Relationships between dietary ascorbic acid status and deficiency,weight gain and brain neurotransmitter levels in juvenile rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri

A study was conducted to determine the interrelationships between dietary ascorbic acid (AA) concentrations, brain neurotransmitter levels and weight gain in juvenile rainbow trout. At the end of 4 weeks and until the end of 12 weeks of feeding test diets of varying AA concentrations (0–320 mg AA/kg diet), increased weight gain was noted in fish fed the AA-free diet. However, by the end of 13 weeks and until the end of the experiment this phenomenon was no longer evident; instead the fish showed the more classical deficiency signs of anorexia and decreased weight gain. After 12 and 24 weeks, there were no significant differences in brain serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), norepinephrine (NE) or dopamine (DA) between fish reared on the different test diets. However, after 12 weeks of feeding the test diets, brain 5-HT, brain AA and weight gain were significantly correlated with one another. No such relationships were found for brain NE or brain DA. After 24 weeks of feeding the diets, the relationships between brain 5-HT, brain AA and weight gain were no longer apparent. Similarly, after 24 weeks brain NE and DA were also unrelated to brain AA and weight gain. These results provide evidence that in very young rainbow trout, AA deficiency, brain 5-HT levels and weight gain were related. However in fish reared on the diets for 24 weeks these relationships were no longer evident.     

Distribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine and related compounds in various brain regions of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The levels of tryptophan (Try), 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were determined in the brain regions of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). Brain tryptophan concentrations varied from 3.972 ± 357 ng/g cerebellum) to 8.841 ± 772 ng/g (hypothalamus). The 5-HT concentrations varied from 69 ± 7 ng/g (optic tectum) to 573 ± 34 ng/g (hypothalamus). The concentrations of 5-HIAA varied from 29 ± 3 ng/g (medulla oblongata) to 68 ± 7 ng/g (hypothalamus). Total and free serum tryptophan levels were also determined; in adult rainbow trout 92% of the serum tryptophan was observed to be free i.e., not protein-bound.     

Annual variations in brain serotonin and related compounds of domesticated rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The levels of tryptophan (Trp), 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in two brain regions (hypothalamus and medulla oblongata) of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were measured throughout the year using a sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection. Trp was also quantified in serum, liver and brain regions. Trp concentrations were higher in sera than in tissues (brain and liver) throughout the year. Hypothalamic and medullary Trp offered similar annual patterns showing two peaks, the first on 10 May and the second on 15 June. 5-HT levels were always higher in the hypothalamus than in the medulla and much higher than the 5-HIAA levels in both regions. Moreover hypothalamic and medullar serotonin patterns were very different, in the latter region few variations were observed. In addition, the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio was different in the brain regions, the hypothalamus showed two peaks (April 8 and June 15) whereas the equivalent was not observed in the medulla. All measured compounds showed significant variations during the year.     

Effect of musical stimuli and white noise on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) growth and physiology in recirculating water conditions

Two musical stimuli transmissions (Mozart and Romanza) as compared with white noise treatment or control, both resulted in significantly higher growth performance in juvenile (6.7 ± 0.12 g) rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared for 14 weeks. Carcass chemical composition and fatty acid composition (% of total fatty acids and mg/g carcass wet weight) did not differ among experimental treatments. The same was observed with regard to liver composition. Brain serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite (5-HIAA) levels were increased in Mozart fish groups compared to all other treatments. However, serotonergic activity (as defined by the 5-HIAA: 5-HT ratio) for the Mozart groups was similar to control groups and was increased in Romanza and white noise fish groups. Brain dopaminergic activity (as defined by the DOPAC: DA ratio, i.e. dopamine metabolite to dopamine levels) was lower in Mozart compared to control fish groups. Differences were also observed as regards total carbohydrase and protease activity in several parts of the digestive tract.In conclusion, the results of the present data indicate that the musical stimuli transmitted were beneficial for the growth performance of rainbow trout. The fact that white noise treatment presented no major differences from control fish groups suggests that this specific stimulus was neither beneficially nor negatively perceived by rainbow trout, while it further supports the hypothesis that it is the musical stimuli per se that make all the difference.     

Growth in Arctic charr and rainbow trout fed temporally concentrated or spaced daily meals

The effect on growth of distributing feed over a few hours compared tomore frequent meals was tested on 1+ Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) and 1+ rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum). Triplicate hatchery groups for each treatment were fed at a ration level of 1%/dayeither with few meals (8 times per day divided into morning and evening)or with frequent meals (32 meals equally distributed during the day). Wefound an opposite effect of meal frequency on growth in the two species.Low feeding intensity (8 meals per day) had a significantly positive effecton growth in rainbow trout but a significantly negative effect on growth inArctic charr when compared to feeding the fish frequent meals. Theopposite response to meal frequency is likely to be an effect of thedifferences in activity during feeding. Rainbow trout feed much moreaggressively than charr which can result in feeding being a more stressfulevent. In this experiment, the specific growth rate was lower and the feedconversion ratio higher for Arctic charr compared to rainbow trout.     

Effects of dietary supplements on the availability of minerals in fish meal; preliminary observations

Preliminary studies were conducted to determine if several feed supplements with the potential to improve dietary mineral availabilities in fish meal had any measurable effect in fish feeds. In the first study with rainbow trout, 11 supplements were tested: citric acid; sodium citrate; potassium chloride; sodium chloride; histamine dihydrochloride; EDTA disodium salt; sodium bicarbonate; a mixture of amino acids; ascorbic acid; a mixture of inositol and choline; and cholecalciferol. Apparent availability of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese and strontium in fish meal-based diets was determined using both yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) and chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) as inert dietary markers. Apparent availability was expressed as the fractional net absorption (%) of minerals from diets. After a 7-day acclimation period with test diets, fecal samples were collected for five consecutive days using passive collection systems. Apparent availability of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, manganese and strontium was increased by citric acid supplementation. Apparent availability of manganese also was increased by EDTA and sodium citrate. The other supplements had no measurable effect on the apparent availability of minerals in fish meal. In the second study, the effect of supplemental citric acid was further investigated using monogastric (rainbow trout) and agastric fish (goldfish). Fish were fed for 5 weeks (rainbow trout) or 3 weeks (goldfish) with fish meal-based diets containing either 0% (control), 2% or 5% citric acid on a dry basis. Feces were collected by settling and by stripping. Apparent availabilities of calcium and phosphorus were greatly affected by citric acid supplementation in rainbow trout but not in goldfish. Phosphorus levels in feces of fish fed a diet with 5% citric acid were approximately half of that of fish fed the control diet (0% citric acid) in the rainbow trout trial. This pattern was consistent during the 5-week feeding trial. A dietary supplement of citric acid as high as 5% did not reduce feed intake or appetite of rainbow trout. Conversely, this level of dietary acidification led to a marked reduction of feed intake in goldfish. Dietary supplementation of citric acid at 2% level did not reduce feed intake of goldfish; however, this level of dietary acidification had little effect on the apparent availability of major minerals in fish meal-based diet. Levels of non-fecal excretion of calcium and phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus in urine, and citric acid in feces were increased in rainbow trout fed 5% citric acid. The pH values of the feces and urine were decreased in rainbow trout fed citric acid. Plasma bicarbonate, plasma calcium and phosphorus, and blood pH of rainbow trout tended to increase by a 5% dietary supplementation of citric acid. The soluble inorganic phosphorus content increased in the diets and decreased in the feces of rainbow trout by supplementing the diet with 5% citric acid. Feces samples of rainbow trout collected by stripping provided similar availability values to data collected by settling for most elements except sodium, which had negative values in all dietary treatments.     

Effects of sulfamerazine on selected haematological and immunological parameters in rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum, 1792)

In the present study, effects of sulfamerazine on some haematological and immunological parameters of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) were examined. Four groups of rainbow trout were fed experimental diets containing either no sulfamerazine (control) or supplemented with sulfamerazine at 100 mg kg⁻¹ (Exp-A), 200 mg kg⁻¹ (Exp-B) or 400 mg kg⁻¹ (Exp-C) for 21 days. Blood samples were taken for the haematological and immunological parameters from fish on the third, seventh, 14th and 21st days of feeding. Haematological parameters [haematocrit, leucocrit, numbers of erythrocytes (RBC) and leucocytes (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean haemoglobin concentration (MHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)] and immunological parameters [phagocytic ratio (PR) and index (PI), glass-adherent NBT-positive cell activation, total plasma protein and total immunoglobulin (Ig)] were evaluated during the experimental trial. It has been observed that MCV ( P <0.05), PR and PI ( P >0.05) were increased and haematocrit and leucocrit value, numbers of erythrocytes and leucocyte, haemoglobin, MHC and MCHC values and total plasma protein and total Ig levels were decreased in rainbow trout after application of three different doses of sulfamerazine.     

Protein synthesis in trout liver is stimulated by both feeding and fasting

The response of protein synthesis in the liver of the rainbow trout to feeding and fasting was investigated in 3 experiments. In the first experiment, the fractional rate of protein synthesis (k _s ), %/day) appeared to cycle with daily feeding events being increased by 46%, 123%, and 72% at 1.5h, 3h, and 6h, after a meal. In Experiment 2, liver protein synthesis fell progressively with fasting to a basal level at 4d which was only 20% of the value at 3h after feeding. Liver weight (hepatosomatic index, HSI, % body weight), total RNA and total protein also fell gradually. Between 4d and 6d, both the RNA/protein ratio and the rate of protein synthesis were significantly increased (11% and 74%). At this time, however, there was also a large loss of liver protein suggesting a concomitant increase in protein breakdown. In the last experiment, when trout were pre-fed a low ration (0.6%/d for 2 wks, LR group), the HSI and liver total RNA and protein were largely unaffected by the 6d fast (i.e., relative to the body weight). In this group, however, protein synthesis at 3h was significantly higher than in fish pre-fed a high ration (1.5%/d, HR group). In addition, at 6d after feeding, protein synthesis had increased back to fed levels in the LR group only. It is concluded that protein synthesis in the liver of the trout is influenced both by feeding events and by ration size and also by the degree to which the trout is fasted.     

Insulin-receptor binding in skeletal muscle of trout

Two hundred rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) age 0 +, weight range 11.3 – 11.5 g, were distributed randomly in two groups and maintained for five weeks on either 10% dextrin, or 20% dextrin diet. The fish were sampled 3–5 h and 18–20 h after the last feeding and insulin binding to partially purified insulin receptors in white and red skeletal muscles and to liver plasma membranes was assessed. Plasma insulin, plasma glucose, and liver glycogen content were analyzed in the same fish.Fish fed a diet with higher carbohydrate content (HC) had elevated insulin and glucose levels in peripheral blood, but lower liver glycogen contents compared to the fish fed a diet with lower carbohydrate content (LC). No growth retardation was observed in the fish from HC group.Three to five hours after the last feeding, insulin-receptor binding in white skeletal muscles was higher in HC group of fish, mostly because of an increase in number of high affinity binding sites. Eighteen to twenty hours after the last feeding this difference disappeared. In contrast, the specific binding of insulin to the liver plasma membranes appeared to be lower in the HC group of fish. The lower insulin binding to the liver plasma membranes observed 3–5 h after feeding, could be attributed to the lower quantity of binding sites, while the same phenomenon 18 h after feeding was likely a result of affinity changes. We conclude that higher glycemic levels observed in trout fed a HC diet as compared to LC group of fish, are not a consequence of impaired binding of insulin to its receptors in skeletal muscles.Presented in part at the Annual Meeting of American Society of Zoologists, December 26–30, 1989, Boston, U.S.A. Supported by a grant (Personal investigador en el extranjero) of Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia, (CYCIT) Spain to J.G. and by grants of the U.S. National Science Foundation (DCB 8615551 and DCB 8915935 to E.P.) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 0926/87 to C. Ottolenghi and E.P.     

Does oral 3,5,3 ′-triiodo-l-thyronine affect dietary glucose utilization and plasma insulin levels in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)?

A factorial experiment was conducted to determine the effect and interaction of dietary carbohydrate level and triiodo-L-thyronine (T₃) supplementation on the growth, physiological response and plasma insulin and cortisol levels of rainbow trout. The oral administration of T₃ significantly increased the growth, protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency of trout, indicating an increased protein and perhaps energy utilization in these fish. However, T, administration did not significantly increase the utilization of dietary glucose as an energy source by the trout. Similarly, the administration of T₃ did not significantly affect plasma insulin levels in either the fed or the fasted trout. Plasma insulin levels were significantly higher in fed trout reared on the non-T₃ supplemented high carbohydrate diet in comparison to trout reared on the low carbohydrate diets. This indicates that increased dietary carbohydrate stimulates increased insulin secretion in the trout. Therefore, although rainbow trout are not insulin-deficient, they can still be considered a diabetic-like animal due to their poor glucose tolerance. Plasma cortisol levels were not affected by diet composition and altered plasma glucose levels.     

Temporal changes in plasma thyroid hormone,growth hormone and free fatty acid concentrations,and hepatic 5′-monodeiodinase activity,lipid and protein content during chronic fasting and re-feeding in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Temporal changes in growth, plasma thyroid hormone, cortisol, growth hormone (GH) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, hepatic T₃ content and hepatic 5-monodeiodinase activity were measured in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) subjected to a sustained fast for up to eight weeks, and during a four-week re-feeding period. The purpose of the study was to examine aspects of the endocrine control of energy partitioning processes characteristic of short-term (acute; fasting) and long-term (chronic; starvation) food-deprivation states in fish, and to explore the role of the thyroid hormones, cortisol and GH in the energy repartitioning that takes place during an acute anabolic (re-feeding) state following chronic food deprivation.Differences in growth rate between fed and fasted groups were evident after two weeks, but significant weight loss by the fasted groups was not evident until between four and six weeks into the fast. Hepatosomatic indices (HSIs) were significantly reduced in the fasted fish within seven days, and as early as two days in one study; recovery of the HSI in fasted fish was evident within three days of re-feeding. Liver protein content (expressed as % wet weight) was consistently depressed in the fasted fish in only one of the three studies. Liver total lipid content (expressed as % wet weight) was depressed in the fasted fish within two days of food deprivation. Because of the rapid and sustained decrease in the HSI of fasted fish, the hepatic total protein and lipid reserves, when considered on a body weight basis, were markedly lowered within the first few days of the fast. Plasma GH concentrations exhibited a bi-modal pattern of change, with a transient fall in levels, followed by a sustained increase in fasted fish. The indicators of interrenal activity were suggestive of a depressed pituitary-interrenal axis in fasted animals; plasma cortisol levels were elevated to levels of fed animals within one day of re-feeding. The indicators of thyroid hormone economy (plasma thyroid hormone levels, liver triiodothyronine content, hepatic 5-monodeiodinase (MD) activity, thyroid epithelial cell height) were similarly indicative of a depressed pituitary-thyroid axis in fasted animals, with recovery to levels of the fed animals within one week. Despite the compensatory changes in accumulation of reserves (as indicated by a compensatory increase in HSI), there were no apparent compensatory changes in any of the endocrine parameters evident during the re-feeding period.     

Seasonal production of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in ponds using different feeding practices

Abstract. In temperate regions of North America, the culture of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in ponds is constrained to the period mid-November to early April by water temperature. Feeding practice may influence production time. The effects of three feeding practices on growth and body composition of rainbow trout raised in ponds during a 142-day winter growth period were investigated. Feeding practices were (1) hand-feeding to satiation, (2) feeding according to a fish size/water temperature chart, and (3) feeding by demand feeder.
Fish fed to satiation consumed 66% more diet than fish fed according to a feeding chart and 163% more than fish fed by demand feeders. Fish fed to satiation had significantly higher (P < 0·05) weight gain, harvest weight, specific growth rate, and protein gain with no significant increase (P > 0·05) in percentage body fat or feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the other two treatments. Survival percentage did not differ significantly (P > 0·05) between treatments. These data indicate that by using satiation feeding, marketable size rainbow trout can be produced in temperate region ponds without increases in percentage body fat or FCR.     

Relationship between vitamin C and plasma concentrations of testosterone in female rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

Two-year old rainbow trout females were fed diets containing 0, 30, 110, 220, 440 and 870 mg kg^-1 ascorbyl-2-monophosphate Mg⁺ salt (groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively) from August until March. At the time of spawning (February–March) blood was sampled and the ovulating females were hand stripped. Estradiol (E₂) and testosterone (T) concentrations in plasma, and ascorbic acid (AA) concentrations in plasma and eggs were determined. The mean plasma concentrations of T were higher in group 4, 5, or 6 than in group 2 or 3 (p < 0.05). Moreover, the average plasma concentration of T in fish fed the diets with AA level below National Research Council (NRC) recommendations (groups 1, 2 and 3) was significantly lower (p<0.01) than the average plasma concentration in fish fed diets with AA level above NRC recommendations (groups 4, 5, and 6). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that AA can influence production of steroids in female rainbow trout.Corresponding author     

Adverse and beneficial effects of long-term high-concentration ascorbic acid supplementation in rainbow trout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>

The present study examined the effects of high-concentration ascorbic acid (AsA) supplementation over a long period on growth, plasma components, nonspecific immune responses, and thermal tolerance in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Four commercial diets supplemented with 0, 100, 1000, and 5000 mg AsA per kg of diet (designated AsA0, AsA100, AsA1000, and AsA5000, respectively) were fed to rainbow trout (initial weight 1.85 g) for 100 days. AsA contents in liver increased with increasing dietary AsA levels. Feeding period, growth performance, and plasma components did not differ significantly between the AsA groups. On the other hand, the phagocytic assay [nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) assay] was significantly higher in fish fed AsA1000 and AsA5000 than those fed a diet without AsA (AsA0) at the end of feeding trial. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the intestines of fish fed AsA5000 was also significantly higher than that of fish fed AsA0. In the thermal tolerance test, fish fed AsA5000 only showed significantly lower cumulative mortality compared with the AsA0 group. In conclusion, high-concentration AsA supplementation such as AsA5000 over a long period does not induce any adverse effects and can enhance disease and stress resistance in rainbow trout.     

Arginine effects on biochemical composition of sperm in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

The present study investigated the effect of arginine on seminal plasma composition in rainbow trout. Male rainbow trout broodstocks (2500 ± 200 g) were fed five practical diets (each consisting of three triplicates) supplemented with Arginine at 0.50%, 1.50% and 2.00%. The control group were fed without arginine. Broodstock feeding lasted for 90 days, and then fish semen was sampled. Results indicated no significant differences in LDH, ALP, Fe²⁺ and phosphorous content among the different treatments. The lowest levels of AST and ALT and the highest levels of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions were observed in the treatment fed with 1.50% arginine, which showed significant differences from other treatments (P < 0.05). Moreover, the amount of Cl^?, Na⁺ and K⁺ ions was significantly increased in the seminal plasma in fish fed diets containing arginine in comparison with the control. As the amount of arginine was increased, the levels of uric acid became significantly greater in contrast to urea and glucose levels. The highest amounts of cholesterol, fructose and total protein were observed in treatments fed on 2.00%, 0.50% and 1.00% arginine, respectively, showing significant differences from other treatments (P < 0.05). The highest pH value was assayed in the 1.50% arginine treatment. Results indicated that arginine had a potential efficacy on semen quality in rainbow trout broodstocks.     

Effects of oral passive immunization against somatostatin‐14 on growth performance,body composition and IgY delivery in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Egg‐yolk antibodies (IgY) against somatostatin‐14 (anti‐SST‐14) were evaluated as orally administered, growth promotants in gastric rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and agastric common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in an 8‐week feeding trial. Feeding groups were compared with fish which did not receive anti‐SST‐14 IgY. Growth responses and IgY plasma contents of the blood were assessed. In contrast to rainbow trout, oral anti‐SST‐14 addition to carp significantly improved protein efficiency ratio (PER, 1.02 ± 0.04) and protein productive value (PPV, 26.7 ± 0.91) after 56 days (P < 0.05) compared to the negative control (PER = 0.91 ± 0.02; PPV = 22.9 ± 0.66). IgY was undetectable in plasma of rainbow trout after oral administration, indicating that gastric degradation of the fed IgY makes this application route for growth promotion in gastric trout challenging.     

Comparative effects of four feed types on white spot disease susceptibility and skin immune parameters in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

The effects on rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), immune parameters by differently formulated fish feed types containing immunostimulants have been tested in a double-blind, duplicated and controlled study performed over 50 days. A total of 800 rainbow trout (10-12 g) were kept in eight duplicate fish tanks (each containing 100 fish) and fed at a daily feeding rate of 1.5% of the biomass. The feed types were (1) control feed (C) without additives, (2) feed containing beta-glucan, nucleotides, manno-oligosaccharides (MOS), vitamins C and E (GNMCE), (3) feed containing probiotic bacteria and plant extracts (PP) and (4) feed with nucleotides, manno-oligosaccharides, vitamins C and E (NMCE). Plasma lysozyme activity was increased in fish fed two feed types (GNMCE and NMCE) but slightly depressed in fish fed PP. A non-significant trend for a higher mucous cell density at days 30 and 50 was shown in all fish receiving feeds with additives compared to the control group. All fish became infected with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis when exposed, but fish fed GNMCE showed a significantly lower infection both at days 30 and 50. Expression of genes encoding C3 and MHCII was significantly up-regulated in fish fed GNMCE for 50 days, and the expression of genes coding Hepcidin was significantly down-regulated in fish fed NMCE for 50 days. Beta-glucan was the single component, when used in combination with other feed ingredients, which was found associated with increased parasite resistance, increased lysozyme and immune gene up-regulation.     

The patterns of plasma free amino acids after force-feeding in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) with and without dorsal aorta cannulation

Two experiments were conducted to compare the patterns of plasma free amino acid concentrations after force-feeding in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) with and without dorsal aorta cannulation. In the first experiment, 35 rainbow trout averaging 504 ± 7.8 g (mean ± SD) were divided into seven groups of five fish each. After 48 h starvation, a group of fish was anaesthetized and blood samples were taken at one of the following time periods: 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after feeding. In the second experiment, five dorsal aorta cannulated rainbow trout averaging 511 ± 6.2 g (mean ± SD) were kept in a cage. After 48 h starvation, the fish were anaesthetized and blood samples were taken from the same fish at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after feeding. In the first experiment, the concentration of all plasma free amino acids except histidine and glycine peaked at 4 h and returned to the basal level 24 h after feeding. In the second experiment, the concentration of all plasma free amino acids except isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and tryptophan also peaked at 4 h and returned to the basal level 24 h after feeding. These results showed that the pattern of plasma free amino acid concentrations from fish with and without dorsal aorta cannulation were similar.     

Comparative sensitivity of carp, Cyprinus carpio L. and rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, to Renibacterium salmoninarum

Abstract. The pathogenicity of Renibacterium salmoninarum to carp, Cyprinus carpio L., and rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, was investigated. All carp injected with 4·8 × 10⁸ cells/fish, or 4·8 × 10⁷ cells/fish survived for 38 days. R. salmoninarum was isolated from all moribund fish, but not from the kidney of surviving fish, although R. salmoninarum antigen was detected in several of these fish by the dot blot assay. On the other hand, mortality in rainbow trout was 95% in the fish injected with 4·8 × 10⁸ cells/fish, and 15% in those which received 4·8 × 10⁷ cells/fish. R. salmoninarum antigen was detected by the dot blot assay in all surviving rainbow trout. The number of R. salmoninarum cells was immediately decreased by carp or rainbow trout serum, and the serum bactericidal activity of carp was higher than that of rainbow trout. Carp blood leucocytes had higher phagocytic activity than those of rainbow trout.     

An evaluation of DVAqua®, a fully‐fermented yeast culture,during long‐term hatchery rearing of McConaughy strain rainbow trout

The addition of a proprietary, fully‐fermented yeast Saccahromyces cerevisiae culture supplement (DVAqua^®, Diamond V Mills, Cedar Rapids, IA, USA) was evaluated during long‐term feeding of McConaughy strain rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Beginning at initial feeding and continuing for 408 days of hatchery rearing, the trout received either a commercially‐manufactured feed or the same feed containing 0.125 g kg^?1 DVAqua. This study was conducted at a production level as part of normal (real‐world) hatchery operations, with the fish periodically inventoried and moved into different rearing units. Although no rearing‐tank replication occurred during the first 54 days of feeding, multiple tanks and raceways were used thereafter. Fish in rearing units receiving DVAqua supplementation exhibited less mortality, particularly during the earlier rearing stages. During the final 177 days of rearing in six raceways, DVAqua‐fed McConaughy strain trout were significantly larger and had a significantly improved feed conversion ratio. The overall feed conversion ratio for the entire duration of the study was 1.17 in the fish receiving DVAqua supplementation compared to 1.21 in the control group. Despite the limitations of this study, the use of DVAqua is recommended for McConaughy strain rainbow trout and other less‐domesticated, more difficult‐to‐rear salmonids.