好氧反硝化菌对水质和鱼体饲喂效果的影响研究

以好氧反硝化菌株Bacillus sp.H2作为供试菌株,从水质指标、鱼体生长指标和免疫指标3方面全面考察菌株Bacillussp.H2作为水质改良剂对养殖水体和鱼体饲喂效果的影响。研究表明,菌株Bacillus sp.H2对水体亚硝态氮的平均降解率达到64.04%,总氮最终降解率达到16.0%,COD的最终降解率达到...     

芽孢杆菌对草鱼生长和肠粘膜抗氧化功能及养殖水质的影响

本试验研究了饲料中添加芽孢杆菌对草鱼生长、肠粘膜抗氧化功能及养殖水体水质的影响。选取平均体重为（51.0±2.3）g的健康草鱼300尾,随机分成3组（对照组、处理组1和处理组2）,每组3个重复,每个重复50尾鱼。其中对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组1和2分别饲喂含复合芽孢杆菌（105 cfu/克饲料,枯草芽孢杆菌和解淀粉芽孢杆菌以1:1比例混合）和枯草芽孢杆菌（105 cfu/克饲料）的基础日粮。试验期为45d。结果表明,饲料中添加芽孢杆菌对养殖水体pH和硝酸盐氮含量无显著影响,但显著降低了从第21d到试验结束期间水体中亚硝酸盐氮的含量（处理组1第35d除外）。芽孢杆菌的添加同时显著降低草鱼的死亡率（P<0.05）,并提高了草鱼的增重率和特定生长率。与对照组相比,处理组1和2草鱼的增重率分别提高了52.93%（P<0.01）和21.78%（P<0.05）,特定生长率分别提高了44.44%（P<0.01）和16.67%（P<0.05）;而且处理组1草鱼增重率和特定生长率分别比处理组2提高了25.58%（P<0.01）和23.81%（P<0.01）。肠粘膜抗氧化活性研究表明,与对照组相比,饲料中添加芽孢杆菌能提高草鱼肠粘膜超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）的活性。以上结果提示,饲料中添加芽孢杆菌可以改善养殖水质和草鱼肠粘膜抗氧化功能,并显著促进草鱼生长并降低死亡率。     

膨化与非膨化饲料对大规格草鱼生长、体成分及部分生理生化指标影响

以商业配方为基础,配制膨化饲料和非膨化饲料饲喂初始体重（394.96±13.21g）草鱼（Ctenopharynodon idellus）120天,旨在对比这两种饲料对其生长、体成分及部分生理生化指标的影响。养殖试验在水库网箱（2m×2m×2m）中进行,每个处理组3个重复,每个重复30尾鱼。实验结果表明,与非膨化料组相比,膨化饲料组草鱼成活率和增重率显著提高（P＜0.05）,饵料系数显著降低（P＜0.05）,增重成本显著降低（P＜0.05）;肥满度、肝体比、脏体比和肠体比显著升高（P＜0.05）;鱼体血清血糖、甘油三酯、总固醇和过氧化氢酶显著升高（P＜0.05）;胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶显著降低（P＜0.05）;肝脏谷丙转氨酶（GPT）显著升高,谷草转氨酶（GOT）显著降低（P＜0.05）;鱼体成分中水分和灰分无显著差异（P>0.05）,粗脂肪显著升高、粗蛋白显著降低（P＜0.05）。综上所述,与非膨化饲料相比,饲喂膨化饲料可使大规格草鱼生长性能和养殖效益提高,但会鱼体肥满度和粗脂肪含量提高。     

蛹肽蛋白替代鱼粉对大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus L.)幼鱼生长、饲料利用、消化代谢酶及免疫性能的影响

选取蛹肽蛋白分别替代大菱鲆幼鱼配合饲料中0、15%、30%、45%、60%、75%的鱼粉,配制成6种等氮等能的饲料饲喂大菱鲆幼鱼(19.84±0.04 g)56 d,以研究蛹肽蛋白替代鱼粉的效果。结果显示,大菱鲆幼鱼的特定生长率、饲料效率随替代水平的升高而降低,30%及以上替代组显著低于对照组(P<0.05);鱼体粗蛋白、粗脂肪水平随替代水平的升高而降低,分别在75%和30%及以上替代组显著降低,鱼体水分和灰分含量随替代的升高而升高,分别在75%和30%及以上替代组显著升高(P<0.05)。摄食率随替代水平升高呈先上升后下降的趋势,在30%替代组呈现出最高的摄食率,且显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。饲料干物质的表观消化率在42.53%-54.36%之间,且当替代水平达到75%时显著低于对照组(P<0.05);而蛋白质表观消化率在71.67%-86.89%之间,仅45%和75%替代组显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。各替代组肝脏超氧化物歧化酶活性均高于对照组,在45%和60%替代组出现显著性差异(P<0.05)。综上所述,蛹肽蛋白可以替代大菱鲆幼鱼饲料中15%的鱼粉而不影响其生长摄食、饲料利用以及与消化、代谢、免疫相关的酶的活性。     

史氏鲟幼鲟对饲料中磷的需要量

通过生长饲养试验研究史氏鲟幼鲟对饲料中磷的需要量.以Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O为磷源,配制含磷水平分别为0.18%(对照组),0.40%,0.71%,0.98%,1.38%和1.66%的6组等能等氮纯化饲料,每组饲料饲喂3个重复,每个重复饲养20尾初体质量约为4.7 g的幼鲟.经过8周的饲养后,对生长、饲料效率、成活率、幼鲟肌肉常规组成及脊椎骨灰分和钙磷含量进行分析.结果表明,随饲料中磷含量的升高,鱼体增重率、饲料效率和特定生长率显著增加(P<0.05),直至0.98%组达最大,然后随着饲料磷含量的增加,这些指标显著降低(P<0.05);试验各添加组的成活率显著高于对照组(P<0.05),但各添加组间没有显著差异(P>0.05);饲料添加磷对鱼体肌肉水分、粗蛋白质和粗脂肪含量无显著影响(P>0.05);当饲料磷含量在0.71%～1.66%之间时,脊椎骨中灰分、钙和磷含量差异不显著(P>0.05),但显著高于对照组和0.40%试验组(P<0.05).经过折线回归分析得出,为维持史氏鲟幼鲟最佳生长和骨骼磷水平,饲料中磷的需要量为0.88%～1.00%(占干饲料).     

江蓠、浒苔、藻渣和菌渣替代鱼粉对红鳍东方鲀幼鱼生长性能、相关生化指标的影响

本实验旨在研究江蓠(Gracilaria verrucosa)、浒苔(Enteromorpha prolifera)、藻渣和菌渣替代鱼粉对红鳍东方鲀(Takifugu rubripes)幼鱼生长性能、血清和肝脏生化指标和体组成的影响。实验共制成6种等氮、等脂的饲料,以含鱼粉60%为对照组1和45%鱼粉的为对照组2,分别将10%的江蓠、浒苔、藻渣、菌渣与植物蛋白质配合后替代对照组1饲料中30%的鱼粉,投喂初始体重为(17.33±0.55) g的红鳍东方鲀幼鱼56 d。结果显示,1)浒苔组特定生长率(SGR)显著高于其他5组(P<0.05),藻渣组SGR显著高于对照组2和江蓠组(P<0.05),与对照组1和菌渣组无显著差异(P>0.05);对照组1和浒苔组饲料效率(FER)显著高于对照组2和菌渣(P<0.05),与江蓠和藻渣组无显著差异(P>0.05);对照组1的蛋白质沉积率(PPV)和蛋白质效率(PER)显著高于对照组2和菌渣组(P<0.05),与江蓠、浒苔和藻渣组无显著差异(P>0.05)。2)各组血清和肝脏中谷丙转氨酶(GPT)和谷草转氨酶(GOT)活性均无显著差异(P>0.05)。各组血清丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均无显著差异(P>0.05)。3)菌渣组鱼体粗蛋白质含量显著高于藻渣组(P<0.05),与对照组1、对照组2、江蓠和浒苔无显著差异(P>0.05);浒苔和藻渣组鱼体粗脂肪含量显著高于对照组2 (P<0.05),与对照组1、江蓠和菌渣组无显著差异(P>0.05)。综合来看,将10%江蓠、浒苔、藻渣和菌渣与植物蛋白质配合后替代饲料中30%的鱼粉对红鳍东方鲀幼鱼的生长性能无不良影响,并且浒苔可以显著提高红鳍东方鲀的生长性能。     

饲料蛋白水平对星斑川鲽幼鱼生长、体组成及血浆生化指标的影响

以鱼粉为蛋白源,配制5个不同蛋白质水平(34.85%,40.48%,46.54%,51.54%,56.69%)的等能饲料.以初始体质量为(54.52±0.23)g的星斑川鲽(Platichthys stellatus)为实验对象,在室内循环水养殖系统中进行54 d的摄食生长实验,研究饲料蛋白水平对星斑川鲽幼鱼生长、体组成及血浆生化指标的影响.结果显示:(1)增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)随着饲料蛋白水平的增加而上升,51.54%和56.69%饲料组之间差异不显著(P>0.05),其余各组差异显著(P<0.05);51.54%饲料组的蛋白质效率(PER)显著高于其他各组(P<0.05);51.54%饲料组的蛋白质沉积率(PRE)也显著高于34.85%、46.54%和56.69%组(P<0.05),但与40.48%饲料组差异不显著(P>0.05).以增重率为参考指标,折线回归分析结果表明,星斑川鲽幼鱼获得最佳增重时对饲料中蛋白质的需要量为53.56%.(2)饲料不同蛋白水平对星斑川鲽幼鱼鱼体灰分含量没有显著影响,但显著影响了鱼体粗蛋白、粗脂肪和水分的含量(P<0.05).51.54%饲料组鱼体粗蛋白含量最高,显著高于34.85%组(P<0.05),而与40.48%、46.54%和56.69%组之间无显著差异(P>0.05);鱼体粗脂肪含量随着饲料蛋白水平的升高而下降,水分含量表现出与粗脂肪含量相反的趋势.(3)饲料蛋白含量对星斑川鲽幼鱼部分血浆生化指标也产生了显著性的影响.血浆总蛋白(TP)以51.54%组最高,与56.69%组差异不显著(P>0.05),,但显著高于34.85%、40.48%和46.54%组(P<0.05);40.48%、51.54%和56.69%组间血浆尿素氮(BUN)含量差异不显著(P>0.05),但显著低于34.85%和46.54%组(P<0.05).综合以上结果,星斑川鲽饲料中蛋白质适宜添加量为51.54%～53.56%.     

膨化沉性饲料和粉状饲料对菊黄东方鲀生长和氮磷收支的影响

为进一步探究膨化沉性饲料在菊黄东方鲀(Takifugu flavidus)养殖中的合理应用,在盐度7~10、水温22.6~29.4℃条件下,于室内水泥池开展了为期62 d的膨化沉性饲料与粉状饲料饲喂菊黄东方鲀的对比试验,比较2种饲料对鱼体生长和养殖系统氮(N)、磷(P)收支的影响。结果表明:(1)2个饲料组鱼的终末体质量、增重率、特定生长率、净产量、成活率、比肠长、肥满度等指标均无显著差异(P0.05);膨化沉性饲料组鱼的肝体比、脏体比显著高于粉状饲料组(P0.05),饲料系数显著低于粉状饲料组(P0.05)。(2)饲料是养殖系统中N、P的主要输入源,分别占总输入的67.7%~72.9%和76.4%~82.6%,其次为水体和养殖生物;养殖试验中膨化沉性饲料组投入的N、P量(51.46、9.64 g/m~2)显著低于粉状饲料组(65.97、14.18 g/m~2)(P0.05)。(3)废水(换水+终末水体)为N、P的主要输出源,分别占输入总量的61.7%~62.8%和45.2%~51.7%,其次为鱼体固定和吸污输出;膨化沉性饲料组经废水输出的P(5.71 g/m~2)和经吸污输出的N、P量(4.18、3.48 g/m~2)均低于粉状饲料组(8.88、6.11、4.50 g/m~2)(P0.05);被鱼体固定的N、P量组间差异不显著(P0.05)。(4)膨化沉性饲料组N、P的利用率分别为18.0%和16.5%,较粉状饲料组分别高42.9%和139.1%;水体N、P负荷量分别为70.55、15.35 kg/t,较粉状饲料组分别低32.9%和44.1%。研究表明,采用膨化沉性饲料饲喂菊黄东方鲀能提高饲料中N、P的利用效率,降低养殖系统的N、P排放。     

脂肪酶对南方鲇生长性能、消化酶活性及血液生化指标的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0、0.1、0.3 g/kg的脂肪酶,饲喂平均体重(57.6±0.02)g的南方鲇(Silurus meridionalis Chen)60 d,测定南方鲇的生长性能、饲料表观消化率、消化酶活性及血液生化指标。结果显示:添加0.1 g/kg和0.3 g/kg的脂肪酶,增重率比对照组分别提高了4.0%和5.8%,但差异不显著(P>0.05),饲料系数分别下降了5.0%和6.6%,差异显著(P<0.05),肥满度和粗脂肪消化率显著提高(P<0.05),对内脏指数、肝脏指数、肠脂指数、胰蛋白酶活力、肠蛋白酶活力、肠脂肪酶活力及血液生化指标均没有显著影响(P>0.05)。添加0.3 g/kg的脂肪酶显著提高胰脂肪酶活力(P<0.05),添加0.1 g/kg的脂肪酶对胰脂肪酶活力没有显著影响(P>0.05)。结果表明,在脂肪水平为10%的饲料中添加0.3 g/kg的脂肪酶可以提高胰脂肪酶活力,提高脂肪消化率,改善饲料利用率。     

饲料中豆粕蛋白替代鱼粉蛋白对齐口裂腹鱼幼鱼生长性能、体成分及血液生化指标的影响

试验分别以豆粕替代0(对照组)、20%、40%、60%、80%、100%的鱼粉蛋白设计出6种等氮等能的饲料配方, 按照配方配制试验饲料(A1、A2、A3、A4、A5和A6)。将540尾体质量为(14.67±0.51) g的齐口裂腹鱼随机分为6个试验组, 每组3个重复, 每个重复30尾试验鱼, 分别投喂6种不同的试验饲料, 养殖时间为45 d。结果表明, 豆粕蛋白替代水平对齐口裂腹鱼的生长有显著影响。豆粕替代鱼粉蛋白的比例为60%时, 试验鱼的增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)、饲料蛋白效率(PER)均达到最高(分别为118.08%、1.95%/d和207.22%), 饵料系数(FCR)最小(1.27)(P<0.05)。与其余各试验组相比, 替代比例为100%的试验组的WGR、SGR、PER显著降低, FCR显著升高(P<0.05)。通过二次多项式回归分析可知, 齐口裂腹鱼生长性能最佳时豆粕蛋白替代比例为34.25%~45.46%; 随着豆粕替代鱼粉蛋白比例的增大, 鱼体水分、粗灰分、肥满度差异不显著(P>0.05), 粗蛋白在豆粕蛋白替代水平为60%时达到最高(15.53%), 但在豆粕蛋白替代比例小于80%时试验鱼体粗蛋白、粗脂肪含量无显著差异(P>0.05), 肝体指数则随豆粕蛋白替代水平增加而增大, 但在0~80%之间均无显著差异(P>0.05)。随着豆粕蛋白替代比例的增加, 超氧化歧化酶(SOD)的活性有一定的波动, 在豆粕蛋白替代比例为40%达到最高, 豆粕蛋白替代比例在20%~60%时, 溶菌酶(LSZ)的活性逐渐升高, 但各组间及与对照组间的差异不显著(P>0.05), 谷草转氨酶(AST)和谷丙转氨酶(ALT)随着豆粕替代比例增加而逐渐升高, 但豆粕蛋白替代比例小于80%时差异不显著(P>0.05)。豆粕蛋白替代比例为100%时AST、ALT活性显著高于其余各试验组(P<0.05)。说明饲料中豆粕替代一定比例的鱼粉蛋白可促进齐口裂腹鱼的生长, 提高对饲料蛋白的代谢和免疫能力, 但豆粕替代鱼粉蛋白比例超过80%则可引起肝损伤或组织病变。在本试验条件下, 综合考虑其生长指标、体成分及免疫指标, 齐口裂腹鱼的饲料中豆粕对鱼粉蛋白的最大替代比例为80%, 当其替代比例为34.25%~45.46%时可获得最佳生长效果。     

添加植酸酶日粮不同磷水平和钙磷比对生长肥育猪血液生化指标和骨骼性能的影响

本试验利用饲养试验方法,研究玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加植酸酶时不同磷水平和钙磷比对生长肥育猪血清指标和骨骼性能的影响。试验选用162头20kg左右的杜长大三元杂交猪进行2×3(磷水平×钙磷比)因子饲养试验,试验分2个阶段进行,前期为生长期体重在20-60kg,后期为肥育期体重为为60-100kg。结果表明:添加植酸酶日粮磷水平对血清磷含量和碱性磷酸酶的活性影响显著(P<0.05);钙磷比对血清钙和血清磷含量的影响显著(P<0.05);添加植酸酶日粮磷水平和钙磷比对生长肥育猪骨骼性能的影响不显著(P>0.05)。在添加植酸酶条件下,降低日粮磷水平不影响猪的正常生长发育。     

RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY AND SOCIAL PROFITABILITY OF AN INTEGRATED AQUA-FARM,TRIPURA, INDIA

The nature of resources available and how they are combined and utilized in aquaculture largely determine its economic viability and social profitability. Using a novel Resource Cost Ratio (RCR), this study analyzes resource use efficiency and social profitability of an integrated aqua farm located in Tripura, India. RCR, a variant of the Domestic Resource Cost Ratio (DRCR), is the ratio of the net cost of non-marketable resources and the net value addition by using marketable resources. The RCR for the integrated farm was found to be ?0.24. The negative value of RCR shows positive profitability for the integrated farm. The corresponding value for a specialized farm was found to be 0.52. The difference is the greater resource use efficiency of the integrated approach. Private and social profits per unit cost for the integrated farm (0.26 and 0.08, respectively) were higher than for the specialized farm (0.11 and 0.04, respectively).     

泥蚶促熟技术

将泥蚶放在对虾池中蓄养，其性成熟比放养在自然海区的提前3个月，此法提早并延长了泥蚶的繁殖期，是提高泥蚶苗种产量和经济效益的重要手段之一。     

饥饿胁迫对刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)免疫和生长的影响

为了探究饥饿胁迫对刺参免疫和生长的影响,在11?13℃条件下,研究体质量为(20±0.15) g的刺参在不同时间(0、10、20、30、40、50、60 d),饥饿胁迫对体腔液中酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性、溶菌酶(LZM)活性、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、呼吸爆发(RB)活性、吞噬活性以及对刺参体质量、脏壁比、存活率的影响。研究结果表明,随着饥饿时间的延长,刺参体腔液中的ACP活性、LZM活性呈现降低的趋势,饥饿60 d后,比初始值分别下降47.06%、17.57%;SOD活性、RB活性和吞噬活性呈现出先上升后下降的趋势,分别在饥饿胁迫第20、20、10天时达到最高值依次为32.88、0.328、1.35 U/ml,其后显著下降,第60天时显著低于初始值,分别下降27.87%、38.08%、53.43%;其体质量在第60天时为初始体质量的68.08%,呈现负生长;脏壁比逐渐增大,第60天时为0.56,显著高于初始值0.44 (P<0.05)。随着存储营养物质的消耗,刺参体质量损失率增加,存活率下降,存活率与体质量损失率之间存在着y = ?0.0354x2+0.4354x 99.117的函数关系,呈二次曲线线性负相关。研究结果显示,饥饿时刺参通过消耗体内的营养物质来满足机体需要,长期的饥饿有可能降低刺参的免疫能力,直接影响刺参的健康和生长。     

Feeding management and waste production in semi-intensive farming of penaeus monodon (fab.) at different stocking densities

Studies on waste production and feeding management of Penaeusmonodon in semi-intensive culture system were carried out for foursuccessive crops at a commercial farm (M/S Suryo Udyog Ltd.) at Chandipur Coastof Orissa, India, at six different stocking densities. The prescribed feedingprogramme of C.P. Group, Thailand (NOVO-shrimp feed) were adopted andstandardized during first two crops and the standardized feeding scheme wasevaluated in the last two crops. Influence of standardized feeding programme onaverage feed conversion ratio (FCR) of P. monodon washighlysignificant (p < 0.001) against that of manufacturer's (NOVO-feed)prescribedfeeding programme. A feeding frequency of more than four times a day showed noimprovement in growth rate and there was no change in diurnal feeding habitprobably due to the fact that, in scientific farming, aquatic environment isartificially controlled. It was also observed that, as the age and weight ofshrimp increases, feed % decreases from 8.8 to 1.9% and lift net(LN)% increases from 2.4 to 4.3% for 1–40 gmeanbody weight of P. monodon respectively. The higher thestockingdensity, the higher was the FCR and sedimentation rate. In the presentexperiment,the sedimentation rate was estimated to be 49.5 m³ (dryvolume)/1000.0 kg of shrimp biomass. The average quantity of wastematter production was only 571.4 kg of organic matter, 10.21kg of nitrogen and 0.527 kg of phosphorus at anaverage FCR of 1.437 and stocking density of 22.5 pcs m^-2 during the four crop experimental period.     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).