硫酸安普霉素对凡纳滨对虾生长、血清生化指标的影响及在组织内的残留

在基础饲料中添加0、60、120、180、240、300mg/kg硫酸安普霉素,投喂初始体质量为(0.51士0.01)g的凡纳滨对虾,记作G0、G50、G120、G180、G240、G300,经49 d养殖试验,研究硫酸安普霉素对凡纳滨对虾生长、血清生化指标的影响及组织中的残留量.结果显示,G180、G240对虾特定生长率和G240蛋白质效率显著高于G0 (P＜0.05);各添加组对虾肝胰指数均高于G0,但差异不显著(P＞0.05).与G0相比,G240全虾粗蛋白、血清总蛋白和甘油三酯含量显著升高(P＜0.05),尿酸水平显著降低(P＜0.05).添加组血清葡萄糖、胆固醇含量和谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶活性与G0相比差异不显著(P＞0.05).各硫酸安普霉素添加组肝胰腺和肌肉中残留量分别为2.92～19.11 μg/g和0.91～8.20 μg/g,并随添加量增加显著升高.结果表明,饲料中添加适量的硫酸安普霉素能显著促进凡纳滨对虾生长性能,不会产生明显的毒性效应,但会在肝胰腺和肌肉中残留.     

饲料中添加桑叶黄酮对凡纳滨对虾生长性能、抗氧化指标及抗胁迫能力的影响

为了探讨桑叶黄酮对凡纳滨对虾（Litopenaeus vannamei）生长性能、体成分、血清生化和抗氧化指标的影响，选用初始体重为（1.32±0.01）g的凡纳滨对虾960尾，随机分为6组（每组4个重复，每个重复40尾），分别投喂在基础饲料中添加0、10 mg/kg、50 mg/kg、100 mg/kg、150 mg/kg和300 mg/kg桑叶黄酮的实验饲料，饲养50 d后测定成活率、生长相关指标、血清生化指标、抗氧化指标及抗低氧胁迫能力。结果显示，饲料中添加桑叶黄酮对凡纳滨对虾成活率、增重率、特定生长率、饲料系数等无显著影响（P>0.05）。饲料中添加桑叶黄酮对凡纳滨对虾体成分无显著性影响（P>0.05）。添加150 mg/kg和300 mg/kg桑叶黄酮可显著提高凡纳滨对虾血清谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性（P<0.05）。添加10~300 mg/kg桑叶黄酮可显著提高血清和肝脏总抗氧化能力，显著降低肝胰腺丙二醛和脂质过氧化物的含量，添加50 mg/kg桑叶黄酮可提高血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶的活性（P<0.05）。低氧胁迫2 h时，10 mg/kg、50 mg/kg组的累计死亡率显著低于对照组（P<0.05）；在低氧胁迫4 h时，10 mg/kg、50 mg/kg、100 mg/kg组的累计死亡率显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。结果表明，以血清总抗氧化能力为评价指标进行回归分析得出，桑叶黄酮在凡纳滨对虾饲料中的适宜添加量为56.18 mg/kg，添加10~100 mg/kg桑叶黄酮可提高凡纳滨对虾抗低氧胁迫能力。     

酵母水解物对低盐胁迫凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫及抗氧化能力的影响

本实验旨在研究饲料中添加酵母水解物对凡纳滨对虾在低盐度胁迫条件下非特异性免疫和抗氧化能力的影响。选取凡纳滨对虾[初始体质量（15.82±0.08）g]，平均分为2组，对照组投喂基础饲料（Y0），实验组投喂添加了3%酵母水解物的实验饲料（Y3），在室内养殖15d后分别放入盐度为4‰（S4）和28‰（S28）的水体中进行盐度胁迫实验，每组6个重复，每个重复30尾虾（根据饲料和盐度不同组合，分组命名为Y0S4、Y0S28、Y0S3、Y0S28）。结果表明：饲料中添加3%酵母水解物对凡纳滨对虾血清酚氧化酶（PO）、总一氧化氮合成酶（TNOS）活性没有显著影响，但低盐度胁迫1h时，Y3S4组PO、TNOS活性显著高于Y0S4组；盐度因素对PO、TNOS活性产生显著影响，低盐度胁迫1h时，S28组PO、TNOS活性显著高于S4；饲料中添加3%酵母水解物显著提高了凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性；盐度因素对酸性磷酸酶（ACP）活性产生了显著影响，S28组ACP活性显著高于S4。由此可见，在饲料中添加酵母水解物能够提高凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺SOD活性，提高对虾的抗氧化能力；在遭遇低盐度胁迫时，对虾能迅速恢复PO、TNOS活性至正常水平，从而提高凡纳滨对虾的抵抗不良环境的能力。     

辣椒碱在凡纳滨对虾饲料中的应用研究

以凡纳滨对虾为试验对象,探讨在饲料中添加2 mg/kg的辣椒碱对凡纳滨对虾生长、免疫等方面的影响。试验结果表明,与对照组相比,试验组饲料中添加2 mg/kg辣椒碱后,凡纳滨对虾的生长性能指标显著改善,成活率、饲料系数显著优于对照组(P<0.05),血清中谷草转氨酶(AST)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05),肝胰腺免疫抗氧化指标(MDA、SOD、CAT)水平及健康状况亦有所提升。     

复合酶制剂对凡纳滨对虾生长性能、血浆生化指标和免疫性能的影响

为研究复合酶制剂对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)生长性能、血淋巴生化指标和免疫性能的影响,选用初始体重为(0.40±0.02)g的虾苗240尾,随机分为两组,对照组投喂基础饲料,试验组饲料中添加0.04%复合酶制剂,试验为期10周。结果显示:与对照组相比,试验组凡纳滨对虾生长性能无显著变化(P>0.05),但存活率有降低的趋势;对虾体成分有显著变化(P<0.05);试验组对虾肝胰腺中T-AOC、血浆中TCHO和TG含量显著提高(P<0.05),肝胰腺中AKP、SOD、GOT活性和血浆中GLU含量显著降低(P<0.05)。可见,在本试验条件下,饲料中添加0.04%复合酶制剂能有效改善凡纳滨对虾体成分组成,提高其对饲料中营养物质的消化吸收,增强其抗氧化能力,对其肝脏有明显的保护作用。     

聚β-羟基丁酸酯对凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺免疫和消化指标的影响

以平均体质量为(5.66±0.14)g的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)为研究对象,分别投喂含聚β-羟基丁酸酯(PHB)质量分数为0%(对照组)、1%、3%和5%的对虾配合饲料,饲养35 d后检测并比较不同水平PHB对凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺免疫和消化指标的影响。结果显示,3%PHB添加组凡纳滨对虾的总抗氧化能力和溶菌酶活性显著高于对照组(P0.05)。Toll基因表达量随PHB含量的升高呈先上升后下降趋势,其中1%和3%PHB添加组的表达量显著高于对照组(P0.05);对照组HSP70基因表达量显著低于其他处理组(P0.05)。5%PHB添加组的淀粉酶、胃蛋白酶和胰蛋白酶活性显著升高(P0.05),而脂肪酶活性无显著变化(P0.05)。由此可见,饲料中添加适量的PHB有利于增强凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺的消化和非特异性免疫能力。     

家蝇蛆粉替代鱼粉对凡纳滨对虾生长、抗氧化和免疫指标的影响

设计6种等氮等能的试验饲料,以评价不同比例的家蝇蛆粉替代鱼粉对凡纳滨对虾幼虾生长性能、抗氧化以及非特异性免疫指标的影响。选用960尾体质量为(0.56±0.03)g的凡纳滨对虾随机分为6组,分别投喂用家蝇蛆粉替代鱼粉的6种饲料,替代比例(等蛋白替代)分别为0、20%、40%、60%、80%和100%,记为G0、G20、G40、G60、G80和G100。45 d的养殖试验结果显示,G20~G60组凡纳滨对虾的增重率(WGR)与对照组相比差异不显著(P>0.05),G80、G100组WGR显著降低(P<0.05)。除G40组外,各替代组凡纳滨对虾的特定生长率(SGR)均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。G100组摄食量(FI)显著低于其它各组(P<0.05)。当替代水平不超过60%时,家蝇蛆粉对凡纳滨对虾的饲料系数(FCR)、蛋白质效率(PER)、蛋白质沉积率(PPV)和肝胰指数(HSI)影响不显著(P>0.05);随替代水平的继续增加,FCR和HSI显著升高,PER和PPV显著降低(P<0.05)。替代组对虾肥满度(CF)和存活率(SR)均不同程度的高于对照组,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。随家蝇蛆粉替代水平的增加,全虾粗蛋白、钙(Ca)和总磷(P)含量显著升高(P<0.05),粗脂肪含量显著降低(P<0.05),干物质和灰分含量差异不显著(P>0.05)。各替代组对虾血清和肝胰腺超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、血清丙二醛(MDA)含量与对照组相比差异不显著(P>0.05),G80和G100组肝胰腺MDA含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。血清酚氧化酶(PO)活性随家蝇蛆粉替代量的增加而显著降低,其中G20组显著高于其它各组(P<0.05)。肝胰腺碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性随添加量的增加而显著降低(P<0.05)。家蝇蛆粉替代鱼粉对凡纳滨对虾的血细胞总数(THC)、血清一氧化氮(NO)含量、AKP活性和肝胰腺PO活性、NO含量影响不显著(P>0.05)。     

几种诱食剂对凡纳滨对虾生长、血清生化指标和肝胰腺消化酶的影响

在基础饲料中添加0.03%核苷酸、0.03%核苷酸+0.2%丙氨酸+0.2%甘氨酸、0.2%甘氨酸、0.2%柠檬酸+0.2%甘氨酸,饲养凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)6周,研究一种及几种组合型诱食剂对其生长、血清生化、肝胰腺消化酶以及抗氧化能力的影响。结果显示,饲料中添加0.03%核苷酸+0.2%丙氨酸+0.2%甘氨酸能显著提高凡纳滨对虾的增重率、特定生长率和日摄食率(P<0.05);饲料系数以及对虾的成活率不受添加这几种诱食剂的影响(P>0.05)。各组全虾粗蛋白和灰分含量差异不显著(P>0.05);添加0.2%甘氨酸全虾粗脂肪含量显著高于其它各组(P<0.05)。对虾血清中总蛋白、胆固醇、血糖、谷草转氨酶(AST)以及谷丙转氨酶(ALTc)的组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。对虾肝胰腺中脂肪酶活力在添加0.03%核苷酸最高,显著高于0.2%甘氨酸组;各组间淀粉酶活力差异不显著(P>0.05)。对虾血清中总抗氧化能力以添加0.2%柠檬酸+0.2%甘氨酸最高,与其它各处理差异显著(P<0.05)。结果表明,核苷酸与氨基酸的复合应用比单独添加核苷酸或氨基酸能显著提高凡纳滨对虾的摄食、生长以及抗氧化能力;在饲料中建议添加0.03%核苷酸+0.2%丙氨酸+0.2%甘氨酸。     

低鱼粉饲料中添加羟基蛋氨酸硒对凡纳滨对虾生长性能、抗氧化能力和抗亚硝酸盐胁迫的影响

[目的]本实验旨在研究低鱼粉饲料 中添加羟基蛋氨酸硒(HMSe)对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)生长性能、抗氧化能力及抗亚硝酸盐胁迫的影响。[方法]实验选用初始体质量为(0.90±0.05)g的凡纳滨对虾,分别投喂HMSe添加水平为0.000、0.375、0.750、1.500和2.250 mg/kg的实验饲料,命名为HMSe0 、HMSe1、HMSe2、HMSe3和HMSe4,每组3个重复,养殖8周。养殖实验结束后,进行12 h 的亚硝酸盐胁迫实验。[结果]结果表明,凡纳滨对虾的终末体质量(FBW)、增重率(WG R)和饲料效率(FE)随着饲料中HMSe水平的增加呈现先升高后下降的趋势,并在HMSe2组达到峰值。随着饲料中HMSe水平的提高,对虾全体和肌肉中的硒含量均显著增加,而全虾粗蛋白和粗脂肪的含量呈现先升高后降低的趋势,并分别在HMSe2组和HMSe1组达到最大值。HMSe4组中凡纳滨对虾的血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和肝胰腺过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著高于HMSe0组。亚硝酸盐胁迫显著影响凡纳滨对虾的存活率。与胁迫前比较,胁迫后对虾肝胰腺中MDA含量升高,GST、CAT和T-SOD的活性降低,而补充适量的HMSe可减轻这些负面影响。根据凡纳滨对虾胁迫后成活率的二次多项式回归分析,低鱼粉饲料中凡纳滨对虾的HMSe最适添加量为1.350 mg/kg。[结论]综上所述,在低鱼粉饲料中添加0.750~1.350 mg/kg HMSe,能够提高凡纳滨对虾的生长性能、饲料利用率和抗亚硝酸盐胁迫的能力。     

饲料中黄曲霉毒素B1对凡纳滨对虾生长、肝胰腺和血淋巴生化指标及肝胰腺显微结构的影响

实验设置黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)为0、400、800、1200,1600、2000μg/kg6组饲料,饲养初始体质量为(0.3±0.02)g的凡纳滨对虾,经过8周的生长实验观察饲料中AFB1对凡纳滨对虾生长、体营养成分组成、肝胰腺显微结构以及血淋巴和肝胰腺生化指标的影响。实验结果表明:随着饲料中AFB1的增加,各组全虾粗蛋白量无显著性差异,1600μg/kg组和2000μg/kg组的全虾粗脂肪量高于其他组。AFB1为1200μg/kg时对虾增重率最低(304.67%),2000μg/kg时增重率显著高于其他组,但成活率最低(58.33%)。随着饲料中AFB1的升高酶活性普遍呈下降趋势。2000μg/kg组肝胰腺中总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)显著下降(P<0.05),1600μg/kg组肝胰腺中谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST)、超微量ATP酶和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)酶活力最低,但血淋巴中GST显著高于其他各组(P<0.05)。从凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺的组织切片可观察到,饲料中含有的AFB1越高,肝胰腺被破坏程度越高。随着饲料中AFB1含量增加,对虾肝胰腺中AFB1残留量逐渐增加,2000μg/kg组对虾肝胰腺中AFB1含量最高(95.49μg/kg),各实验组肌肉中无AFB1残留。     

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.     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.