黄条仔稚幼鱼消化酶活性变化研究

为了解黄条(Seriola aureovittata)早期发育阶段的消化生理特性,测定了黄条胚胎、仔稚幼鱼阶段脂肪酶、淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶和碱性磷酸酶活性变化。结果显示,在黄条仔鱼出膜前胚胎阶段,即能检测到脂肪酶、淀粉酶和碱性磷酸酶活性;初孵仔鱼体内(1 d)初次检测出胰蛋白酶的活性。脂肪酶和碱性磷酸酶比活力在仔鱼孵化后迅速增强(P<0.05),在4 d开口时,2种酶比活力达最高值;淀粉酶比活力在7 d时达最大值;胰蛋白酶比活力在仔鱼阶段缓慢上升,15 d时比活力最大。稚鱼阶段内脏团中脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶活性基本维持稳定,幼鱼阶段内脏团脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶活性都呈现上升趋势;稚鱼和幼鱼阶段内脏团中淀粉酶活性下降并基本稳定于较低水平。研究表明,黄条仔稚幼鱼发育过程中,各种消化酶活性变化明显,且与其发育阶段和食性密切相关。在尚未摄食饵料的早期仔鱼体内已存在消化酶,认为其是母源传递而来,不是由外源性饵料所致;幼鱼阶段内脏团脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶比活力明显提高,这反映出随苗种生长发育,其肠道结构和消化机能逐渐完善,并且对脂肪、蛋白质的需求逐渐增强。     

黄条鰤仔稚幼鱼消化酶活性变化研究

为了解黄条鰤(Seriola aureovittata)早期发育阶段的消化生理特性，测定了黄条鰤胚胎、仔稚幼鱼阶段脂肪酶、淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶和碱性磷酸酶活性变化。结果显示，在黄条鰤仔鱼出膜前胚胎阶段，即能检测到脂肪酶、淀粉酶和碱性磷酸酶活性；初孵仔鱼体内(1 d)初次检测出胰蛋白酶的活性。脂肪酶和碱性磷酸酶比活力在仔鱼孵化后迅速增强(P<0.05)，在4 d开口时，2种酶比活力达最高值；淀粉酶比活力在7 d时达最大值；胰蛋白酶比活力在仔鱼阶段缓慢上升，15 d时比活力最大。稚鱼阶段内脏团中脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶活性基本维持稳定，幼鱼阶段内脏团脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶活性都呈现上升趋势；稚鱼和幼鱼阶段内脏团中淀粉酶活性下降并基本稳定于较低水平。研究表明，黄条鰤仔稚幼鱼发育过程中，各种消化酶活性变化明显，且与其发育阶段和食性密切相关。在尚未摄食饵料的早期仔鱼体内已存在消化酶，认为其是母源传递而来，不是由外源性饵料所致；幼鱼阶段内脏团脂肪酶、碱性磷酸酶和胰蛋白酶比活力明显提高，这反映出随苗种生长发育，其肠道结构和消化机能逐渐完善，并且对脂肪、蛋白质的需求逐渐增强。     

中华倒刺鲃仔稚鱼期消化酶及碱性磷酸酶活性变化的研究

本试验选取了中华倒刺鲃从初孵仔鱼到30日龄稚鱼，分析测定了中华倒刺鲃的特定生长率、胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶和碱性磷酸酶的活性。结果表明：在整个试验期间，中华倒刺鲃的SGR为26.43%。在初孵仔鱼体内就能检测到胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶和碱性磷酸酶的活性。胰蛋白酶在内源营养阶段具有较高的活性，在4日龄开口时其比活力降到一较低值，随后呈现增加的趋势，在18日龄达到最低值后又缓慢增加。淀粉酶在试验期间表现出较高的活性，比活力一直呈增加的趋势。脂肪酶在18日龄前其比活力一直增加，并且在7-18日龄表现出较高的比活力水平，18日龄后快速下降。碱性磷酸酶活性则呈现出一直增加的趋势。     

厚颌鲂仔稚鱼消化酶活性变化研究

测定了厚颌鲂(Megalobrama pellegrini)仔稚鱼从出膜到30日龄的生长、可溶性蛋白含量及消化酶活性。结果表明:初孵仔鱼即能检测到胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶活性,2日龄检测到碱性磷酸酶活性。投喂组可溶性蛋白含量随日龄的增加显著增加(P<0.05),饥饿组可溶性蛋白含量6日龄前增加不显著,6日龄后开始下降。所测消化酶的全活力与比活力呈现出不同的变化模式。各消化酶的全活力基本是随日龄的增加而增加。投喂组胰蛋白酶比活力在10日龄达最大值,随后显著下降;饥饿组胰蛋白酶比活力在4日龄达最大值,随后显著下降。投喂组淀粉酶在5日龄达到最大值,从6日龄到12日龄维持在一个较低水平,随后增加至15日龄的(0.912±0.090)mU/mg,在试验后期均维持在一个相对较低的水平;饥饿组淀粉酶比活力的最大值出现在1日龄,从2日龄到8日龄变化不显著,8日龄后显著下降。投喂组脂肪酶比活力在18日龄达最大值,随后显著下降;饥饿组脂肪酶比活力1日龄到6日龄变化不显著,6日龄后显著下降。投喂组碱性磷酸酶比活力从2日龄到12日龄显著上升,12日龄达到最大值,随后显著下降;饥饿组碱性磷酸酶比活力从2日龄到8日龄显著上升,8日龄达到最大值,随后显著下降。     

六斑刺鲀仔稚鱼发育过程中消化酶和非特异性免疫因子的活性变化

为解决六斑刺鲀(Diodon holocanthus)初孵仔鱼高死亡率问题,研究了六斑刺鲀从初孵仔鱼到稚鱼(0～40 d)消化酶活性和非特异性免疫指标的变化。结果显示:六斑刺鲀仔稚鱼全长与日龄呈指数相关。初孵仔鱼体内就可检测到淀粉酶、胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性。在整个实验周期内,淀粉酶和胰蛋白酶活性呈现先上升后下降再上升的变化趋势,淀粉酶活性在20 d时达到最高,胰蛋白酶活性在10 d时达到最高,两者整体酶活随日龄都有所增加且胰蛋白酶增加更为明显;脂肪酶活性呈现先下降后上升再下降的变化趋势,1～5 d时酶活性快速降低,5～10 d时又显著升高,15～20 d时又迅速降低并维持在较低水平;胃蛋白酶在1～15 d时活性逐渐上升并在15 d时达到最高,之后缓慢下降并维持低值。溶菌酶(LZM)和免疫球蛋白M(IgM)活性都呈现先上升后下降的变化趋势;IgM活性在10 d时达到最高,LZM活性在5 d时最高,之后两者都波动地缓慢下降并最终维持在较低值。以上结果表明:尚未摄食的六斑刺鲀初孵仔鱼体内已存在各种消化酶,仔稚鱼消化酶活性变化与其发育阶段和饵料种类密切相关。非特异性免疫指标在六斑刺鲀仔稚鱼由内源性营养向外源性营养转变的混合营养期显著上升,之后缓慢下降到较低水平,说明营养转变过程对仔稚鱼的免疫功能影响较大,非特异性免疫指标的升高增强了仔稚鱼的抗病能力,提高了养殖成活率。     

蓝宝石鱼仔稚鱼发育过程中各消化酶活性变化的研究

对蓝宝石鱼仔稚鱼从破膜至25日龄时的可溶性蛋白含量及各种消化酶活性进行了测定。结果表明，在仔鱼出膜后第1天，均能检测到活性，而胃蛋白酶活性在第613龄后才明显检测到，并趋于稳定。可溶性蛋白的含量随日龄的增加而增加。蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶的活性随着仔稚鱼的发育而发生变化，其全活力与比活力呈现出不同的变化模式。蛋白酶比活力在仔鱼7日龄时达到最大值，之后随日龄的增加比活力降低，并趋于稳定。淀粉酶比活力从1日龄逐渐增加，至7日龄达到最大值，之后一直维持在一较低水平。脂肪酶的全活力与比活力呈现出完全不同的变化方式，全活力从3日龄到6日龄逐渐增加，到6层龄达到最大值，以后急剧下降；刚破膜时，比活力有较高的水平，后来始终降低．但在5～6日龄有所减缓。10日龄后脂肪酶的全活力、比活力都处于较低水平，12日龄时已经无法检出。蓝宝石鱼发育过程中，主要消化酶活性随着生长变化显著，反映蓝宝石鱼随生长其消化功能逐渐完善。     

瓦氏黄颡鱼仔稚鱼发育过程中消化酶活性变化研究

测定了瓦氏黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus vachelli)仔稚鱼从出膜至30日龄时的生长、可溶性蛋白含量及消化酶活性.结果表明,在仔鱼出膜后第1天,蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶均能检测到活性,而胃蛋白酶活性在第22日龄才检测到.可溶性蛋白的含量随日龄的增加而增加.蛋白酶、淀粉酶、脂肪酶的活性随着仔稚鱼的发育而发生变化,其全活力与比活力呈现出不同的变化模式.蛋白酶比活力在仔鱼4日龄时达到最大值(4.193±0.04)U/mg protein;之后随日龄的增加比活力降低,直至15日龄达到最小值(0.452±0.07)U/mg protein.之后从15日龄到30日龄比活力逐渐增加.淀粉酶比活力从1日龄逐渐增加,至4日龄达到最大值(4.611±0.12)U/mg protein,从10日龄到18日龄维持在一较低水平,随后随日龄的增加淀粉酶比活力增加.脂肪酶比活力从1日龄到3日龄逐渐增加,到3日龄达到最大值(4.398±0.07)U/mgprotein,3日龄以后直到30日龄,脂肪酶比活力随日龄的增加而降低,并且一直处于一较低的水平.瓦氏黄颡鱼发育过程中,主要消化酶活性随生长变化显著,反映瓦氏黄颡鱼随着生长其消化功能逐渐完善.     

大弹涂鱼仔稚鱼和早期幼鱼的消化酶活性

采用酶学分析的方法，研究了大弹涂鱼前期仔鱼、后期仔鱼、稚鱼和早期幼鱼发育过程中胰腺酶、肠酶和胃蛋白酶活性的变化。结果表明，(1)4种胰腺酶(淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶、糜蛋白酶和羧肽酶A)和8种肠酶(麦芽糖酶、蔗糖酶、乳糖酶、海藻糖酶、纤维二糖酶、碱性磷酸酶、氨基肽酶和γ-谷氨酰转肽酶)的比活力均在仔鱼期较高，稚鱼期降至最低，早期幼鱼则急剧上升，而每尾鱼酶的总活力却随着幼体的发育而逐渐增加；(2)胃蛋白酶活性在后期仔鱼才开始检测到，此后一直呈显著上升趋势；(3)早期幼鱼肠部位的4种胰腺酶活性分别占其酶总活性的百分比均显著高于稚鱼期；(4) 稚鱼期仅3种肠酶(麦芽糖酶、纤维二糖酶和γ-谷氨酰转肽酶)高度富积在肠刷状缘膜上，而早期幼鱼除蔗糖酶外的7种肠酶在肠刷状缘膜上的富集系数均大于5.1。由此得出结论，(1)在仔鱼期，蛋白质的消化是依靠胰腺酶进行的，进入稚鱼期，胃蛋白酶开始对蛋白质的消化起重要作用；(2)在早期幼鱼，胰腺分泌机制及肠细胞已完全成熟，标志着成鱼的消化模式的形成。     

五条鰤早期生长发育特征及胚胎发育的温度适应特性

本研究采用显微摄像与形态度量的方法,首次系统观察和描述了五条鰤(Seriola quinqueradiata)胚胎和仔稚幼鱼阶段生长发育的形态与数量特征。结果显示,五条鰤成熟卵子为透明的圆球形浮性卵,卵径长为1.26~1.36 mm,单油球。在水温(22.0±0.5)℃、盐度30、pH 7.6~8.0的条件下,历时35 h 15 min孵化出膜。胚胎发育过程可分为卵裂前期、卵裂期、囊胚期、原肠期、神经胚期、器官发生期、肌肉效应期和脱膜孵化期8个时期。初孵仔鱼全长为(4.03±0.27) mm,卵黄囊呈长椭圆形,长度约为全长的3/8。3 DAH(day after hetching, DAH)仔鱼全长为(16.23±1.61) mm,开口,转入混合营养期,开口饵料为轮虫(Brachionus plicatilis)。6 DAH仔鱼全长为(4.93±0.17) mm,卵黄囊消耗殆尽,鳔开始充气。10 DAH仔鱼全长为(5.21±0.23) mm,油球消耗完毕,完全进入外源性营养阶段。15 DAH仔鱼全长为(6.24±0.66) mm,脊椎末端开始弯曲,至25 DAH时,稚鱼全长为(10.25±1.35) mm,弯曲过程完成,开始摄食卤虫无节幼体(Artemia salina)。30 DAH稚鱼全长为(16.23±1.61) mm,开始进行配合饲料转化;40 DAH稚鱼全长为(28.07±2.32) mm,苗种摄食配合饲料良好。65 DAH幼鱼全长为(81.49±5.11) mm,体态与成体相似。研究表明,五条鰤胚胎孵化的适宜温度范围为22℃~24℃。研究结果可为构建稳定的五条鰤苗种培育技术提供依据,保障深远海养殖优质种苗生产与供给。     

胭脂鱼仔鱼的生长和消化酶活力变化

对胭脂鱼(Myxocyprinus asiaticus)孵化后1～37 d仔鱼的体长、体重、RNA/DNA比率、胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶的酶活力变化进行了测定。结果显示:胭脂鱼仔鱼1～37 d体长稳定增长。体重增加呈阶段性,在1～21 d体重增长缓慢,21～29 d体重增加较快,29～37 d体重快速增加。仔鱼从7 d开始摄食,1～6 d,RNA/DNA比率变化很小,蛋白含量逐渐降低;7～21 d,RNA/DNA比率波动较大,蛋白含量增长缓慢;21～37 d,RNA/DNA比率和蛋白质均增长迅速。生长率(GR)与RNA/DNA比率的回归方程为:GR=1.01RNA/DNA+1.6077(R2=0.8516)。从2、5和7 d开始分别检测到明显的胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶活力,之后,消化酶活力随着发育先快速地上升然后波动性地下降到一个稳定水平。结果表明:胭脂鱼仔鱼从内源性到外源性营养转化过程中,不同的消化酶能够检测到明显酶活力的时间不同,到仔鱼开始摄食时已经具备消化蛋白质、脂肪和淀粉的能力;RNA/DNA比率可以作为判定仔鱼生长率的可靠指标。     

Changes in digestive enzyme activities during larval development of leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea)

The leopard grouper is an endemic species of the Mexican Pacific with an important commercial fishery and good aquaculture potential. In order to assess the digestive capacity of this species during the larval period and aid in the formulation of adequate weaning diets, this study aimed to characterize the ontogeny of digestive enzymes during development of the digestive system. Digestive enzymes trypsin, chymotrypsin, acid protease, leucine–alanine peptidase, alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase N, lipase, amylase and maltase were quantified in larvae fed live prey and weaned onto a formulated microdiet at 31 days after hatching (DAH) and compared with fasting larvae. Enzyme activity for trypsin, lipase and amylase were detected before the opening of the mouth and the onset of exogenous feeding, indicating a precocious development of the digestive system that has been described in many fish species. The intracellular enzyme activity of leucine–alanine peptidase was high during the first days of development, with a tendency to decrease as larvae developed, reaching undetectable levels at the end of the experimental period. In contrast, activities of enzymes located in the intestinal brush border (i.e., aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase) were low at the start of exogenous feeding but progressively increased with larval development, indicating the gradual maturation of the digestive system. Based on our results, we conclude that leopard grouper larvae possess a functional digestive system at hatching and before the onset of exogenous feeding. The significant increase in the activity of trypsin, lipase, amylase and acid protease between 30 and 40 DAH suggests that larvae of this species can be successfully weaned onto microdiets during this period.     

Ontogenetic development of digestive enzymes in yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi larvae

The development of digestive enzymes was examined in laboratory-reared yellowtail kingfish larvae from hatching to 36 days after hatching (DAH). The specific activities of amylase, lipase, and alkaline phosphatase showed three distinct phases: a sharp increase in enzyme activity from hatching to the onset of exogenous feeding on 3 DAH, followed by a fluctuation and a general decline toward 18 DAH, and then a period of low activity from 18 to 36 DAH. The total activities of these three enzymes showed a gradual increase from hatching to 18 DAH, followed by a sharp increase toward 36 DAH. In contrast to other enzymes, the specific and total activities of trypsin reached the maximum on 15 DAH and 24 DAH, respectively, and then both activities declined to low levels toward 36 DAH. The dynamics of digestive enzymes corresponded to the anatomical development of the digestive system. The enzyme activities tend to be stable after the formation of gastric glands in the stomach on 15 DAH. The composition of digestive enzymes indicates that yellowtail kingfish is able to digest protein, lipid and carbohydrates at an early stage. However, due to the low level of amylase specific activity after 18 DAH, the carbohydrate component should remain at a low level in formulated diets for fish larvae.     

Growth and ontogenetic development of digestive functionality in black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis)

The function of digestive physiology during ontogenetic development is essential to ensure high survival and growth rates. In order to evaluate the digestive physiological capacity of the black Amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis), changes of morphology and digestive enzyme activity (trypsin, lipase, amylase, pepsin, leucine aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase) in larvae were examined from hatching to 40 days after hatching (DAH). Results indicated that fluctuation patterns differed between the total and specific activities of the digestive enzymes. The total activities of these six enzymes gradually increased throughout the fish growth. The specific activity of trypsin peaked at 5 DAH and then decreased dramatically, while it increased remarkably again from 8 to 10 DAH and remained stable level after 20 DAH. Pepsin activity was first examined in M. terminalis at 15 DAH and gradually elevated towards the end of the experiment. The specific activity of lipase displayed obvious peaks at 5 and 20 DAH. For the amylase, its specific activity reached plateau at 4 DAH, underwent sharp decrease, and remained stable after 20 DAH. In addition, we found that the specific activity of alkaline phosphatase raised significantly from hatching to 5 DAH, and tended to keep slight fluctuation after 15 DAH. From the above, we concluded that the specific activities of digestive enzymes in the larvae varied constantly from 3 to 20 DAH and turned relatively stable after 20 DAH. The present study provides effective information that is useful to improve the seedling cultivation and the technology for healthy breeding.     

Developmental changes in digestive enzyme activity in American shad, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alosa sapidissima</Emphasis>, during early ontogeny

In order to assess the digestive physiological capacity of the American shad Alosa sapidissima and to establish feeding protocols that match larval nutritional requirements, we investigated the ontogenesis of digestive enzymes (trypsin, amylase, lipase, pepsin, alkaline phosphatase, and leucine aminopeptidase) in larvae, from hatching to 45 days after hatching (DAH). We found that all of the target enzymes were present at hatching, except pepsin, which indicated an initial ability to digest nutrients and precocious digestive system development. Trypsin rapidly increased to a maximum at 14 DAH. Amylase sharply increased until 10 DAH and exhibited a second increase at 33 DAH, which coincided with the introduction of microdiet at 30 DAH, thereby suggesting that the increase was associated with the microdiet carbohydrate content. Lipase increased until 14 DAH, decreased until 27 DAH, and then increased until 45 DAH. Pepsin was first detected at 27 DAH and then sharply increased until 45 DAH, which suggested the formation of a functional stomach. Both alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase markedly increased until 18 DAH, which indicated intestinal maturation. According to our results, we conclude that American shad larvae possess the functional digestive system before mouth opening, and the significant increases in lipase, amylase, pepsin, and intestinal enzyme activities between 27 and 33 DAH suggest that larvae can be successfully weaned onto microdiets around this age.     

Development of digestive enzyme activity in spotted rose snapper,Lutjanus guttatus (Steindachner, 1869) larvae

We describe digestive enzyme activity during the larval development of spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus. Trypsin, chymotrypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, pepsin, amylase, lipase, and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities were evaluated using spectrophotometric techniques from hatching through 30 days. The spotted rose snapper larvae present the same pattern of digestive enzyme activity previously reported for other species in which pancreatic (i.e., trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase) and intestinal (i.e., acid and alkaline phosphatases and leucine aminopeptidase) enzymatic activities are present from hatching allowing the larvae to digest and absorb nutrients in the yolk-sac and live prey by the time of first feeding. The digestive and absorption capacity of the spotted rose snapper increases during the larval development. A significant increase in individual activity of all enzymes occurs at 20 DAH, and around 25 DAH, the juvenile-type of digestion is observed with the appearance of pepsin secreted by the stomach, suggesting that maturation of the digestive function occurs around 20–25 DAH. Our results are in agreement with a previous suggestion that early weaning may be possible from 20 DAH. However, the patterns of enzymatic activities reported in our study should be considered during the formulation of an artificial diet for early weaning of the spotted rose snapper.     

Ontogenetic development of digestive enzymes in larval and juvenile crimson snapper Lutjanus erythopterus (Bloch 1790)

Ontogenetic development of digestive system in crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythopterus Bloch 1790) larvae was histologically and enzymatically (alkaline phosphatase, amylase, lipase, pepsin, trypsin) examined from hatching to 36 days post hatching (DPH). The ontogenetic development of crimson snapper larval fish ontogeny was divided into three distinct phases: phase I starting from hatch to the onset of exogenous feeding, phase II starting from first feeding (2–3 DPH) until the formation of gastric glands (13–14 DPH) and phase III beginning from the appearance of gastric glands and continuing onwards. The specific activities of amylase, lipase, trypsin showed sharp increase and reached to the maximum from hatch to 4 DPH, 10 DPH, 20 DPH, respectively, followed by a declining trend with irregular fluctuation. In contrast to other enzymes, the specific activities of alkaline phosphatase showed a gradual increase from hatch to 29 DPH, followed by a sharp increase towards 36 DPH. The specific activity of pepsin was firstly detected on 17 DPH and gradually increased towards the end of this study. The total activities of these five enzymes showed a gradual increase till 29 DPH, followed by a sharp increase towards 36 DPH except for amylase and lipase reaching maximum at 32 DPH. The present study provides better understanding of the digestive ontogeny of crimson snapper during the larval stage and a guide to feeding and weaning of this economically important fish in hatcheries.     

Ontogenic changes in the digestive enzyme activities and the effect of different starvation duration on the digestive enzyme activities of larval red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

This study was performed to determine the effect of starvation and delayed feeding on activities of digestive enzymes and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of larval red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), so as to reveal the tolerance to prolonged starvation and the recovery of digestive enzymes after delayed feeding in larval and juvenile P. clarkii. In the control group, activities of trypsin and ALP increased significantly (p < .05) with day‐age and then kept constant at 24 days after hatching (DAH) and 10 DAH, respectively, whereas the activities of amylase and pepsin increased firstly then decreased with day‐age, and the activity of lipase increased firstly then decreased and then increased again during the development period of juvenile P. clarkii (1–31 DAH). In the group with continuous starvation (CS), activities of pepsin and lipase both decreased (p < .05) after fasting, and the activities of pepsin, lipase and trypsin in the groups with delayed feeding all increased (p < .05) and recover to the levels of the control group after food supply. However, the activity of amylase increased (p < .05) in the CS group, and it decreased to normal level after food supply. The ALP activity did not significantly (p > .05) vary after starvation, whereas it decreased in the groups with delayed feeding after 1 day of food supply, and then increased back to the level similar with the control group. Results from this study could provide information for diet preparation and feeding regime in larval and juvenile red swamp crayfish culture.     

Ontogenic development of the digestive enzymes in common pandora, Pagellus erythrinus, L. larvae

Ontogenic development of some digestive enzymes (proteases, amylase and lipase) in common pandora Pagellus erythrinus larva was assayed during larval development. The green‐water technique was employed for larval rearing, and whole‐body homogenates were used for enzymatic assays in triplicate. Important alterations in specific activities of all digestive enzymes measured during the period of this study were mostly related to metamorphosis and weaning. Mouth opening was observed on day 3 at 2.23±0.01 mm total length synchronously with the first determination of trypsin and chymotrypsin activities. After this date, the specific activities of these slightly increased until 25 days after hatching (DAH), respectively, and then slightly decreased and changed. The pattern determined for pepsin was strongly related to stomach formation on day 25 at 9.72±2.3 mm total length and a sharp increase was found until 30 DAH and then a slight decrease was measured from this date until the end of the experiment. Both amylase and lipase were measured for the first time on days 2 and 4, respectively, and also the specific activities of these showed similar patterns during the first week of the study. Then, slight variations were observed until 30 DAH and while lipase‐specific activity had declined, an increase in the specific activity of amylase was found until the end of the experiment. Finally, it is thought that the variations observed in the specific activity in the profile of digestive enzymes were related to either metamorphosis such as formation of stomach (25 DAH) or to changes in characteristics of food (30 DAH). The pattern of development of the main digestive enzymes found in P. erythrinus is similar to that described in other Sparid species.