Effect of expanded feed with high fish oil content on growth and fatty acid composition of rainbow trout

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were fed three different diets for 110 days — a basal dry diet with 8.4% oil content (BD8), a basal dry diet with 11.1%; oil content (BD11) a nd an expanded diet with 20.7% oil content (ED) — to investigate the influence of high fish oil exp anded diet on fatty acid composition of muscle, and to evaluate nutritional properties of edible tissue. I n fact, the experimental diets were also different in their component fatty acids, with an in creasing content of 3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (3 HUFA) from BD8 to ED. As regards biomet rics data, the condition factor and the coefficient of fatness were higher in fish fed ED in com parison with groups BD8 and BD11 (p < 0.05 ED vs. BD8). On the other hand, hepatosomatic index in group ED was markedly lower than those in groups BD8 and BD11 (p < 0.05 ED vs. BD8 and E D vs. BD11). This could be explained by the lower amount of crude protein in ED or it may indicate an excess amount of essential fatty acids (EFA) in ED. As regards fatty acid composition of fish m uscle, there were only slight differences in fatty acid composition of the edible tissue of fish wh en compared with the differences in fatty acid composition of the diets. The increased amount of fish oil in ED had a positive influence on the final weight of fish (p < 0.05 ED vs. BD8 and ED vs. BD11), but did not affect proportionately the percentage of 3 HUFA (20:53, 22:53, 22:63) and therefore the derived indices of lipid quality: so it appears possible to partially substitute fish oil in the diet with other lipid as a source of dietary fat.     

Incorporation and metabolism of 14C-labelled polyunsaturated fatty acids in juvenile gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata L. in vivo

The incorporation, and the capacity for desaturation and elongation in vivo, of intraperitoneally-injected, ¹⁴C-labelled n–3 and n–6 C₁₈ and C₂₀ PUFAs were investigated in juvenile gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata. The results indicate that juvenile gilthead sea bream have only limited ability to convert CH PUFAs to C₂₀ and C₂₂ HUFAs in vivo. The data are consistent with the results from nutritional studies on larvae, postlarvae and fingerlings that have shown that gilthead sea bream require the provision of preformed eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in the diet. The impairment in the desaturase/elongase pathway was quantitatively and qualitatively similar to that found in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus, being at the level of the 5-desaturase. The low activity of 5-desaturase combined with the consistent finding that arachidonic acid is selectively retained in membrane phosphatidylinositol suggests that, in addition to eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, gilthead sea bream may also have a requirement for preformed arachidonic acid in the diet.Abbreviations AA 5,8,11,14-eicosapenaenoic acid (arachidonic acid, 20:4n–6) - CPL diradyl (diacyl + alkenylacyl + alkylacyl) glycerophosphocholine - DHA 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n–3) - EPA 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n–3) - EPL diradyl (diacyl, alkenylacyl + alkylacyl) glycerophosphoethanolamine - HUFA highly unsaturated fatty acids ( C₂₀ and with 3 double bonds) - LA 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (linoleic acid, 18:2n–6) - LNA 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid (-linolenic acid, 18:3n–3) - PI phosphatidylinositol - PS phosphatidylserine - PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acid(s)     

Fatty acids and egg quality in great scallop

Spawners of the great scallop, Pecten moximus, were conditioned on three microalgal diets: T-Isochrysis, a mixture of four species (PTSC) and Chaetoceros calcitrans.The polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition of neutral and polar lipids of eggs was related to the fatty acid composition of the diet. However, the 20 and 22 carbon PUFAs were maintained at significant levels independent of those of the diet when these fatty acids were present in the diet at low levels. This effect was more pronounced in the polar than in the neutral lipids. A preferential incorporation of 22:6(-3) and 20:4(-6) was demonstrated in the polar lipids. This emphasizes their role in ovogenesis and embryogenesis.The 22:6(-3) requirement of P. maximus was better satisfied by T-Isochrysis, which favoured the highest incorporation of this essential fatty acid in the eggs. The good success in reproduction obtained with this monospecies diet led us to modify multispecies diets by increasing the level of 22:6(-3).     

Vitamin requirements in great scallop larvae

Vitamins were analysed in food (microalgae) and larvae of great scallop, Pecten maximus, during larval development. Microalgae used to feed larvae in hatcheries show great variability in their vitamin composition depending on both the species and culture condition (phase of growth). The microalgae used to feed Pecten maximus larvae were rich in vitamins; their content compared with diets used in fish culture appeared sufficient, with the possible exceptions of pyridoxine, biotin and pantothenic acid. Vitamins in bacteria, isolated from the larval rearing tank were also analysed, as they can also contribute to the diet. Vitamin B₁₂, -tocopherol and -carotene were detected in very low concentration in bacteria; however, some bacterial strains were rich in pantothenic acid, and the pattern of other vitamins was similar to that from microalgae. The presence of bacteria can complement the diet in panthothenic acid, as it has been demonstrated that bacteria are ingested by larvae. The vitamin content of Pecten maximus larvae was analysed from the second day after hatching to just before metamorphosis. The content of some vitamins, ascorbic acid (C), -tocopherol and -carotene, increased during larval development, suggesting that their requirement was satisfied. However, thiamin and riboflavin decreased during larval development and further studies, possibly using microencapsulated vitamins supplements, are needed to determine whether these vitamins are limiting during larval development.     

三种水族馆珍贵鱼类的营养成分分析及脂肪酸营养评价

睛斑鳗狼鱼、巨巴西骨舌鱼和锥齿鲨是水族馆中珍贵的展示鱼类,但是有关这3种鱼类成体的营养生理研究却十分缺乏。本研究对从水族馆获得的成年睛斑鳗狼鱼、巨巴西骨舌鱼和锥齿鲨的肌肉和肝脏组织进行了常规营养成分(水分、灰分、粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量)和脂肪酸组成测定分析,并进一步将3种鱼类所食饵料与其肝脏和肌肉中的脂肪酸相对含量进行了比较。结果显示,在3种鱼中,锥齿鲨肌肉和肝脏中的蛋白质含量最高,分别为26.84%和24.03%;睛斑鳗狼鱼的肌肉和肝脏中的脂肪含量最高,分别为41.96%和32.27%;巨巴西骨舌鱼的肌肉和肝脏中的灰分含量最高,分别为4.95%和5.51%。锥齿鲨肌肉和肝脏中饱和脂肪酸(SFA)含量高于睛斑鳗狼鱼,睛斑鳗狼鱼肌肉和肝脏中单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)含量高于巨巴西骨舌鱼和锥齿鲨,巨巴西骨舌鱼肌肉和肝脏中多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)含量及其肌肉中UFA/SFA值高于睛斑鳗狼鱼和锥齿鲨。研究表明,锥齿鲨所食饵料与其体内脂肪酸组成最为相似,其肌肉和肝脏与饵料的相关系数分别为0.972和0.861,其次是巨巴西骨舌鱼(0.912和0.846),而睛斑鳗狼鱼肌肉和肝脏中脂肪酸组成与所食饵料的相关系数仅分别为0.760和0.681。从脂肪酸营养的角度分析,在当前水族馆养殖条件下,锥齿鲨饵料较为合适,巨巴西骨舌鱼的饵料中应注意添加EPA和DHA,而睛斑鳗狼鱼饵料中则需提高MUFA比例。本研究首次阐明了3种珍贵的水族馆鱼类成体的营养组成,并为水族馆相应的饲料配制提供了重要的参考依据。     

Artemia prey size and mode of presentation: Effects on the survival and growth of phyllosoma larvae of southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii)

Performance of phyllosoma of thesouthern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii)was examined after feeding Artemia-baseddiets. Survival and growth of newly-hatchedlarvae cultured to Stage III were lower(p < 0.05) when fed 0.8 mm Artemia than1.5 mm or 2.5 mm Artemia alone or 1.5 mmArtemia in combination with pieces ofmussel (Mytilus edulis planulatus) gonad.This could not be attributed to deficiencies inthe composition of fatty acids but appeared tobe due to the inability of larvae to capturesufficient appropriate-sized, enrichedArtemia for their nutritional requirements.There was an indication that survival andgrowth were higher between Stages III and Vwhen fed 2.5 mm Artemia than 1.5 mmArtemia alone or in combination with musselpieces. However, Stage VI larvae grew to asimilar size at Stage VIII when fed 1.5 mm or2.5 mm Artemia. Unexpectedly, larvae fedthe combination of 1.5 mm Artemia plusmussel supplement had lower survival than foundpreviously, and generally lower than when fed 1.5 mm Artemia alone. This was despitean apparent nutritional profile (lipid contentand fatty acid composition) of mussel more akinto that of newly-hatched phyllosoma thanenriched Artemia. On the other hand,survival and growth to Stage VIII were higherwhen larvae were fed alginate pelletscontaining Artemia than when fed 1.5 mmor 2.5 mm Artemia alone.     

养殖博氏鱼芒肉营养成分的分析及评价

采用国家标准方法测定湖北英山博氏(鱼芒)肉一般营养成分、氨基酸、脂肪酸和矿物质元素含量.结果表明,博氏(鱼芒)肉中水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪和粗灰分的含量分别为75.36％±1.07％、17.90％±0.43％、5.13％±0.18％和0.98％±0.09％;18种氨基酸总量为(69.01±0.07) g/100 g(干重),其中5种鲜味氨基酸占氨基酸总量的41.70％,8种人体必需氨基酸占氨基酸总量的48.68％,必需氨基酸与非必需氨基酸比值为95.06％;粗脂肪中含24种脂肪酸,油酸含量38.41％±0.29％最高,单不饱和脂肪酸含量占脂肪酸总量的42.68％±0.10％,n-6多不饱和脂肪酸与n-3多不饱和脂肪酸的比值为1.48;矿物质元素中钾含量最高,为(1 118.51±30.67) mg/100 g(干重),微量元素中,铁、锌含量最高,分别为(1.19±0.10)和(1.18±0.05)mg/100 g(干重).与其它鱼类相比,博氏(鱼芒)肉蛋白质质量较高,氨基酸组成比例均衡,富含n-3多不饱和脂肪酸,矿物质元素含量丰富,有较高的营养价值.     

Serum haemolytic and agglutinating activity as indicators of fish immunocompetence: their suitability in stress and dietary studies

Gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata, were subjected to different stressful situations and the haemolytic activity mediated by the alternative complement and the agglutinating serum activity were tested as indicators of immunocompetence. The results show that both parameters were significantly compromised after chronic or repeated acute stress as well as in groups fed with vitamin E or 3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) deficient diets and in infected fish. These results suggest that both haemolytic and agglutinating activity are suitable indicators for immunocompetence as they are non-specific responses induced by non-specific stressors. In addition, a comparison is performed with other immune indicators subjected to the same stressors.     

Effects of Varying Dietary Fatty Acid Composition on Growth and Survival of Seahorse, Hippocampus Sp., Juveniles

Three commercially available fatty acid enrichment emulsions (DC Selco, DC DHA Selco and DC Super Selco) were used to enrich Artemia nauplii fed to seahorse, Hippocampus sp. fry. The emulsions varied in their n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) composition. Total n-3 HUFA content ranged from 200 to 450mgg^-1 between the three emulsions while levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) ranged between 47–220 and 80–190mgg^-1, respectively. Survival and growth of seahorses at the end of the 30 day growth trial were greater in treatments receiving enriched Artemia. Seahorses receiving Artemia enriched with DC DHA Selco and DC Super Selco showed significantly (p < 0.05) greater mean survival (71.6 ± 6.0% and 78.3 ± 6.0%, respectively) than those receiving unenriched Artemia (48.3 ± 6.0%). Mean standard length was also significantly greater (p < 0.05) in fry fed DC DHA Selco and DC Super Selco enriched Artemia (20.2 ± 0.3 and 19.7 ± 0.3mm, respectively) compared to those fed unenriched Artemia (18.1 ± 0.3mm). The results show that dietary n-3 HUFA are essential for optimal growth and survival of Hippocampus sp. and, based on the fatty acid compositions of the enriched Artemia used in this study, indicate that the level of dietary DHA supporting optimal growth and survival is greater than 9.3mgDHAg^-1 dry weight.     

Influence of lipid composition of live feed on growth,survival and pigmentation of turbot larvae

The effect of different lipid compositions of live feed on the survival, growth rate and pigmentation success of turbot larvae, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), was investigated. Rotifers, Brachionus plicatilis, together with the algae Tetraselmis sp., were administered until day 12, and Artemia was fed until day 27. The experimentally treated live feeds were enriched with four formulated emulsions, resulting in a gradient in the relative contents of 3 HUFA (highly unsaturated fatty acids) and in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6 3)/EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5 3) ratios in both the rotifers and Artemia.There were no differences in larval growth rate, and only small differences in survival rate throughout the feeding experiment, probably because of satisfactory levels of 3 HUFA in the live feed to sustain growth and survival. A correlation was obtained between the percentage of completely pigmented 27 d old turbot and the DHA/EPA ratio in the total lipids of 12 d old larvae, which again was correlated with the corresponding ratio in the live feed used. The results suggest that normal pigmentation in turbot requires dietary DHA in the early larval feeding period, and that this requirement cannot be replaced by EPA.     

Biochemical composition of eggsin relation to egg quality in the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica

This paper presents the relationship between egg quality and egg biochemical composition of cultured and wild Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. Eggs were obtained by artificialinduction of maturation. Fertilization and hatching rates were used as characteristics of egg quality. Egg quality characteristics showed large variation; fertilization rate, 0–96; hatching rate, 0–84%. The biochemical composition also showed a large variation. There was no marked relationship between egg quality and fatty acid contents of eggs, except for n-6 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA). Both the fertilization and hatching ratesincreased proportionally withincreases of the -tocopherol g(-Toc) contentin eggs. A more significant correlation was found between the amount of -Toc relative to the amount of HUFA and egg quality. The results of this study show that the egg quality of Japanese eel is affected by the –Toc level, andin particular, the ratio of -Toc to HUFAin the eggs. Abbreviations: BHT – butylhydroxytoluene; EFA – essential fatty acids; FAME – fatty acid methyl esters; HPLC – high performance liquid chromatography; HUFA – highly unsaturated fatty acids; NADH – nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; NADPH - nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; ROS – reactive oxygen species; -Toc –-tocopherol.     

Morphometrics and ultrastructure of myocardial tissue in Notothenioid fishes

Antarctic fish of the family Channichthyidae (Icefishes) lack the respiratory pigments haemoglobin and myoglobin. The morphometrics and ultrastructure of the ventricular myocardium of a benthic icefish,Chaenocephalus aceratus has been compared with that of a red-blooded Notothenioid fish,Notothenia neglecta, of similar habit.The mass of ventricular muscle as a percentage of bodyweight is 3 times greater in adultC. aceratus (0.32%) thanN. neglecta (0.11%). Myoglobin concentration in the ventricle ofN. neglecta, 20 nmoles/g, is comparable to that of temperate teleosts with similar activity patterns. The volume and surface densities of mitochondria are 41.5% and 0.32 m^–1 for Icefish and 25% and 0.15 m^–1 forN. neglecta, Cytochrome oxidase activities are similar in the two tissues whilst the volume density of myofibrils is higher forN. neglecta (47%) thanC. aceratus (29.9%).The proliferation of mitochondria in the myocardium of Icefish will reduce the diffusion path-length for oxygen between ventricular lumen and the outer mitochondrial membrane and may compensate for the absence of myoglobin.     

Changes in the content of total lipid,lipid classes and their fatty acids of developing eggs and unfed larvae of the Senegal sole,Solea senegalensis Kaup

Total lipids, lipid classes and their associated fatty acids were quantified in developing eggs, yolk-sac larvae and starving larvae (from day 1 to day 5 after hatching) of the Senegal sole,Solea senegalensis Kaup. Larvae during early development and starvation consumed about 0.6% of its dry weight per day, mainly due to lipid catabolism. There was a net consumption of approximately 1.7% total lipid per day, and a net energy utilization of 1.3 kcal g^–1 dry weight biomass day^–1, mostly derived from lipid depletion. The overall decrease of total neutral lipids (mainly triacylglycerols and sterol esters) was 3.4 faster than that of total polar lipids (primarily phosphatidylcholine), with rates of 29.2 and 8.7 g mg^–1 dry weight biomass day^–1, respectively. There was a concomitant increase in PE, PS and phosphatidic acid during the period under study. Total saturated and total monounsaturated fatty acids were catabolized (primarily 160 and 161 (n-7)) as energy substrates at rates of 7.4 and 10.9 g mg^–1 total lipid day^–1, whereas total PUFAs were conserved. DHA was specifically retained in PE, whereas EPA and DHA were catabolized in PC and triacylglycerol. Total DMA and AA contents in total lipid increased during early development and starvation. The data denote a pattern of lipid metabolism during early development of Senegal sole similar to that of other marine larval fish, with eggs containing high amounts of total lipids (presence of oil globule/s), from temperate waters and with short developmental periods; the pattern contrasts with fish larvae from eggs of cold water fish species that contain low levels of total lipids (lack of oil globule/s) and have long developmental periods.Abbreviations AA all-cis-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (arachidonic acid, 204(n-6)) - C free cholesterol - DHA all-cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (226(n-3)) - DMA dimethyl acetal - EPA all-cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (205(n-3)) - HUFA highly unsaturated fatty acids (C₂₀ with 3 double bonds) - PC phosphatidylcholine - PE phosphatidylethanolamine - PI phosphatidylinositol - PS phosphatidylserine - PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acid(s) - SE sterol ester - TAG triacylglycerol     

Variation in content of Ω3 fatty acids in farmed Atlantic salmon,with special emphasis on effects of non-dietary factors

The main aim of the present study was to examine the impact of some biological and environmental factors on the lipid and fatty acid compositions of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), with special emphasis on 3 fatty acids. Two year groups of salmon at nine fish farms distributed along the Norwegian coast were fed the same diet and were sampled every second month. The data are believed to give a representative characterization of lipid and fatty acid content of salmon farmed in Norway.Multiple regression analysis revealed that variation in lipid content and body weight explained 80% of the variation found in 3 fatty acids in farmed salmon, and 22:6 3 showed greater variation than other 3 fatty acids. Further analysis of lipid-corrected values revealed only minor effects of latitude on the per cent content of highly unsaturated 3 fatty acids, and hardly any effect of seawater temperature, with the exception of 22:6 3, which decreased slightly with increasing temperature.The per cent 22:6 3 in the fillet became gradually reduced with increasing fish age and body weight, whereas the content of 20:5 3 and other 3 fatty acids remained relatively constant. The per cent content of 22:6 3 of young salmon was higher than in the feed, but approached the feed value gradually as body weight increased. The lipid content of the salmon increased with fish age, and the absolute quantitative contents of both 22:6 3 and 20:5 3 increased meanwhile, even though the per cent content of 22:6 3 decreased quite pronouncedly.The per cent 22:6 3 and other 3 fatty acids was higher in wild than in farmed salmon, but the absolute quantitative content was higher throughout in farmed salmon, which had higher lipid contents. The 3/6 ratio, which is important in human health evaluation, was lower in farmed than in wild salmon. The large flexibility of 3 fatty acids and lipid content of farmed salmon leave us with the option of producing a wide variety of salmon qualities requested by the market. Both per cent and absolute quantitative 3 contents, as well as the 3/6 ratio, may readily be manipulated.     

日本沼虾C型凝集素结构域家族3的cDNA克隆、原核表达和定位分析

C型凝集素(C-type lectin)是一类能与糖类结合的非抗体的蛋白质或糖蛋白家族,为了研究C型凝集素基因在日本沼虾组织分布、细胞定位和细菌感染过程中的表达情况,本研究应用cDNA末端快速克隆(rapid-amplification of cDNA ends,RACE)技术首次克隆了日本沼虾C型凝集素结构域家族3基因(MnLec3)的全长序列,通过实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)分析MnLec3基因在不同组织、细菌感染后不同时间的表达水平,Western blot和免疫荧光分别分析蛋白的表达水平和细胞定位。结果显示,MnLec3基因cDNA全长1 357 bp,包括125 bp的5′末端非翻译区(UTR)、1 026 bp的开放阅读框(ORF)和206 bp的3′UTR,其中开放阅读框编码341个氨基酸。氨基酸序列比对显示,日本沼虾MnLec3基因含有保守钙结合点(Met 1-Glu17)和糖识别结构域(CRD)。同源性分析结果显示,MnLec3与罗氏沼虾C型凝集素3相似度较高;邻接法(Neighbor-Joining,NJ)进化树分析结果显示,MnLec3与其他甲壳动物C型凝集素聚为一支。通过构建原核表达载体获得体外重组蛋白rMnLec3,并将纯化重组蛋白免疫大鼠获得抗血清,免疫荧光结果显示,绿色荧光信号主要在肝胰腺细胞核中表达。qRT-PCR结果显示,MnLec3在日本沼虾所检测组织中均表达,其中肝胰腺中表达量最高,血细胞次之;与对照组相比,在嗜水气单胞菌刺激12～48 h时MnLec3表达量显著升高,48 h表达量最高,Western blot分析结果显示,MnLec3蛋白表达丰度与基因表达模式基本相似,提示克隆得到的MnLec3参与日本沼虾抵御细菌入侵的免疫过程。     

Evaluation of vitamin C-enriched Artemia nauplii for larvae of the giant freshwater prawn

The effect of high levels of ascorbic acid (AA) delivered through enriched live food has been verified through the successful culture of larval giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Two successive feeding trials were set up using a control (550 g AA g^–1 DW) and two different AA-enrichment levels in Artemia (1300 and 2750 g AA g^–1 DW). Under standard culture conditions, no differences in growth nor survival could be observed demonstrating that the nutritional requirements are below 550 g AA g^–1 DW, which is the normal level occurring in freshly-hatched Artemia. However, a significantly positive effect could be demonstrated on the physiological condition of the postlarvae, measured by means of a salinity stress test, when vitamin C-boosted live food was administered. Since the AA levels in the predator larvae are linked with the enrichment levels in the live prey, it may be assumed that a positive influence on stress resistance was caused by feeding vitamin C-enriched Artemia. It is expected that under suboptimal conditions, supplementation of high vitamin C levels might also enhance production characteristics.     

Growth of rainbow trout fed a diet supplemented with earthworms,after chemical treatment

Whole frozen earthworms (Eisenia foetida) were evaluated as a partial replacement for commercial pellets for rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Earthworms were blanched and treated with concentrated sodium chloride (10%). Fish were submitted to four treatments: control fish were fed with a commercial diet and three groups of fish were fed with diets partially supplemented with earthworms. All fish showed the same appetite for the earthworm-supplemented diets as for the control diet during the course of the experiment (8 weeks). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected in the mean final body weights of all groups of fish. A significant decrease was found in the whole-carcass lipid content of fish fed diets containing 25%, 50% and 75% frozen earthworms. The results on growth rate and feed utilization efficiency of fish fed diets containing high levels of whole frozen worms suggested an adverse effect of worm incorporation, probably due to dietary energy/protein imbalance.     

Use of a genetically attenuated strain of Aeromonas salmonicida to vaccinate salmonid fish

A genetically attenuated strain of Aeromonas salmonicida has been developed that has a complete deletion of the aroA gene (Brivax II), making it suitable for development as a commercial vaccine. Brivax II was effectively cleared from Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, a species highly susceptible to furunculosis, confirming that it is attenuated. Clearance rate was dependent on the vaccine dose administered, being longer with higher doses. Immunological studies using Brivax II injected in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, confirmed that live vaccines stimulate a greater response, in terms of generating leucocytes able to proliferate to a subsequent encounter with antigen, relative to killed vaccines. Development of strains of Brivax II as carriers of heterologous antigens was also investigated. Escherichia coli -galactosidase was chosen as the model antigen, and three strains containing plasmids with the LacZ gene were constructed (Brivax 12, Brivax 61 and Brivax 107). All three strains were shown to express -galactosidase in vivo in rainbow trout and to be cleared effectively. Interestingly, Brivax 107 was cleared faster than the other two Lac⁺ strains and had the highest level of -galactosidase activity. The two strains expressing lower levels of activity also behaved differently in vivo, in that Brivax 12 accumulated derivatives expressing lower levels of -galactosidase activity, suggesting that mutants are being selected in vivo. The potential advantages of live vaccines over killed vaccines are discussed.     

Effects of dietary carnitine and lipid on growth and body composition of hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops ♀× M. saxatilis ♂)

A study was undertaken to investigate the effects of graded dietary levels and different types of carnitine on hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis %) fed different levels of lipid. An incomplete factorial design was utilized in which diets containing lipid at either 5 or 10% were supplemented with l-carnitine at 0, 500, or 1000 mg kg^–1 diet, dl-carnitine at 1000 mg kg^–1 diet, or carnitine chloride to provide 1000 mg carnitine kg^–1 diet. Juvenile hybrid striped bass (3.3 g fish^–1) were stocked into individual 38-l aquaria connected as a brackish water (6), recirculating system and fed each diet in triplicate for 9 weeks.Supplementation of the diet with 1000 mg carnitine kg^–1 increased muscle carnitine from 35.5 to 47.7 g g^–1 tissue. Carnitine supplementation did not result in increased weight gain regardless of carnitine level or type; however, weight gain showed a significant (p<0.05) response to dietary lipid with fish fed diets containing 10% lipid growing 34% more than fish fed diets with 5% lipid. The hepatosomatic index also was unaffected by diet, but the intraperitoneal fat (IPF) ratio was significantly elevated (5.1 vs 3.2%) in fish fed diets with 10% lipid compared to those fed diets with 5% lipid. Fish fed diets containing 1000 mg carnitine kg^–1 had increased IPF ratio values at 4.7% compared to 3.9% for fish fed the basal diet. Liver lipid also was responsive to dietary treatment, increasing from 6.7 to 8.8% of wet weight as dietary lipid increased from 5 to 10%. The relative quantities of triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids in muscle and liver were not influenced by carnitine level, carnitine type or dietary lipid level. Supplementation of carnitine does not appear to be beneficial to hybrid striped bass based on either growth performance or body composition.