凡纳滨对虾养殖土池中使用益生菌制剂效果分析

以凡纳滨对虾为研究对象,通过在养殖池中施用益生菌制剂,在露天土池中的使用量分别为0、0.3g/m3、0.45g/m3、0.6g/m3水体,研究了在凡纳滨对虾养殖水体中使用益生菌制剂对氨氮(NH+4-N)、亚硝酸盐氮(NO-2-N)、化学需氧量(COD)等水质指标的影响和对凡纳滨对虾成活率以及饲料系数的影响,目的是探讨益生菌制剂在凡纳滨对虾养殖池塘中的适宜使用量。     

酵母水解物对低盐胁迫凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫及抗氧化能力的影响

本实验旨在研究饲料中添加酵母水解物对凡纳滨对虾在低盐度胁迫条件下非特异性免疫和抗氧化能力的影响。选取凡纳滨对虾[初始体质量（15.82±0.08）g],平均分为2组,对照组投喂基础饲料（Y0）,实验组投喂添加了3%酵母水解物的实验饲料（Y3）,在室内养殖15d后分别放入盐度为4‰（S4）和28‰（S28）的水体中进行盐度胁迫实验,每组6个重复,每个重复30尾虾（根据饲料和盐度不同组合,分组命名为Y0S4、Y0S28、Y0S3、Y0S28）。结果表明：饲料中添加3%酵母水解物对凡纳滨对虾血清酚氧化酶（PO）、总一氧化氮合成酶（TNOS）活性没有显著影响,但低盐度胁迫1h时,Y3S4组PO、TNOS活性显著高于Y0S4组;盐度因素对PO、TNOS活性产生显著影响,低盐度胁迫1h时,S28组PO、TNOS活性显著高于S4;饲料中添加3%酵母水解物显著提高了凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性;盐度因素对酸性磷酸酶（ACP）活性产生了显著影响,S28组ACP活性显著高于S4。由此可见,在饲料中添加酵母水解物能够提高凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺SOD活性,提高对虾的抗氧化能力;在遭遇低盐度胁迫时,对虾能迅速恢复PO、TNOS活性至正常水平,从而提高凡纳滨对虾的抵抗不良环境的能力。     

Ca2+、Mg2+、盐度对凡纳滨对虾存活、生长及风味的影响

采取L49(78)安排7水平Ca2+、Mg2+、盐度正交试验,开展60d凡纳滨对虾养殖试验,通过比较凡纳滨对虾成活率、日均增长值、日均增重量及鲜味氨基酸含量,分析养殖水体中Ca2+、Mg2+、盐度三因子对凡纳滨对虾存活、生长及虾体风味的影响;采取L8(27)安排2水平Ca2+、Mg2+、盐度正交试验,分析养殖水体中Ca2+、Mg2+、盐度三因子间交互作用对凡纳滨对虾存活、生长及虾体风味的影响。结果表明:水体中Ca2+、Mg2+、盐度对成活率和虾体鲜味氨基酸都有显著影响(P<0.05),Ca2+、Mg2+对凡纳滨对虾生长具有显著影响(P<0.05),其中Mg2+对成活率影响最大,Ca2+对生长影响最大,而鲜味氨基酸受盐度影响最大。Ca2+浓度为100mg/L和400mg/L,Mg2+为1200mg/L,盐度为10时,成活率最高;Ca2+≥200mg/L与Mg2+≥300mg/L时,生长速度无明显变化,Ca2+浓度为100mg/L,Mg2+浓度为150mg/L,盐度为10~20时,体长和体质量增加最快;Ca2+、Mg2+含量与盐度越高,鲜味氨基酸含量越高,Ca2+浓度为400mg/L,Mg2+浓度为750mg/L,盐度为35和20时,风味氨基酸含量最高;低盐、低钙、低镁水体显著降低了凡纳滨对虾的生长存活;Ca2+与Mg2+对成活率及体质量日均增长具有显著的交互作用影响,Ca2+与盐度对成活率具有显著的交互作用影响,Mg2+与盐度对各试验指标均没有显著影响。     

凡纳滨对虾幼虾低盐度粗养水体养殖容量的研究

试验设计6个凡纳滨对虾幼虾养殖密度:10、20、30、40、50、60 ind/m2,通过比较60 d养殖周期内的水环境因子、幼虾生长状况与消化酶活性,分析研究凡纳滨对虾幼虾低盐度粗养水体的养殖容量。结果表明:各试验组水质均符合凡纳滨对虾幼虾生长要求,单位水体载虾量主要影响pH、非离子氨氮(NH3-Nm)、溶解氧(DO)等水化指标;不同试验组水体pH、NH3-Nm含量、DO含量、总氮(TN)含量差异极显著(P0.01),浊度、总磷(TP)含量差异显著(P0.05);不同试验组对虾中肠腺蛋白酶活性差异显著(P0.05),表现出单位水体载虾量越高,对虾体内蛋白消化酶活性和氮利用率越低的规律,DO是低盐度粗养水体养殖容量的主要限制因子。综合各项评价指标,得到本试验条件下,凡纳滨对虾幼虾低盐度粗养水体的最佳养殖容量为46.0 g/m3或32.2 g/m2(322 kg/hm2)。     

盐度和钠离子/钾离子对凡纳滨对虾幼虾存活与组织结构的影响

通过实验生态学方法,对体质量为(1.35±0.37) g的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)幼虾开展了盐度(2、4、8、12、16)和钠离子/钾离子(Na~+/K~+)(27、50、75、100、125、150)双因素胁迫实验,分析其对凡纳滨对虾的72 h成活率及肝胰腺和肌肉组织结构的影响。结果显示,在Na~+/K~+大于75的条件下,凡纳滨对虾的成活率随盐度的增加而降低;在盐度大于8的条件下,凡纳滨对虾的成活率随Na~+/K~+的降低而升高。在Na~+/K~+为27～75条件下,凡纳滨对虾的成活率均大于66.67%。Na~+/K~+为100条件下,凡纳滨对虾在盐度12和16下的半致死时间(LT50)分别为69.78和60.15 h。Na~+/K~+为125条件下,盐度8、12和16下的LT50分别为76.23、62.61和49.10 h。Na~+/K~+为150条件下,盐度4、8、12和16下的LT50分别为87.24、68.65、59.4和39.95 h。双因素方差分析表明,Na~+/K~+、盐度与凡纳滨对虾幼虾第72小时的成活率存在显著交互作用。组织切片显示,当盐度大于8时,高Na~+/K~+对肌肉和肝胰腺组织结构产生明显影响,主要表现为细胞空泡化或自溶,组织细胞间隙变大、解体,且组织结构损伤程度随盐度的上升而加重。     

盐度对凡纳滨对虾血细胞吞噬与免疫相关因子基因表达的影响

在水温27～29℃下,将平均体长7.01 cm的凡纳滨对虾Litopenaeus vannamei饲养在730 mm×530 mm×450 mm的水族箱中,每箱30只,盐度6、18和30,每个盐度组3个平行,饲养6周,探讨盐度对凡纳滨对虾血细胞吞噬与免疫相关因子基因表达的影响。结果表明:盐度30和18组凡纳滨对虾血细胞吞噬活性显著高于盐度6组对虾(P0.05),盐度18组血细胞吞噬活性最高。30和18盐度组凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺中Toll样受体(TLR)、免疫缺陷基因(immune deficiency,IMD)、酚氧化酶(PO)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)及溶菌酶(LZM)基因表达水平显著高于盐度6组(P0.05);18盐度组凡纳滨对虾血细胞中TLR、IMD、PO、SOD及LZM基因表达显著高于6盐度组(P0.05);盐度30组对虾的TLR基因表达水平显著高于盐度18组(P0.05),而盐度30组对虾的PO和CAT基因表达水平显著低于盐度18组(P0.05);其他免疫因子基因的表达水平没有显著性差异。综上,环境中盐度的变化可能通过影响凡纳滨对虾各组织的抗氧化能力、溶菌活性、识别能力和血细胞吞噬活性等,调控凡纳滨对虾细胞和体液免疫。     

周期性盐度波动对凡纳滨对虾游离氨基酸含量及渗透调节相关基因表达的影响

在实验室条件下,以盐度30为对照组(S0),4 d为1个盐度波动周期,研究了幅度为4(S4)和10(S10)的周期性盐度波动对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)稚虾离子通道和水通道相关基因表达、游离氨基酸(FAA)含量及其FAA代谢相关基因表达的影响。结果发现:(1)在盐度波动条件下,凡纳滨对虾离子通道相关基因Na~+/K~+-ATPaseα(NKAα)、Na~+/K~+-ATPaseβ(NKAβ)、碳酸酐酶(CA)、V型H~+-ATPase 1(VHA 1)表达量随盐度波动幅度的增加而极显著升高(P0.01);S4组对虾Na~+/H~+交换因子(NHE)和F型H~+-ATPase 1(FHA 1)表达量显著高于S0和S10组(P0.05);而Cl-通道蛋白(CLC)表达量在各组间差异不显著(P0.05);(2)周期性盐度波动极显著影响凡纳滨对虾水通道蛋白(AQP 4)的基因表达(P0.01),其表达量随盐度波动幅度的升高而下降;(3)周期性盐度波动对凡纳滨对虾肌肉中FAA总量无显著影响(P0.05);鳃中FAA总量随盐度波动幅度的增加而显著升高(P0.05),各组甘氨酸、精氨酸、脯氨酸等含量存在显著差异(P0.05)。(4)与S0组相比,S10组对虾的丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)表达量极显著升高,S4和S10组对虾的氨基转移酶(AMT)、脯氨酸脱氢酶(PDH)基因表达量极显著降低(P0.01)。实验结果初步表明,周期性盐度波动条件下,凡纳滨对虾渗透调控在转录水平上产生积极响应,且随着盐度波动幅度的增大,对虾的渗透适应性调控水平升高。在盐度波动幅度达到10时,凡纳滨对虾仍能维持体内的渗透平衡,说明其具有较强的耐受盐度波动的能力。     

凡纳滨对虾循环水养殖系统应用研究

以凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)室内工厂化流水养殖(IIFA)为对照组,通过养殖场凡纳滨对虾循环水养殖(RAS)试验(85 d)比较不同养殖模式对凡纳滨对虾的生长性能、养殖水体水质影响,探究循环水养殖系统(RAS)的硝化效率变化。结果显示:RAS的凡纳滨对虾存活率(74.58%±1.74%)、饲料转化率(70.56%±3.82%)、产量(3.91±0.49 kg/m^3)显著高于IIFA的凡纳滨对虾存活率(66.90%±3.80%)、饲料转化率(67.14%±3.25%)、产量(3.47±0.42 kg/m^3)(P<0.05)。对虾RAS可以将养殖水体化学需氧量(COD)、氨氮(NH_4^+-N)和亚硝酸盐氮(NO_2^--N)质量浓度稳定在较低水平(5.92、0.60和1.14 mg/L);对照组的COD呈现上升趋势,最高升至15.37 mg/L,NH_4^+-N和NO_2^--N质量浓度在较大范围(0.20～2.90 mg/L和0.19～6.97 mg/L)内波动。然而,对虾RAS养殖水体NO_3^--N和总氮呈现逐渐上升的趋势,最高分别升至25.98和33.55 mg/L;对照组养殖水体NO_3^--N(0.94～2.85 mg/L)和总氮(5.95～14.01 mg/L)质量浓度变化则相对较小。对虾RAS对养殖水体硝化作用发挥着至关重要的作用,NH_4^+-N和NO_2^--N去除率分别为23.78%～91.43%和0～27.76%,NO_3^--N累积率则稳定在一定范围(0.57%～4.30%)。研究表明,对虾RAS的应用可有效控制凡纳滨对虾养殖水体关键水质指标,有利于对虾存活率的提高和养殖产量的增加。     

氨氮胁迫下白斑综合征病毒对凡纳滨对虾的致病性

为了评价养殖水环境中氨氮(NH_4-N)对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)的危害性,开展了NH_4-N胁迫对凡纳滨对虾感染白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)后的死亡率、WSSV增殖速率和对虾主要免疫相关酶活性影响的实验。在NH_4-N胁迫质量浓度为15.6 mg·L-1,分别注射2×105和2×106个WSSV粒子,结果显示,NH_4-N胁迫下注射2×105个WSSV粒子的凡纳滨对虾第144小时死亡率达到53.3%,显著高于无胁迫组(40.0%)。对虾鳃组织WSSV荧光定量PCR检测结果显示,NH_4-N胁迫下凡纳滨对虾鳃组织内WSSV的增殖加快。此外,免疫相关酶活性结果显示,NH_4-N浓度突变会促使对虾血清中酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性短暂升高后持续降低。由此可见,NH_4-N胁迫会加快WSSV在患病凡纳滨对虾体内的增殖,导致更高死亡率,这可能是因为胁迫造成了对虾免疫相关酶活性降低和抗病原感染能力下降。     

两种盐度下凡纳滨对虾饲料中的最适动植物蛋白比

试验研究了不同盐度下（3和22）,以鱼粉和大豆浓缩蛋白为蛋白源,配制6种不同动植物蛋白比的饲料对凡纳滨对虾生长、成活和肝胰腺可溶性蛋白质含量的影响,饲养试验为期40 d。结果显示：（1）饲料动植物蛋白比可显著影响凡纳滨对虾增重率、成活率、肝体指数、肥满度和肝胰腺中可溶性蛋白质含量。增重率随饲料动植物蛋白比升高而升高,但当饲料中动植物蛋白比升至29∶8时,增重率不再明显升高,其它指标均先随饲料动植物蛋白比升高至一定程度,而后则稍有下降;（2）盐度22组对虾的增重率、成活率和肥满度显著高于盐度3组对虾,肝体指数却显著低于盐度3组,不同的盐度对凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺可溶性蛋白含量的影响不显著;（3）双因素方差分析结果显示,盐度和饲料动植物蛋白比对凡纳滨对虾增重率、成活率和肝体指数存在显著交互作用,最大值分别出现在盐度22下全动物蛋白饲料组、盐度22下全动物蛋白和动植物蛋白为29∶8的饲料组、盐度3下饲料动植物蛋白比为14∶23的饲料组中;（4）Broken-Line分析表明,3‰盐度下凡纳滨对虾最适饲料蛋白比为29.12∶7.79~30.29∶6.71,盐度22时为26.05∶10.95~29.03∶7.44。结果提示,饲料中氨基酸的组成和含量会随配方中动植物蛋白配比而改变,且不同盐度下凡纳滨对虾对饲料中动植物蛋白比的要求有所不同,但配饵中适当的动植物蛋白比可以满足虾对各种氨基酸的适宜需求。因此,在养殖过程中,需结合实际的养殖环境和饲料蛋白源种类,来设计适宜的实用饲料配方,这样才能达到降低生产成本,提高经济效益的目的。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.