Susceptibility of marine fish species to a megalocytivirus, turbot iridovirus, isolated from turbot, Psetta maximus (L.)

Turbot iridovirus (TBIV), a member of the genus Megalocytivirus in the family Iridoviridae, was isolated from diseased turbot, Psetta maximus (L.), in Korea in 2003. In this study, experimental infection of turbot, Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck & Schlegel), and rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus (Temminck & Schlegel), with TBIV was performed to evaluate the viral susceptibility of these fish species. After virus exposure, the mortalities of turbot reared at 22 and 25 degrees C were 60% and 100%, respectively, suggesting that TBIV is the causative agent of the mass mortality of turbot that occurred in Korea in 2003. Moreover, TBIV was detected in Japanese flounder and rock bream by polymerase chain reaction after experimental infection (26 days post-inoculation) despite no viral pathogenicity in these fish, suggesting that these two fish species are also susceptible to the virus. It is possible that horizontal transmission of TBIV occurs among these three fish species because turbot is routinely cultured with Japanese flounder and rock bream in Korea.     

Growth and age at first maturity in turbot and halibut reared under different photoperiods

The effect of extended photoperiods on growth and age at first maturity was investigated in 166 (79 females and 87 males) individually tagged Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus and in 114 (50 females and 64 males) individually tagged turbot Scophthalmus maximus. The halibut were reared at 11 °C on four different light regimes from 10 February to 6 July 1996: simulated natural photoperiod, (LDN), continuous light (LD24:0), constant 8 h light and 16 h darkness (LD8:16) and LD8:16 switched to continuous light 4 May 1996 (LD8:16–24:0). From 6 July 1996 to 9 February 1998 the LD24:0 and LD8:16–24:0 were reared together under continuous light and the LDN and LD8:16 together under natural photoperiod. The turbot were reared at 16 °C on three different light regimes: constant light (LD24:0), 16 h light:8 h darkness (LD16:8), or simulated natural photoperiod (LDN). After 6 months on the different photoperiods, the turbot was reared together on LDN for approximately 12 months until first maturation. Juveniles subjected to continuous light (halibut) or extended photoperiods (halibut and turbot) exhibited faster growth than those experiencing a natural photoperiod or a constant short day. Moreover, when the photoperiod increased naturally with day-length or when fish were abruptly switched from being reared on short-day conditions to continuous light, a subsequent increase in growth rate was observed. This growth enhancing effect of extended photoperiods was more apparent on a short time scale in Atlantic halibut than in turbot, but both species show significant long-term effects of extended photoperiods in the form of enhanced growth. In both species lower maturation of males was seen in groups exposed to extended or continuous light compared to LDN and this could be used to reduce precocious maturation in males leading to overall increase in somatic growth. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Construction and expression of DNA vaccine against reddish body iridovirus and evaluation of immune efficacy in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

Turbot aquaculture is a very important industry in China. However, it is hampered because of viral reddish body syndrome (VRBS) and high mortality caused by piscine turbot reddish body iridovirus (TRBIV). TRBIV virus is an icosahedron‐like and cytoplasmic DNA virus, belonging to Iridoviridae, Megalocytivirus. In previous studies, we have identified two antigen mimotopes using bioinformatics and constructed prokaryotic expression vectors. In this study, a fragment of major capsid protein (MCP) gene with the two antigenic epitopes was cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pVAX1, to generate a recombinant plasmid pVAX1‐TRBIV‐MCP. The plasmid DNA was transferred into turbot cell line TK using liposome, and transient expression was detected using RT‐PCR. After injection into turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), the expression of the antigen gene was analysed using RT‐PCR and was shown to express in all tested tissues in vaccinated fish 2 and 7 days post‐vaccination. The cumulative mortalities in the vaccinated and unvaccinated control fish were 30% and 88% respectively. Immune responses and upregulation of the expression of chemokine receptor, tumour necrosis factor, interferon and interferon‐induced antiviral molecules were observed in the vaccinated fish 60 h post‐vaccination. These results demonstrate that the vaccinated turbots had higher survival rate and produced specific serum antibodies following the TRBIV challenge. More studies are needed to develop and apply the promising DNA vaccine for virus control in turbot.     

Biochemical and histochemical activities of tyrosinase in the skins of normal and albino turbot scophthalmus maximus

Albinism occurr frequently in hatchery-reared turbot, particularly in China. To elucidatethe mechanism of albinism, we comparedthe biochemical and histochemical activity of tyrosinase inthe skins of normal and albino turbot using substrate L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa). It was foundthat: (1) tyrosinase activity existed in allthe skin extracts tested, including pigmented and non-pigmented skins from ocular or blind side of normal and albino turbot, andthe tyrosinase activity ofthe ocular skin extracts was significantly higherthanthat ofthe blind skin extracts from a single individual for both normal and albino turbot. Unexpectedly,the tyrosinase activity inthe extracts from albino skin ofthe ocular side of albino turbot (termed AOA skin) was about 56% higherthanthat from pigmented skin ofthe ocular side of normal turbot (termed PON skin); (2) histochemical staining showedthat tyrosinase activity was present only inthe PON skin but not inthe AOA skin, andthe white skin ofthe blind side of albino (termed WBA skin) and normal turbot (termed WBN skin). A large amount of positive black granules was formed inthe epidermal cells of PON skin but no black granules were formed inthe skins of AOA, WBA and WBN; (3) temperature and salinity have similar effects onthe tyrosinase activity of ocular pigmented and of albino skin extracts, andthe optimal temperature was 5560°C and optimal salinity 26; however, different pH values had different effects onthese tyrosinase activities, andthe optimal pH value of ocular pigmented skin extracts was 7.0 and ocular albino skin extracts 8.0; allthethree activators tested (SDS, trypsin and zymosan) can increasethe activity of tyrosinase in both ocular pigmented and albino skin extracts of turbot. Butthe level of activation onthe ocular albino skin extracts of albino turbot was significantly higherthanthat on ocular pigmented skin extracts of normal turbot.Onthe basis ofthese observations, it is suggestedthat a large amount of wild type tyrosinase is expressed in albino skin butthe tyrosinase activity is blocked by some unknown inhibitory factors andthe blocked activity of tyrosinase can be readily recovered bythe homogenization of skin tissues in vitro.the unknown inhibitory factors need further studying.     

Development and characterization of a new marine fish cell line from turbot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scophthalmus maximus</Emphasis>)

A new marine fish cell line, TK, derived from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) kidney, was established by the method of trypsin digestion and subcultured for more than 50 passages over a period of 300 days. The TK cells were maintained in Minimum Essential Medium Eagle (MEM) supplemented with HEPES, antibiotics, fetal bovine serum (FBS), 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-Me), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The suitable growth temperature for TK cells was 24°C, and microscopically, TK cells were composed of fibroblast-like cells. Chromosome analysis revealed that the TK cell line has a normal diploid karyotype with 2n = 44. Two fish viruses LCDV-C (lymphocystis disease virus from China) and TRBIV (turbot reddish body iridovirus) were used to determine the virus susceptibility of TK cell line. The TK cell line was found to be susceptible to TRBIV, and the infection was confirmed by cytopathic effect (CPE) and transmission electron microscopy, which detected the viral particles in the cytoplasm of virus-infected cells. Finally, significant green fluorescent signals were observed when the TK cells were transfected with pEGFP-N3 vector, indicating its potential utility for fish virus study and genetic manipulation.     

Comparative study of antioxidant defence mechanisms in marine fish fed variable levels of oxidised oil and vitamin E

The aim of the study was to compare theantioxidant systems in juvenile marine fish ofcommercial importance to European aquaculture,namely turbot (Scophthalmus maximus),halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) andgilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Thepresent dietary trial was specifically designedto investigate the antioxidant effects ofvitamin E under moderate oxidising conditions,including high dietary levels of highlyunsaturated fatty acids and the feeding ofoxidised oils. The objective was to induce astressful pro-oxidant status to enablecharacterisation of the biochemical responsesto peroxidative stress without causingunnecessary suffering to the experimentalanimals or high mortalities during the trials. Both sea bream and turbot showed excellentgrowth, whereas growth was poorer in halibut.Dietary oxidised oil significantly reducedgrowth in turbot and especially in halibut, butnot in sea bream. Vitamin E improved growth insea bream fed oxidised oil but not in turbot orhalibut. However, vitamin E supplementationappeared to improve survival in all threespecies. In sea bream and turbot, liverantioxidant defence enzyme activities weregenerally increased by feeding peroxidised oiland reduced by vitamin E. Conversely, inhalibut, the liver antioxidant defence enzymeactivities were not increased by feedingperoxidised oil and only superoxide dismutasewas reduced by feeding vitamin E. Consistentwith these data, feeding oxidised oil increasedlipid peroxidation products in halibut, butgenerally not in sea bream or turbot.Furthermore, lipid peroxidation products weregenerally reduced by dietary vitamin E in bothsea bream and turbot, but not in halibut. Therefore, halibut liver antioxidant defenceenzymes did not respond to dietary oxidised oilor vitamin E as occurred in turbot and,especially sea bream. This resulted inincreased levels of lipid peroxides in halibutcompared to turbot and sea bream in fish givendietary oxidised oil. In addition, supplementalvitamin E did not reduce lipid peroxides inhalibut as it did in turbot and sea bream. Theincreased peroxidation stress in halibut mayaccount for their poorer growth and survival incomparison to turbot and especially sea bream.Halibut were reared at a lower temperature,although relatively high for halibut, thaneither turbot or sea bream but they were alsoslightly younger/smaller fish and possibly,therefore, more developmentally immature, andeither or all of these factors may be importantin the lack of response of the liver enzymes inhalibut.     

Presence of a lethal protease in the extracellular products of Vibrio splendidus-Vibrio lentus related strains

The presence of a lethal extracellular 39-kDa protease, a virulence determinant of a Listonella pelagia strain which produces vibriosis in turbot, was determined in the extracellular products (ECP) of 33 Vibrionaceae strains. Both immunological and enzymatic techniques distinguished this specific protease from other Vibrionaceae proteins. It was detected in 15% (5/33) of the ECPs assayed belonging to strains of the Vibrio splendidus-V. lentus related group isolated in Galician aquaculture systems (NW Spain). As these strains were associated with diseased octopus and cultured turbot, were able to colonize the internal organs of fish and produced a lethal ECP for fish, they are a potential risk for the health of reared aquatic organisms.     

Influence of the antibacterial herbs, Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia on the survival, growth and bacterial load of Penaeus monodon post larvae

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and chemicals in shrimp hatcheries has led to biomagnification and that in turn could lead to rejection of a whole consignment. The application of the bioencapsulation technique as a tool for curative treatment in shrimp larvae was investigated. Herbs having antibacterial properties such as Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia (methanolic extracts) were bioencapsulated in Artemia and fed to Penaeus monodon post larvae PL 1–25. The post larvae were reared in a medium inoculated with pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio sp. Post larvae reared in the non-inoculated water and fed with non-enriched Artemia exhibited 90% survival, highest specific growth rate (12.43%) and reduced bacterial load. P. monodon reared in the bacterial inoculated water and fed with the non-enriched Artemia exhibited the lowest survival (10–30%), specific growth rate (8.42–9.1%) and increased bacterial load (2.86 × 10³ to 3.76 × 10⁵ cfu/g). The methanolic extracts of the herbs helped to increase survival and specific growth rate and reduced bacterial load in the P. monodon culture system. Among the three herbal extracts, P. corylifolia enriched Artemia fed post larvae showed the tendency to higher survival (>50%), growth rate (11.5 averaged) and low bacterial load (1.12 × 10⁵ cfu/g). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Survival,persistence and proliferation of Vibrio anguillarum in juvenile turbot,Scophthalmus maximus (L.), intestine and faeces

The aim of this study was to determine whether orally administered V. anguillarum cells could survive passage through the intestinal tract of feeding turbot, and thereafter, proliferate in the released faeces. In addition, the growth of the pathogen in turbot faeces in the presence of a Carnobacterium sp. with inhibitory effects against a number of bacterial fish pathogens was studied. It was found that V. anguillarum cells survived the acidic environment of the stomach for several hours, persisted in the intestine and readily proliferated in the released faeces. The antagonistic Carnobacterium sp. inhibited the growth of V. anguillarum during co-culture in turbot faecal extracts. From the results, it was concluded that the turbot intestinal tract and faeces can serve as an enrichment site for V. anguillarum, and the use of intestinal bacteria with antagonistic activity against vibrios may be used to reduce the load of fish pathogenic vibrios in turbot hatcheries.     

Induction of diploid gynogenesis in turbot <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scophthalmus maximus</Emphasis> with left-eyed flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis> sperm

Turbot Scophthalmus maximus exhibits sexually dimorphic growth, with females growing faster and reaching larger adult sizes than males. Thus, development of techniques for preferentially producing females is necessary to optimize production of these species. In this paper, gynogenetic diploids of turbot were induced by activating egg development with ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated left-eyed flounder Paralichthys olivaceus sperm combined with cold shock to prevent extrusion of the second polar body. The results of UV irradiation experiments showed that survival, motility, and duration of activity of P. olivaceus sperm generally decreased with increase in UV dose. The typical Hertwig’s effect was observed after fertilized turbot eggs with UV-irradiated P. olivaceus sperm and the optimal UV dose for gynogenetic haploid production was 36,000 erg mm⁻². At 15°C, appropriate timing of cold shock for retention of the second polar body in turbot eggs was at 6 min after fertilization. Results of different combinations of two shock temperatures (1 or 3°C) and four shock durations (15, 25, 35 or 45 min) at 6 min after fertilization demonstrated that shock of 25 min at 1°C gave the highest production of diploid gynogens (39.58% relative to its diploid control). The results of this study reveal that the use of UV-irradiated P. olivaceus sperm for activation of turbot eggs and cold shock for polar body retention is an effective method to produce gynogenetic offspring.     

A sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (S-ELISA) for detection of MrNV in the giant freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (S-ELISA) was developed to improve diagnosis of white tail disease of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, caused by the nodavirus, MrNV. Polyclonal antibodies were produced by immunization of Balb/C mice using a purified suspension of the virus and IgG anti-MrNV were purified from ascitic fluid. A sandwich method was successfully developed, coating first with unlabelled antibody and detecting trapped antigens with a second biotinylated antibody. Reaction was demonstrated using an avidin-peroxidase conjugate. Tissue extracts from M. rosenbergii infected with MrNV or purified viral extracts (control) were successfully identified in an individual ELISA, thus confirming the validity of the method. This S-ELISA should be the technique of choice for epidemiological studies of this disease and is a rapid and inexpensive assay with high specificity and sensitivity.     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒Ⅱ型自然发病与人工注射感染草鱼的病理症状和病毒分布研究

为了探究自然发病和人工注射感染草鱼呼肠孤病毒Ⅱ型(GCRV-Ⅱ型)草鱼的临床症状、病理特征和病毒分布的区别，实验采用临床剖检、组织病理学观察、分子生物学检测、实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)和蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)等检测方法开展实验，通过对自然发病和人工注射感染草鱼的临床症状进行比较，结果显示，患病草鱼的眼眶、鳃盖、口腔、腹部、鳍条基部、肠道、肌肉出现明显的点状出血，且后者的出血情况比前者更为严重；比较组织病理切片，发现草鱼感染组织出现不同程度的充血和红细胞充盈现象，其中，人工注射感染草鱼的肠道、肌肉和肝胰脏的病变程度更为严重，呈现出较为严重的组织内出血和病变，而自然发病草鱼的鳃和脾脏的病变程度更为严重，鳃呈现出较为严重的充血和炎症增生物，脾脏出现大面积含铁血黄素沉积块病灶。qRT-PCR和Western blot检测结果显示，GCRV在不同的组织中均有分布，头肾在两种感染方式的患病草鱼中的病毒量都比较高，人工注射感染草鱼的肝胰脏、肠道和肌肉的病毒量较高，自然发病草鱼的中肾、鳃和脾脏的病毒量较高。因此，在人工注射感染时，肝胰脏、肠道和肌肉可能是GCRV入侵的主要靶...     

Experimental infection of turbot, Psetta maxima (L.), with strains of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus isolated from wild and farmed marine fish

The susceptibility of turbot, Psetta maxima, to infection with two strains of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) obtained from wild Greenland halibut, Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, and from farmed turbot was examined. A marine VHSV strain known to be highly pathogenic for turbot was also utilized for comparative purposes. Fish were infected by intra-peritoneal (i.p.), immersion or cohabitation, and maintained at two different temperatures (8 and 15 degrees C). Infection trials showed that the three VHSV isolates were pathogenic for turbot fingerlings by i.p. injection at both temperatures, with high levels of mortality. Virus was recovered from most pools of dead fish i.p. challenged, but not from surviving fish. Although clinical signs were not induced following waterborne exposure, viral growth was obtained from some pools of surviving fish challenged by immersion with strain GH40 from Greenland halibut, which indicates that the virus can survive in sea water and infect other fish via horizontal transmission. Furthermore, although low, the clinical signs and mortality observed in fish cohabitating with turbot challenged with strain GH40 confirms horizontal transmission and indicates that the passage through fish increases the virulence of this strain for turbot. These findings indicate that Greenland halibut, as other wild fish, may play an important role in the epizootiology of VHSV and suggest a potential risk for the turbot farming industry.     

Stimulating effects of pond water on digestive enzyme activity in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone)

Crude enzyme extracts were obtained from the digestive glands of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone), reared in oligotrophic well water and eutrophic shrimp pond water to compare digestive enzyme activity between the two groups. Specific activities of serine protease, collagenase, amylase, cellulase, lipase and acid phosphatase were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in pond water‐reared shrimp (PW shrimp) than in well water reared‐shrimp (WW shrimp). For most enzymes assayed, specific activity was more than two times higher in PW shrimp, and cellulase activity was over six times higher. In contrast, chitinase activity was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in WW shrimp. Higher specific activity of most digestive enzymes in PW shrimp was probably due to natural productivity in the pond water that served as a source of organic substrates, and this increased activity may contribute to the growth‐enhancing effect of shrimp pond water.     

Comparison of mortality of wild and released reared 0-group turbot, Scophthalmus maximus, on an exposed beach (Ría de Vigo, NW Spain) and a study of the population dynamics and ecology of the natural population

Abstract  Marked reared turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.) (594) were released onto an exposed beach nursery ground together with marked wild fish (438) of approximately the same size (4–6 cm TL) and were sampled at intervals for 38 days. A consistent ratio of marked wild: unmarked wild indicated that marking did not increase mortality. The wild 0-group turbot population size was estimated at 1540 at the time of release, indicating that hatchery-reared individuals could theoretically make a significant contribution to the local population size. However, the absolute and relative catches of the marked, reared fish were lower than those of the marked wild fish, and no reared fish were caught after 23 days. The higher mortality rate was attributed to both a smaller size and their hatchery-reared origin. The population dynamics of the 1994–1995 year-classes of wild turbot were also studied. Recruitment of post-larvae (3 cm) to the beach started in March and continued until October. Population size peaked over the August–October period. Juvenile turbot remained on the nursery beach until June of the following year when they presumably emigrated to deeper water. During this 15-month period their length increased from 3 to 12–15 cm.     

饲料中花生四烯酸对发育前期大菱鲆亲鱼性类固醇激素合成的影响

为研究饲料中不同水平的花生四烯酸(arachidonic acid,ARA)对发育前期的大菱鲆亲鱼性类固醇激素合成量及合成过程的影响,配制3种等氮等脂(脂肪含量13%)的实验饲料,分别含有不同梯度水平的花生四烯酸:0.72%(不添加花生四烯酸精制油的对照组,C),5.63%(添加低水平ARA的处理组,ARA-L)及15.03%(添加高水平ARA的处理组,ARA-H)(各数值均为占总脂肪酸的比例)。每组饲料投喂3个实验桶,每桶放25尾3龄大菱鲆亲鱼(雌雄比例约为1:1)。养殖实验在室内流水系统内进行,每天饱食投喂2次,养殖周期为5个月。养殖结束后,分别取性腺发育前期的雌雄鱼测血清雌二醇和睾酮的含量并检测性腺中性类固醇激素合成相关蛋白质的基因表达量。结果显示:与对照组相比,饲料中高水平的花生四烯酸显著降低了雌鱼血清中雌二醇的含量,而雄鱼血清中睾酮的含量在低水平花生四烯酸处理组显著降低。在卵巢中,饲料中高水平的花生四烯酸显著降低了促卵泡激素受体mRNA的表达量,但是饲料中低水平的花生四烯酸显著提高了17α羟化酶的mRNA表达量。在精巢中,饲料中低水平的花生四烯酸显著降低了固醇合成急性调节蛋白以及17α羟化酶的mRNA表达量,但显著升高了芳香化酶的mRNA表达量。饲料中花生四烯酸提高了性腺、肝脏和肌肉组织中花生四烯酸的含量,但降低了二十碳五烯酸(EPA)的含量,卵巢中的花生四烯酸累积量高于精巢。综上所述,饲料中添加一定量的花生四烯酸抑制了发育前期大菱鲆亲鱼雌二醇和睾酮的合成,在卵巢中,这种抑制作用可能是通过抑制促卵泡激素受体的表达来实现,而在精巢中,可能是通过抑制固醇合成急性调节蛋白以及17α羟化酶来实现。     

Pathology associated with a viral erythrocytic infection in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.)

Abstract. Since 1992, frequent erythrocytic viral infections have occurred in cultured turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), on several fish farms in Galicia, Spain, causing important mortalities. Affected fish showed haemorrhages in the head, mouth and fins, exophthalmia and abdominal distension. The disease was also characterized by the presence of pale blue inclusions in affected erythrocytes. The examination of these erythrocytes by electron microscopy showed virus particles of 50–160 nm in size in the cytoplasm, budding av the cell membrane and extracellularly. The histopathological study revealed occasional necrosis of kidney haematopoietic tissue, an increase in the size and number of melanomacrophage centres of the spleen and kidney, and oedematous areas with hepatocytes containing eosinophilc bodies in the liver. Degeneration of muscle fibres was accompanied by an intense inflammatory oedema. Dermatitis as well as uveitis and corneal oedema were consistent lesions.     

The effect of dietary vitamin E and C level on market-size turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) fillet quality

Fish fillet quality has been shown to be influenced by the level of antioxidants in preslaughter diet. Thus, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels of vitamin E and C on the fillet quality of market‐size reared turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). Turbot of a mean initial weight of 347 ± 20 g were divided into four groups and fed commercial turbot diets (60% protein, 12% fat), supplemented with α‐tocopheryl acetate (mg kg^?1) and ascorbyl‐2 monophosphate (mg kg^?1) at the following dietary levels: 500/100, 1000/100, 100/1000, 100/100 respectively. Over a dietary supplementation period of 15 weeks, fish were fed to satiation and reached a final mean weight of 916 ± 29 g. α‐Tocopherol levels increased significantly (P < 0.001) in tissue (i.e. muscle, liver, heart and kidney) of fish fed diets containing elevated levels of α‐tocopheryl acetate. In ice storage, fillets of these fish exhibited significantly lower (P < 0.001) levels of lipid oxidation, and showed significantly less (P < 0.001) colour deterioration (higher hue angle and lower chroma). Elevated dietary α‐tocopheryl acetate levels had a negative effect (P ≤ 0.001) on the concentration of ascorbic acid in muscle tissue. An increase in dietary vitamin C did not have any detectable effect on fillet quality. Prolonged feeding times had a negative effect on lipid oxidation (P < 0.001) and colour deterioration (P < 0.01). These results suggest that increased dietary α‐tocopheryl acetate could prevent colour deterioration and lipid oxidation of turbot fillets in retail storage on ice.