Administration of krill oil extends lifespan of fish Nothobranchius guentheri via enhancement of antioxidant system and suppression of NF-κB pathway

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - Krill oil (KO) extracted from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) mainly comprises phospholipids and triglycerides. KO has been shown to prolong the median...     

An analysis of the effect of diet and genotype on protein and energy utilization by the black tiger shrimp,Penaeus monodon – why do genetically selected shrimp grow faster?

Selected (G8) and wild‐type (W) genotypes of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) juveniles (initial weight G8 = 9.14 ± 0.36 g per animal and W = 8.44 ± 0.10 g per animal) were fed either of two diet types in a clear‐water tank trial to examine the effects of diet type and genetics on growth and feed utilization parameters. Animals were fed twice daily at one of the five ration levels from starvation to apparent satiety. All uneaten feed was accounted for and moults removed. Starved animals were measured after 3 weeks; those fed were measured at both three and 6 weeks. Diet type varied by protein content, raw material choice and the presence [high‐specification diet (HSD)] or absence [low‐specification diet (LSD)] of bioactive substances. At the end of the study, faecal samples were also collected to determine the digestible protein and energy content of each diet by each genotype. Whole animal protein and energy content were also assessed from samples from the initial populations and those from each tank. Growth after 6 weeks of those animals fed to satiety showed that the G8 animals fed the HSD diet had grown at a rate of 2.56 g week^?1, significantly faster than any other treatment. Those G8 animals fed the LSD diet (1.81 g week^?1) had grown significantly faster than the W animals fed the HSD diet (1.25 g week^?1), while those W animals fed the LSD diet (0.61 g week^?1) grew the slowest. Using the data from the varying ration levels, we were able to define that the growth gains of the G8 animals were achieved not only by a greater appetite, but also through lower maintenance energy costs (29 versus 57 kJ kg^?0.8 day^?1) and a more efficient energy conversion (19.5% versus 11.6% when fed the HSD diet). Use of a low‐specification diet with the G8 and W shrimps limited their growth and impaired their potential as demonstrated by a curvilinear response of growth to intake. By comparison, those shrimp fed the HSD diet had a relatively linear growth response to intake.     

The effects of hairtail protein hydrolysate–Fe<Superscript>2+</Superscript> complexes on growth and non-specific immune response of red swamp crayfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Procambarus clarkii</Emphasis>)

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of prepared hairtail protein hydrolysate–Fe²⁺ (PH–Fe²⁺) complexes on growth and non-specific immune responses of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). The diets with five different levels of PH–Fe²⁺ (200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mg/kg) were fed to crayfish for 60 days. The results indicated that the survival rate, weight gain percentage, specific growth rate, and muscle index of crayfish with 400–1000 mg/kg of PH–Fe²⁺ feeding were significantly higher, 9.94–10.10, 8.55–8.72, 0.24–0.29 %/day, and 2.39–3.05 %, respectively, than the control values after 60 days of feeding. Additionally, after 30 days of feeding, 200–400 mg/kg of PH–Fe²⁺ showed no significant (P > 0.05) improvement effect on activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), phenoloxidase (PO), lysozyme (LSZ), and acid phosphatase (ACP) in serum or hepatopancreas of crayfish. However, significant improvement effects were observed in 800–1000 mg/kg groups. After 60 days of feeding, 400–600 mg/kg of PH–Fe²⁺ significantly (P < 0.05) improved the activity of SOD and LSZ, but did not affect the activity of PO and ACP significantly (P > 0.05). Moreover, the activities of SOD, PO, LSZ, and ACP in serum and hepatopancreas were all significantly enhanced upon treatment with 800–1000 mg/kg of PH–Fe²⁺. For these reasons, PH–Fe²⁺ can be recommended as a supplement in crayfish feed to increase the growth and immunity.     

Effect of nitrite exposure on oxygen-carrying capacity and gene expression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">NF-κB</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">HIF-1α</Emphasis> pathway in gill of bighead carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aristichthys nobilis</Emphasis>)

Nitrite (NO₂^?) contamination of water can severely impact the health of aquatic life and is a major concern for commercial aquaculture. In order to study the effect of nitrite on Aristichthys nobilis, we investigated the oxygen-carrying capacity, NF-κB/HIF-1α pathway, and the gill tissue structure under nitrite stress. In the current study, bighead carp (initial weight 180.05?±?0.092 g) were exposed to nitrite (48.634 mg/L) for 96 h and then for 96 h recovery test. After nitrite exposure for 6 h, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNA expression increased significantly in the gill of bighead carp (P?<?0.05). After nitrite exposure for 12 h, hemoglobin (Hb) and methemoglobin reductase (MHBR) content in blood decreased significantly (P?<?0.05); TLR4 mRNA expression increased significantly (P?<?0.05). After nitrite exposure for 24 h, methemoglobin (MetHb) content increased significantly (P?<?0.05). After recovery test, all the indicators except TLR4 mRNA expression level recovered to initial level. In conclusion, nitrite exposure can affect hemoglobin dynamics, as oxidization of nitrite by hemoglobin results in the reduction of Hb to MetHb leading to hypoxia and nitrite exposure can also result into gill tissue damage. In the face of nitrite exposure, NF-κB and HIF-1α mRNA expression level increased immediately to protect the body from oxidative damage and eased hypoxic condition caused by nitrite. It was also observed that nitrite damage is recoverable in Aristichthys nobilis, but it may be need more than 96 h.