四指马鲅卵巢发育和卵子发生的组织学观察

为了解四指马鲅（Eleutheronema tetradactylum）的卵巢发育和卵子发生过程，本研究运用组织切片HE染色方法对其卵巢发育的组织结构变化和卵子发生过程中各时相卵母细胞的结构进行观察。结果显示，四指马鲅卵巢为被膜型卵巢，紧贴中肾腹面，两支卵巢前端分离于后端融合，呈"Y"字形。卵子发生过程分可分为5个时相，在II时相中期卵母细胞周围开始出现滤泡细胞，II时相晚期形成单层滤泡细胞，直至III时相中期滤泡细胞层外形成鞘膜细胞层；卵黄核在II时相中期开始出现至III时相早期消失；卵黄泡在III时相早期的细胞核附近及胞质边缘出现；卵黄颗粒在III时相晚期开始出现于卵黄泡之间，并在IV时相早期填充卵黄泡，至IV时相晚期形成卵黄小板。卵巢发育过程分为6个时期，每个时期都存在不同时相的卵母细胞；V期卵巢的卵径呈双峰分布，分别在50.00~100.00 μm和300.00~350.00 μm区间出现峰值。四指马鲅卵巢发育模式为非同步发育-分批产卵类型。     

长鳍吻卵巢发育组织学及周年变化的初步研究

采用常规解剖和组织学切片的方法,对长江上游宜宾江段长鳍吻卵巢发育、卵子发生以及成熟系数的周年变化进行了研究。研究结果表明,长鳍吻卵巢发育分为Ⅵ期,卵母细胞发育分为6个时相,第2时相中期出现卵黄核,2时相晚期迁移至皮质层破碎、消失;第3时相早期卵黄核消失位置开始出现卵黄泡,第3时相中后期放射带出现后卵黄颗粒开始积累;第5时相卵母细胞体积最大,胞径(1805±60.99)μm。卵巢成熟系数周年变化范围为0.78%~18.22%,一年内仅在4月份出现一个峰值,4—5月大部分卵巢处于Ⅳ、Ⅴ期,综合成熟系数测定和性腺组织学观察结果,初步推测长鳍吻繁殖期为3—5月,产卵盛期为4月上旬至5月上旬。     

黄海高眼鲽卵巢发育特征及卵径分布

本研究通过组织学观察,描述了黄海高眼鲽(Cleisthenes herzensteini)卵母细胞发育特征及其退化过程。高眼鲽卵母细胞发育分为5个时相:第1时相为卵原细胞,细胞体积小,细胞质少,细胞核明显;第2时相卵母细胞细胞核附近出现卵黄核;第3时相由胞质外缘向内层逐渐产生液泡并生成卵黄颗粒,出现双层滤泡膜;第4时相卵母细胞内充满卵黄,细胞核向动物极移动,放射膜增厚;第5时相细胞核溶解,卵母细胞从滤泡膜中释放出来并发生水合作用;产卵期过后,卵巢发生退化,卵黄颗粒逐渐被吞噬,放射膜溶解断裂。通过比较卵巢中各时相卵母细胞组成比例,表明卵母细胞发育具有非同步性。Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ-Ⅳ'期卵巢内卵径(长径)呈单峰分布,优势粒径组分别为0.45~0.55 mm、0.60~0.65 mm和0.40~0.50 mm;Ⅴ'期卵巢,卵径分布呈双峰型,峰值分别为0.50~0.55 mm和0.90~0.95 mm,水合卵母细胞与卵径较小的小生长期卵母细胞比例增大,呈现出明显的双峰分批产卵型特征。     

广东鲂性腺发育组织学研究

利用组织学方法,对珠江下游野生广东鲂(Megalobrama terminalis)性腺进行了显微观察和研究,描述了其卵巢、精巢的结构特征以及各类型生殖细胞形态。结果显示,广东鲂属于一次性产卵类型,卵巢发育类型为部分同步型。其卵巢为细线或条状,卵巢发育经历卵原细胞期、单层滤泡细胞期、卵黄泡期、卵黄充满期、成熟期和退化期。卵细胞发生经历3个阶段:卵原细胞、初级卵母细胞和次级卵母细胞;卵巢初级卵母细胞中核仁外排现象出现在第2时相末期至第3时相早期;精巢呈线状或直棒状,精巢为叶状型结构。精细胞发生经历5个阶段:精原细胞、初级精母细胞、次级精母细胞、精子细胞及精子;繁殖季节精子充满于精小叶内,精小囊消失。     

养殖金乌贼卵子发生和卵巢发育的组织学观察

为了深入了解金乌贼(Sepia esculenta Hoyle)的生殖生理特性,本研究采用解剖学方法及组织切片技术,观察和描述了金乌贼卵巢形态和卵子各个时相结构特征及其变化规律。研究结果表明,金乌贼卵子发生过程的主要特征表现为,卵子成熟之前滤泡细胞一直存在且伴随着其结构变化,滤泡细胞解体与卵黄物质出现同步发生,卵黄物质从无到有再到大量积累直至充满整个卵母细胞,细胞核则随着滤泡细胞内折逐渐发生偏移直至最后消失。研究还发现金乌贼卵巢内卵子发生不同步且形态差异显著,未成熟的卵子粘连在卵巢基质上,依次环布于卵巢基质周围,越靠近中心,卵母细胞发育程度越低;成熟后的卵子游离在卵巢腔中,经过输卵管排出体外。根据卵巢内卵子的大小和形态、滤泡细胞形态及卵黄形成情况,将金乌贼卵子发生分为增殖期(卵原细胞期)、小生长期(无滤泡期,单层滤泡期,双层滤泡期)、大生长期(滤泡内折期,卵黄形成早期,卵黄形成晚期)、成熟期、退化吸收期共5个时期9个时相。卵巢发育分期则是以卵子时相为基础,根据卵巢的外观形态、性腺系数以及切面上优势卵子的时相,把卵巢分为Ⅰ~Ⅵ共6个时期。金乌贼卵巢发育和卵子发生的动态观察与描述,对丰富头足类繁殖生物学理论及提升人工繁殖技术都具有重要意义。     

金钱鱼性腺发育及其组织结构观察

采用常规石蜡切片,H.E染色研究了金钱鱼性腺发育及组织结构特征.结果显示,2+龄的金钱鱼性腺发育成熟.金钱鱼精巢为管型,可分为:精原细胞增殖期、精母细胞生长期、精母细胞成熟期、精子细胞变态期、精子成熟期等5个时期.从Ⅱ期精巢起,金钱鱼精巢的成熟系数(GSI)为0.2％～1.5％,精巢成熟系数在发育到精子细胞成熟期(Ⅴ期)达到峰值,肝重指数(HSI)在精子细胞变态期(Ⅳ期)达到峰值.金钱鱼卵巢的卵母细胞发育过程可分为5个时相,相对应的卵巢发育亦分为5个时期.从Ⅱ期卵巢起,金钱鱼卵巢的成熟系数为1.2％～14.9％,在发育到Ⅴ期时达到峰值,HSI在Ⅳ期达到峰值.Ⅱ时相卵母细胞出现卵黄核和滤泡膜.Ⅲ时相卵母细胞中开始出现油滴,卵黄颗粒.Ⅳ时相卵母细胞中卵黄颗粒与油滴的数量迅速增多.Ⅴ时相卵母细胞中卵黄颗粒融合成片,在卵母细胞中卵黄颗粒与油球之间在数量上没有明显的差异.根据切片观察,Ⅴ期卵巢中,除了Ⅴ时相卵母细胞外,还有一定数量的Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ时相卵母细胞,卵母细胞发育呈现非同步型.并且发现在多数产完卵后的卵巢中,除空的滤泡外亦存在一定数量的Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ期卵母细胞,因此推测,金钱鱼的产卵类型为分批非同步产卵类型.     

嘉陵江瓦氏黄颡鱼卵巢组织学的周年变化

采用形态学和连续组织切片技术对瓦氏黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus vachelli)卵巢的组织形态学进行了研究。结果显示:瓦氏黄颡鱼卵巢发育分为6个时期,卵母细胞发育分为6个时相。从10月至次年的2月份,卵巢处于第Ⅱ期;3—4月份卵巢处于第Ⅲ期;4—5月初卵巢处于第Ⅳ卵期;5—7月卵巢处于第Ⅴ期;8—9月卵巢处于第Ⅵ期。在第2时相的卵母细胞中出现卵黄核和滤泡细胞;第3时相的卵母细胞出现液泡,数目和层数随着卵巢的发育逐渐增加;第4时相的卵母细胞充满卵黄颗粒,并出现了受精孔和精孔细胞。瓦氏黄颡鱼是一次产卵类型。     

孔雀鱼雌性生殖器官组织结构及卵子发生的研究

应用光镜技术研究了孔雀鱼（Poecilia reticulata）雌性生殖器官组织结构和卵子发生的特点,以期为孔雀鱼的良种繁育工作提供基础资料。结果表明,孔雀鱼雌性生殖器官由卵巢、卵子输送管和泄殖孔构成。卵子发生过程经历了6个时相：第Ⅰ时相主要为卵原细胞;第Ⅱ时相是处于小生长期的初级卵母细胞,形成生长环、卵黄核和单层扁平滤泡细胞膜;第Ⅲ时相是进入大生长期的初级卵母细胞,卵黄开始积累,形成2层滤泡细胞膜和2层卵包膜;第Ⅳ时相为发育晚期的初级卵母细胞,细胞发生了极化,卵包膜发育完善;第Ⅴ时相发育成熟,卵黄颗粒凝结呈块状,卵黄泡主要分布于细胞膜内缘,滤泡细胞膜萎缩;第Ⅵ时相是闭锁卵泡,被滤泡细胞消化和吸收转变为卵巢内结缔组织。     

池养鲻的卵巢发育和卵子发生过程

通过卵巢切片的组织学分析揭示，幼鲻在土池养殖3个月后可见线状卵巢，大约5个月后卵原细胞进入第一次成熟分裂前期的双线期转变为早期初级卵母细胞。接着卵母细胞生发泡(核)和胞质体积增加，核质比从3．5：1减少至2：1。此后卵巢中卵母细胞停滞发育持续至养殖的第3年。在第3年卵巢切片看出卵母细胞进入脂肪泡时相，在第3年秋季进入卵黄发生时相。但在人工养殖条件下卵母细胞仅能发育到卵黄发生后期，即卵母细胞胞质充满卵黄颗粒，生发泡居中而不移位。这些结果对于用人工养殖鲻为亲鱼开展人工繁殖提供重要的科学依据。并讨论了卵子发生6个时相的生物学特点及其重要的细胞器在卵黄发生中可能的生理作用。     

葛氏鲈塘艚卵子发生的组织学观察

采用组织切片技术系统观察和描述了葛氏鲈塘鱧（Perccottus glenii Dybowski）卵巢各时相卵母细胞的形态结构、特征及变化。卵巢切面显示：卵母细胞发育分为6个时相：第Ⅰ时相卵母细胞由处于原始分化阶段的卵原细胞构成;第Ⅱ时相卵母细胞进入滤泡细胞期,胞外形成滤泡细胞膜：第Ⅲ时相卵母细胞由质膜向核膜逐渐积累皮质液泡：第Ⅳ时相卵母细胞主要形成卵黄颗粒：第Ⅴ时相卵母细胞为成熟的卵子,胞内含有丰富的卵黄;第Ⅵ时相卵母细胞是未排出的处于退化吸收阶段的卵细胞,卵膜破裂,卵黄被吸收。根据卵巢切片及性腺系数变化推测葛氏鲈塘鱧属于一次产卵类型。     

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.