Effects of protein and lipid concentrations in broodstock diets on growth, spawning performance and egg quality of yellowfin sea bream (Acanthopagrus latus)

A study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary protein and lipid concentrations on growth, spawning performance and egg quality of yellowfin sea bream, Acanthopagrus latus. Nine diets representing a combination of three protein concentrations (40, 50 and 60%) and three lipid concentrations (15, 20 and 25%) were tested with three replicates. Each replicate was stocked with 10 fish with a sex ratio of 1:1 and the average weights were 415 g and 236 g for females and males, respectively. Fish were fed to satiation twice daily. The weight gain of A. latus broodstock was not significantly (P > 0.05) different among fish fed diets with the various protein and lipid concentrations. Except for relative fecundity and survival rate of 3-day-post-hatch (3DPH) larvae, spawning performance of A. latus was not significantly affected by different concentrations of dietary protein or lipid. Relative fecundity was found to be significantly elevated by dietary lipid at 20% concentration. However, survival rate of 3DPH larvae was highest from broodstock fed diets with 40% protein and 25% lipid, 50% protein and 15% lipid and 60% protein and 15% lipid concentrations. Egg diameter generally increased with increasing dietary protein from 40 to 60% at each lipid concentration. Total length of hatchlings followed an inverse relationship with dietary protein regardless of the lipid concentration. The oil globule diameter (OGD) of hatchlings significantly increased with decreasing dietary protein from 60 to 40%. Yolk sac length (YSL) and OGD of hatchlings was generally greatest at 15% dietary lipid concentration irrespective of protein concentrations. Total length of 3DPH larvae was greatest from broodstock fed diets with 50% protein and 20% lipid, respectively. Body protein content of broodstock was not significantly affected by dietary protein and lipid concentrations. However, increasing dietary lipid generally resulted in increasing body lipid content regardless of the dietary protein concentration. Protein and lipid contents of eggs, hatchlings and 3DPH larvae were significantly affected by dietary protein and lipid concentrations of the broodstock diets. The present study revealed that the best reproductive performance of A. latus broodstock was achieved at 40% dietary protein and 20% dietary lipid concentrations based on relative fecundity, fertilization rate, hatchability and survival of 3DPH larvae.     

Effect of dietary marine lipids on female white bass ova compositions and progeny survival

We evaluated white bass ovum fatty acid composition as well as embryonic and larval survival after varying n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) concentrations in maternal diets. Diets containing graded levels (0, 33, 66, or 100%) of squid to menhaden oils were fed daily to apparent satiation to female white bass for 8 weeks prior to spawning. Embryonic survival was negatively related to maternal squid oil intake (P = 0.015, R ² = 0.970). Squid oil-fed broodstock produced ova with decreased 20:5n-3 and increased C₁₈ polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations, largely reflecting the fatty acid profile of squid oil. Within ovum phospholipid, accumulation of 18:2n-6 may have altered biological function resulting in the lower embryonic survival among ova produced from the squid oil-fed broodstock. Our data suggest the importance of feeding white bass broodstock diets high in total n-3 LC-PUFA (at least 4.0% dry matter), and 20:5n-3-rich lipid sources such as menhaden oil can be effectively utilized by female white bass to produce quality ova.     

Annual cycle of plasma lipids in captive reared striped bass: effects of environmental conditions and reproductive cycle

Protein, lipid and fatty acid concentrations in plasma of eight male and eight female six year old captive striped bass (Morone saxatilis) were monitored monthly over the course of two reproductive cycles as part of an effort to investigate the time course of lipid class mobilization and subsequent deposition in gonads. Total protein levels (44.2 ± 0.67 mg ml^–1, range 20.6–86.4) showed seasonal fluctuation, but did not vary with sex. Total lipid concentrations in the plasma of both males (17.7 ± 0.61 mg ml^–1) and females (14.1 ± 0.64 mg ml^–1) showed seasonal fluctuations with the lowest levels in late Spring during spawning. Plasma lipids in females were significantly (p < 0.0001) lower than those of the males except during early ovarian secondary growth. Analysis of the lipid class composition revealed that the decrease in plasma lipid concentrations in females prior to spawning is primarily due to a decrease of up to 50% in the phospholipid content of the plasma relative to males. Striped bass vitellogenin was found to contain approximately 20% lipid by weight with nearly 80% of the lipid being phosphatidyl choline (PC). Vitellogenin levels previously measured in these individuals were highest during the winter months and decreased in the 2 months prior to spawning. Although mature striped bass oocytes are rich in wax esters, no wax esters or fatty alcohols were found in the plasma. Analysis of the fatty acyl composition of separated lipid classes suggests that PC is the primary carrier of the essential (n=3) fatty acids 22:6 (DHA) and 20:5 (EPA) to the gonads. Fatty acid analysis of the lipids associated with vitellogenin revealed that levels of essential fatty acids were low relative to vitellogenin-borne lipids from other teleosts. The lack of detectable wax esters in plasma lipids of female striped bass suggests that these abundant lipids in mature eggs are synthesized within the oocytes.     

Induced Maturation of Striped Bass Morone saxatilis Exposed to 6, 9, and 12 Month Photothermal Regimes

Photoperiod and temperature manipulation were used to induce out-of-season spawning in striped bass Morone saxatilis Maturational status of 40 age V striped bass, held in five environmental chambers exposed to compressed 6 mo and 9 mo cycles and a 12 mo reference cycle, was monitored by monthly egg and gonadal (ultrasound) diameter measurements. The primary effect of shortened photothermal and reproductive cycles was a reduction in egg and ovary diameters, and the number of ovulating females. Egg diameters were directly related to cycle length, averaging 845 μm, 946 μm, and 1,073 μm for females held on the 6, 9, and 12 mo cycles, respectively. Ovary diameters of females held on the 6 mo cycle were smaller (19.6 mm) than those held on the 9 mo (27.4 mm) and 12 mo (24.5 mm) cycles. Ovary diameter was highly correlated with egg diameter ( r = 0.91). The number of ovulating females decreased with cycle length, totalling 38%, 88%, and 100% in the 6, 9, and 12 mo cycles, respectively. However, no differences in fecundity (58,452 eggslkg) or fertility (39%) were detected between photothermal treatments or tank-spawned and strigspawned females. When held for a second 6 mo cycle, none of the females spawned repetitively. Males held on the 6 mo cycle had smaller testicular diameters (16.2 mm) than those held on 9 mo (23.6 mm) and 12 mo (19.2 mm) cycles. Testicular diameter of spermiating males (15.7 nun) was significantly larger than that of non-spermiating males (6.9 mm) in all cycles. The low number of spawning females and small egg, ovarian, and testicular diameter offish held on the 6 mo cycle suggest that subjecting striped bass brood stock to an abbreviated cycle length (<9 mo) constrains maturation development and reproductive success.     

Spawning Frequency Analysis of Wild and Pond-Reared Pacific White Shrimp Penaeus vannamei Broodstock under Large-Scale Hatchery Conditions

Second generation Penaeus vannamei broodstack, pond-reared and wild populations, were compared for spawning frequency and several variables associated with reproductive performance. For this purpose, 470 pond-reared and 237 wild-caught individually tagged females were stocked with males of the same origin in ten maturation tanks in a commercial hatchery, and several productivity variables were recorded over time. Results of the analysis indicate that wild shrimp had higher mating and spawning frequencies compared to pond-reared broodstock. The number of nauplii per spawn was higher for wild shrimp, but fertilization and hatching rates were higher for pond-reared spawners. A larger proportion of nonmating females were found in pond-reared shrimp; whereas, wild females had a higher potential for multiple matings. The spawn quality (fertilization and hatching rates, percentage of viable spawns, and number of nauplii) in consecutive matings did not decline substantially. The present study indicates that selection of females with multiple spawning capabilities can be an important commercial strategy to improve nauplii production over the short term. Pond-reared broodstock can be an adequate source for applying this strategy because of their year-round availability and an overall acceptable reproductive performance.     

Effect of dietary soybean lecithin on reproductive performance of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards) Broodstock

The effect of increasing levels of dietary phospholipids (PL) on the ovarian development and reproductive performance of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis were investigated using four semipurified formulated diets supplemented with 0%, 1.2%, 2.4%, and 3.6% PL. Four groups of 40 females, with an average individual body weight of 95–120 g, were fed the experimental diets for a period of 7 months. Male crabs were introduced into the female rearing system in March, and mating, spawning, and egg hatching occurred in the following month. After 10 weeks of feeding, females fed the diet with 2.4% PL had a significantly higher gonadosomatic index (GSI) than females fed the diet with 0% PL, whereas females fed the diet with 1.2% PL had a significantly higher hepatic moisture content and lower hepatic lipid content than the other groups (P < 0.05). After mating, the spawning rate was higher among females fed diets with 3.6% and 2.4% PL (95% and 92%, respectively) compared with females fed diets with 0% and 1.2% PL (both 81%). The results showed that egg production (total number of eggs/female) and fecundity increased with increasing dietary PL level, with females fed diets with 0% and 1.2% PL supplementation having significantly lower values than females fed the diet with 3.6% PL (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that dietary PL supplementation has a positive effect on ovarian development and reproductive performance of E. sinensis broodstock. Further study should aim to investigate the optimal PL level in the broodstock diet of E. sinensis in respect to offspring quality.     

Activity and expression of aspartate aminotransferase during the reproductive cycle of a fresh water fish, Clarias batrachus

Aspartate amino transferase (AspT; EC: 2.6.1.1) is one of the key enzyme of aspartate malate shuttle and non-essential amino acid metabolism. In order to clarify the change of the activities of both cytosolic (c-) and mitochondrial (m-) AspT isoenzymes during the different reproductive stages of Clarias batrachus, an air-breathing carnivorous freshwater fish, the c- and m- AspT activities were measured spectrophotometrically in liver, heart, kidney, brain and ovary during the pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning phases of the annual reproductive cycle of this fish. Maximum activities were observed during the spawning phase, followed by pre- and post-spawning phases. The native agarose gel electrophoretic pattern revealed two AspT forms, c-AspT and m-AspT, throughout the pre- to post-spawning phases. However, the spawning phase was marked by the expression of an additional anionic form of c-AspT in all tissues studied. These results indicate a distinct utilization of aspartate particularly in the spawning phase in fish in the central metabolic path via transamination reactions, and suggest a control of the enzyme activity by the expression of the additional c-AspT gene, especially at the spawning phase.     

The Annual Reproductive Cycle of the White Bass Morone chrysops

The gametogenic cycle of the white bass Moronc chrysops was characterized for one year at monthly intervals by measuring circulating levels of the sex steroid hormones testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) in males, and 17β-estradiol (E₂) and T in females. Vitellogenin (VTG), the egg yolk precursor, was also measured in female blood plasma. Gonadal status of individual fish was assessed by histological evaluation, measurement of oocyte diameters, and spermintion response. At the onset of vitellogenesis (October), blood plasma levels of E₂ and T were low, but increased significantly as the spawning period (March-April) approached and oocytes attnined their maximum diameter. All stages of oocyte development were observed in mature females, indicating that the white bass is a multiple-clutch, groupsynchronous spawner. Androgen levels increased in males throughout the reproductive cycle and reached maximal levels during the spawning period. The increase in androgens coincided with sperm production and spermintion in males. The circannual endocrine and gonadal development patterns observed in white bass were similar to those of other members of genus Moronc .     

Effects of dietary vegetable oils on liver and gonad fatty acid metabolism and gonad maturation in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) males and females

A 20-week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effect of two dietary blended vegetable oils (VO) on liver lipogenic enzyme activity, liver and gonad lipid class composition and fatty acid profiles, serum sex hormones, and gonad morphohistology in gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata. Three groups of fish (BW _i 130.9 ± 3.1 g) were fed, close to satiation, three experimental diets: a control (CTRL) contained fish oil (FO) as the sole lipid source (100% FO) and two VO-blended diets in each 60% of FO was substituted by an equal mixture of cottonseed oil (CO), sunflower oil (SFO) and either linseed oil (LO) or soybean oil (SBO), designated as LO or SBO diet, respectively. Each diet was assigned to triplicate groups of fish. Results showed that all dietary treatments presented no significant (P > 0.05) differences in growth rate and feed conversion ratio for sexes combined. Enzyme activities of liver lipogenic enzymes of LO-fed fish (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), malic enzyme (ME) and fatty acid synthetase (FAS)) were not statistically (P > 0.05) different from those of CTRL fish. Only in the group of fish fed the SBO diet, G6PDH was slightly higher (P < 0.05) for both sexes, while ME showed a significant (P < 0.05) higher activity only in females relative to CTRL fish. Liver FAS enzyme activity remained unaltered among dietary groups. VO-fed fish recorded a significant (P < 0.05) increase in total lipid (TL) and triglyceride (TAG) contents in both liver and gonad, more pronounced in females than in males, concurrent with a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in cholesterol (CHL) and phospholipids (PL), more obvious for the SBO-fed fish, as compared to CTRL. The fatty acid (FA) composition of liver or gonad reflected that of the supplied diet and evidenced a significant (P < 0.01 or <0.05) alteration in the majority of individual FA in VO-fed fish compared to CTRL. There were decreased levels of ARA (20:4 n-6), EPA (20:5 n-3), and DHA (22:6 n-3) in VO-fed fish, more pronounced in females than in males, compared to CTRL. The liver and gonad FA profiles, for males and females, reflected the composition of the diet and showed sex variation in the output of multivariate principal component analysis (PCA). Feeding fish VO diets has also led to a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in serum estradiol level by 15.8 or 22.3% in LO- or SBO-fed fish, respectively, and in testosterone level by 7.7% in the latter dietary group only compared to the CTRL. Histomorphological examination of ovary and testis has indicated a relative retardation in oogenesis and spermatogenesis in VO-fed fish, less obvious in the LO-fed fish compared to CTRL. These results suggest a preference of LO over SBO blend diet in terms of liver lipogenic enzyme activity, liver and gonad lipid content, lipid class composition and fatty acid profile, serum sex hormones as well as gonad maturation. PCA analysis of gonads highlighted the importance of using a 100% marine FO diet for gilthead seabream broodstock for the recovery of a normal FA profile in gonads of fish, previously fed VO over the production cycle, to ensure successful spawning.     

Growth and reproductive performance of broodstock shrimp reared in a biosecure recirculating aquaculture system versus a flow-through pond

Over the past decade, viral pathogens have caused mass mortalities of farmed shrimp throughout the major shrimp farming regions of the world. In addition, the global shrimp farming industry has been criticized for negatively impacting coastal environments. These issues have raised concerns about the sustainability of traditional shrimp farming practices, and have prompted farmers and researchers to develop biosecure technologies that promote a sustainable industry. Current technologies include the use of specific pathogen free (SPF) shrimp that are grown to market size in recirculating systems that rely on pathogen exclusion. Inherent in this approach is the need to produce SPF broodstock under biosecure conditions. However, there is a paucity of information on broodstock growth and reproductive performance when they are reared in recirculating systems. The present investigation compares shrimp growth and reproductive performance in two trials where shrimp were cultured from market size (20 g) to broodstock size (40–60 g) in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) versus a flow-through earthen pond (EP). In trial 1, mean growth rates of males and females in the RAS were 0.83 and 1.33 g/week, respectively. In the EP, males and females grew 1.07 and 1.48 g/week, respectively. In trial 2, mean growth rates of males and females in the RAS were 0.90 and 1.53 g/week, respectively, whereas in the EP, males and females grew and 1.24 and 1.78 g/week. Slower growth rates in the RAS may be attributed to the lack of natural productivity, which provides supplemental nutrition to the shrimp. In addition to growth rates, reproductive performance of broodstock reared in the RAS was compared with historical reproductive performance of broodstock reared in the EP. Data on spawning success and production of viable nauplii revealed no significant differences (P>0.05) between broodstock shrimp reared in these two systems. These results indicate that broodstock shrimp can be cultured in a biosecure RAS while maintaining good growth and high survival. In addition, reproductive performance of broodstock shrimp reared in a RAS is not compromised when compared with broodstock shrimp reared in a conventional, flow-through pond.     

Preliminary investigations on the effects of dietary lipid on the spawning performance and egg quality of black sea bass Centropristis striata L

Adult black sea bass Centropristis striata broodstock ( N =162) were fed three different dietary treatments: two commercially prepared diets with 45% protein and two different lipid levels (12% and 20%) (diets 1 and 2), and a diet of frozen Atlantic silversides Menidia menidia (SS, diet 3). Broodstock were held under controlled photothermal conditions and induced to spawn with an LHRHa pellet (72 μg kg⁻¹ bw). Dietary lipid had pronounced effects on spawning performance and egg quality. Diet 3 (SS) produced a significantly ( P <0.05) higher fertilization success (22.4%) than diets 1 (0.6%) and 2 (4.8%). The hatching success of fertilized eggs was similar in all diets (range=40–58.6%), but only two spawns from diet 1 (12% lipid) yielded viable yolk-sac larvae (YSL). Diet 3 (SS) also produced significantly more YSL per female (21.8 × 10³) than the diet 1 (0.3 × 10³). Eggs from diet 3 (SS) contained a significantly greater proportion of n-3 series fatty acids, with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as the largest fraction. Eggs from commercially prepared dietary treatments contained significantly more n-6 fatty acids. The poor spawning performance of fish fed diet 1 (12% lipid) may be related to higher levels of linoleic acid and lower levels of DHA in the diet.     

Interactions of Carbohydrate and Lipid in Diets for Hybrid Striped Bass (Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis)

The effects of changing the proportion of non-protein energy sources in diets for hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis, Walbaum) were evaluated. Lipid (menhaden fish oil) and carbohydrate (wheat flour/dextrin 1:l) were varied at two digestible energy (DE) levels (2.9 kcal/g and 3.3 kcal/g) using a constant protein level of 35%. Fish fed at the lower energy level had significantly higher weight gain and protein efficiency ratios (PER) when lipid was 15% with no added carbohydrate. Fish fed at the higher energy level. however, exhibited signifcantly higher weight gain, apparent protein retention, and PER at 10% lipid and 30% added carbohydrates. Growth on this diet was also significantly better than other diets at both energy levels.     

Oocyte and embryo quality in Crassostrea gigas (Portuguese strain) during a spawning period in Algarve,South Portugal

Egg quality is one of the most important factors determining larval viability. The study of oocytes released by `wild' broodstock will contribute to the definition of quality criteria applied to hatcheries as well as being an indicator of the oyster reproduction potential and aquaculture ongrowing systems. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between condition of Crassostrea gigas spp. angulata (Portuguese strain) from `wild' broodstock (condition index, gonadal maturity and number of oocyte released), oocyte biochemistry and hatching rate of eggs during the spring/summer of 1995. Stages of gonadal maturity and condition index indicated that natural spawning of this species occurred between April and August with the highest spawning intensity occurring in June. Analyses demonstrated that C. gigas oocyte organic matter consist of 44–74 % proteins, 16–38 % lipids and 7–12 % carbohydrates. A significant relationship was observed between some biochemical parameters – organic matter and lipid content – and broodstock condition index and hatching rate. It seems that these two oocyte parameters (organic matter and total lipids) could be used to define quality of oocyte and thus larval viability. The oocyte protein content was also found to be associated with broodstock and larval quality. In summary, these data are a contribution to the knowledge of the reproductive cycle of oysters in Europe and may be useful in improving hatchery management of this species.     

Reproduction of striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), broodstock: monitoring maturation and hormonal induction of spawning

Abstract Levels of gonadal steroid hormones were quantified in an adult striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), broodstock during their gametogenic cycle. Blood plasma concentrations of Estradiol (E₂) and testosterone in females, or 11-ketotestosterone(11-KT) and testosterone (T) in males, were used as indicators of maturation. In both sexes, hormone levels were low in summer but increased significantly by late October to intermediate levels which were then maintained until late January. They then increased again rapidly to maximum pre-spawning values attained in late February or March, and subsequently decreased during the spawning period (April and May) with an increased incidence of spent fish with low hormone levels. The changes in blood hormone concentrations coincided with annual changes in photoperiod and water temperature that may be useful landmarks for maturation in captive broodstock. Mature females were implanted with pellets containing a dose of approximately 20 μg/kg body weight of [D-Ala⁶-Pro⁹-Net]-LHRH (GnRHa) in a matrix of cholesterol (CH) and cellulose. In April, they had not yet begun final oocyte maturation (FOM) and were too immature for conventional induction of spawning by injection with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). In early April, females given two 95% CH (slow hormone-release) GnRHa pellets (95/95) or females given one 80% CH (fast hormone-release) GnRHa pellet and one 95% CH GnRHa pellet (80/95) spawned within 13 days treatment (n= 4) with good egg fertility (76 ± 7% of total) and hatch rates (62 ± 15% of fertile). Females given dual fast-release GnRHa pellets (80/80) or control (Sham) pellets did not spawn or show evidence of increased oocyte diameter or development. In late April, four of six females given the 80/95 GnRHa pellet combination spawned within 9 days. Three fish produced fertile eggs (54 ± 18%). one spawned overripe eggs, and the remaining two increased oocyte diameter and maturation. Three corresponding controls did not spawn, and two of these showed clear signs of atresia within 11 days. In early May, some females were undergoing early FOM and were mature enough to be spawned by hCG injection. Three were given a single 80% CH GnRHa pellet and spawned within 6 days of treatment to produce fertile eggs (44 ± 6%). Of two other females given dual 80% CH GnRHa pellets, one spawned infertile eggs and the other failed to spawn within 9 days. GnRHa implants show promise as a technique for inducing spawning of captive striped bass broodstock although the optimum hormone delivery systems, dosages and release rates should be verified for fish at specific maturational stages.     

Effect of partial or total replacement of forage fish by a dry diet on the quality of reproduction in pikeperch, Sander lucioperca

The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the influence of different feeding regimes on the quality of reproduction in pikeperch. Three diets were tested: forage fish (FF), a commercial dry feed (DD) and a mix of both (FD).  The diets were given to fish throughout a complete reproductive cycle. During the spawning season, couples were injected with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and let to spawn on nests. Proportion of running males, spawning and hatching success and larval quality (weight, length, body protein, total lipid, fatty acid and lipid class compositions and resistances to osmotic shock and starvation stress tests at hatching) were evaluated. The proportion of running male was lower in the DD group than in the FF and FD groups (54% for DD against 76–89% for FF and FD). In addition, 25%, 62.5% and 75% of injected couples gave spawning that hatched in DD, FF and FD groups respectively. Larval quality parameters were not significantly different between treatments. The results indicate that overall quality of reproduction was higher in FF and FD treatments than in DD. It suggests that the dry feed used was not totally adequate for pikeperch reproduction. Relations between breeder reproductive performances and the feed compositions are discussed.     

Physical activity and behavior of a centrarchid fish, Micropterus salmoides (Lacépède), during spawning

Abstract – The spawning behavior of male and female largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacépède) was studied in central Illinois during the spring of 1998 to examine patterns of muscular activity associated with different spawning related behaviors and to evaluate whether electromyogram (EMG i ) telemetry could be used to detect spawning activity. Fish were implanted with EMG i transmitters (8 females, 16 males) on April 7, prior to the initiation of spawning, and were released in four 0.10-ha earthen research ponds. Continuous EMG i records, underwater videography and additional visual observations for one pair of EMG i tagged fish were collected throughout the entire spawning event, allowing us to quantify behavioral correlates of physical activity. Male EMG i activity patterns were only correlated with female patterns during courting and periods of male aggression toward the female. Overall, EMG i activity was highest for the female during shuddering (gamete deposition), whereas male EMG i activity was similarly high during periods of nest excavation, shuddering and post-spawn parental care activities. During spawning, female EMG i activity was positively correlated to shuddering. Average daily EMG i activities for females peaked on the day of spawning. As a result of their engagement in parental care activities, male activity continued to rise even after spawning was completed. EMG i telemetry appears to be a useful technique for monitoring the reproductive activity of largemouth bass, especially in areas of high cover or turbid water or during low light conditions. This technology permitted us to quantify and contrast the activity patterns associated with different spawning related activities, information that will be required to construct accurate, gender-specific bioenergetics models for this species.     

Influence of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid deficiency on the lipid composition of broodstock gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) and on egg quality

A feeding experiment was conducted on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) broodstock to investigate the incidence of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) dietary deficiencies on the lipid composition of female liver, gonads and eggs, in relation to spawning quality. Broodstock were fed a control (C) diet or a n-3 HUFA deficient (D) but linolenic acid rich diet. After 20 weeks of feeding, the results showed that levels of total neutral (TNL) and total polar (TPL) lipids of female gonads and eggs were independent of diet. However the fatty acid composition of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) of female liver, gonads and eggs in the two groups of fish showed marked differences, reflecting the influence of fatty acid levels in the broodstock diets. This influence was even higher in TNL than in the phospholipid classes examined. In fish fed n-3 HUFA deficient diet, fatty acid composition of TNL of female gonads and eggs reflected the diet more than liver. A higher egg production in broodstock fed C diet (1.8% n-3 HUFA in diet) was extended to spawning quality such as percentages of fertilised and hatched eggs.     

Animal performance and reproductive aspects of female Rhamdia quelen fed on different levels of digestible energy

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different diet energy levels on animal performance. Specifically, this investigation examined the reproductive and histological aspects of the liver and gonads of female silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen). These fish were fed for 210 days with diets containing 30% digestible protein (DP) and digestible energy (DE) that corresponded to 11.93, 12.98, 14.03, 15.07 and 16.12 MJ of DE kg^?1. The initial and final lengths, weights, and weight gains, the visceral, gonadal, and hepatosomatic indices, and the histological parameters hepatocytes area and gonadal stages were evaluated. In the reproductive season, the fish were submitted to an artificial reproduction protocol and the percentage of spawning females and their relative and absolute fecundity were evaluated. DE did not affect reproductive or animal performance aspects (P > 0.05). Cytoplasmic vacuoles in hepatocytes were observed in higher DE levels. Thus, female Rhamdia quelen can be fed a diet of 30% DP with 11.93 MJ of DE kg^?1 without reproductive or performance losses.     

饲料脂肪水平对克氏原螯虾亲虾生长性能、肌肉成分、繁殖性能以及血淋巴生化指标的影响

为研究克氏原螯虾亲虾对脂肪的需要量,本实验采用初始体质量为(15.46±0.20)g的克氏原螯虾亲虾324尾,分为6组(每组设置3个重复,每个重复18尾,雌雄比例为2:1),投喂粗蛋白质水平为30%,脂肪水平分别为1.98%(对照组)、4.12%、5.84%、7.89%、10.48%和11.89%的6组半精制饲料,饲养8周后,测定并分析亲虾的生长性能、肌肉成分、繁殖性能、肝胰腺消化酶活性以及血淋巴部分生化指标。结果发现:①随着饲料脂肪水平的升高,增重率和特定生长率先上升,在饲料脂肪水平达到7.89%后呈下降趋势;饲料系数和肝体比呈上升趋势,11.89%组最高。②饲料脂肪水平对亲虾肌肉水分和灰分含量无显著影响;随着饲料脂肪水平的升高,肌肉粗脂肪含量呈现先升高后降低最后趋于稳定的趋势,在饲料脂肪水平为5.84%时最高。③随着饲料脂肪水平的升高,性腺指数、抱卵率、抱卵量均呈现先上升后降低的变化规律,均在饲料脂肪水平为7.89%时达到最大。④血淋巴中总蛋白含量随饲料脂肪水平呈现先下降后上升趋势;谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶活性均随饲料脂肪水平升高而升高,均在11.89%组最高;血淋巴中葡萄糖含量各组间无显著性差异。⑤饲料脂肪水平对实验虾肝胰腺蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性有显著影响,对淀粉酶活性无显著性影响。利用增重率与饲料脂肪水平进行折线回归分析,克氏原螯虾亲虾获得最佳增重率时对饲料的脂肪需要量为7.60%。对实验虾生长性能、肌肉成分、繁殖性能、肝胰腺消化酶活性、血淋巴生化指标进行综合分析,显示本实验条件下克氏原螯虾亲虾对脂肪需要量为7.60%～7.89%。