银鲳仔鱼消化系统的组织学研究

对出膜后1~12 d银鲳(Pampus argenteus)仔鱼的消化系统进行了形态学和组织学观察。在水温为22~24℃和盐度25~28情况下,初孵仔鱼具很大的卵黄囊,消化管为一简单的直形盲管,管腔狭窄,口和肛门尚未与外界接通。3 d仔鱼消化系统分化加快,在卵黄囊凹陷部位出现2~3个弯曲,已初步分化出食道、胃、肠和肝脏,肠管也变粗。4 d仔鱼消化系统各器官初步形成。5 d仔鱼出现侧囊,并见部分卵黄囊和油球。7 d卵黄囊和油球基本被完全吸收,仔鱼主动摄食轮虫和小球藻,从内源性营养向外源性营养的过渡基本完成。12 d以后仔鱼肝脏明显分为两叶,体积增大;幽门盲囊指状分支已增加到几十根;食道、胃和肠的黏膜皱褶明显增多和加深,肠黏膜上皮细胞高度增加,游离面纹状缘发达;胃黏膜的单层柱状上皮高度和胃腺细胞数量也明显增加;但整个消化道的黏膜下层、肌肉层均不发达,说明12 d仔鱼已具初步消化和吸收功能     

湘华鲮仔、稚鱼消化系统发育组织学观察

采用连续石蜡切片、苏木精-伊红染色技术, 对湘华鲮[Sinilabeo decorus tungting (Nichols)]出膜后 2~80 d 的仔稚鱼消化系统发生进行研究。结果表明, 2 日龄的仔鱼口、咽腔、肠腔、肛门形成, 但口咽腔未贯通; 肝细胞紧紧围绕着前肠周围, 形成肝细胞索。4 日龄, 消化道上皮细胞开始功能性分化; 肝细胞团增多, 填充于卵黄囊与消化道间, 胞质着色较浅初现肝血窦; 消化道贯通, 仔鱼由内源性营养向混合性营养转变。6 日龄口裂加深, 呈“＞” 形, 吻部初具形状, 初现黏液细胞; 咽喉胼胝垫出现角质化, 鳃弓黏膜上皮增厚, 初现黏液细胞和味蕾; 食道肌层变厚, 环形肌为主; 肝细胞间形成大量空泡, 肝细胞变小; 肠表皮出现皱褶和纹状缘, 前肠到后肠皱褶逐渐变短, 杯状细胞增多。9 日龄咽后部的胼胝垫处肌层发达, 胼胝垫对侧的黏膜层开始凹陷形成皱褶; 食管环肌发达, 纵肌不明显; 肠道均分布有杯状细胞, 后肠段最多。10 日龄, 唇部细胞出现角质化趋势, 胼胝垫表面形成梳状突起。13 日龄, 卵黄囊完全消失, 混合性营养转变为外源性营养。37 日龄, 稚鱼肝胰脏、食管组织结构均似成鱼, 发育基本完成。43 日龄, 口咽腔、鳃与肠道组织发育基本完成。本研究将湘华鲮仔稚鱼消化系统的发育分为 3 个阶段, 即卵黄期、混合性营养及外源性营养阶段。研究发现, 湘华鲮消化器官组织结构的发育和变化, 始终是与食性的转变相适应的。湘华鲮其仔稚鱼消化系统组织学研究可为湘华鲮苗种培育中饵料管理提供理论依据, 对提高湘华鲮人工养殖的存活率和生长性能具有重要意义。     

梭鱼仔、稚、幼鱼消化系统胚后发育的组织学观察

利用形态学和连续组织切片技术,在光镜下系统观察了出膜后1~39 d的梭鱼(Liza haematocheila)仔、稚、幼鱼各期的消化系统发育特征。结果表明,在水温20~22℃时,梭鱼受精卵经50~54 h孵化,初孵仔鱼消化道仅由一条原始的消化管组成。孵出后第4天,上下颌形成,卵黄囊被吸收,消化管盘曲,第一盘曲处形成胃雏形,第二盘曲处及之后形成前肠和后肠,肛门形成并与外界贯通。孵化后第7天,卵黄囊被完全吸收,油球渐小至消失,孵化后第8天,消化系统明显分化成食道、胃、肠、直肠以及肝和胰等,仔鱼由内源性营养向外源性摄食营养过渡。此后,随着仔鱼的生长发育,胃黏膜层的褶皱数量增加,管壁增厚,内腔增大。稚鱼后期,梭鱼苗各鳍初步形成,分化出鳍条,孵化后18 d,幽门盲囊形成,胃腺出现,标志着稚鱼开始消化外源性蛋白,同时,消化道上皮细胞进一步分化,肌层增厚,肠道分段、盘曲,稚鱼食性开始向植食性转换。在此以后,消化系统从功能和结构上逐步地完善成熟。结果表明,梭鱼消化系统的发育与仔、稚、幼鱼的生长、形态发育和消化系统功能的完善相一致。     

大口黑鲈开口摄食与转食人工配合饲料期消化系统发育特征

本研究利用组织切片和扫描电镜技术，观察和研究了2~30日龄大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)仔鱼消化系统的发育过程及组织学变化。结果显示，在水温为(23±1)℃条件下，0~4日龄仔鱼消化道初步分化，为内源性营养期；4~6日龄仔鱼消化道逐渐分化形成食道、胃和肠，胃和肠黏膜褶形成，肝胰脏细胞团出现，仔鱼具备基本摄食能力，进入混合性营养期；10~16日仔鱼消化道和消化腺结构分明，胃、幽门盲囊、肠道紧密排列，肝脏和胰脏独立，进入外源性营养期，此阶段后可逐步转食人工配合饲料。20~30日仔鱼胃腺发达，胃和肠道出现次级黏膜褶，幽门盲囊黏膜褶显著增多、增长，肝脏逐渐出现脂肪积累区，胰脏可见酶原分泌颗粒，肝胰脏组织结构近似成鱼。扫描电镜显示，30日仔鱼胃部内表皮具有丰富的网状黏膜褶，胃小凹间分布着密集的分泌孔；幽门盲囊和肠道内表面结构相似，无固定形态的黏膜褶上布满黏液细胞和分泌孔。20日龄后仔鱼具备转食人工配合饲料的能力。此外，在仔鱼开口和转食人工配合饲料过程中，部分死亡个体的胃肠组织表现出腔体扩大或皱缩，内表皮无成型的黏膜褶或黏膜层脱落，胃和肠道组织损伤。本研究可为大口黑鲈仔鱼开口和转食人工配合饲料条件的优化提供组织学基础资料。     

暗纹东方鱼屯仔鱼期消化系统的组织学研究

对出膜后1～18 d的暗纹东方鲀仔鱼的消化系统进行了形态学和组织学观察.当水温为23℃时,6日龄仔鱼的上下颌已形成,开始摄食;12日龄仔鱼的卵黄囊已被吸收,此时仔鱼由混合性营养转向外源性营养.描述了消化系统发育过程的组织学结构特征,并采用图像分析比较了卵黄囊与消化器官发育的消长过程.     

暗纹东方鲀仔鱼期消化系统的组织学研究

对出膜后1～18d的暗纹东方鲀仔鱼的消化系统进行了形态学和组织学观察。当水温为23℃时，6日龄仔鱼的上下颌已形成，开始摄食；12日龄仔鱼的卵黄囊已被吸收，此时仔鱼由混合性营养转向外源性营养。描述了消化系统发育过程的组织学结构特征，并采用图像分析比较了卵黄囊与消化器官发育的消长过程。     

江鳕胚后形态发育特征

在直径2m的圆形玻璃钢槽内,水深0.3m,弱光,水温6～16℃下,详细观察了江鳕（Lota lota Linnaeus）胚后发育过程。结果表明,依形态发育,将出膜后的江鳕发育分为两个阶段（仔鱼期和稚鱼期）11个发育期。仔鱼期分为卵黄囊期仔鱼和后期仔鱼,历时62d;卵黄囊期仔鱼由单独依靠内源营养至混合营养过程,包括孵出期、胸鳍形成期、鳃弧期、鳔形成期和腹鳍形成期,历时31d;后期仔鱼从卵黄囊和油球消失,仔鱼完全依靠外源营养到各鳍基本形成为止,包括卵黄消失期、尾鳍形成期、背鳍分化期和臀鳍形成期,历时31d。稚鱼期包括鳞片出现期和鳞片形成期,历时5d。卵黄囊期仔鱼生长发育缓慢,后期仔鱼期和稚鱼期生长发育较快。     

黄条鰤早期生长发育特征

观察和记录了黄条鰤(Seriolaaureovittata)早期生活史阶段生长发育的形态与数量特征,描述了胚胎和仔稚幼鱼各发育阶段的表观特征与生长特性。黄条鰤成熟卵子为透明的圆球形浮性卵,卵径(1.48±0.04)mm,单油球,油球径(0.37±0.02) mm。在水温(21.5±0.5)℃,盐度32, pH 8.0～8.2条件下,受精卵历经73 h 40 min破膜孵化。初孵仔鱼全长(4.23±0.39) mm,卵黄囊长椭圆形,长度约为全长的1/3。3日龄仔鱼全长(4.61±0.43) mm,开口,卵黄囊消耗95%,眼睛变为黑色,鳔原基形成。4日龄仔鱼全长(4.57±0.88) mm,肛门与外界联通,开始摄食轮虫。5日龄仔鱼全长(4.68±0.25) mm,卵黄囊耗尽,鳔开始充气。油球在8日龄消耗完毕,仔鱼全长(5.14±0.36) mm,完全进入外源性营养阶段。7日龄仔鱼全长(4.79±0.36) mm,鳔充气变为亮泡状。初孵仔鱼消化道细而直,随着仔鱼发育,消化道变得粗大,肠道内褶回增多,在10日龄仔鱼全长(5.19±0.37)mm,形成第一个肠道生理弯曲,15日龄仔鱼全长(5.71±0.50)mm,形成第二个肠道生理弯曲,消化能力不断增强。脊椎末端弯曲在15日龄开始,至25日龄全长(8.66±1.06)mm,弯曲过程完成。35日龄稚鱼全长(20.04±1.56)mm,各鳍条数与成鱼一致。60日龄幼鱼全长(65.06±1.94) mm,鳞片形成。80日龄幼鱼全长(134.05±3.25) mm,体表出现一条纵向横贯眼睛和尾椎末端的浅黄色色素带,在体态上与成体无明显区别。     

西伯利亚鲟仔稚鱼胚后发育的形态学和组织学观察

应用形态学和组织学研究技术对西伯利亚鲟(Acipenser baerii)仔稚鱼发育进行了较详细的观察,通过外部形态变化和内部器官发育情况,对西伯利亚鲟仔稚鱼发育各阶段进行区分。在水温(18.0±1.0)℃,pH 7.0～7.5的条件下,初孵仔鱼平均全长(9.05±0.14)mm,出膜后7日内为早期仔鱼阶段,仔鱼以卵黄囊作为营养来源,视觉是主要的感觉功能;8日龄至22日龄为晚期仔鱼阶段,最显著的特点是卵黄囊已消失,仔鱼转为底栖生活,开始主动摄食,各鳍条及其支鳍软骨逐渐发育完善,视网膜、味蕾、嗅囊和壶腹等器官的分化基本完成;23日龄至57日龄为稚鱼期,主要从骨板开始生长到骨板形成,各器官发育完善,身体各部分比例、体形及体色基本上与成鱼一致为止。西伯利亚鲟主要感觉器官的发育特征与其他硬骨鱼类相比表现出一定的差异,这种差异性充分体现了西伯利亚鲟物种的古老性,在生物进化中占据着重要的地位。     

不同发育阶段的四指马鲅消化道组织学比较研究

采用常规石蜡切片和H-E染色技术研究不同发育阶段的四指马鲅(Eleutheronema tetradactylum)消化道的结构特征。结果显示:1)35日龄与43日龄稚鱼体态相似,体表被覆鳞片,背鳍、胸鳍、臀鳍、尾鳍发育健全,前者全长(12.850±1.280)mm,后者(15.600±1.600)mm。65日龄幼鱼消化道整体依次分为食道、胃部和肠道,胃部又分贲门部、幽门部、胃体部和盲囊部,在幽门部连接肠道处分布4束短小分散成菜花状的幽门盲囊;肠道系数为0.630±0.002,分前、中、后肠。成鱼食道、胃部、肠道直径增大;肠道系数为0.300±0.010。2)两阶段的稚鱼消化道组织结构发育基本与幼鱼、成鱼相似,消化管壁由内至外依次为黏膜层、黏膜下层、肌肉层和外膜。消化管内黏膜皱褶、胃腺、黏膜上皮杯状细胞的数量在稚鱼、幼鱼、成鱼之间呈递增趋势,体现结构和功能逐渐发育完善的规律。     

人工养殖银鲳子代胚胎发育及仔稚幼鱼形态观察

采用人工培育的子代银鲳(Pampus argentus)为亲本,对银鲳的胚胎及胚后各发育阶段的形态特征进行观察测量,以期为今后苗种培育和繁殖生物学研究提供参考资料.银鲳成熟卵子为端黄卵,单个油球,卵径(1.417±0.063)mm,油球径(0.575±0.031)mm.在水温(20.0±0.5)℃、盐度24±1,pH8.0～8.5条件下,受精卵经36 h孵化出膜.初孵仔鱼在水温19.0～24.0℃、盐度 23±1,pH8.0～8.5、光照2 000～3 000 lx条件下,经60 d培育成幼鱼.银鲳早期发育分前期仔鱼、后期仔鱼、稚鱼和幼鱼,前期仔鱼以卵黄囊吸收消化为主要形态特征;后期仔鱼分化出侧囊、食道、胃、幽门育囊和肝脏等消化器官,外形特征是鱼体腹两侧星状黑色素及金黄色斑点明显,背鳍和臀鳍鳍条原基出现,13日龄仔鱼全长(5.586±0.479)mm,体高((1.068±0.087)mm;稚鱼期消化器官进一步完善,脊索末端向上曲屈,随后尾下骨出现并且尾下骨末端与体轴倾斜,至35日龄尾下骨与体轴垂直,45日龄体高明显增高,全长(25.560±3.870)mm,体高(11.157±1.266)mm.幼鱼期胸鳍前端呈尖形,尾鳍上下两侧生长加快形成深叉状,鳞片完全长成,60 d时全长为(引.000±3.300)mm,体高达(19.750±1.620)mm,此时体形与成鱼已无差别.此外,本研究还对仔稚幼鱼的划分、鲳属鱼类中主要品种胚胎与仔稚鱼发育的异同点以及育苗中容易出现死亡的关键时期进行了分析探讨.     

四指马鲅(Eleutheronema tetradactylum)消化系统胚后发育组织学观察

运用组织学切片技术研究四指马鲅(Eleutheronema tetradactylum)出膜后1-30 d(Day after hatching,DAH)仔鱼的消化系统形态和结构的变化.结果显示,在温度29-32℃、盐度25-28、溶氧4.80-5.5 mg/L、pH 8.0-8.3条件下,1 DAH仔鱼消化管尚未分化,由紧贴腹壁和卵黄囊的肠管组成.卵黄囊在3 DAH时完全吸收完毕,仔鱼开口摄食,消化管也与外界相通,此后逐渐分化出食道、胃部和肠道,一定程度上能自主消化吸收食物维持自身生长,逐渐从内源性营养期过渡为外源性营养期.15 DAH时出现幽门盲囊和胃腺,消化道结构和功能成分进一步发育完善,消化能力显著提高,30 DAH仔鱼消化道具备与成体相似的结构和功能.肝脏和胰腺分别在2 DAH和5 DAH时分化,随着仔鱼的生长而快速发育,至30 DAH时具备与成体相似的结构和功能.四指马鲅消化系统的发育表现为结构与功能密切联系且逐渐发育成熟的特点.本研究根据四指马鲅消化系统的发育特点讨论了育苗过程中的三大危险期并提出应对措施.     

Embryonic and larval development of serpae tetra Hyphessobrycon eques (Steindachner, 1882)

In this study, the embryonic and larval development stages of one of the most important ornamental fish serpae tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) are described. The early life stage is documented from fertilization until the beginning of the juvenile period. The fertilized eggs (the average diameter = 938.55 ± 35.20 µm) were incubated at a water temperature of 26 ± 0.5°C. The cleavage finished in 1:10 hr (=h) and the early blastula stage occurred at 1:26 hr post fertilization (hpf). The gastrulation started at 3:05 hpf, and 50% epiboly was observed at 3:25 hpf. Segmentation stage was monitored at 7:26 hpf. Embryonic developmental stage was completed and hatching occurred 20–21 hpf. The total length (TL) of newly hatched larvae was 2.64 ± 0.21 mm. The larval development of serpae tetra was divided into four different periods: Yolk‐sac larva (1–4 DAH, TL = 2.77 ± 0.09 mm ‐ 3.85 ± 0.11 mm), preflexion larva (5–12 DAH), flexion larva (13–15 DAH, TL = 5.78 ± 0.46 mm on the 15th day) and post‐flexion larva (16–30 DAH, TL = 10.7 ± 0.27 mm on the 28th–30th days). The mouth and anus are closed at 1 DAH. The mouth and anus opened at 4 DAH. Exogenous feeding started on the 4th day. The first gulping of the swim bladder was on days 3. The larva begins to swim freely, and the yolk sac was completely consumed at 4 DAH. Histological structures of the eye and brain of new hatched larva were clearly identified at 1 day after hatching (DAH). According to histological findings, the digestive system (stomach, intestine) started to develop and the liver could be seen on the ventral side of the swim bladder at 5 DAH. No histological difference was observed between the anterior intestine and the posterior intestine at 15–16 DAH. The larval metamorphosis was completed, and the larvae transformed into juveniles at 28–30 DAH.     

The ontogeny of the alimentary tract during larval development in common pandora Pagellus erythrinus L.

The ontogenesis of the alimentary tract and its associated structures (liver, pancreas, gall bladder) was studied histologically in common pandora from hatching (0 DAH, days after hatching) until day 50 (50 DAH). Larvae were obtained by natural spawning from a broodstock adapted to captivity. They were stocked in 1500 l tanks supplied with Isochrysis galbana and Tetraselmis suecica from hatching until the Artemia feeding stage, at a temperature of 18.5–20 °C. Larvae were fed Selco-enriched Brachionus plicatilis from day 3, Artemia nauplii from day 28 and formulated feed from day 35. At hatching, the digestive tract was a histologically undifferentiated straight tube lying dorsally to the yolk sac. At first feeding (3–4 DAH) both the mouth and anus had opened and the digestive tract was differentiated into four portions: buccopharynx, oesophagus, incipient stomach and intestine. The pancreas, liver and gall bladder were also differentiated at this stage. Within 2 days after the commencement of exogenous feeding, the anterior intestinal epithelium showed large vacuoles indicating the capacity for absorption of lipids, whereas supranuclear ninhydrin-Schiff (NS) positive inclusions indicating protein absorption were observed in the posterior intestinal epithelium. Both the bile and main pancreatic ducts had opened in the anterior intestine, just after the pyloric sphincter, at this stage. Intestinal coiling was apparent since 4 DAH, while mucosal folding began at 10 DAH. Scattered PAS-positive mucous cells occurred in the oral cavity and the intestine, while they were largely diffused in the oesophagus. Gastric glands and pyloric caeca appeared at 28 DAH, indicating the transition from larval to juvenile stage and the acquisition of an adult mode of digestion.     

牙鲆消化道发育的组织学观察

牙鲆（Paralichthys olivaceus）肉质鲜美、营养价值高，是我国重要的海水养殖鱼类之一，同时，牙鲆二次变态显著，是研究硬骨鱼类变态发育很好的模式生物。在其变态过程前后，外型上最大的变化是其右眼的移位，内部器官如脑颅骨、骨骼肌等都发生结构和功能上的改变，而消化道的发育和分化，特别是其胃在变态前后有显著的变化。消化系统的发育关系到饵料的选择，与仔鱼成活率有直接关系，有较为重要的研究价值。[第一段]     

Ontogeny of the digestive tract of larval percula clownfish, Amphiprion percula (Lacépède 1802): a histological perspective

An understanding of the development of the digestive system of marine fish larvae is of critical importance in determining optimal feeding regimes for their culture. The present study provides information on the histomorphological development of the digestive system of clown fish, Amphiprion percula , larvae during the first month of life. Before hatching, clownfish larvae possess an alimentary tract, liver and pancreas with absorptive and digestive capabilities. The yolk sac is completely consumed within 5–7 days at 25 °C. Clownfish larvae readily accept rotifers after hatching and a complete dietary shift from rotifer to Artemia can be accomplished at 10 days after hatch (DAH). Gastric glands in the stomach first develop 11 DAH and proliferate by 15 DAH. Both non-staining vacuoles (NSV) and supranuclear inclusion vesicles (SIV) appear at 11 DAH in the midgut and hindgut respectively. Pinocytosis and extracellular digestion coexist for about 2 weeks after hatching. While SIV disappeared completely at 25 DAH, NSV continued to be a prominent feature of the midgut during the first month.     

怀头鲇、鲇及其杂交F↓（1）肝、胰脏胚后发育及卵黄吸收方式

利用形态学和组织连续切片技术,对怀头鲇（Silurus soldatovi）、鲇（Silurus asotus）及其杂交F1的肝、胰脏胚后发育和卵黄吸收方式进行对比观察.结果表明,3种鲇出膜后约2天在心脏后方有一肝细胞团,3天后肝细胞团逐步增大,4天后肝分叶.以后随着各种鲇生长速度不同肝、胰脏发育程度也不同.3种鲇的胰脏均为紧凑型,卵黄囊依照先卵黄球、后脂肪的顺序被吸收,3种鲇只有怀头鲇和杂交F1代卵黄吸收方式相同.出膜后4天,各鲇的卵黄均被全部吸收,腹腔上部大部分空间为肝脏占有,同时腹腔内出现结构简单的胃及肠.研究还发现肝脏的发育与卵黄囊密切有关.[中国水产科学,2006,13（3）：460-465]     

美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)消化系统胚后发育的组织学观察

通过形态学与连续组织切片的方法,对美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata) 1-34 d仔鱼消化系统的胚后发育进行系统观察,分析描述鱼体消化道(食道、胃与肠道)以及消化腺(肝脏与胰腺)的发育过程.对1-15 d仔鱼连续取样,每次取样30尾,15 d后隔天取样,每次取样15尾.结果显示,在水温为(24±1)℃、盐度为30-32的条件下,初孵仔鱼卵黄囊体积很大,消化管为封闭的管状结构.美洲黑石斑鱼孵出3d后,口裂形成、开始摄食,肛门与外界连通,消化道逐渐分化形成食道、胃及肠道,肝脏、胆囊和胰腺也逐渐形成.7d后,卵黄囊与油球基本消失,食道、胃部以及肠道黏膜褶皱开始形成,消化道黏膜上皮细胞逐渐分化,肝脏出现脂肪颗粒,仔鱼具备了基本的摄食能力.11d时,仔鱼食道可见黏液细胞,随日龄的增加上皮组织中黏液细胞数量迅速增多,褶皱日益丰富;胃部分化形成贲门部、胃本体与幽门部,胃壁褶皱不断增多、伸长;肝脏血窦与中央静脉明显.20d时,鱼体胃腺形成,说明胃部消化、吸收蛋白质的能力增强;肠道次级黏膜褶皱出现,肠圈与褶皱更加复杂化;胰脏分布有大量酶原颗粒.32 d时,仔鱼消化道组织结构分明,自腔面向内依次为黏膜层、黏膜下层、肌层与浆膜层,消化道与消化腺结构和功能逐步完善.仔鱼3-7 d为内源性营养向外源性营养过渡期,应及时提供充足适口的生物饵料,仔鱼20 d后可以逐渐驯化投喂微型配合饲料.     

Ontogenic development of enzymatic activity and digestive system in Jullien's golden carp (Probarbus jullieni Sauvage, 1880)

Ontogenic development of the main enzymes and histological structure of digestive organs were studied in Jullien's golden carp (Probarbus jullieni) from hatching until 50 days after hatching (DAH). The larval fish were produced by artificial insemination and fed only Moina sp. till end of experiment. Body weight (mg) and total length (cm) of Jullien's golden carp increased exponentially and linearly. The results indicate the fish weight grew fast with increasing rate, while length increased at a constant rate over the studied period. Up‐regulation of acid protease was observed in newly hatched larvae and the specific activity gradually decreased with time. Trypsin specific activity was relatively stable within the first 35 DAH, while fluctuations in chymotrypsin were observed. Among these three proteolytic enzymes, acid proteases exihibited relatively high specific activity in newly hatched larvae, suggesting a role in yolk protein degradation. Alkaline proteases became more prominent with age and correlated with an abrupt decrease in acid proteases. Increased lipase‐specific activity appeared within 3 DAH and then gradually decreased with time, indicating the capacity to digest yolk lipid reserve. Amylase and cellulase‐specific activities changed in a similar manner, and the sensitivity to time was higher in amylase than in cellulase. The digestive organs and accessory organs developed around 3–5 DAH. However, intestinal histology was almost fully developed around 18 DAH. These findings should be useful for deciding the preferred timing for weaning, as well as on developing artificial diets referenced to the physiological changes of digestive enzymes.     

Ontogeny of the digestive tract in butter catfish Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch) larvae

The ontogeny of the digestive tract was studied histologically in butter catfish Ompok bimaculatus from hatching to 30?days post-hatching (dph). At hatching, the digestive tract of butter catfish consisted of a straight tube with a smooth lumen dorsally attached to the yolk sac. Between 1 and 2 dph, the mouth opened, oral valves were visible and canine-like teeth and taste buds were detected. During this period, intestine was differentiated into the anterior and posterior intestine, and the digestive accessory glands were also developed. Exogenous feeding started at 2?dph, and there was a 2-day mixed endogenous–exogenous feeding period. Most of the yolk sac reserves were consumed between 2 and 3 dph, and by 5?dph, the yolk sac was completely depleted and no longer visible in histological sections. Between 3 and 4 dph, several vacuoles (neutral lipids) were observed in the intestine and also in hepatocytes, indicating a functional absorption of nutrients from food. At 8 dph, differentiation of gastric glands was noticed, and by 9–11?dph, there were abundant gastric tubular glands arranged along numerous longitudinal folds. During the same period, pyloric sphincter appeared as an epithelial fold that separated the stomach from the anterior intestine. From 12 dph to the end of the study at 30?dph, no noticeable histological modifications were observed. The development of gastric glands is considered as the last major events in digestive tract development and their presence designates the end of larval period and the onset of the juvenile period. Hence, it is suggested that, butter catfish larvae have a morphologically complete digestive tract by 12?dph. These findings on the development of the digestive system in butter catfish may lead to a better understanding of the ontogeny and would be useful to improve the larval rearing techniques of this promising catfish species for freshwater aquaculture diversification.