The fate of chlortetracycline residues in a simulated chicken–fish integrated farming systems

Two experiments were conducted at the Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani, Thailand to investigate the fate of chlortetracycline (CTC) residue in chicken manure and its effect on integrated chicken–fish farming system. During the first experiment, broiler chickens were raised and CTC residues in their manure were analysed. Chicken fed diets containing 0, 50, 200 and 800 CTC mg kg^?1 had CTC residue levels of 0, 0.9, 3.8 and 6.5 CTC ng g^?1. Once the diet containing CTC was withdrawn, CTC in the manure dropped to negligible amounts (0, 0, 0.2 and 0.5 CTC ng g^?1) within 1 day. Integrated chicken–fish farming systems were simulated during the second experiment to determine the fate of antibiotic residues in chicken manure in aquaculture environment. Chickens were fed a CTC‐free diet and a feed containing CTC at 200 mg kg^?1. Ten 4 m³ square concrete tanks (2 × 2 × 1 m) were used for the experiment. Five tanks were fertilized with CTC‐contaminated manure and the remaining five tanks were fertilized with CTC‐free manure at a rate of 100 kg dry matter ha^?1 day^?1. Sex‐reversed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was stocked at 12 fish tank^?1 on the 14th day after chicken manure application. The immuno‐radio microbial receptor assay (Charm II test) revealed that edible fish muscle, fish intestinal tract and sediment were contaminated by CTC at rates of 7.21, 22.104 and 1.788 ng g^?1, respectively, after 45 days. Chlortetracycline was detected on day 20 in the water column and gradually increased from 0.26 to 12.13 ng g^?1. Chlortetracycline residues were not detected in fish or the aquatic environment of the CTC‐free treatment. The results demonstrate the potential for antibiotic residue accumulation in fish and aquatic environment when CTC‐contaminated chicken manure is used for pond fertilization.     

Effects of sex ratio, stocking density and age of hybrid tilapia on seed production in concrete tanks in Saudi Arabia

The influence of sex ratio, stocking density and age of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus X O. aureus) brood fish on seed production in concrete tanks were evaluated in 1992 and 1993. A sex ratio of 1:2 and 1:3 (male: female) and a density of 2 fish m-2 gave the best result with respect to number of seed female-1 day-1 and number of seed kg-1-1 female day-1. Maximum seed production female-1 day-1 was recorded for 3-year-old females and the minimum for 1-year-olds, but in terms of seed kg-1 female day-1 and seed m-2 day-1, 1-year-olds produced the maximum number of seed followed by 2-, 3- and 4-year-old females. Seasonal pattern in seed production was apparently influenced by season and temperature. From the first harvest on 21 April 1993 the production increased gradually, reaching a peak during the third harvest and a second peak during the sixth harvest. Thereafter seed production gradually decreased, reaching a minimum during the tenth harvest on 27 October 1993. No seed were found during the last harvest of 18 November 1993. Maximum production coincided with the highest water temperature of around 28°C.     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate level on growth and body composition of juvenile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus

A growth trial was conducted to feed juvenile tilapia (initial weight, 9.1±0.1 g), Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus, isonitrogenous diets for 8 weeks. Six diets were formulated containing 29% crude protein from casein and gelatin, 10% crude fat from soybean oil and refined soybean lecithin and varying levels of corn starch ranging from 6% to 46% at increments of 8%, with corresponding energy to protein (E/P) ratios of 35.6, 37.9, 40.2, 42.5, 44.8 and 47.1 kJ g^?1. Weight gain (WG), specific growth rate, feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher in fish fed diets with starch ≥22% (or E/P ratio ≥40.2 kJ g^?1) than in fish fed diets with 6% or 14% starch (or E/P ratio of 35.6 or 37.9 kJ g^?1). No further improvement was measured when dietary starch content increased beyond 22%. Body protein retention showed the same general pattern as WG, and was highest in fish fed the 22% starch diet. Body composition was significantly affected by dietary starch level. Fish fed diets with starch ≥30% had significantly higher lipid content than fish fed diets with 6% or 14% starch. Ash content was negatively correlated with starch inclusion level, but moisture and protein contents did not show discernible trends among treatments. Results indicate that hybrid tilapia can utilize 46% dietary starch without growth retardation, while 22% starch in feed for juvenile tilapia containing 29% protein and 10% lipid, or an E/P ratio of 37.9 kJ g^?1 is optimal.     

Survival rate and growth performance of Cyprinus carpio L. in intensively cultivated rice fields

In the freshwater area of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, Barbodes gonionotus (Bleeker), Cyprinus carpio L. and Oreochromis niloticus (L.) are often reared together in rice fields. The survival rate and specific growth rate (SGR) of C. carpio showed a large variance. To understand the underlying reasons for this variation, we used multiple regressions for the variables SGR and survival rate, using the results of eight experiments in such polycultures at the Co Do rice–fish experimental station. The SGR of C. carpio declined with increasing rice density. Interspecific competition with O. niloticus also had a negative effect on C. carpio SGR. When fertilizer or manure is added to the trench of the rice–fish field or when extra food can be given to the fish, O. niloticus seems more appropriate than C. carpio. The survival rate of C. carpio depended on season, C. carpio stocking weight and density and the biomass of wild fish species. To obtain higher survival rates, one should stock fewer fish but of a larger size, after thorough eradication of wild fish species.     

Vitellogenin in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus): Induction of two forms by estradiol,quantification in plasma and characterization in oocyte extract

Two forms of vitellogenin were isolated by DEAE agarose ion-exchange chromatography from plasma of the tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus. The monomers have apparent molecular masses of 200 and 130 kDa, as indicated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and a total amount of phosphorus of 1.7 and 0.1%, respectively. Antibodies specific to the two forms, designated tVTG-200 and tVTG-130, were generated in rabbits and used to develop enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and in Western blot analyses of plasma and oocyte extract. SDS-PAGE of the oocyte extract showed a major protein band at 106.6, minor bands at 26.6, 24.2, and 23.7 kDa, and very faint bands at 83.4 and 17.5 kDa. Western blots of the oocyte extract revealed that the antiserum to tVTG-200 recognized strongly the protein bands at 24.2 and 23.7 kDa, and less strongly the bands at 25.1 and 22.6 kDa, whereas the antiserum to tVTG-130 recognized mainly the protein band at 106.6 kDa. The presence of both VTGs in untreated male tilapia was detected with the ELISAs using relatively high plasma volumes. Their presence in males was confirmed by VTG-like immunoreactive materials eluting from the ion-exchange column at the same positions as tVTG-200 and tVTG-130. The concentrations of the VTGs in males were several orders of magnitude lower than in vitellogenic females. Treatment of male tilapia with estradiol-17β (E₂) induced both VTGs within 24h. After 7 days, tVTG-130 reached a maximum concentration in plasma, whereas tVTG-200 continued to increase. Our findings demonstrate that the two vitellogenins are biochemically distinct, possibly differentially regulated, and made by both sexes.     

Evaluation of Cassia fistula meal as a replacement for soybean meal in practical diets of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

This study was undertaken to determine the replacement value of Cassia fistula seed meal (CFM) for soybean meal (SBM) in practical diets of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Five practical diets (350 g kg^?1 crude protein) containing 0 g kg^?1 (control), 170 g kg^?1 (diet II), 340 g kg^?1 (diet III), 509 g kg^?1 (diet IV) and 670 g kg^?1 (diet V) substitution levels of CFM for SBM were formulated and fed to triplicate groups of O. niloticus fingerlings (mean initial weight of 10.22 ± 0.03 g) for 70 days. Fish mortality increased linearly with increase in inclusion levels of CFM in the diet. Growth and diet utilization efficiency were depressed in fish fed diets containing CFM at varying inclusion levels. Feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio of O. niloticus fed on diet containing 170 g kg^?1 substitution level of CFM were similar (P > 0.05) to the control diet. Digestibility of the different diets decreased with increase in inclusion levels of CFM. Fish fed diet containing 670 g kg^?1 CFM had significantly lower carcass protein. However, no significant differences were observed in carcass protein and lipid contents between fish fed the control diets and diet containing 170 g kg^?1 CFM. The most efficient diet in terms of cost per unit weight gain of fish was obtained in 170 g kg^?1 CFM dietary substitution.     

Neuroimmunological regulation of α-MSH release in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

This study describes the effects of IL-1 (interleukin 1) and LPS (bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide) on the release of α-MSH (alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone) from the neurointermediate lobe (NIL) of the teleost Oreochromis mossambicus (tilapia). In vivo treatment of tilapia with IL-1 for 8 days led to a 49% inhibition of basal α-MSH release, measured by means of an in vitro micro-superfusion technique. The treatment did not affect the sensitivity of the tissue to TRH. In vitro, the release of α-MSH was inhibited by LPS in a dose dependent manner. In addition to its effects on the unstimulated release of the hormone, LPS also blunted the response to a TRH stimulation. Together with recent results obtained by others demonstrating the effects of (neuro-)peptides on immune parameters and the presence of cytokines in fish, the present data establish the bidirectional character of the communication between the immune and the (neuro-)endocrine systems in teleosts.

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Résumé Cette étude décrit les effets de l'IL-1 (interleukin 1) et du LPS (bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide) sur la libération de α-MSH (alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone) par le lobe neurointermédiaire (NIL) d'un téléosteen Oreochromis mossambicus (tilapia). Le traitement in vivo du tilapia avec l'IL-1 pendent 8 jours conduit à une inhibition de 49% de la libération basale d'α-MSH mesurée à l'aide d'une technique in vitro de micro-superfusion. Ce traitement ne modifie pas la sensibilité du tissue au TRH. In vitro, la libération de α-MSH est inhibée par le LPS de manière dose-dépendante. En plus de ses effets sur la libération basale de α-MSH, le LPS bloque aussi la réponse à une stimulation par le TRH. Confrontés à des donnés récemment publiés montrant les effets de (neuro-)peptides sur les paramêtres immunitaires et la présence de cytokines chez les poissons, nos résultats établissent le caractère bidirectionnel de la communication entre le système immunitaire et les systèmes (neuro-)endocriniens.

     

Influence of pond fertilization and feeding rate on growth performance, economic returns and water quality in a small-scale cage-cum-pond integrated system for production of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

The effects of pond fertilization and feeding rate on growth, economic returns and water quality were investigated to develop a low‐cost cage‐cum‐pond integrated system for production of Oreochromis niloticus (L.). Hand‐sexed male fingerlings averaging 19±0.39 and 32±0.69 g were stocked in cages and open ponds at 150 fish cage^?1 and 2 fish m^?2 respectively. Fish were cultured for 114 days in five triplicate treatments. Cages were installed into ponds and caged fish were fed a 24% protein diet at 3% (T1) and 6% (T2) body weight day^?1 (BWD) without pond fertilization, and 6% BWD with pond fertilization (T3). The open water in the fourth treatment (T4) was not stocked but contained caged fish, which were fed 6% BWD for the first 57 days followed by 3% BWD for the remaining period. Ponds in the control (T5) had no cages and were neither fertilized nor open‐pond fish fed. Feeding rate and pond fertilization significantly (P<0.05) affected fish growth, profitability and water quality among treatments. Fish growth, feed utilization, fish yield, water quality and profits were significantly (P<0.05) better in T3 than the other treatments. It was concluded that fish production and economic returns were optimized at 6% BWD in fertilized ponds.     

尼罗非鲫和奥利亚非鲫线粒体DNA遗传差异的研究

以酶切MitochondrialDNA（mtDNA）技术检测了尼罗非鲫和奥利亚非鲫的mtDNA。测得两种鱼线粒体基因组的大小都约为16．83kb。在使用的6种酶中，只有PvuⅡ在所检测的15尾尼罗非鲫mtDNA上产生了多态片段，3尾鱼的mtDNA产生了4个片段，12尾鱼的mtDNA产生3个片段。而6种酶在所有15尾奥利亚非鲫中均未检到多态片段。比较两种鱼的mtDNA酶切片段，仅PvuⅡ的酶切结果有所不同，尼罗非鲫mtDNA上有3个或4个PvuⅡ位点，但奥利亚非鲫mtDNA上有5个位点，因此，PvuⅡ的酶切位点可作为鉴别它们的分子遗传标记。     

奥利亚罗非鱼DMO cDNA的分离和克隆

采用RTPCR和RACE法分离和测定了奥利亚罗非鱼DMOcDNA的全序列。得到1571bp[不含poly(A)]的全长cDNA,包括148bp5’非翻译区,1230bp阅读框以及含Poly(A)信号AATAAA的193bp3’非翻译区[不包括Poly(A)]。阅读框共编码409氨基酸,与尼罗罗非鱼DMO编码的氨基酸序列进行比较,同源性为96.3%,表明DMO在同一物种中差别较小。而与尼罗罗非鱼,红鳍东方豚,虹鳟,青鱼将,鼠,人等动物的DMRT1编码的氨基酸序列进行比较,同源性分别为:25.7%,25.8%,24.3%,29.7%,22.5%,22.0%,这说明DMO和DMRT1可能是两个不同的基因。