聚六亚甲基胍对异育银鲫鳃出血病药效的初步研究

通过PCR检测及序列对比分析,确诊江苏海丰农场两塘口内异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)所患疾病为鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型(Cyprinid herpesvirusⅡ,Cy HV-2)引发的鲫造血器官坏死症(Crucian CarpHematopoietic Necrosis),而后分别每10 d使用0.5 m L/m~3和0.75 m L/m~3聚六亚甲基胍(Polyhexamethylene guanide,PHMG)泼洒治疗,并定期采样,利用Real Time PCR测定样品中病毒表达量。结果显示:该病毒(DF2015)Cy HV-2的DNA解旋酶基因序列长为316 bp,与绝大多数病毒株有较近的亲缘关系(99%),但与病毒株ST-J1和H.Fukuda的亲缘关系相对较远(63%)。与其余病毒株等有较近的亲缘关系(99%);治疗近2个月后,两塘的病毒相对表达量均呈下降趋势,且具有显著差异性,但0.75 m L/m~3治疗塘病毒相对表达量极显著降低,治疗效果相对更显著。     

鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型对异育银鲫背鳍细胞的显微形态与免疫基因表达水平的影响

为研究鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型(Cy HV-2)体外感染复制特征以及异育银鲫抗病毒免疫应答反应。本实验采用组织块培养法建立了异育银鲫背鳍细胞的原代培养体系。结果显示,在10 d左右可观察到组织块迁移分离出新的单层细胞,3周左右细胞可覆盖底部面积为25cm2培养瓶的底部;经Cy HV-2悬液感染离体培养的原代细胞,3 d后病毒滴度增殖至106拷贝/m L;在病毒感染6 d后出现典型的细胞病变效应;Cy HV-2感染原代细胞后,分析前期通过鱼体水平实验鉴定出的与该病毒感染相关的免疫基因:PNP5a、MPO、MHCⅠ、LYZ-C、IL-11、ITLN、PNP5a和DUSP,Real-time Rt-PCR结果显示大部分基因在细胞水平均有显著性的上调,与鱼体水平实验结果一致。本研究建立了原代培养的异育银鲫背鳍细胞,用于构建体外感染Cy HV-2病毒的细胞模型,为深入研究Cy HV-2的感染复制规律及其与宿主的相互作用关系,以及细胞水平筛选抗病毒药物实验奠定了基础。     

鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型的理化及生物学特性和超微形态发生

为了查明鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型(Cyprinid herpesvirus 2,Cy HV-2)的理化与生物学特性以及病毒在细胞内的超微形态发生过程,利用新建立的对Cy HV-2敏感的异育银鲫脑组织细胞系(Gi CB),对Cy HV-2的理化及生物学特性进行了详细研究,比较了不同来源鱼类细胞系对Cy HV-2感染的敏感性,并对体外培养细胞中Cy HV-2病毒粒子及其超微形态发生过程进行了电镜观察。结果显示,Cy HV-2对热、酸、碱、有机溶剂和冻融敏感;常用鱼类细胞系EPC、RTG-2、Koi-Fin、CIK、CCK、PF-Fin对Cy HV-2的感染不敏感,特异性巢式PCR检测盲传至第7代Cy HV-2细胞培养物,结果均为阴性;Cy HV-2在Gi CB细胞中的增殖动态研究结果表明:病毒感染细胞经过12 h的隐晦期,24 h开始进入对数生长期,96 h病毒滴度达到最高值(107.52±0.26 TCID50/m L),然后进入平台期;透射电子显微镜观察结果显示,Cy HV-2感染细胞可分为吸附与侵入、复制与装配、成熟与释放3个主要过程,病毒进入对数生长期后,被感染细胞内可见形态典型的疱疹病毒颗粒。     

四种渔药对稀有(鱼句)鲫的急性毒性

用控温半静态换水式实验方法,测定了伊维菌素(0.4%)、辛硫磷(20%)、氯氰菊酯(4.5%)和精制马拉硫磷(20%)四种常用药物对稀有(鱼句)鲫(Gobiocypris rarus)幼鱼的急性毒性效应。分别在实验24、48、72 h和96 h后记录稀有(鱼句)鲫幼鱼的死亡数,并推算了实验药液的安全质量浓度。结果显示,四种渔药的96 h半致死浓度分别为7.01、24.22、9.37和460μg/L,安全浓度分别为0.70、2.42、0.94和46.00μg/L,这4种药物对稀有(鱼句)鲫的毒性大小依次为:伊维菌素>氯氰菊酯>辛硫磷>精制马拉硫磷。结果表明:稀有(鱼句)鲫可用于渔药对水体环境影响的监测。     

感染鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型(CyHV-2)的异育银鲫血液生理生化指标及相应组织学变化

于江苏大丰金鹿合作社采集三种状态的异育银鲫Carassius auratus gibelio样本,试验1组(H)来自未发生过鲤疱疹病毒(Cy HV-2)病的2个池塘(面积200×667m2),即为无Cy HV-2病症状的病毒携带者;试验2组(IH)和试验3组(I)为正在发病的2个池塘(面积200×667m2),IH组有轻微的Cy HV-2病症状,而I组为典型的Cy HV-2病症状,测定其血成分、血清生化指标,并观察肠道和肝胰脏的组织病理学,以探讨异育银鲫感染鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型(Cy HV-2)的发病机制。结果表明:IH组和I组鲫除淋巴细胞百分比显著升高外(P0.05),中性粒细胞和单核细胞百分比、红细胞和血栓细胞数、血红蛋白、血栓细胞压积均显著低于H组(P0.05);I组淋巴细胞百分比显著高于IH组(P0.05),而中性粒细胞百分比却显著低于IH组(P0.05),其他各项指标无显著差异。IH组和I组除天门冬氨酸基转移酶/丙氨酸氨基转移酶、白蛋白、白球比例比H组显著升高外(P0.05),胆碱酯酶和碱性磷酸酶活性、总胆汁酸、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白/低密度脂蛋白均显著下降(P0.05)。I组与IH组结果比较,天门冬氨酸基转移酶、天门冬氨酸基转移酶/丙氨酸氨基转移酶、白蛋白、白球比例均出现显著升高(P0.05),而胆碱酯酶、碱性磷酸酶出现显著下降(P0.05),总胆汁酸含量下降了38倍,下降明显,其他均无显著变化。扫描电镜观察发现,H组红细胞表面光滑完整,IH和I组均有一定的损伤;相比H组,IH组、I组的肝胰脏和肠道的组织结构损伤,且随着患病严重性的增加而加重。     

一种基于Ⅱ型鲤疱疹病毒衣壳蛋白72的免疫学检测方法

Ⅱ型鲤疱疹病毒(cyprinid herpesvirus 2,Cy HV-2)是引起养殖异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)造血器官坏死症的致病病原。在临床筛查中基于病毒核酸的PCR和real time PCR技术已经建立,但是稳定性更强的免疫学诊断技术国内外尚无报道。本研究目的是利用Cy HV-2编码的ORF72基因(Gen Bank登录号:AFJ20502.1)所编码的衣壳蛋白作为捕获抗原,通过识别感染病毒的鱼体中的相应抗体,从而对样本进行临床免疫学检测。首先采用PCR方法从纯化的Cy HV-2基因组中扩增ORF72基因,并把该基因克隆至原核表达载体PGEX-4T-3,并转化到大肠杆菌中诱导表达,诱导表达的产物通过SDS-PAGE进行鉴定,对表达的重组蛋白进行纯化。用已纯化的72重组蛋白对小鼠进行免疫,制得72重组蛋白的抗体。Western blot检测表明所制备的多克隆抗体既能识别原核表达的重组蛋白,也可以识别Cy HV-2病毒粒子上的衣壳蛋白72。在上述基础上建立了基于Western blot技术的Cy HV-2抗体检测技术:用纯化的72重组蛋白作为检测抗原,鲫鱼血清用作一抗,兔抗鲫Ig M多克隆抗体作为二抗,酶标羊抗兔作为三抗鉴定鲫鱼是否存在Cy HV-2特异性抗体。在对急性感染期的临床样本检测中,本方法能在所有样本中检测出ORF72特异性抗体存在,表明72重组蛋白作为相应抗体捕获原可以用于确诊鲫鱼是否感染Cy HV-2。本研究建立的实验室免疫学检测方法为商品化免疫学检测技术的开发奠定了基础,对Cy HV-2的检验检疫具有一定的临床应用价值。     

锦鲤疱疹病毒病免疫学检测方法-单克隆抗体技术研究进展

正一、简介锦鲤疱疹病毒病(KHVD)是由锦鲤疱疹病毒(KHV)引起的一种非常严重的、法定的传染病。它通过锦鲤、鲤鱼的贸易传播。该病死亡率高达80%~100%。被感染的鱼常见的临床症状为有白色斑,眼凹陷,脾脏和肾脏肿大,鳃部坏死。Cy HV-3在温度15~25℃易感染,可从死鱼的肾、鳃、脾、小肠、肝脏和大脑中分离,其基因组包含约29.5万个碱基对(kb),编码156个开放性阅读框。目前还没有有效的药物和疫苗可以抑制锦鲤疱疹     

氯化三苯基锡对鲫的急性和亚急性毒性研究

以3月龄的鲫(Carassius auratus)为实验对象,研究了氯化三苯基锡(TPTC)对鲫的急性毒性以及在1/2LD50、1/3LD50、1/4LD50、1/6LD50亚急性浓度下对鲫死亡率的影响.结果表明,在较低的TPTC浓度下,鲫的概率单位较小,死亡率较低;当浓度达到385.6 μg/L时,死亡率超过50%.因此,TPTC浓度385 μg/L是一个安全阈值,当TPTC浓度达到385μg/L以上,死亡率明显增加.TPTC的对数浓度和概率单位呈现出明显的线性相关;且TPTC在鲫体内的积累量较大,难以降解;鲫对TPTC比较敏感,可将其作为TPTC毒性测试的标准试验生物.     

氯化三苯基锡对鲫的急性和亚急性毒性研究

以3月龄的鲫( Carassius auratus ) 为实验对象, 研究了氯化三苯基锡( TPTC) 对鲫的急性毒性以及在1 /2LD50、1 /3LD50、1 /4LD50、1 /6LD50亚急性浓度下对鲫死亡率的影响。结果表明, 在较低的TPTC 浓度下, 鲫的概率单位较小, 死亡率较低; 当浓度达到385. 6 Lg /L时, 死亡率超过50%。因此, TPTC 浓度385 Lg /L是一个安全阈值, 当TPTC 浓度达到385 Lg /L以上, 死亡率明显增加。TPTC的对数浓度和概率单位呈现出明显的线性相关; 且TPTC在鲫体内的积累量较大, 难以降解; 鲫对TPTC比较敏感, 可将其作为TPTC毒性测试的标准试验生物。     

溶氧胁迫对异育银鲫感染鲫造血器官坏死症的影响

随着异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)养殖密度的增大,其主要养殖区爆发了以鳃部出血为典型特征的疾病,经确诊为鲫造血器官坏死症(Crucian Carp Hematopoietic Necrosis),引起该病的首要诱因为鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型（CyHV-2),给异育银鲫养殖造成了巨大的经济损失。溶氧是水生生物生存的必要条件之一,溶氧条件的改变直接影响水生生物的各项生理机能,在溶氧胁迫状态下,水生生物会表现出应激及免疫力下降,从而导致疾病的发生。为了探究溶氧浓度对异育银鲫感染CyHV-2及发生鲫造血器官坏死症的影响,将健康的异育银鲫与已感染CyHV-2的病鱼混合饲养,结合鲫的最低生存氧浓度,设定溶氧浓度分别为7、6、5、4、3 mg/L,不同溶氧浓度均设立对照组,在相同的饲养条件下,通过控制不同溶氧浓度,测定CyHV-2感染数及死亡数,分析不同溶氧浓度条件下鲫CyHV-2感染率及鲫造血器官坏死症的发病率。结果表明,随着溶氧浓度的降低,CyHV-2的感染率和死亡率都随之升高,当溶氧浓度为7、6、5、4 mg/L时,对照组均未出现感染及死亡状况;当溶氧浓度为 3 mg/L时,实验组感染率为100%并且对照组也出现了死亡,充分肯定了溶氧胁迫会增加异育银鲫对CyHV-2的感染率及死亡率。研究结果对异育银鲫的大规模养殖及造血器官坏死症防控具有重要的意义。     

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.