急性拥挤胁迫对鲤血液中皮质醇及几项生化指标的影响

通过对鲤(Cyprinus carpio)3 h急性拥挤胁迫(密度70g/L)实验,并在胁迫开始前(对照)、胁迫结束后的第0至168 h采样测量几项血液指标。实验结果显示在3 h拥挤胁迫结束之时(0 h),鲤血清皮质醇、血糖和乳酸水平均显著高于胁迫前对照值(P<0.05),而游离脂肪酸水平极显著低于对照值(P<0.01)。之后这些指标继续发生波动,但一段时间后均可恢复至对照水平并保持稳定。实验期间血清甘油三酯和胆固醇水平并未出现显著变化(P>0.05)。该结果提示3 h拥挤胁迫可引起鲤体内血清皮质醇水平及部分血液生化指标发生改变,这可能是为了弥补应激期间机体对能量需求的增大。     

拥挤胁迫对鲫鱼抗坏血酸和脏器系数影响的试验研究

分别在拥挤胁迫后第0、7、15、30d对鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)肝脏抗坏血酸含量和脏器系数进行了测定。结果显示,试验前鲫鱼肝脏中抗坏血酸浓度较高,平均为0.031mg/mL,拥挤胁迫后抗坏血酸含量呈下降趋势,至第30d降到最低点,为0.009mg/mL。拥挤胁迫7d后,鲫鱼肝脏系数变化不显著(p>0.05),脾脏系数显著降低(p<0.05),而高密度组又显著低于低密度组。胁迫30d后,高、中密度组的肝脏系数均显著高于低密度组(P<0.05),而两密度组的脾脏系数均显著低于低密度组(P<0.05)。     

饥饿胁迫对猛虾蛄溶菌酶和消化酶活性的影响

为探究饥饿胁迫对猛虾蛄(Harpiosquilla harpax)各组织酶活性的影响,选择规格和体质量基本一致的120尾健康猛虾蛄进行试验.将试验虾随机分成4个平行组,分别于饥饿胁迫0、5、10和20 d采集样品,测定溶菌酶、胃蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶的活性.结果显示:饥饿胁迫时长对溶菌酶和各消化酶的活性均有显著影响(P...     

急性盐度胁迫对施氏鲟的皮质醇、代谢反应及渗透调节的影响

以淡水组为对照，通过对施氏鲟（Acipenser schrenckii）幼鱼96h的急性盐度（15和22）胁迫试验，研究了幼鱼对水体盐度突变的血浆皮质醇和代谢反应，并探讨了施氏鲟适应环境盐度变化的渗透调节机理。结果表明，盐度胁迫导致幼鱼的血浆皮质醇、血糖及乳酸浓度呈现不同程度的升高，随后各项指标逐渐下降，并分别于24、48、96h时基本恢复至正常（对照组）水平。盐度15组的血浆皮质醇、血糖及乳酸浓度分别在胁迫5、24和48h时达峰值，而盐度22组则分别在0．5、24和24h时即达峰值，且胁迫后0．5h时的皮质醇浓度、12h时的血糖及12～48h时的乳酸浓度均显著高于盐度15处理组（P〈0．05）；各处理组的Na^＋浓度随着盐度的升高及时间的延长而升高，而Cl^-浓度在15和22盐度组中匀先升高后降低，血浆K^＋浓度在盐度组（15和22）与对照组之间无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。盐度突变导致血浆渗透压升高，并在24h达最大值，胁迫12h和24h时22盐度组幼鱼血浆渗透压的浓度显著高于15盐度组（P〈0．05）。15和22盐度组的Na^＋／K^＋-ATP酶活性变化趋势基本一致，均在12h时达最高值，随后下降，但在12～96h内均处于较高的水平，且均显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）。结果提示，盐度突变可在第一时间内导致施氏鲟血浆皮质醇浓度显著升高，而血糖及乳酸的变化则明显滞后于皮质醇的变化，且通过对幼鱼血浆中皮质醇、血糖及乳酸浓度变化的分析，发现通过机体的生理调整，至96h时施氏鲟幼鱼对水体盐度突变有了较好的适应性。     

盐度胁迫对大鳞鲃抗氧化酶和血清皮质醇的影响

为阐明盐度胁迫对大鳞鲃(Luciobarbus capito)肝、肾和鳃组织抗氧化系统及血清皮质醇的影响,本研究设置4个NaCl盐度组(3、6、9和12 g/L)和1个淡水对照组,检测分析了不同盐度胁迫下曝露3、6、12、24、48、96 h和7 d大鳞鲃肝、肾和鳃组织中酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化,以及血清中皮质醇浓度的变化。结果显示,在相同盐度胁迫下,大鳞鲃的肝、肾和鳃组织中ACP、AKP、GSH-Px抗氧化酶的活力、MDA含量以及血清皮质醇含量随胁迫时间的延长均呈先上升后下降、随后趋于稳定的变化趋势,在胁迫开始24 h内各指标达到峰值,并在48 h开始逐渐趋于平稳;胁迫初期,相同曝露时间,大鳞鲃的肝、肾和鳃组织中3种抗氧化酶活力、MDA含量及血清皮质醇含量均与盐度呈显著正相关性。大鳞鲃在盐度胁迫过程中,ACP、AKP活力和MDA含量在肾组织的范围分别为1.42~2.15 U/g prot、1.01~1.87金氏单位/g prot和13.05~57.27 nmol/mg prot;肝组织中分别为1.27~1.96 U/g prot、0.31~0.86金氏单位/g prot和17.02~55.98 nmol/mg prot;鳃组织则为0.98~1.96 U/g prot、0.13~0.84金氏单位/g prot和8.33~53.93 nmol/mg prot,肾组织中ACP、AKP活力和MDA含量均高于肝、鳃组织;而GSH-Px的活力在肝、肾和鳃组织的范围分别为44.41~114.77、16.52~67.59和9.07~48.00活力单位,肝组织中GSH-Px活力显著高于肾和鳃组织。此外,血清皮质醇在盐度胁迫过程中的含量变化范围为197.00~355.50 ng/L。综上所述,在12 g/L的高盐胁迫下大鳞鲃通过自身调节,各项指标仍可恢复正常,表明其对盐度环境有较强的适应能力。     

盐度胁迫对大鳞鲤抗氧化酶和血清皮质醇的影响

为阐明盐度胁迫对大鳞鲃(Luciobarbus capito)肝、肾和鳃组织抗氧化系统及血清皮质醇的影响,本研究设置4个NaC1盐度组(3、6、9和12 g/L)和1个淡水对照组,检测分析了不同盐度胁迫下曝露3、6、12、24、48、96 h和7d大鳞鲃肝、肾和鳃组织中酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、谷胱甘...     

拥挤胁迫对银鲳幼鱼生长及消化酶活性的影响

为探究不同养殖密度对银鲳(Pampus argenteus)幼鱼生长及消化酶活性的影响,将平均初始体质量为3.88±0.72 g的银鲳幼鱼分别在30、60 ind/m³和90 ind/m³的密度条件下饲养40 d,测定幼鱼四种消化酶的时空变化,并比较了40 d后幼鱼的生长特性。结果表明：(1)中密度组幼鱼的增重率与特定生长率分别为(235.19±10.23)%和(4.03±0.10)%,显著高于低密度组(P<0.05),而与高密度组无显著差异(P>0.05)。饲养20 d后低、高密度组增重幅度均低于中密度组。(2)40 d后,低密度组幼鱼胰蛋白酶活性下降到了116.32 U/mg,仅为初始水平的36.7%。但胃蛋白酶的活性显著升高,达到18.65 U/mg,是初始水平的2.5倍,显著高于其他两组;中密度组的胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶活性在40 d后均出现一定程度的下降;高密度组银鲳消化酶活性受到了明显的胁迫影响,养殖过程中出现了明显的波动变化。综上所述,过高的养殖密度会对银鲳产生胁迫作用,影响银鲳消化酶活性;过低的养殖密度也会对银...     

拥挤胁迫对草鱼非特异性免疫功能的影响

在实验室条件下利用放养密度和放养时间构建组间差异,模拟养殖过程中草鱼所面临的拥挤胁迫。胁迫第7、14、30、60d后采样测量免疫指标。结果表明,高密度组(80g·L-1)的血清溶菌酶活性在胁迫后开始升高,并于14d时达峰值,以后逐渐下降,呈倒"U"型趋势。血清杀菌活性随放养密度的剧增而锐减(P<0.005)。白细胞比容在各组间未显示明显差异。而在30d和60d所测的高密度组草鱼的头肾巨噬细胞吞噬百分率和吞噬指数结果显示,高密度组低于对照组(P<0.05)。60d后用嗜水气单胞菌进行攻毒实验,高密度组死亡率高达75.0%,中密度组也达到了63.6%,而对照组只有25.0%。同期所测的脾脏脏器系数显示无论高密度组还是中密度组均显著低于对照组(P<0.01),且经解剖和正常鱼对比,发现其脾脏已明显萎缩。各实验组血清皮质醇浓度均在胁迫初期达到最大值,随后降低,至实验后期基本恢复到正常水平。     

急性盐度胁迫对施氏鲟的皮质醇、代谢反应及渗透调节的影响

以淡水组为对照,通过对施氏鲟(Acipenser schrenckii)幼鱼96 h的急性盐度(15和22)胁迫试验,研究了幼鱼对水体盐度突变的血浆皮质醇和代谢反应,并探讨了施氏鲟适应环境盐度变化的渗透调节机理.结果表明,盐度胁迫导致幼鱼的血浆皮质醇、血糖及乳酸浓度呈现不同程度的升高,随后各项指标逐渐下降,并分别于24、48、96 h时基本恢复至正常(对照组)水平.盐度15组的血浆皮质醇、血糖及乳酸浓度分别在胁迫5、24和48 h时达峰值,而盐度22组则分别在0.5、24和24 h时即达峰值,且胁迫后0.5 h时的皮质醇浓度、12 h时的血糖及12～48 h时的乳酸浓度均显著高于盐度15处理组(P＜0.05);各处理组的Na+浓度随着盐度的升高及时间的延长而升高,而Cl-浓度在15和22盐度组中匀先升高后降低,血浆K+浓度在盐度组(15和22)与对照组之间无显著性差异(P＞0.05).盐度突变导致血浆渗透压升高,并在24 h达最大值,胁迫12 h和24 h时22盐度组幼鱼血浆渗透压的浓度显著高于15盐度组(P＜0.05).15和22盐度组的Na+/K+-ATP酶活性变化趋势基本一致,均在12 h时达最高值,随后下降,但在12～96 h内均处于较高的水平,且均显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).结果提示,盐度突变可在第一时间内导致施氏鲟血浆皮质醇浓度显著升高,而血糖及乳酸的变化则明显滞后于皮质醇的变化,且通过对幼鱼血浆中皮质醇、血糖及乳酸浓度变化的分析,发现通过机体的生理调整,至96 h时施氏鲟幼鱼对水体盐度突变有了较好的适应性.     

中华鲟幼鱼对慢性拥挤胁迫的生长、摄食及行为反应

设置低、中、高3个初始养殖密度(1 g/L、4 g/L、8 g/L),进行40 d的养殖实验,研究慢性拥挤胁迫对子二代中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis Gray)幼鱼生长、摄食及行为的影响.研究表明,慢性拥挤胁迫对子二代中华鲟的生长和摄食有显著影响,体质量、体质量特定生长率、体长特定生长率、日增重随着养殖密度的升高显著降低(P<0.05),实验结束时,高密度组肥满度显著低于中、低密度组(P<0.05);各实验组的摄食率随着养殖密度的升高而降低,饵料系数随着养殖密度的升高而升高(P<0.05).慢性拥挤胁迫对子二代中华鲟的行为也有显著的影响,随着养殖密度的增大,表现为呼吸频率、摆尾频率和游动速度显著加快等应急行为.研究结果表明高养殖密度对中华鲟的生长、摄食和行为存在显著的负面作用,不利于中华鲟幼鱼生长发育.     

Physiological responses associated with capture and crowding stress in matrinxãBrycon cephalus (Gunther, 1869)

The dynamics of plasma cortisol, blood glucose, plasma chloride and liver glycogen were investigated in matrinxã (Brycon cephalus) submitted to capture and various periods of crowding. A total of 400 fish (700±22 g weight) were distributed in four ponds divided into four 50‐m² squares (25 fish/square, 350 g L^?1), where they were acclimated for 30 days. On the sampling day, after 24 h without food, all fish from three squares were transferred to the fourth square. Six fish were sampled before the procedure (control group, zero time) and 1, 3, 6 and 24 h after the capture and crowding. Each sampling was performed in a different pond to prevent additional stress. Fish were anaesthetized and blood and liver collected for biochemical analysis. Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, ammonia and nitrite levels were within acceptable levels for matrinxã rearing. Slight but not significant increases were verified in plasma cortisol and blood glucose levels, as were decreases in plasma chloride and liver glycogen levels. The results suggest that matrinxã is highly tolerant to the procedures of capture and short‐term crowding.     

Stress responses and disease resistance in salmonid fish: Effects of chronic elevation of plasma cortisol

Basal levels of plasma cortisol in unstressed salmonid fish are normally in the range 0–5 ng ml⁻¹. An acute stress such as handling or 1 h confinement caused a temporary elevation of the plasma cortisol levels of both brown trout,Salmo trutta L., and rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri Richardson, in the range 40–200 ng ml⁻¹ with a return to basal levels within 24–48 h. The extent of the cortisol elevation in response to an acute stress was dependent upon both the species and strain of trout. Chronic stresses, such as prolonged confinement or crowding, resulted in an elevation of plasma cortisol levels to approximately 10 ng ml⁻¹. Under these circumstances, blood cortisol levels remained elevated for periods of up to 4 weeks before acclimation finally occurred. It is shown, by means of intraperitoneal implantation of cortisol, that chronic elevation of plasma cortisol levels in the brown trout results in a dose-dependent increase in mortality due to common bacterial and fungal diseases. This effect is apparent at plasma cortisol levels as low as 10 ng ml⁻¹, levels below those often reported as being representative of ‘unstressed’ fish. These findings are discussed in relation to the known immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids in teleost fish.     

长丰鲫c型溶菌酶基因的克隆及其在细菌感染条件下的表达分析

为了解c型溶菌酶基因与长丰鲫(Chang Feng Carassius auratus)的抗菌效应关系,本研究利用同源克隆方法获得长丰鲫c型溶菌酶基因cDNA全长序列。结果显示:c型溶菌酶基因全长698 bp,包括5'端非翻译区60 bp,3'端非翻译区200 bp,开放阅读框438 bp,编码145个氨基酸。长丰鲫c型溶菌酶基因在肾脏组织中表达量最大,在脾脏、肠道、心脏和脑中大量表达,在肝脏和鳃中表达量相对较低,在皮肤和肌肉中几乎不表达。长丰鲫在感染迟钝爱德华氏菌、嗜水气单胞菌和金黄色葡萄球菌后,在肝脏、肾脏、脾脏和鳃等组织中基因表达量均发生显著变化,出现不同程度的上调。感染迟钝爱德华氏菌后,在脾脏中的上调幅度最大,其次为鳃、肝脏和肾脏;感染嗜水气单胞菌后,在脾脏中上调程度最大,其次是鳃;感染金黄色葡萄球菌后,在脾脏中上调幅度最大。在肝脏和肾脏中,经金黄色葡萄球菌刺激后c型溶菌酶基因的上调幅度最高;在脾脏和鳃中,经嗜水气单胞菌感染后c型溶菌酶基因上调幅度最高。三种刺激后,c型溶菌酶基因升高幅度的不同,说明不同刺激使鱼体组织产生的应激反应能力不同。     

Effects of hypoxia on lysozyme activity and antioxidant defences in the kidney and spleen of Carassius auratus

Assessing the responses of lysozyme activity and antioxidant defences to hypoxia is important to understand the adaptation and tolerance strategies of fish under hypoxia. This study investigated the effects of different dissolved oxygen (DO) levels on Carassius auratus, a natural triploid fish, from Qihe River. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of lysozyme and antioxidant enzymes were measured in the kidney and spleen after hypoxic exposure. At the DO concentrations of 1 and 2 mg L^?1, the activities of antioxidant enzymes and lysozyme significantly decreased and the content of MDA significantly increased (P < 0.01). This result suggests that hypoxia decreased antioxidant enzyme and lysozyme activities and caused MDA accumulation in a concentration‐dependent manner. The DO level of 4 mg L^?1 increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the kidney and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the spleen (P < 0.05). This result implies that slight hypoxic stress can enhance antioxidant defences to alleviate the damage of oxidative stress. The reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes and the accumulation of MDA at the DO level of ≤2 mg L^?1 implied the decrease in antioxidative ability and the occurrence of oxidative stress. The decrement in lysozyme activity indicated that the antibacterial ability was weakened to some degree. Therefore, hypoxic stress at DO levels ≤2 mg L^?1 should be removed by aeration to avoid the oxidative damage resulting from the reduced antioxidative ability and prevent the outbreak of diseases caused by weakened antibacterial effects.     

甘草粗提物对鲫的抗应激及免疫保护功效研究

采用腹腔注射和混饲投喂两种方式研究中药甘草(Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fiseh)粗提物对鲫(Carassius auratus)的抗应激和免疫保护功效。将一部分粗提物按0.5%和2%的质量分数制成药饵投喂实验鲫,分别在第14 d、28 d、35 d、42 d、56 d采集血样;将另一部分粗提物用无菌生理盐水按0.5%和2%的浓度配成针剂腹腔注射鲫,分别在第3 d、7 d、14 d、21 d、28 d采集血样。结果显示:投喂实验中药物组和对照组血清皮质醇水平均呈先升后降趋势,除第14 d外,药物组皮质醇水平都低于同期对照组。在最后一次采样中(56 d),对照组、低剂量组和高剂量组的皮质醇水平分别为147.85 ng/mL、79.41 ng/mL和66.47 ng/mL。腹注实验中对照组皮质醇水平一直呈上升趋势,最后一次采样(28 d)高达274.23 ng/mL,显著高于药物组(P<0.01)。投喂甘草提取物56 d后,用Aeromonas hydrophila对鲫进行人工感染,低剂量组和高剂量组一周后的死亡率分别为45.0%和55.0%,显著低于对照组的70.0%(P<0.05)。腹注甘草提取物后第28 d,鲫受A.hydrophila菌人工感染,对照组、低剂量组和高剂量组的死亡率分别为60.0%、55.0%和35.0%,高剂量组显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。实验表明,投喂和腹注甘草粗提物后,可明显提高鲫的抗应激能力,并能增强鱼体对A.hydrophila的抵抗力。     

Plasma lysozyme levels in sheatfish Silurus glanis (L.) subjected to stress and experimental infection with Edwardsiella tarda

Two experiments were conducted to assess plasma lysozyme levels, leucocrit and haematocrit in juvenile sheatfish (90–140 g) under experimentally induced stress and infection. Stress was provoked by random modification of environmental light for 15 min, 16 times a day with a halogen lamp (500 W) and by holding fish in a net for 3 min twice a day. In the first trial, repeated measuring of marked sheatfish showed a progressive significant decrease in plasma lysozyme level, a significant increase in leucocrit and a significant decrease in haematocrit. After a rest period of 1 week, only the leucocrit value was back to the prestress value. In the second trial, light‐induced stress did not lead to any variation in lysozyme, leucocrit or haematocrit values. However, after intraperitoneal injection of Edwardsiella tarda (7 × 10⁸ cfu), a strong increase in plasmatic lysozyme in both stressed and unstressed groups of sheatfish was observed. The increase was significant vs. prechallenge levels 3 and 6 days after contamination, but no significant difference was detected between stressed and unstressed fish, despite the strongest stress (light+handling stress) applied to the fish at the beginning of contamination. Decreases in haematocrit values were observed in both groups of fish. A clear increase in leucocrit appeared in unstressed fish, whereas stressed fish showed a significant decrease in leucocrit values. Condition factor was significantly decreased by all kinds of stress. There were no difference in mortality between stressed and unstressed groups.     

Metabolic enzyme activities in relation to crowding stress in the wedge sole (Dicologoglossa cuneata)

In this work, we have assessed the effects of different stocking densities on the biometry, survival and physiological status of the wedge sole (Dicologoglossa cuneata), focusing on changes in the stress system and intermediate metabolism, with the aim of determining a stress indicator for chronic‐stress situations in this species. Wedge sole were kept at three different stocking densities (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 kg m^?3) for 197 days, and survival, growth, plasma metabolites, cortisol and enzymatic activities were assessed. Survival rates were the highest at low density, though growth did not vary significantly among treatments. Enzymatic activities, mainly in muscle, differed depending on stocking density. Liver hexokinase activity at low stocking density was the highest, while no differences were detected for the other enzymes assessed. In muscle, all enzymes significantly increased in activity with stocking density. We concluded that long‐term high stocking density culture significantly changed enzyme activities (hexokinase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, and lactate dehydrogenase) in wedge sole muscle, although liver enzymes, plasma cortisol and metabolites did not vary significantly. Therefore, muscle enzymes, hexokinase and glutamate dehydrogenase, could be considered stress indicators for this species in chronic‐stress situations.     

金鱼胚胎发育过程中免疫相关酶活性及丙二醛含量的变化

以金鱼(Carassius auratus)胚胎为研究对象,于受精卵发育24 h时开始取样,以后每隔24 h分别取正常发育胚胎作为实验样品.采用生物化学方法分别测定金鱼胚胎发育不同时期溶菌酶和过氧化氢酶活性及丙二醛含量.结果显示,溶菌酶(lysozyme,LSZ)活性在金鱼胚胎发育过程中呈现下降的趋势,受精后96 h胚胎中LSZ活性降至最低点,为(0.450±0.064) U/mg; 96 h和以后的120 h、144 h胚胎LSZ活性均显著低于24 h胚胎LSZ活性(P＜0.05).过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)活性在胚胎发育过程中也呈现下降的变化趋势,96 h、120 h和144 h胚胎CAT活性显著低于24 h胚胎CAT活性(P＜0.05).而丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量在胚胎发育中呈逐渐增多的趋势,96 h后明显增多,120 h和144 h胚胎MDA含量显著高于24 h胚胎MDA含量(P.＜0.05).金鱼胚胎发育过程中LSZ和CAT活性逐渐降低是由于这两种母源性的酶在胚胎发育中逐步消耗,而自身酶合成系统尚未形成所致.CAT活性降低导致活性氧自由基增多和MDA逐渐积累,说明胚胎发育后期细胞内已发生一定的氧化应激反应.     

拥挤胁迫对已接种疫苗的大菱鲆部分免疫和应激指标的影响

通过对3个养殖初始密度(低、中、高密度组分别为5、10、20 kg/m~2)的大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)接种减毒迟缓爱德华氏菌疫苗,观察其血液、脾脏、头肾、鳃和皮肤中部分免疫和应激指标的变化规律,研究经接种疫苗操作后大菱鲆应对拥挤胁迫的应激响应。结果显示,低密度养殖的白细胞介素(1L-1β)、补体(C3)、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)、溶菌酶(LZM)和肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)等免疫指标显著高于中、高密度组(P0.05),高密度组血液中皮质醇的含量高于中、低密度组(P0.05);通过基因表达分析发现,高密度组的热休克蛋白(HSP70)表达量显著高于中、低密度组;低密度组的免疫球蛋白M(IGM)表达量高于中、高密度组。研究表明,为提高大菱鲆的免疫效果、减少应激反应,可以采用低密度(5 kg/m~2)养殖。     

Effects of l‐tryptophan on the performance,energy partitioning and endocrine response of Japanese sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus Selenka) exposed to crowding stress

The effects of dietary tryptophan on growth performance, energy budget and endocrine response of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) were studied, to test whether the tryptophan could mitigate the crowding stress response of the sea cucumber. Four density treatments of the sea cucumber (i.e. 4, 8, 16 and 32 individuals per 40 L water, represented as L, ML, MH and H) were fed with diets containing 0 (control), 1%, 3% and 5% l ‐tryptophan, respectively, for 75 days. The results showed that the specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCE) of A. japonicus decreased with increasing in the stocking densities but increased after supplementation of 1% and 3% tryptophan. The energy allocation of the A. japonicus was affected significantly by stocking density and dietary tryptophan treatments (p < .05). In general, the energy consumed (C) and energy used for growth (G) decreased with the increasing in the stocking densities. The highest proportion of energy deposited to growth occurred in each 3% treatment (L, 6.38%; ML, 6.12%; MH, 4.56% and H, 4.14%), which were significantly higher than the controls (p < .05) respectively. Higher cortisol, glucose and lactate levels of A. japonicus were recorded in the control treatments of MH and H, but l ‐tryptophan supplementation could reduce the levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate of the test animals. The present results proved that the growth performance of the sea cucumber was inhibited by high stocking densities, while dietary supplementation of tryptophan could significantly mitigate the crowding stress, and improve the growth of sea cucumber.