草鱼体内溶血对肝脏氧化损伤的机制

以草鱼为研究对象,系统研究了溶血对肝脏的损伤机制,以揭示血红蛋白对机体的损伤作用。首先在体内注射血红蛋白,通过苏木精-伊红染色(H.E)发现注射血红蛋白组的肝脏组织中坏死细胞明显增多,普鲁士蓝染色揭示肝脏中存在大量的铁沉积,进一步的实时定量PCR (qRT-PCR)检测结果显示,注射的血红蛋白激活了铁代谢相关基因的表达。为进一步探究体内出血对肝脏的影响,实验通过体内注射苯肼模拟体内出血,H.E和普鲁士蓝染色结果表明,大量的溶血导致肝脏细胞坏死和铁的沉积增加,通过检测肝脏中血红蛋白和铁含量发现,苯肼组中,肝脏组织血红蛋白和铁含量随着时间延长而显著增加,而铁含量的增加同时激活了肝脏组织中铁代谢相关基因的表达。其次,实验检测了注射苯肼后肝脏组织中炎症因子的表达情况,qRT-PCR结果显示,高剂量的血红蛋白激活了多种细胞因子的基因表达,如促炎因子TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6,抑炎因子IL-10以及趋化因子IL-4和IL-8等。为进一步探究高氧化活性的血红蛋白对肝脏组织的氧化损伤作用,实验检测了肝脏组织中丙二醛(MDA)、脂质过氧化物(LPO)以及β-半乳糖苷酶的含量,检测结果表明,鱼体内的出血显著增加了肝脏氧化损伤作用,同时,qRT-PCR和酶活性检测结果揭示,血红蛋白的氧化损伤作用促进了肝脏组织细胞凋亡的发生。最后,实验检测了肝脏组织中抗氧化酶的表达情况,结果显示,体内的出血显著激活了肝脏组织中的抗氧化系统。研究表明,鱼体内大量出血释放的高氧化活性的血红蛋白显著激活了肝脏组织炎症和氧化损伤的发生,促进了肝脏组织中的细胞凋亡,同时也激活了机体内的抗氧化系统。     

草鱼血红蛋白通过诱导头肾巨噬细胞表达的炎症因子激活免疫反应

为了探究鱼类体内过量游离血红蛋白对鱼体的影响，本实验以草鱼为研究对象，通过体内注射血红蛋白模拟体内出血，探究血红蛋白对组织和组织中巨噬细胞的免疫调控作用。体内注射血红蛋白的实验结果显示，血红蛋白的刺激导致头肾和中肾组织中出现明显的血红蛋白沉淀，同时提高了鱼体血清中的抗氧化相关酶活性，促进了头肾组织中炎症因子基因TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-10的mRNA表达水平。普鲁士蓝和间接免疫荧光实验结果显示，头肾巨噬细胞对血红蛋白表现出了吞噬活性。荧光定量PCR检测结果显示，血红蛋白的刺激显著激活了头肾巨噬细胞中CD68、CD86、CSF和MHC-Ⅱ的mRNA表达水平。进一步的细胞因子检测结果显示，血红蛋白刺激12 h后，头肾巨噬细胞中的炎症因子基因(TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-4)、趋化因子基因(CCL20和CCL4)、IFN-α和TLR4的mRNA表达水平被显著上调表达。研究表明，草鱼头肾巨噬细胞对血红蛋白具有吞噬能力，同时血红蛋白也激活了巨噬细胞中多种细胞因子的表达。本研究结果首次阐述了草鱼血红蛋白与巨噬细胞的相互作用关系，丰富了鱼类血液基础免疫学理论，同时也为鱼类健康养殖提供了新的参考...     

白藜芦醇对脂多糖诱导草鱼肾脏细胞炎症的抑制作用

为评价白藜芦醇(resveratrol)对脂多糖诱导损伤草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)肾脏细胞(CIK)的保护作用,本研究通过脂多糖(LPS)诱导细胞炎症损伤,测定和分析白藜芦醇对CIK细胞抗氧化因子活性和抗氧化、炎症相关基因表达变化的影响。结果表明,与对照组相比,LPS处理导致CIK细胞活力降低(P<0.05),乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性升高(P<0.05),降低了细胞内过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性,并导致还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)浓度降低(P<0.05)和丙二醛(MDA)含量升高(P<0.05)。此外,LPS处理能引起CIK细胞的CAT、TNF-α、IFN-γ、IL-1基因表达显著上调(P<0.05),而对IL-10和SOD基因的转录表达无显著影响(P>0.05)。通过向培养基中添加白藜芦醇(4μg/mL)可以显著减弱LPS对CIK细胞造成的损伤,维系细胞抗氧化能力,抑制TNF-α等炎症相关基因的表达(P<0.05),促进CAT基因的表达(P<0.05)。研究认为白藜芦醇对LPS造成的CIK细胞损伤有明显的干预作用,主要原因可能是由于白藜芦醇对CIK细胞的抗氧化能力的改善以及对促炎因子表达的抑制。本研究可为白藜芦醇应用于鱼类炎症、氧化损伤相关疾病的防治提供理论依据。     

鳞头犬牙南极鱼LeptinB基因在抵御低温应激中的作用

为了探究瘦素基因(LeptinB, LepB)在斑马鱼肝脏细胞系(ZFL)低温应激中的作用，本研究根据鳞头犬牙南极鱼(Dissostichus mawsoni) LepB基因(DM-LepB)编码的氨基酸序列，克隆到构建的pTOL2-actin-EGFP质粒中(启动子为斑马鱼的β-actin)。选取EcoRⅠ和BamHⅠ为限制酶，设计构建了pTOL2-LepB+HIS-EGFP表达载体，并转染至ZFL细胞中。选择致死温度10 ℃进行实验，采用流式细胞术检测了低温胁迫下细胞的存活率，使用增强型CCK-8试剂盒检测了低温条件下细胞的生长增殖情况，使用荧光探针DHE检测了细胞活性氧(ROS)含量。结果显示，LepB基因的过表达能有效减少细胞ROS的产生，减轻细胞凋亡以应对低温胁迫。分析还显示，DM-LepB的过表达也有利于维持低温刺激下的胞内ATP水平与线粒体状态，有效减轻低温刺激对细胞的凋亡和坏死作用，对细胞冷应激起到保护作用。采用油红O染色和甘油三酯(TG)实验检测发现，DM-LepB基因能减缓低温刺激时细胞脂质的消耗，较多的脂质保留可减弱低温刺激对细胞的伤害，使得细胞能更好地抵抗低温损害。研究结果为揭示南极鱼类的低温适应分子机制提供了基础资料。     

低温胁迫诱导斑马鱼ZF4细胞ROS及MAPK相关蛋白表达的影响

为了研究鱼类低温下分子调控机制及其与活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)之间的关系,本实验对斑马鱼(Danio rerio)胚胎成纤维ZF4细胞进行不同程度的低温胁迫(18℃和10℃),监测其在不同低温胁迫时间下(1 d、3 d和5 d)ROS的变化以及丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)通路中蛋白的表达情况。结果显示:(1)DCFH-DA探针法表明在低温胁迫作用下,细胞内ROS含量增加。细胞内ROS上升水平与外界胁迫压力成正相关。低温处理3 d后,18℃和10℃的细胞,其ROS含量与对照组(28℃)相比分别显著升高到(1.23±0.04)倍(P0.05)和(2.31±0.08)倍(P0.05)。(2)Western Blot检测磷酸化的p38(p-p38)和磷酸化的JNK(p-JNK p54和p-JNK p46)的水平变化,结果显示低温胁迫可以使p38和JNK的活性增强,且均在10℃处理3 d达到最高水平。(3)进一步检测DNA断裂标记蛋白γH2A.X的表达水平,结果显示,无论在18℃还是10℃,其在第3天呈现高表达。本实验初步证实低温胁迫能够诱导斑马鱼细胞ROS的产生;通过对不同时间点的蛋白表达水平检测,发现p-JNK、p-p38和γH2A.X激活时间点与低温诱导ROS表达时间点相吻合。该研究为后期对斑马鱼细胞低温胁迫实验奠定基础,其中低温下处理3 d可以作为一个检测各个蛋白变化的关键时间点。     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒纤维蛋白VP56与草鱼GRP78蛋白互作诱导内质网应激

为了阐明草鱼呼肠孤病毒(GCRV)的感染机制，深入探究VP56 (Ⅱ型和Ⅲ型GCRV特有的纤维蛋白)与宿主细胞蛋白的相互作用。实验通过免疫共沉淀(co-IP)发现，VP56与细胞内定位于内质网的分子伴侣蛋白葡萄糖调节蛋白78 (GRP78)发生相互作用。而后，VP56与GRP78的互作通过基于远红外红色荧光蛋白mNeptune的双分子荧光互补系统(BiFC)得到验证。在VP56稳定表达的草鱼肾细胞系(CIK)中，相较于CIK细胞，内质网则形态发生巨大变化，产生肿胀、扩张、脱粒等现象，说明VP56激活内质网应激。通过对内质网应激下游转录因子的mRNA水平检测，发现VP56激活活化转录因子6 (ATF6)介导的信号转导途径，激活非折叠蛋白反应。研究表明，GCRV-Ⅱ感染过程中破坏了细胞稳态、激活内质网应激。本研究为GCRV感染机制和抗GCRV病毒研究提供了新思路，揭示了一种新的病毒逃逸机制，有助于淡水养殖产业中草鱼出血病的防控。     

草鱼核因子E2相关因子2基因克隆分析及其对呼吸爆发的调控作用

呼吸爆发过程可以产生大量的活性氧,核因子E2相关因子2(Nrf2)在此过程中起着重要作用。实验克隆和分析了草鱼的Nrf2基因,随后制备了Nrf2蛋白的多克隆抗体,研究了其和呼吸爆发的关系。草鱼Nrf2基因cDNA长度为1994 bp,开放阅读框为1782 bp,编码593个氨基酸(aa)。氨基酸序列比对发现,草鱼Nrf2基因与鲤的同源性最高,为87%;草鱼Nrf2基因含有6个进化过程中保守的Neh[Nrf2-Epoxy chloropropane(ECH)homology]区。实时定量PCR(q RT-PCR)和蛋白印迹法(Western blot)检测结果表明,Nrf2基因在检测的草鱼8个组织中均有表达。Nrf2激活剂叔丁基对苯二酚(t BHQ)处理草鱼肾细胞(CIK)后,CIK细胞总抗氧化能力显著上调,产生的活性氧下调,Nrf2及其下游的HO-1和GST基因的m RNA表达上调。Western blot和免疫荧光(IF)检测结果表明,t BHQ处理CIK后,Nrf2的蛋白表达也上调,并伴随着入细胞核现象。研究表明,保守的草鱼Nrf2基因在机体中广泛表达,能通过上调自身及其下游抗氧化基因的表达下调细胞活性氧的产生,从而参与调控呼吸爆发过程。     

吉富罗非鱼钙敏感受体基因的克隆、表达与其参与调控细胞凋亡的机制

钙敏感受体(calcium-sensing recceptor, CaSR)在 Ca²⁺ 刺激下可参与调控细胞凋亡等生理过程, 在机体适应逆境胁迫中发挥重要作用。为研究吉富罗非鱼(Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia, GIFT)CaSR 基因的特点及其在缺氧胁迫下参与细胞凋亡的调控机制。本研究利用 RT-PCR 技术克隆了吉富罗非鱼 CaSR cDNA 全长序列, 利用 qRT-PCR 技术分析了该基因在不同组织中的表达模式, 并进一步检测了缺氧胁迫下(0.55 mg/L)肝脏中该基因和细胞凋亡相关基因 mRNA 的表达变化, 同时利用 ELISA 法检测了肝脏中抗氧化酶活性的变化, 以及通过 HE 和 TUNEL染色法分别观察了肝细胞的形态变化和凋亡情况。结果显示, 吉富罗非鱼 CaSR cDNA序列全长 3265 bp, 包括 21 bp 5′非编码区、2823 bp 开放阅读框和 421 bp 3′非编码区, 编码 940 个氨基酸。CaSR 基因 mRNA 在不同组织中均有表达, 其中肌肉中表达量最高, 肾脏次之; 组织切片观察发现缺氧可导致肝脏组织结构损伤, 促进肝细胞凋亡; 与对照组(5.0 mg/L)相比, 缺氧可增强 SOD、CAT 和 GSH-Px 抗氧化酶活性, 上调 CaSR mRNA 的表达, 并引起 Bcl-2、Caspase-3 和 P53 凋亡基因 mRNA 的表达变化。研究结果表明, CaSR 可能通过介导 Ca²⁺调控细胞凋亡, 从而参与吉富罗非鱼的缺氧应对机制。     

尼罗罗非鱼铁调素调节蛋白在宿主抵御病原菌侵染和调节铁稳态中的功能

为了研究铁调素调节蛋白(hemojuvelin,HJV)在硬骨鱼中抵御病原菌感染和维持自身铁稳态过程中的作用,实验扩增了尼罗罗非鱼铁调素调节蛋白基因(Onhjv)的开放阅读框(ORF),分析其在健康尼罗罗非鱼各组织中的分布模式及在抵御病原菌感染和调节铁稳态中的相关作用。结果显示,Onhjv的ORF全长由1 248个碱基组成,编码415个氨基酸,在不同物种之间具有一定的保守性。实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)结果显示,Onhjv在尼罗罗非鱼各组织中广泛分布,并在肝脏中的表达量最高。在无乳链球菌或嗜水气单胞菌感染后,Onhjv在肝脏、脾脏、肠和鳃中的表达量均显著上调。体外头肾单核/巨噬细胞和肝细胞中Onhjv表达量在受到这2种病原菌应激下也显著上调。此外,在1和10μmol/L FeCl_3溶液刺激后,Onhjv表达量在肝脏、脾脏、肠和鳃等组织,以及头肾单核/巨噬细胞和肝细胞中的表达量也呈显著上调。受重组罗非鱼IL-6蛋白[(r)OnIL-6]刺激后,头肾单核/巨噬细胞中Onhjv表达量显著上调,表明炎症因子可以促进Onhjv表达。研究表明,尼罗罗非鱼铁调素调节蛋白在宿主抵御病原菌感染和维持铁稳态的过程中发挥作用。本实验为探究HJV在硬骨鱼中的生物学功能提供了参考,同时为进一步研究铁代谢在宿主防御病原菌感染过程中的重要作用提供理论指导。     

草鱼核因子E2相关因子2基因克隆分析及其对呼吸爆发的调控作用

呼吸爆发过程可以产生大量的活性氧,核因子E2相关因子2(Nrf2)在此过程中起着重要作用。本文克隆和分析了草鱼的Nrf2基因,随后制备了Nrf2蛋白的多克隆抗体,研究了其和呼吸爆发的关系。草鱼Nrf2基因cDNA长度为1994 bp,开放阅读框为1782 bp,编码593个氨基酸(aa)。氨基酸序列比对发现,草鱼Nrf2基因与鲤鱼的同源性最高,为87%;草鱼Nrf2基因含有6个进化过程中保守的Neh(Nrf2-Epoxy chloropropane(ECH)homology)区。实时定量PCR(qRT-PCR)和蛋白印迹法(WB)检测结果表明,Nrf2基因在检测的草鱼8个组织中均有表达。Nrf2激活剂叔丁基对苯二酚(t BHQ)处理草鱼肾细胞(CIK)后,CIK细胞总抗氧化力显著上调,产生的活性氧下调,Nrf2及其下游的HO-1和GST基因的mRNA表达上调。WB和免疫荧光(IF)检测结果表明,tBHQ处理CIK后,Nrf2的蛋白表达也上调,并伴随着入细胞核现象。综上结果表明,保守的草鱼Nrf2基因在机体中广泛表达,能通过上调自身及其下游抗氧化基因的表达下调细胞活性氧的产生,从而参与调控呼吸爆发过程。     

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.