大黄鱼与黄姑鱼异源三倍体的诱导和微卫星分析

参照大黄鱼雌核发育诱导程序,应用冷休克抑制大黄鱼(♀)与黄姑鱼(♂)杂交受精卵的第二极体排出,培育了两个异源三倍体家系(PPN1和PPN2)。异源三倍体家系的受精率、孵化率略低于大黄鱼自繁二倍体对照家系(PP),而初孵仔鱼畸形率略高于PP家系。倍性分析显示,异源三倍体家系初孵仔鱼细胞DNA含量约为大黄鱼自繁对照家系的初孵仔鱼细胞DNA含量的1.46倍,且三倍体率达到100%。5个微卫星标记分析结果表明,父本杂合基因在异源三倍体中分离,后代分别得到父本两个等位基因中的一个,分离比符合孟德尔式遗传预期;由于基因的第二次分离被阻断,母本基因在异源三倍体中的传递表现出半四分子的特点,其中部分个体同时保留了母本两个等位基因,表现为杂合基因型。综合倍性分析和微卫星分析结果可以判断,异源三倍体家系成员为含有2个大黄鱼基因组和1个黄姑鱼基因组的异源三倍体。可见,大黄鱼减数分裂雌核发育或三倍体诱导程序中用于抑制第二极体排放的条件,同样适用于诱导异源三倍体。然而,PPN1和PPN2的仔鱼在15日龄后出现生长停滞,陆续死亡,没有个体存活超过1个月,表明母本染色体加倍不能有效提高杂种成活率,但异源三倍体仔鱼可作为遗传作图、基因组比较...     

大黄鱼Pseudosciaena crocea(Richards on)和鮸鱼Miichthys miiuy(Basilewsky)远缘杂交的初步研究

本研究开展了大黄鱼和鮸鱼的远缘杂交实验,结果表明:鮸鱼(♀)×大黄鱼(♂)杂交组受精率为52%,孵化率为71%,但孵化后未能开口摄食,半个月内杂交苗逐渐、全部死亡.大黄鱼(♀)×鮸鱼(♂)杂交组受精率为75%,孵化率为83%,度过了开口摄食轮虫和开始摄食桡足类的两个死亡高峰期,存活率仅为1.2%.此外,本文分析了鮸鱼(♀)×大黄鱼(♂)的杂交子代不能存活的原因,以及大黄鱼(9)×鮸鱼(♂)的杂交子代的遗传本质和成活率低的原因.研究,<现代渔业信息>杂志,23(5):23-25.     

鲤、鲫杂交子代的同工酶分析

利用水平式淀粉凝胶电泳法对乌克兰鳞鲤(♀)×乌龙鲫四倍体(♂)、红鲫(♀)×乌龙鲫四倍体(♂)、红鲫(♀)×乌龙鲫二倍体(♂)、白鲫(♀)×墨龙鲤(♂)4组鲤鱼、鲫鱼杂交子代背侧肌肉组织的天冬氨酸转氨酶、α-甘油醛磷酸脱氢酶、葡萄糖磷酸异构酶、异柠檬酸脱氢酶、乳酸脱氢酶、苹果酸脱氢酶、磷酸葡萄糖变位酶及肌浆蛋白进行电泳分析,并测量了红细胞长径。红细胞测量结果表明,乌克兰鳞鲤(♀)×乌龙鲫四倍体(♂)、红鲫(♀)×乌龙鲫四倍体(♂)、红鲫(♀)×乌龙鲫二倍体(♂)杂交子代为三倍体,白鲫(♀)×墨龙鲤(♂)杂交子代为二倍体。4组杂交子代葡萄糖磷酸异构酶同工酶的基因组成结果显示,父本乌龙鲫四倍体和父本乌龙鲫二倍体均产生二倍体配子,且二倍体配子中1套为鲤鱼染色体组,1套为鲫鱼染色体组。     

赤眼鳟(♀)×鳙(♂)杂交子一代的人工繁殖

为了探讨鱼类远缘杂交如何获得可育的后代和加快选育出养殖新种类,从71尾6龄的赤眼鳟(Squaliobarbus curriculus)(♀)和鳙(Aristichthys nobilis)(♂)亚科间杂种F1的二倍体群体中挑选雌雄亲鱼各9尾进行人工催产,发现它们能在产卵池中自行产卵,获得吸水膨胀后的卵子约30万粒。采用人工授精的方法进行了杂种F1自交,杂种F1(♀)与赤眼鳟(♂)和鳙(♂)的回交,杂种F1(♀)与黄尾鲴(Xenocypris davidi)(♂)和青鱼(Mylopharyngodon piceus)(♂)的杂交试验。试验结果:9尾杂种F1共获得成熟卵粒258.6万粒,各组合的受精率为23.60%~66.41%,孵化率为5.0%~35.30%,畸形率为38.55%~87.00%,并且获得了自交、回交和杂交子代。结果表明,该亚科间杂种可育。     

云纹石斑鱼(♀)×七带石斑鱼(♂)杂交F1形态特征与其亲本子代的比较分析

为研究云纹石斑鱼(♀)×七带石斑鱼(♂)杂交F1的形态特征以及与其亲本子代的关系,运用常规测量方法和聚类分析法对云纹石斑鱼、七带石斑鱼及云纹石斑鱼(♀)×七带石斑鱼(♂)杂交F1 3个群体6月龄幼鱼的形态特征进行测量和分析,对3个群体的12项可量、可数性状进行指数分析。结果显示,杂交F1体型呈椭圆形,侧扁而粗壮,体侧具7条灰褐色横向条带,杂交F1在体色条纹上均具有云纹石斑鱼与七带石斑鱼的特征;可量、可数的性状中有6项性状偏向于云纹石斑鱼,5项性状偏向于七带石斑鱼,1项与二者相同;聚类分析结果表明,杂交F1与云纹石斑鱼聚为一类。研究表明,杂交F1在体色条纹上表现为二者的中间态,在形态上较接近于母本云纹石斑鱼。     

云纹石斑鱼(♀)×七带石斑鱼(♂)杂交F_1形态特征与其亲本子代的比较分析

为研究云纹石斑鱼(♀)×七带石斑鱼(♂)杂交F1的形态特征以及与其亲本子代的关系,运用常规测量方法和聚类分析法对云纹石斑鱼、七带石斑鱼及云纹石斑鱼(♀)×七带石斑鱼(♂)杂交F1 3个群体6月龄幼鱼的形态特征进行测量和分析,对3个群体的12项可量、可数性状进行指数分析。结果显示,杂交F1体型呈椭圆形,侧扁而粗壮,体侧具7条灰褐色横向条带,杂交F1在体色条纹上均具有云纹石斑鱼与七带石斑鱼的特征;可量、可数的性状中有6项性状偏向于云纹石斑鱼,5项性状偏向于七带石斑鱼,1项与二者相同;聚类分析结果表明,杂交F1与云纹石斑鱼聚为一类。研究表明,杂交F1在体色条纹上表现为二者的中间态,在形态上较接近于母本云纹石斑鱼。     

云纹石斑鱼(♀)×鞍带石斑鱼(♂)杂交子代胚胎发育及仔稚幼鱼形态观察

对云纹石斑鱼(♀)与鞍带石斑鱼(♂)杂交子代胚胎及仔稚幼鱼的生长发育进行了观察与研究。在水温(22±1)℃、盐度33、p H7.8的海水中,杂交受精卵经过35 h 23min完成整个胚胎发育。胚胎发育可分为卵裂期、囊胚期、原肠期、神经胚期和器官形成期,其中在卵裂期、囊胚期和仔鱼出膜前后,杂交子代胚胎的死亡率较高。杂交石斑鱼的孵化率为91.5%,低于对照组的93.1%;畸形率为10.5%,高于对照组的5.3%。根据杂交子代卵黄囊消失与否、第二背鳍棘和腹鳍棘的生长与收缩、体色和鳞片的出现,可将杂交石斑鱼胎后发育分为:前期仔鱼(0!3日龄)、后期仔鱼(4!27日龄)、稚鱼期(28!45日龄)、幼鱼期(46日龄以后);通过与其亲本早期发育进行比较发现,云纹石斑鱼(♀)与鞍带石斑鱼(♂)杂交子代具有一定的杂交优势。     

河川沙塘鳢3个不同地理群体杂交F_1代生长性能及遗传多样性

选取来自浙江建德、安徽当涂、江苏太湖3个不同地理群体的河川沙塘鳢,采用3×3完全双列杂交方式进行配组,对9个组合F1子代的生长性状及遗传多样性进行比较分析。通过对2月龄和4月龄F1子代的生长性状进行对比分析发现,建德(♂)×当涂(♀)杂交组合的全长增加率、质量增加率分别为42.58%、190.79%,建德×当涂(正反交)组合的全长杂交优势率、体质量杂交优势率分别为17.88%、66.75%,均高于其他组合。不同地理群体间的杂交F1子代的全长增加率、质量增加率、杂交优势率均高于同一地理群体间的自繁F1子代。采用8个微卫星引物分析获得9个组合F1子代的遗传分化指数平均值为0.195,表明9个组合子代间存在遗传差异与分化,其期望杂合度为0.1493~0.7971,观测杂合度为0.1562~1.0000。双列杂交子代的杂合度和遗传多样性高于自繁子代,其中建德(♂)×当涂(♀)组合的等位基因数、多态信息含量值分别为3.9和0.486,均高于其他组合。综合生长性能和遗传多样性,初步选择建德(♂)×当涂(♀)为最佳杂交组合。     

双列杂交法分析2个大菱鲆养殖群体的杂交效果

采用完全双列杂交法对2个大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)养殖群体:西班牙群体(S)和英国群体(E)进行群体间杂交及群体内自繁,得到了S(♂)×S(♀)、E(♂)×E(♀)、S(♂)×E(♀)和E(♂)×S(♀)4个组合的子一代。对各交配组合的受精率、孵化率、畸形率、30日龄和70日龄稚鱼的体长、体质量等指标进行比较,结果表明,杂交组与自繁组在受精率、孵化率及畸形率等方面均不存在显著性差异;但杂交组30日龄稚鱼和70日龄稚鱼的体长、体质量与自繁组相比,表现出不同程度的杂种优势,其中S(♂)×E(♀)组30日龄稚鱼的体长杂种优势达到5.43%,E(♂)×S(♀)组70日龄稚鱼体质量杂种优势达到25.00%。实验初步显示,不同养殖群体间的杂交有可能是大菱鲆遗传改良的一条有效途径。     

5种海水养殖石首鱼类肠道菌群多样性的比较

为探究海水养殖石首鱼类肠道菌群的结构特征及种间差异,本研究采用基于Illumina Hiseq2500测序平台的高通量测序技术,对福建宁德三都澳养殖的5种石首鱼类(大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)、黄姑鱼(Nibea albiflora)、鮸状黄姑鱼(Nibea miichthyoides)、鮸鱼(Miichthys miiuy)、眼斑拟石首鱼(Sciaenops ocellatus))的肠道菌群进行了16S rDNA V3-V4区测序。各样本得到unique tags的数目在20351到43347之间,上述5种鱼类分别得到479、626、603、518和556个OTUs(operational taxonomic units),分类注释结果显示,这些OUT隶属33个门273个属。5种石首鱼类肠道内容物和肠道壁的样品均以变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)和厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)细菌为主要优势菌群,约占总菌量的70%,在大黄鱼肠道菌群中,螺旋菌门细菌占比达26.19%,也是其主要优势菌群;在属水平上,Bacillus、Photobacterium、Vibrio、Chryseobacterium、Sphingomonas、Pseudomonas等属细菌是5种养殖石首鱼类的主要类别。对养殖石首鱼类的肠道菌群多样性的分析表明,Shannon’s 群落多样性指数：黄姑鱼>鮸状黄姑鱼>眼斑拟石首鱼>鮸鱼>大黄鱼;各种鱼类的肠道内容物菌群的多样性均高于肠道壁;对不同鱼类间的肠道菌群差异性分析显示,大黄鱼与眼斑拟石首鱼之间肠道菌群的相似度要高于黄姑鱼、鮸状黄姑鱼和鮸鱼,而黄姑鱼、鮸状黄姑鱼和鮸鱼之间的相似度较高。综上所述,5种海水养殖石首鱼类肠道菌群中存在有自身特色的核心菌群,肠道菌群结构的差异与种类间的系统进化关系相似,证明肠道菌群结构与宿主遗传因素密切相关。     

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.