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.     

Rapid invasion of a subtropical lake fishery in central Mozambique by Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces: Cichlidae)

• 1. Lake Chicamba, Mozambique (19°08′S; 33°08′E) is a large (116 km²) impoundment in the headwaters of the Buzi River system, which was invaded by Oreochromis niloticus in 1996 from a small (<0.3 km²) upstream reservoir.
• 2. Experimental and artisanal catch data showed no O. niloticus until January 1996; after this O. niloticus was recorded in up to 83% of experimental seine net catches, 33% of experimental gill net catches, 43% of boat angling and 23% of shore angling catches, and in 48% of artisanal gill net catches.
• 3. During the period January to March 1997, O. niloticus mean (upper, lower 95% confidence interval) yields in the artisanal fishery were 5.2 (3.6, 7.0) t month^?1.
• 4. The rapid invasion of this lake illustrates the significant invasion threat that small point‐sources of this species pose to southern African freshwater systems.
• 5. The study recommends: (1) that this species should not be used for aquaculture or fisheries enhancement in catchments that have not been invaded, and (2) that the eradication of potential point sources of O. niloticus in non‐invaded catchment systems should be considered.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pond farming of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)j in northern Cameroon. Controlling a sexing error of 1% in hand-sexed male tilapia monosex culture by African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Catfish (mean W₀ 189 g) were added to ponds (525 m^J each) stocked with 230 hand-sexed, male tilapia (W_u163 g), at 0.04, 0.10 and 0.15 catfish m^?2. In each pond, two female tilapias were introduced, thereby creating a sexing error of less than 1%. Feeding was fixed throughout the experiment at 2.5 kg of cottonseed cake per day per pond 6 days per week (mean feeding rate R = 41 kg ha^?1 day-¹). Rearing time was 125 days. Average net pond production per treatment (ranging between 7.5 and 7.9 t ha^?1 year^?1) and marketable production were not different between treatments but net tilapia production was significantly lower at the highest catfish density. Both catfish and tilapia growth were negatively correlated with catfish density due to feed competition near the end of the experiment. It was concluded that catfish efficiency in controlling tilapia recruitment was strongly reduced by the availability of supplementary high-protein feed. Large catfish competed with the parent tilapia for the cottonseed cake but apparently did not exploit the tilapia recruits. Yield of tilapia recruits was lowest at the highest catfish fingerling density, although this was not significant. The number of catfish fingerlings was significantly higher at the lowest catfish density, which indicated that large catfish preyed on catfish fingerlings.     

Characterization and expression of NADPH oxidase genes in stimulated splenic neutrophils of tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus by a mix of traditional Chinese medicine and Bacillus species (TCMBS)

Traditional Chinese medicine and Bacillus species (TCMBS) mixture is an immunostimulant with considerable promise as an alternative in improving fish health. However, nothing is known on its effects on the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase genes and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the neutrophils of fish. The full lengths of tilapia phagocytic NADPH oxidase genes gp91^phox, p22^phox, p40^phox, p47^phox, and p67^phox were cloned and their expression profiles after TCMBS stimulus investigated. The cDNAs of tilapia gp91^phox, p22^phox, p40^phox, p47^phox, and p67^phox contained open reading frames of 1698 bp, 561 bp, 1053 bp, 1584 bp, and 1470 bp respectively, encoding 561, 186, 350, 527, and 489 amino acids respectively. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences showed that tilapia NADPH oxidase genes shared 58%–91% and 21%–67% identity with those of other teleost and mammals respectively. Besides, tilapia NADPH oxidase genes contain conserved domains and motifs required for ROS generation. Phylogenetic analysis suggested tilapia NADPH oxidase genes were close to those of Fundulus heteroclitus. After 2 weeks of TCMBS application showed significant upregulation in expression of NADPH oxidase genes, antioxidant genes (i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione‐disulphide reductase), and an increase in the production of ROS compared to the control in splenic neutrophils of tilapia. Collectively, our study provides evidence of the structure of tilapia NADPH oxidase genes and demonstrate that TCMBS application could modulate their activity in neutrophils to improve immunity in tilapia.     

Beneficial effects on growth,haematic indicators,immune status,antioxidant function and gut health in Juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by dietary administration of a multi‐strain probiotic

The present study was conducted to administer a commercial multi‐strain probiotic (MP), Yilibao (Bacillus velezensis:Bacillus cereus:Lactobacillus casei = 2:2:1), in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. In terms of aerobic Bacillus spp. counts, we produced five diets containing 0, 0.34, 1.68, 3.36 and 6.72 g/kg of MP dry product (Control, T1, T2, T3, T4). Seven hundred and fifty tilapia juveniles (13.26 ± 0.01 g) distributed into 25 tanks in five replications were fed their diet for eight weeks. Results showed that fish fed T3 and T4 diets displayed significantly higher final body weight and weight gain (p < .05). Further, all MP‐treated fish exhibited remarkably decreased plasma lipid profiles (cholesterol, triglycerides) (p < .05) and fish fed T3 and T4 diets displayed significantly higher plasma myeloperoxidase activity and complement C3 content (p < .05). Additionally, fish fed T3 and T4 diets exhibited significantly promoted total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase activity, glutathione level and declined malondialdehyde content in the plasma and/or liver (p < .05). Moreover, significantly elevated chymotrypsin activity, villus height and intraepithelial lymphocytes counts were found in fish fed T3 and T4 diets (p < .05). As fish fed T3 and T4 diets surpassed the other treatments in growth, immune–antioxidative status and gut health, the recommended dose for tilapia is 3.36–6.72 g/kg.     

Heavy infection of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus,Sauvage 1878) and its treatment trial by different therapeutic agents in a control environment

ABSTRACT

Striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fingerlings were stocked (60 fishes/m³) in cemented square tanks for ornamental fishery purposes at the College Fish Farm in Mangalore. A total of 400 fishes with a mean weight (g) ranging from 3.24 ± 1.21 to 6.70 ± 1.13 and a mean length (cm) of 7.50 ± 0.94 to 9.50 ± 1.10 were examined. A severe outbreak of salt-like granule white spots was found on the body surface. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, a ciliate pathogen, was identified as the causative agent by clinical signs, wet mount, and histopathological observations. Infected fishes were transferred and equally distributed to the 0.45 m³ glass aquaria and treated with three treatments: (T1) methylene blue + salt; (T2) raising temperature with salt; and (T3) formalin + malachite green. The best fingerling survival (55 ± 9.36%) was obtained by elevated water temperature with salt in T2.