单环刺螠消化道的发生和分化

用组织学、组织化学和电镜技术对单环刺螠（Urechis unicinctus）消化道的发生及分化进行研究。结果表明，单环刺螠消化道起源于原肠胚期内陷而成的原肠腔；至早期担轮幼虫时期，消化道连通，开始摄食，此时据管腔直径不同消化道可分为口、食道、胃、中肠及后肠。附着变态后，其消化道在结构及功能上都有了明显的发育与分化。至蠕虫状幼虫时期。食道、胃及后肠已出现黏膜下层及肌层。嗉囊与砂囊可明显区分。中肠已产生肌纤维的分化，呼吸肠由中肠分化而来，其胞体细长，且核质比较小，可与中肠明显区分。至幼螠时期，食道前端产生了咽部的分化，至此消化道各部位在结构及功能上都与成体有了很大的相似性。即由口、咽、食道、嗉囊、砂囊、胃、中肠、呼吸肠、后肠和肛门组成。组织化学研究结果表明，随着发育，消化道各部位分别呈现不同的碱性磷酸酶、酸性磷酸酶、脂酶、ATP酶、非特异性酯酶及多糖类物质活性。     

条石鲷消化道的形态学和组织学

采用解剖和光镜技术研究条石鲷消化道的形态学和组织学。条石鲷消化道包括具有发达颌齿的口咽腔，食道，胃，小肠和直肠。食道上皮组织可分为两个区域－头部和尾部，头部区域由扁平上皮层构成，尾部区域的上皮组织由单层柱状上皮细胞所构成，上皮含有大量 杯状细胞和黏液分泌细胞.胃呈V形，其粘膜上皮由单层柱状上皮组成，贲门部和胃体部上皮下有发达的胃腺组织。小肠上皮为具微绒毛的单层柱状上皮，肠道粘膜固有层中有管状肠腺存在；直肠上皮为单层柱状上皮，缺乏粘膜肌。小肠和直肠上皮中均分布有较多的杯状细胞，肠道系数约为0.78。在整个消化道中发现有四种杯状细胞。本文研究了条石鲷消化道的显微结构，并探讨了其消化道的组织学和解剖学特征与其杂食性的适应。     

西伯利亚鲟消化道形态学和组织学的初步研究

对人工养殖2龄西伯利亚鲟消化道的形态解剖学和显微组织学结构进行了观察。研究结果表明,西伯利亚鲟的消化道从前至后分为口咽腔、食道、胃、幽门盲囊、十二指肠、瓣肠和直肠,食道与胃的分界不明显,形成一个"食道-胃过渡区",胃分为贲门部、胃体部和幽门部。组织学研究显示:西伯利亚鲟的消化道由内向外一般分为粘膜、粘膜下层、肌层和浆膜四层。其中食道粘膜上皮为复层扁平上皮,含杯状细胞和粘液细胞。"食道-胃过渡区"已有腺体存在。胃上皮细胞为单层柱状上皮细胞,无杯状细胞,胃的粘膜表面有许多上皮凹陷形成的胃小凹,幽门部的胃小凹较贲门部和胃体部深;贲门部和胃体部中含有大量的胃腺,幽门部无胃腺。幽门盲囊的管腔内被向内深入的肌层分割成许多完全或不完全的囊腔;粘膜褶皱和褶皱上的绒毛纵横交错,形成网状。肠上皮均为单层柱状上皮,上皮细胞间分布有大量的杯状细胞;粘膜褶皱的高度和数量、杯状细胞的数量从前至后递减:十二指肠粘膜褶皱细而高,上有许多绒毛;瓣肠粘膜和粘膜下层向管腔内突出并卷曲,形成螺旋瓣;直肠的粘膜褶皱矮且宽。     

暗纹东方纯幼鱼消化道的形态学和组织学研究

用大体解剖和光镜技术对暗纹东方鲍幼鱼的消化道进行了形态学和组织学观察。暗纹东方纯消化道可分为口咽腔、食道、胃、小肠和直肠5部分，食道与胃、胃与小肠、小肠与直肠间均存有明显的缢缩。咽后消化道的管壁组织可分为4层：粘膜层、粘膜下层、肌层和浆膜层。食道的粘膜上皮为复层扁平上皮细胞，上皮层内含有大量杯状分泌细胞。胃、小肠和直肠的粘膜上皮均为单层柱状上皮，具纹状缘。胃明显膨大，呈“J”型，胃长约占整个消化道长的1／5，未见胃腺存在。胃体中底部粘膜褶明显增多，并多次回复折叠。小肠粘膜褶发达呈多分支状，直肠粘膜褶向肠腔突起呈乳头状。     

褐菖鲉消化道的组织学和组织化学

褐菖鲉消化道的组织学和组织化学=Study on histology and histochemistry of digestive tract in Sebastiscus marmoratus[刊，中]/石戈（浙江海洋学院海洋科学学院，浙江 舟山 316004），王健鑫，刘雪珠，王日昕//水产学报.－2007，31（03）.－293～302 利用光镜技术对褐菖鲉消化道进行了组织学和组织化学研究。组织学研究表明：褐菖鲉消化道由口咽腔、食道、胃和肠4部分组成。口咽腔较大，上下颌，犁骨及腭骨均有细齿带,粘膜由复层鳞状上皮组成，并含有大量黏液细胞和少量杯状细胞；食道粗而短，上皮组织包括扁平上皮层区域和单层柱状上皮层区域，上皮含有大量杯状细胞和黏液分泌细胞，粘膜层的固有膜中含有腺体；胃呈Y型，包括贲门、胃体和幽门3个区域，胃粘膜由单层柱状上皮组成，在贲门和胃体部的粘膜层中有厚的结实层，上皮有大量的胃小凹和胃腺组织；胃幽门部括约肌明显，幽门上皮不含胃小凹；胃与肠相接处有8～9个指状幽门盲囊，其形态学和组织学特征与前肠类似；肠道上皮由单层柱状上皮细胞组成，丰富的微绒毛形成明显的纹状缘，上皮中含有大量杯状细胞，肠道系数为0.54。组织化学研究显示：幽门、幽门盲囊和肠上皮细胞顶端胞质和纹状缘具碱性磷酸酶活性；幽门盲囊及肠道上皮细胞顶端胞质中检测到酸性磷酸酶活性；在贲门部和胃体部的固有层以及幽门上皮还检测到酯酶活性，且酯酶定位于幽门柱状上皮细胞胞质的上半部。整个消化道的粘膜层中存在许多粘液细胞：食道上皮含大量酸性粘液细胞，胃上皮细胞均含有中性粘液，而肠道由前向后中性粘液物质逐渐减少，酸性粘液物质逐渐增多。组织学和组织化学的结果表明褐菖鲉食道有润滑和微弱的消化作用，胃有消化脂类和吸收糖类的功能；幽门和盲囊有较强的吸收脂类的功能；前肠、中肠和后肠有活跃的细胞内消化和吸收功能，整个消化道结构与其肉食性功能密切相关。图3参29     

暗纹东方鲀幼鱼消化道的形态学和组织学研究

用大体解剖和光镜技术对暗纹东方鲀幼鱼的消化道进行了形态学和组织学观察。暗纹东方鲀消化道可分为口咽腔、食道、胃、小肠和直肠5部分,食道与胃、胃与小肠、小肠与直肠间均存有明显的缢缩。咽后消化道的管壁组织可分为4层:粘膜层、粘膜下层、肌层和浆膜层。食道的粘膜上皮为复层扁平上皮细胞,上皮层内含有大量杯状分泌细胞。胃、小肠和直肠的粘膜上皮均为单层柱状上皮,具纹状缘。胃明显膨大,呈"J"型,胃长约占整个消化道长的1/5,未见胃腺存在。胃体中底部粘膜褶明显增多,并多次回复折叠。小肠粘膜褶发达呈多分支状,直肠粘膜褶向肠腔突起呈乳头状。     

真鲷幼鱼消化道组织学研究↑（*）

６月龄真鲷（Ｐａｇｒｏｓｏｍｕｓｍａｊｏｒ）幼鱼通过解剖，切片、染色和显微摄像，结果表明：整个消化道从解剖水平可以分为口、口咽腔、食道、胃、肠及直肠等６个功能区。口部有犬齿、臼齿和不规则的粒状齿；口腔内有咽（含咽齿）及鳃耙，鳃耙形成了对食物颗粒的屏障，面向食管保护鳃丝；短的食管起源于咽腔，终止于胃，两者间没有明显的解剖上的差别；Ｙ型的胃分为贲门部、幽门部和胃盲囊３部分。组织学观察可见：胃由单层柱状上皮细胞组成，在贲门区和幽门区的上皮层下面，具有相似细胞组成的胃腺；有４个幽门盲囊，幽门盲囊与肠组织结构基本一致。胰腺管和肝管从幽门盲囊的基部生出。肠道短，肠道前部起源于幽门括约肌之后，在肠瓣处变窄，使整个肠道分为肠和直肠两部分；肠与直肠相比粘膜上有较多的褶皱；肠道上皮由柱状上皮细胞和粘液分泌细胞组成，粘膜下层有致密的结缔组织和大量嗜酸性颗粒的细胞。     

斜带石斑鱼Epinephelus coioides(Hamilton)消化道的组织学及四种内分泌细胞的免疫组织化学定位研究

本研究主要应用H.E染色和SABC免疫组织化学方法对斜带石斑鱼消化道进行了研究,结果表明:斜带石斑鱼消化道由食道、胃、幽门盲囊、小肠和直肠构成.食道粘膜表面为复层上皮细胞,表面为一层扁平细胞.下层为杯形细胞,伴有大量的粘液细胞.胃为v形,粘膜表层为单层柱状上皮细胞,贲门和盲囊部上皮下有一层较厚的胃腺组织;由单一柱状腺细胞组成.小肠上皮为具微绒毛的单层柱状上皮,其间分布有大量的杯形细胞.本研究讨论了斜带石斑鱼消化道组织学特征与消化、吸收的关系,认为斜带石斑鱼消化道基本具备典型肉食性鱼类消化道特征,但也有其自身明显的特征,如幽门盲囊非常发达,小肠较一般肉食性鱼类细长,这与其对食物的同化能高达90%的特征相适应.SABC免疫组织化学结果:5-HT免疫阳性细胞在消化道各段均有分布;STT免疫阳性细胞在胃中分布数量最多,肠道次之,在食道和幽门盲囊中未检测到该种免疫阳性细胞;Gas免疫阳性细胞分布于胃幽门部和前肠、中肠,食管、胃贲门部和胃体部和后肠未检出;PP免疫阳性细胞在消化道各段均未检出.     

养殖条石鲷消化道形态构造及组织学观察

应用解剖学和光学显微镜检术研究了养殖条石鲷（Oplegnathus fasciatus）消化道的形态学和组织学特性。条石鲷消化道包括口咽腔、食道、胃、幽门盲囊和肠。条石鲷口咽腔较大,颌齿愈合成鹦鹉喙嘴状,舌半椭圆形。食道较短,显微组织可分为4层：粘膜层、粘膜下层、肌肉层和浆膜层,上皮含有极少量杯状细胞和黏液分泌细胞。胃膨大,呈V形,和食道一样分为4层,粘膜层表皮下含有发达的胃腺。小肠组织分为3层：粘膜层、肌肉层和浆膜层。直肠组织结构类似于小肠。小肠和直肠上皮中均分布有较多的杯状细胞。文章对养殖条石鲷消化道的形态学和组织学特征与其食性的适应关系作了探讨。     

圆尾鲎消化道形态及组织学观察

对圆尾鲎消化道进行形态学和组织学观察。消化道分为前肠(口腔、食道、嗉囊、砂囊)、中肠和后肠(直肠、肛门)。各部位上皮均为单层柱状上皮,除中肠外,均有几丁质层覆盖于腔面。口腔环肌为横纹肌,有大量腺体分布;食道环肌层不连续,纵肌数量少;嗉囊有腺体分布;砂囊环肌层连续,纵肌成束分散排列,有放射肌分布;肠道肌肉为横纹肌,肠腺发达,具2对肝胰腺导管;直肠环肌连续;肛门几丁质层中有许多腺体导管,在其表皮层之下的结缔组织中充满皮肤腺。     

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.