Pigment deficiency correction in shrimp broodstock using Spirulina as a carotenoid source

In this study, an effort was made to cure the pigment deficiency syndrome (PDS) exhibited by pond‐reared Fenneropenaeus indicus (H.Milne Edwards) broodstock, using the blue‐green algae Spirulina as a carotenoid source in diet. The PDS symptoms included bleaching of ovary and reduced early larval performance. Biochemical analysis indicated reduced quantity of total carotenoids in egg and nauplii from the females with PDS. When PDS females were fed 30 g kg^?1Spirulina‐supplemented diet immediately after the appearance of symptoms, the egg and nauplii carotenoid values improved gradually and attained the pre‐PDS values after a minimum of 4 week period. Spirulina supplementation also improved significantly (P < 0.05) the spawn quality (hatch per spawn, nauplii per spawn, nauplii viability) and larval quality indices (P < 0.05). The egg and nauplii protein values exhibited a trend similar to carotenoids, confirming the influence of latter on protein stability previously reported by researchers. The study confirms the bioavailability of carotenoids from Spirulina to shrimp broodstock and recommends its regular inclusion in diet to preclude carotenoid deficiency‐related problems in shrimp hatcheries.     

Delay of the egg activation process in the Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus monodon by manipulation of magnesium levels in spawning water

The aim of this study was to determine whether magnesium (Mg²⁺) in seawater is required for egg activation of the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon and whether manipulation of Mg²⁺ levels can be used to delay the process and thereby synchronize egg activation. Female P. monodon broodstock were allowed to spawn in artificial seawater containing Mg²⁺ at varying levels with respect to the normal (100%) level: 100%, 50%, 20% and 0%. Egg activation occurred normally at 100% Mg²⁺, incompletely at 50% and 20% Mg²⁺ levels and did not occur at all with 0% Mg²⁺. The fertilization rate with 100% Mg²⁺ was observed to be 83%, but fertilization failed to take place in all the other groups. The fertilization rate was restored from 0% to 76% following the 20% Mg²⁺ level treatment when Mg²⁺ levels returned to normal (100%) as soon as spawning was completed. This study suggests that the level of Mg²⁺ in seawater plays a vital role in P. monodon egg activation, and that commencement of this process could be delayed by manipulation of the Mg²⁺ level during and immediately after spawning.     

Egg quality determination based on the shape of the lipid vesicle in common dentex, Dentex dentex

The shape of the lipid vesicle (the ratio between the maximal and the minimal diameter and the shape coefficient) of the eggs of Diplodus puntazzo and Sparus aurata is correlated with larval survival rate (%) and can be used as an egg quality marker as reported previously by Lahnsteiner and Patarnello (2005) . In the present study, this method for egg quality determination has also been validated for common dentex, Dentex dentex, after introducing several modifications in the calculation and evaluation procedure in order to obtain higher sensitivity. In the present study, it could be demonstrated that the shape of the lipid vesicle is not only correlated with the hatching rate but also with the survival rate of 1, 2 and 3 days post hatch larvae and therefore it can also be used as an indicator of larval viability at early stages of development.     

Effects of high dose of vitamin A on reproduction and egg quality of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

ABSTRACT: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary vitamin A on reproduction and egg quality in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus . Broodstock were fed experimental pellets containing two levels of vitamin A [11 × 10³ IU/100 g (control diet; CD), 337 × 10³ IU/100 g (experimental diet; ED)] for approximately 2 months before spawning and during the spawning period. Two groups of five females (average weight 1.4 kg) and 10 males (average weight 0.7 kg) were randomly allocated to two 30 m³ indoor tanks. Total egg production of the CD group was slightly higher than the ED group. Percentage of buoyant eggs and hatching rate of the ED group were significantly higher than the CD. In other egg quality parameters, such as percentage abnormal larvae and starvation tolerance of larvae, no notable difference was found between these two groups. At the end of the experiment, the skin color of broodstock in the ED group was darker than that of the CD group. Vitamin A content in eggs of the ED group was significantly higher than that of the CD group. However, the difference in vitamin A content in eggs between the ED and CD groups was much smaller than that in the liver of the females between the two groups. These results indicate that feeding broodstock a higher level of vitamin A increases the vitamin A content in eggs but does not affect egg quality in Japanese flounder because excess dietary vitamin A was stored mainly in the broodstocks' liver.     

Vitamin contents of eggs that produce larvae showing a high survival rate in the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica

This paper describes the relationship between the egg vitamin concentrations and the egg quality in the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica . No notable relation was found between any vitamin and the fertilization rate. Hatching and survival rates of larvae, however, significantly increased with an elevated level of egg vitamin C (VC). In contrast to VC, the relation between vitamins E (VE) and A (VA) concentrations and survival rate showed a clear peak, with a reduced survival rate at both higher and lower vitamin concentrations. The ratio of VE to lipid or highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) in eggs positively correlated with hatching and survival rates of larvae. High-quality (HQ) eggs were determined as eggs that produced larvae having a survival rate higher than 80% at 8 days post hatch, and low-quality (LQ) eggs were determined as eggs that did not hatch. The level of VC of HQ was significantly higher than LQ. The results of this study suggest that HQ eggs, which produce larvae having a high survival rate, must have high levels of VC and VE/HUFA ratio and contain optimum levels of VA and VE in Japanese eel.     

Seasonal shift in spawning of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) by photoperiod manipulation: egg quality in relation to temperature and intensive larval rearing

Commercial intensive fry production of Atlantic cod will be dependent on production of viable eggs independent of season. This can only be done by manipulation of maturation by photoperiod, but little is known about potential effects on egg characteristics and larval viability. In two cod broodstocks, maturation was successfully advanced or delayed 6 months compared with normal spawning season (March–April) by manipulation of photoperiod. The advanced broodstock spawned both in spring and autumn the same year. In two of the spawning tanks during autumn, ambient temperature was reduced after reaching 13.7°C during the first half of the spawning period. Egg quality and viability were monitored, and several egg batches were incubated, hatched and start‐fed for examination of growth and survival. Temperatures above 9.6°C resulted in significant reductions in fertilization and normal egg development. Concurrently, fractions of dead and unfertilized eggs increased with elevated temperature. Actual relative fecundity was not affected by temperature. Egg characteristics improved when temperature was controlled and lowered below 9.6°C. Occurrence of irregular spawners suggests that handling of broodstock fish should be avoided during maturation and spawning. Cod larvae originating from eggs of the advanced or delayed broodstocks were successfully reared beyond metamorphosis. Survival was 9.0–46.6% and 29.3% in green and clear water respectively. Survival correlated with both initial and average feeding conditions, but growth rate did not correlate with either of survival and feeding conditions. Specific growth rates (8.3–13.6% day⁻¹) is comparable with other intensive rearing trials with cod, but were lower than reported from nature‐like systems.