.07h、901.24h、59.32h、767.81h.鉴于恩诺沙星和其代谢产物环丙沙星在欧洲鳗鲡体内消除较慢,建议养成阶段不使用此药.     

阿维菌素在模拟水产养殖生态系统中的蓄积与消除规律

采用UPLC-MS/MS法,研究了阿维菌素泼洒用药后,该药物在水体、底泥、伊乐藻(Elodea nuttallii)和水产动物体内的蓄积与消除规律。结果显示,以6μg/L浓度单次泼洒用药后,水体中阿维菌素消解较快,其半衰期为63.8h。阿维菌素在养殖水环境中消减的同时,逐渐由水体向底泥、伊乐藻和水产动物迁移。底泥中阿维菌素峰浓度、曲线下面积和半衰期分别为1.25μg/kg、469.2μg/(kg·h)和115.5 h,说明伊乐藻中的相应值分别为8.75μg/kg、2521.7μg/(kg·h)和315.0h,说明伊乐藻对阿维菌素有明显的吸收和富集作用。该模拟系统中的异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)对阿维菌素具有明显的吸收,其血液、肾、鳃、肝和肌肉组织阿维菌素的最高浓度(C_(max))依次为50.9、45.37、21.25、15.47和11.9μg/kg;而该模拟系统中的中华绒鳌蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)仅鳃组织检出阿维菌素,其C_(max)在12h为8.08μg/kg,血淋巴、肌肉和肝胰腺等组织均未检出阿维菌素。生物富集系数F_(BC)值显示,对阿维菌素的富集浓度由高到低依次为鲫鱼、伊乐藻、中华绒鳌蟹、底泥,显示阿维菌素在不同分配相和不同生物组织的富集作用差异较大。     

诺氟沙星在大黄鱼体内的药代动力学及残留研究

在试验水温(22±2)℃时,按10 mg.kg-1的剂量给大黄鱼单次口服诺氟沙星后,用高效液相色谱法测定血浆和组织中的药物浓度,研究了诺氟沙星在大黄鱼体内的代谢及消除。结果表明血药时间数据符合一级吸收二室开放模型,吸收分布迅速,但消除缓慢,半衰期(T1/2 Ka、T1/2α、T1/2β)分别为0.703 0、2.092 6、154.326 5 h,最大血药浓度为0.886 4μg.mL-1,达峰时间为2.091 4 h,药时曲线下面积(AUC)为97.803 8μg.h.mL-1。组织中肝脏的药物浓度最高,在测定的时间里各组织的药物浓度高于血浆。药物消除速度依次为:肾脏、肝脏、肌肉,消除半衰期分别为135.88、173.25、223.55 h,肌肉作为可食性组织,且消除最慢,因此选取肌肉组织作为残留检测的靶组织,以50μg.kg-1为最高残留限量,因此在本试验条件下,建议休药期不低于23 d;在治疗大黄鱼细菌性疾病时,以诺氟沙星10 mg.kg-1剂量给药,一般1 d 1次,连用2~3 d。     

2种水温条件下罗非鱼体内氟苯尼考的药物动力学比较

采用药饵给药，药物剂量为10mg·kg^-1，比较研究了22和28℃水温条件下奥尼罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus×O．aureus）体内氟苯尼考的药物动力学。结果得出，22℃组和28℃组罗非鱼血浆的峰药浓度（Cmax）分别为4．46和3．90μg·mL^-1，达峰时间（Tmax）均为12h，消除半衰期（T1/2β）分别为10．03和8．12h，药-时曲线下面积（AUC）分别为86．68和72．44h·μg·mL^-1。相应条件下的肌肉Cmax分别为6．88和4．59μg·g^-1，Tmax均为12h，T1／2β分别为10．97和8．03h，AUC分别为112．71和73．66h·μg·g^-1。低温组罗非鱼血浆和肌肉中药物的T1／2β均长于高温组，前者分别比后者长1．91和2．96h，表明低温组罗非鱼体内药物的消除速度慢于高温组。虽然2个水温组血浆和肌肉中药物的Tmax相同，但低温组血浆、肌肉的Cmax和AUC均明显高于高温组，表明低温组罗非鱼吸收利用药物程度高于高温组。     

室外池塘自然养殖条件下呋喃西林代谢物在中华绒螯蟹体内残留和消除规律

采用高效液相色谱串联质谱(HPLC-ESI/MS/MS)法分析呋喃西林主要代谢物氨基脲(Semicarbazide,SEM)在中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis,以下简称河蟹)体内的残留及消除规律。设2个试验组和1个对照组,2个试验组以20 mg·L-1和80 mg·L-1的呋喃西林溶液浸泡河蟹(扣蟹)60 min后,转移至饲养池塘中,并在给药后1 h、2 h、4 h、8 h、12 h、24 h、2 d、4 d、8 d、12 d、16 d、20 d、30 d、40 d、50 d、60 d、80 d、100 d、120 d、150 d进行各组织取样分析。结果显示:在停药2 h时,2个浓度试验组河蟹的肌肉、肝胰腺和鳃中SEM均达到高峰,其中,20 mg·L-1试验组测定值分别为(152±21.7)、(234.0±12.0)、(3 160±169)μg·kg-1,80 mg·L-1试验组测定值分别为(327±31.2)、(372±27.2)、(4 623±247)μg·kg-1。停药2 h后,2个浓度试验组河蟹各组织中SEM均呈现不同的消除速率,其中20 mg·L-1试验组的消除速率分别为0.315μg·(kg·h)~(-1)(肌肉)、0.487μg·(kg·h)~(-1)(肝胰腺)和4.39μg·(kg·h)~(-1)(鳃);80 mg·L-1试验组的消除速率分别为0.454μg·(kg·h)~(-1)(肌肉)、0.516μg·(kg·h)~(-1)(肝胰腺)和6.43μg·(kg·h)~(-1)(鳃)。停药960 h后,2个浓度试验组各组织中SEM残留均低于判定限(1.0μg·kg-1)。     

丁香酚在罗非鱼体内的药物代谢动力学研究

为了解丁香酚在罗非鱼体内的代谢动力学特征,利用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)检测经丁香酚麻醉后苏醒的吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)血浆、肝脏及肌肉中丁香酚的质量浓度变化。试验结果:采用30 mg/L丁香酚药浴后,罗非鱼血浆、肝和肌肉中的药时数据均符合非房室模型;丁香酚在罗非鱼血浆、肝脏和肌肉中的药代动力学参数显示,峰值浓度(Cmax)分别为8 257.52μg/m L、88.62μg/kg和73.78μg/kg,达峰时间(Tmax)分别为0.5、1和2 h,消除半衰期(t1/2)分别为11.267 3、75.616 1和24.147 4 h,药时曲线下面积(AUC0~∞)分别为83 738.054 3 h·μg/m L、1 466.467 7 h·μg/kg和1 131.101 7 h·μg/kg,0~∞平均滞留时间(MRT0~∞)分别为11.498 2、85.284 4和39.388 7 h,表观分布容积(Vz)分别为1.941 2m L/kg、743.903 0 kg/kg和307.994 9 kg/kg。结果表明,丁香酚在罗非鱼体内分布广泛、消除慢、停留时间长。本研究可为罗非鱼活体运输中麻醉剂的安全使用提供参考。     

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.     

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.     

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.