Genetic comparison of experimental farmed strains and wild Icelandic populations of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

Microsatellite DNA loci and the Pantophysin locus (Pan I) were used to investigate levels of genetic diversity within farmed strains of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua and to compare them with the wild source population. A total of 282 farmed samples originating from a spawning ground off the south-west coast of Iceland were sampled in the years 2002 and 2003, and 258 wild cod were collected at the same spawning ground in the same years. The farmed strains exhibited a lower mean number of alleles and allelic diversity than the wild samples at the microsatellite loci. Significant differences were observed between wild and farmed samples both in allele and genotype frequencies at the Pan I locus. We argue that the genetic divergence of wild and farmed samples of Atlantic cod may be due to a small number of effective founding breeders contributing to the genetic variation of the farmed strains, inducing a reduction in allelic diversity. We discuss the potential effect of breeding practices on the genetic diversity of Atlantic cod.     

Growth variation and fin damage in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) fed at graded levels of feed restriction

Atlantic cod (initial weight 55, 250 and 450 g) were deprived of feed for 1 month or fed one of two diets differing in crude protein and lipid levels at rations corresponding to about 25, 50, 75 or 130% of group satiation for two months. The fish were individually weighed at the start, mid and end of the experiment and growth variation and fin damage were registered. The fin damage patterns differed between size groups; 55 g cod had most wounds on the dorsal fins whereas the pectoral fins were the most damaged in the 250 g fish. The incidence of damage in these groups was high and increased significantly when feeding was restricted. In the 450 g cod there was little fin damage and the incidence did not seem to depend on diet treatment.In the 55 and 250 g cod groups, fast growing fish had lower incidence of fin damage than fish that grew slowly, suggesting that the fish that received most aggression were prevented from feeding. However, a similar trend was registered in non-fed fish, showing that the recipients of aggression also suffered other disadvantages.The variation in individual growth rates increased when feeding was restricted and the distribution was differently skewed depending on feeding level. The data provide evidence that competition is an important factor limiting growth of individual cod held in groups in culture.     

Characterisation of the microbiota associated with intestine of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.): The effect of fish meal, standard soybean meal and a bioprocessed soybean meal

Populations of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria present in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of healthy Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) fed three different diets, fish meal, standard or a bioprocessed soybean meal (BPSBM), were estimated using the dilution plate technique. A total of 944 isolates were characterised by biochemical and physiological properties and 425 isolates were identified further by sequencing the 16S rRNA genes. Our results showed that gut microbiota were affected by dietary manipulation. The GI tract of fish fed fish meal was dominated by Gram-positive bacteria of the genera Brochothrix and Carnobacterium. The Gram-negative bacteria Chryseobacterium spp. and Psychrobacter glacincola, and Gram-positive bacteria belonging to Carnobacterium, dominated in the digestive tract of fish fed soybean meal. In contrast to these results, genus Psychrobacter dominated in the GI tract when fish were fed BPSBM.Until recently, it was generally suggested that the gut microbiota of fish were less diverse than in homoeothermic animals. However, the present study identified several “new” bacterial species isolated from the alimentary tract of Atlantic cod. These “new” bacterial species are not normally isolated from the GI tract of fish. Based on our finding we suggest that the GI tract microbiota of fish might not be as simple as believed.Antagonistic activity of carnobacteria regarding inhibition of growth of two fish pathogens (Aeromonas salmonicida ssp. salmonicida and Vibrio anguillarum) was observed. However, some difference in the antibacterial activity of Carnobacterium spp. was observed. Whether this antagonistic activity has any effect in challenge studies will be discussed, especially in relation to the finding that the digestive tract is one of the major infection routes in fish.     

Short-term crowding stress in Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L. modulates the humoral immune response

Considering overcrowding as a stressor, the effects of a short-term exposure on the immune responses of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L. were determined at 2, 24 and 72 h post-crowding. While plasma glucose and total antioxidant capacity were quantified as stress responses, immune responses were based on humoral indices. Bactericidal capacity of plasma was also assessed. There was a significant increase in plasma glucose and total antioxidant capacity at 2 h post-crowding, however the former returned to pre-stress levels 24 h later and the latter remained elevated until 72 h. The plasma protein did not reveal any significant change, but there was a transient upregulation of globulin at 24 h post-crowding. The myeloperoxidase activity increased at 2 h after the stress, but returned to its pre-stress levels at 24 h. The lysozyme activity was upregulated even from the first time point after stress, although the differences were significant only at 24 and 72 h compared to the activity prior to stress. At 72 h post-crowding there was a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity while haemolytic activity showed a significant decrease. An increase in the proliferation of the bacterial pathogens, Vibrio anguillarum and Aeromonas salmonicida was seen from 24 h in the plasma of the stressed fish. Thus, our finding suggests that short-term crowding stress modulates the immune responses in Atlantic cod and therefore husbandry procedures should consider these effects while addressing better management strategies.     

Digestibility of diets containing different soybean meals in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua); comparison of collection methods and mapping of digestibility in different sections of the gastrointestinal tract

The purpose of the experiment was to evaluate effects of partial replacement of fish meal with soybean meal on digestibility in Atlantic cod and effects of biotechnological processing of soybean meal. Other objectives were to find out if apparent digestibility in cod was affected by age, temperature and/or faecal sampling methods, and to map digestion and absorption patterns along the intestinal tract for different age classes and diets. A control diet with fish meal as the main protein source (FM), a diet with 24% of crude protein from conventional extracted soybean meal (SBM), and a diet with 24% of crude protein from a bioprocessed soybean meal (BP-SBM) were used. Yttrium oxide was added as an inert marker for digestibility determination. The diets were fed to duplicate groups of 534 g (1-year-old) and 1750 g (2-year-old) cod in seawater. Faeces were stripped from the distal-most section (distal chamber) of the intestine after 48 and 84 days of feeding. In addition, intestinal contents were removed by dissection after 84 days. The dissected intestine was divided into 5 sections and contents were analysed separately. Dietary soy did not alter the viscosity of the digesta. The replacement of fish meal protein with soybean protein reduced the apparent digestibility of crude protein, fat, energy and almost all amino acids, independent of type of soybean meal processing. Larger fish had higher digestibility of starch, ash and several amino acids than smaller fish. A temperature decrease from 9.1 °C at feeding day 48 to 6.8 °C at day 84 resulted in lower digestibility of starch, ash and several amino acids. Absorption of amino acids was quantitatively terminated in the distal part of the mid intestine when feeding the soy-containing diets, but continued into the distal chamber when feeding the FM diet. Absorption of fat was completed in the proximal part of the mid intestine when feeding the soy-containing diets, but continued into the middle part of the mid intestine when feeding the FM diet. Soy did not affect absorption pattern of starch along the intestinal tract. Faecal sampling by dissection resulted in higher apparent digestibility of macronutrients than stripping in the 2-year-old cod, and higher apparent digestibility of protein in the 1-year olds.     

太平洋鳕RAG1和IgM基因荧光定量PCR方法的建立及初步应用

为研究太平洋鳕发育早期特异免疫系统形成的机制,通过RAG1和IgM基因的转录水平衡量特异免疫系统的发育特点.根据GenBank中RAG1和IgM的序列信息,分别设计1对特异引物,从太平洋鳕头肾中扩增得到RAG1和IgM的基因片段.将所获基因片段分别插入到克隆载体pMD18-T中,从而构建太平洋鳕RAG1和IgM基因的质粒标准品.建立并优化太平洋鳕RAG1和IgM基因绝对荧光定量PCR方法.为进一步验证该方法的可靠性,分别利用绝对定量和相对定量检验目的基因在太平洋鳕早期发育过程不同组织内的表达差异.以优化后的绝对荧光定量PCR方法检测不同发育时期太平洋鳕RAG1和IgM的表达情况.结果显示,RAG1的回归方程为y=-3.266x+33.77,回归系数R2=0.996;IgM的回归方程为y=-3.119x +27.61,回归系数R2 =0.998.绝对定量和相对定量结果在基因转录趋势上显现出一致性,即RAG1基因在胸腺和头肾中表达,且在胸腺中的表达量显著高于头肾中的表达量,在肝脏和脾脏中无表达;IgM基因在胸腺、头肾、肝脏和脾脏中均有表达,其中脾脏中表达量最高,其次是头肾.RAG1基因在太平洋鳕发育早期的表达水平很低,到61日龄(days posthatching,dph)至95 dph表达量显著提高;IgM基因在早期表达水平同样很低,到33 dph至61 dph才有明显表达,在95 dph时表达量显著提高.研究表明,本实验方法可靠,特异性较强,可成功对目标基因转录水平进行检测.     

Growth, feed efficiency, digestibility and nutrient distribution in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) fed two different fish meal qualities at three dietary levels of vegetable protein sources

Atlantic cod were fed six diets where the ratio of protein from fish meal to vegetable protein were varied from 91%, 67% to 46%, respectively. The experimental groups were performed in triplicate in a 20 week growth trial, increasing fish weight from about 167 g to 690 g. The vegetable protein sources constituted full-fat soybean meal and corn gluten meal at a fixed ratio of 1:2, and replaced either a high quality fish meal (DC_Mink 92.3%) or a lower quality fish meal (DC_Mink 85.6%) in the diet. All diets were extruded and balanced to be equal in gross energy, crude protein, lipid, carbohydrate, lysine and phosphorus. No difference in growth (SGR 1%) was observed comparing the two fish meal qualities. However, feed intake was significantly higher (9%) and feed efficiency lower (10%) for lower quality fish meal compared to high quality fish meal. Protein and amino acid digestibility was significantly reduced in the lower quality fish meal, while unaffected by vegetable protein inclusion for both fish meal qualities. Protein utilization as measured by protein efficiency ratio and net protein value was not affected by fish meal inclusion, except in the diet using lower quality fish meal and high vegetable protein inclusion. Lipid and energy digestibility was significantly reduced by vegetable protein inclusion for both fish meals. The lower fish meal quality increased lipid deposition in the liver and affected slaughter quality of cod by increasing HSI and dressing out percentage at low and intermediate substitution levels. Muscle composition showed small dietary changes except for arginine, while liver fatty acid composition clearly reflected fatty acid profile of full-fat soya in the diets. Corn gluten meal and full-fat soybean meal (2:1) can replace approximately 50% of dietary protein without affecting feed intake, growth, protein digestibility or slaughter quality of cod when exchanging high quality fish meal. For the lower quality fish meal diets some lower inclusion of vegetable protein sources seem to be acceptable.     

Digestive function and intestinal integrity in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed kernel meals and protein concentrates made from yellow or narrow-leafed lupins

This study assessed the effects of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus) and narrow-leafed lupin (L. angustifolius) kernel meals and protein concentrates on the gastrointestinal integrity, capacity for digestive hydrolysis, and digestibility of nutrients in Atlantic salmon. A basal diet (FM) was made from fish meal, wheat, and fish oil. Six additional diets were formulated by replacing 30% of the FM diet with lupin kernel meal made from L. l. cv. Wodjil (LKM), L. a. cv. Belara (BKM), and L. a. cv. Myallie (MKM), lupin protein concentrates made from the same L. l. (LPC) and L. a. cv. M (MPC), or extracted soybean meal (SBM). All diets were extruded. Each diet was fed to three groups of 176 g salmon kept in 1 m² tanks with 5.6 °C saltwater for 3 weeks prior to sampling of blood, intestinal organs, digesta, and faeces. Inclusion of lupin meals in the diets resulted in harder and more condensed feed particles. Ulcer-like lesions were observed in the stomach of fish from all feeding groups, and this was worsened by lupin in the diet, but did not appear to be pellet hardness related. No consistent altered morphology was observed in the distal intestine (DI) of fish fed the FM and lupin diets, while the DI of fish fed SBM showed consistent and typical soybean meal-induced pathomorphological changes. Plasma cholesterol was higher when feeding MKM and LKM than when feeding FM, MPC, and LPC, with intermediate levels when feeding BKM and SBM. Feeding LKM and LPC resulted in a higher weight of the GIT when related to body weight. Trypsin activity and bile acid concentration were generally higher in digesta from the pyloric (PI) and mid (MI) intestine when feeding FM and lupin diets than when feeding SBM, while the opposite was seen for trypsin activity in digesta from DI. There were no effects of diet on leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and maltase activity in PI and MI, but in DI the activity of these brush border enzymes were significantly lowered when feeding SBM. SBM in the diet resulted in watery faeces and lowered apparent digestibility of lipid, but this was not observed when feeding the lupin diets. To conclude, the tested lupin kernel meals and protein concentrates did not alter the intestinal function in Atlantic salmon when included at 30% of the diet. Dietary lupin was, however, involved in the worsening of ulcer-like gastric lesions.     

Resistance of aquaculture net cage materials to biting by Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Cod bite on aquaculture net cages has resulted in damages like frayed netting and holes, which in part can explain why cultured cod have escaped more frequently than salmon over the last years. We describe damages found on various netting materials subjected to cod bite through field experiments at commercial cod farms. Further, a method to test local cod bite resistance of traditional netting structures is suggested and initial results from a test jig prototype are given. Results from field experiments indicated that cod may have been attracted by types of netting that made it possible to draw filaments out of the twine, while stiff, coated netting structures and thick filaments showed no sign of bite damage during the test period. We concluded that netting materials for cod aquaculture must be resistant to cod bite or be repellent or uninteresting for cod. Based on the present findings, the better choice among the traditional netting materials seemed to be hard-laid netting materials, preferably with a primer that glues the filaments together.     

小球藻藻渣替代豆粕对凡纳滨对虾生长性能和氮磷排放的影响

为探究小球藻藻渣替代凡纳滨对虾饲料中的豆粕对其生长性能及氮磷排放的影响,实验设计6种等氮等能饲料:使用6%、11%、16%、21%(A1、A2、A3、A4组)的藻渣分别替代饲料中5.5%、10.0%、14.5%、19.0%的豆粕,使用8%的藻渣替代饲料中5.1%的鱼粉(B组)和不使用藻渣的对照组。用上述6种饲料饲喂初始体质量为(5.02±0.73)g的凡纳滨对虾45 d。结果发现,存活率A3组显著低于对照组;增重率和特定生长率A2组和A4组与对照组差异不显著,其他各组显著低于对照组;饲料系数A3组显著高于对照组,其他各组无显著性差异;蛋白质效率A3组最低,B组其次,其他四组无显著性差异。肌肉鲜样中蛋白质含量组间无显著性差异;对照组总磷含量最低,A4组最高。肌肉总氨基酸和总必需氨基酸呈现先上升后下降的趋势,A2组含量最高;总非必需氨基酸A1、A2和A4组显著高于对照组,其他组与对照组无显著性差异。肠道中,除A1组外,其他各组蛋白酶活力显著低于对照组;脂肪酶A2组显著高于对照组;淀粉酶A4组显著低于对照组。肝胰脏中,蛋白酶活力A1组最低,其他组与对照组差异不显著;5个实验组脂肪酶活力均显著高于对照组,且A3组最高;淀粉酶除A3组外,其他各组显著低于对照组。耗氧率各组间差异不显著;排氨率呈先上升后下降的趋势,A3组最高。各替代组排放率均不高于对照组;氮排放率A3最高,其他组均不高于对照组。研究表明,小球藻藻渣可以部分替代凡纳滨对虾饲料中的豆粕,当其用量为11%时,可使豆粕的用量从19.0%降至10.0%而不影响凡纳滨对虾的生长和氮排放,并降低磷排放。     

Effect of replacing fish meal with soybean meal on growth, feed utilization and carcass composition of cuneate drum (Nibea miichthioides)

The effect of replacing fish meal with soybean meal (SBM) in practical feeds for cuneate drum was evaluated in an 8-week net pen trial. The cuneate drum fingerlings (initial body weight 29.8 ± 1.3 g fish^− 1) were fed six isonitrogenous and isocaloric feeds containing 39% digestible protein and 16 MJ kg^− 1 digestible energy. The control feed was formulated to contain 40% herring meal, whereas in the other five feeds SBM was included at 11.3, 22.5, 33.8, 45.0 and 56.3% to replace 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100% of the fish meal. There were no significant differences in feed intake between fish fed the control feed and feeds in which SBM replaced 20 to 80% of the fish meal, but fish fed the fish meal free feed had higher feed intake than the other treatments. Weight gain linearly declined with the decrease of fish meal level. Final body weight (FBW) of fish fed the feeds in which SBM replaced 20% of the fish meal did not significantly differ from fish fed the control feed. Replacing 40 to 100% of the fish meal resulted in lower FBW and nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE), and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those of fish fed the control feed. Fish fed the feeds in which SBM replaced 60 to 100% of the fish meal had lower condition factor and hepatosomatic index than those of fish fed the control feed. No significant differences in carcass protein content was found among the treatments, but fish fed the feeds in which SBM replaced 60 to 100% of the fish meal had higher moisture and lower lipid content in carcass than those of fish fed the control feed. Results of the present study appear to indicate that cuneate drum has a limited ability to utilize SBM as a protein source in practical feeds.     

Anaesthesia of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) — Effect of pre-anaesthetic sedation, and importance of body weight, temperature and stress

The efficacy of the anaesthetic agents benzocaine, metacaine (MS-222), metomidate and 2-phenoxyethanol was studied in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) with average body weights of 10 ± 4 g, 99 ± 33 g and 1022 ± 274 g at water temperatures of 8 °C and 16 °C. The agents were tested individually and as combination anaesthesia comprising pre-anaesthetic sedation with a low dosage of metomidate or 2-phenoxyethanol followed by anaesthesia with benzocaine or MS-222. All agents were administered through bath immersion with an exposure time of 5 min. The different treatments resulted in average induction and recovery times ranging from 52 ± 6 s to 182 ± 16 s and 77 ± 26 s to 659 ± 46 s respectively. Induction and recovery times varied in relation to water temperature and were generally shorter at 16 °C for all weight groups and treatments compared to 8 °C. For benzocaine and MS-222 induction and recovery times were found to increase with increasing body weight. For metomidate the recovery time increased with increasing weight whereas there were no weight related differences in induction time. No differences in either induction or recovery times associated to body weight were found for 2-phenoxyethanol. Acute stress prior to anaesthesia with MS-222 resulted in significantly shorter induction time and prolonged recovery time, as well as deeper anaesthetised fish. The dosage of MS-222 had to be reduced in order to avoid mortality in fish subjected to acute stress. Combination anaesthesia allowed a reduction of the dosages used for inducing anaesthesia and produced markedly reduced recovery times compared to agents administered individually.     

Variation in fish condition between Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stocks, the effect on their productivity and management implications

A comparative analysis of the fish condition (Fulton’s K) of 10 cod stocks in the north Atlantic in relation to the temperature of their habitat, growth rates and their reproductive potential is presented. It is shown that the cod stocks in the north Atlantic display different levels of mean condition, which is partly due to the different temperature regimes of their habitats. Cod living in colder waters, e.g. Greenland, Labrador and Grand Bank stocks, were found to be in poorer condition than cod living in warmer waters, e.g. North Sea and Irish Sea stocks.

Poor condition causes reduced productivity in terms of slow growth and low recruitment potential. Stocks in better condition display significantly higher weights at age 4 than stocks in poor condition. The a coefficients (function’s slopes) obtained from standardised Ricker’s recruitment–spawning stock biomass (SSB) relationships were defined as indicators for the recruitment potential of stocks. These a coefficients were found to be positively correlated with the mean condition factor of the 10 stocks analysed. This indicates that stocks consisting of individuals in poor condition appear to be very susceptible to reduced recruitment at low SSB, while the stocks that consist of fish in good condition seem to behave more robustly with a higher probability of good recruitment at low SSB. The positive effect of the cod condition on their reproductive potential generally implies that the stocks in good condition in the temperate regions of the northeast and west Atlantic can sustain higher exploitation rates than stocks in poor condition in the colder regimes of the northwest Atlantic (Greenland, Labrador and Grand Bank). This is confirmed by the positive relationship established between the estimated biological management reference points F_med and the mean cod condition factors, as well as by the recent status of these stocks.     

Apparent protein and energy digestibility of common and alternative feed ingredients by Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua (Linnaeus, 1758)

Studies were conducted with Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua (L.), to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of protein and energy and the digestible energy (DE) content in feed ingredients widely available in Canada. We also tested the assumption of “independency” used in digestibility studies. The feed ingredients included two fish meals (herring, anchovy), three crustacean by-product meals (whole krill, crab, shrimp), two animal by-product meals (poultry by-product, hydrolyzed feather), six oilseed meals (soybean, soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, canola, canola protein concentrate, flaxseed), two pulse meals (white lupin, pea protein concentrate) and two cereal grain meals (corn gluten, wheat gluten). Protein ADCs were high for wheat gluten meal (99.9%), soy protein concentrate (98.6%), soy protein isolate (97.4%), whole krill meal (96.3%), herring meal (93.3%), soybean meal (92.3%), anchovy meal (92.2%), pea protein concentrate (89.8%), white lupin meal (89.7%), crab meal (89.4%), canola protein concentrate (88.8%) and corn gluten meal (86.3%); mid-range for poultry by-product meal (80.2%) and canola meal (76.0%); and low for shrimp meal (66.7%), hydrolyzed feather meal (62.4%) and flaxseed meal (50.2-55.0%). Energy ADC was high for whole krill meal (96.3%), wheat gluten meal (95.4%), soy protein concentrate (94.9%), herring meal (92.8%), soy protein isolate (92.1%), soybean meal (88.1%) and anchovy meal (86.4%); mid-range for canola protein concentrate (83.3%), corn gluten meal (82.7%), crab meal (82.4%), pea protein concentrate (76.7%) and white lupin meal (75.3%); and low for poultry by-product meal (71.0%), canola meal (60.6%), hydrolyzed feather meal (58.9%), shrimp meal (41.4%) and flaxseed meal (21.2-37.4%). From the protein ADC data, results clearly showed that the basal diet and test feed ingredients were digested independently of one another in nearly all cases, the only exceptions being for those diets containing test ingredients of very high (> 99%, wheat gluten) or very low (< 67%, hydrolyzed feather and flaxseed) protein ADCs. In the case of DE, the basal diet and test feed ingredients were digested independently in all test diets without exception.     

Influence of dietary soybean meal levels on growth, feed utilization and gut histology of Egyptian sole (Solea aegyptiaca) juveniles

The present study was undertaken in order to determine the effect of a dietary incorporation of soybean meal (SBM) on growth performance, nutrient utilization and gut histology of Egyptian sole Solea aegyptiaca. This species, which is genetically and morphologically close to Solea solea, is currently present in the Mediterranean Sea and reared in some Italian farms, using the same techniques for S. solea production and it could represent a promising new species for Mediterranean aquaculture.Three isoproteic and isolipidic extruded diets (crude protein, 47%, crude fat, 20%) were formulated containing 0 (diet 1), 18 (diet 2) and 30% SBM (diet 3). 540 juveniles (initial body weight of 6.9 ± 0.2 g) were equally distributed into nine 150 l squared tanks (bottom surface: 520 cm²) connected with a recirculation system (temperature 20 ± 1 °C and dissolved oxygen above 6 ppm). Animals have been hand-fed twice a day (at 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.) at a daily ratio of 1.5% body weight^− 1. Diets were tested in triplicate for 87 days. The fish were weighed at days 28, 57 and 87, and they were sampled at days 0, 57 and 87 for nutrient retention determination. One-way ANOVA with Newman-Keuls' post-test were used to analyze data (P ≤ 0.05).No differences in terms of palatability were observed and any diet has been consumed completely all throughout the experiment. At day 87, fish fed diet 1, 2 and 3 reached weights of 25.8 ± 0.8 g, 27.5 ± 0.9 g and 26.1 ± 1.5 g, respectively and no differences in performances or nutrient retention were found.Histopathological gut examinations have revealed no noticeable differences in the appearances of the intestines between any of diet groups. Intestinal mucosal cells presented well vacuolated upper, with well defined microvillar brush borders. On the basis of the results of this trial, SBM seems to be a good protein source for Egyptian sole and can be added in the diet up to 30% without any reduction in growth rate and no adverse effect on gut histology.     

Seasonal variations in muscle growth dynamics and selected quality attributes in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) fed dietary lipids containing soybean and/or herring oil under different rearing regimes

Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), 1630 ± 510 g at the start of the experiment were reared in tanks for 1 year and subjected to three different environmental regimes; Continuous light and Constant temperature (CC), Natural light and Constant temperature (NC) or Natural light and Ambient temperature (NA). Two diets were fed, where 50% of the dietary lipids were either herring oil or soybean oil supplemented. The fish were sampled in May, August and November the first year, and February and May the following year. The CC groups grew better than the NC and NA groups from May to November, and as a result had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight by the end of the experiment. This difference did however not affect muscle fibre size distribution, or the chosen muscle quality attributes texture, fat content, water or fat loss of the fillet. These quality attributes were influenced by season and body weight, whereas diet had no significant effect. The NA group had lower fat content of the fillet than the other environmental regimes in August, November and May_end, and fat content increased with increasing fish weight. Water and fat losses were lowest in November and February. The diet influenced the fatty acid profile of the musculature; the triacylglycerol fraction reflecting the dietary treatment while the polar fraction was less influenced by diet. The hardness of the fillet was not influenced by the environmental regimes, but by season, and hardness was at its lowest in August, and increased towards the following spring. The muscle fibre distribution varied only with season, and neither treatment nor diet had any effect on the muscle growth dynamics. Recruitment of new fibres seemed mainly to occur during winter, signified by maximum occurrence of fibres < 500 μm² by the end of the experiment in May.     

Growth and lipid composition of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) larvae in response to differently enriched Artemia franciscana

Considerable progress has been achieved in the intensive culture of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). However, there is little information concerning optimum live-feed enrichments for cod larvae, since many of the techniques used during the larviculture have been borrowed from other fish species and adapted for the production of Atlantic cod. The present study compared four different protocols for the enrichment of Artemia to be used as live feed for cod larvae. The protocols tested were: (1) AlgaMac 2000, (2) AquaGrow Advantage, (3) Pavlova sp. + AlgaMac 2000, and (4) DC DHA Selco + AlgaMac 2000. Larvae were fed differently enriched Artemia between 37 and 59 days post hatch. At the end of the experiment, larvae from treatment 1 [specific growth rate (SGR) = 10.4 ± 0.4% day⁻¹] grew faster than larvae from treatments 3 (SGR = 6.9 ± 0.2% day⁻¹) and 4 (SGR = 4.9 ± 0.4% day⁻¹, P < 0.0001). However, treatments 3 and 4 resulted in better larval survival at the end of the experimental period, estimated to be 3 on a scale from 1 to 5, whereas the survival estimates for the two other groups were 2. The treatments affected the fatty-acid composition of Artemia and of cod larvae. Larvae from treatment 1 had a higher percentage of AA (20:4ω6, P < 0.0001) and ω6DPA (22:5ω6, P < 0.0001) than the other larvae. Levels of DHA (22:6ω3) were similar in larvae from treatments 1 and 4, and higher than in the other larvae (P < 0.0001). Our results suggest that Artemia containing a DHA/EPA/AA ratio of 7/2/1 result in good larval performance. Joseph A. Brown—Deceased September 2005.     

Effects of the partial substitution of dietary fish meal by differently processed soybean meals on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and activity of intestinal brush border enzymes in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

This study evaluated the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) in the diet of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) with differently processed soybean meals on growth performance; apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs); the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the brush border digestive enzymes: leucine amino peptidase, maltase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; and the fish morphometric and flesh quality. European sea bass with an initial average body weight of 187.8 ± 1.4 g, were fed either a FM based (control) diet or a soy replacement isoproteic, isolipidic and isocaloric diet. The treatments consisted replacing FM protein by: 25% toasted, dehulled and solvent-extracted soybean meal (SE25); 50% dehulled and toasted soy seeds subjected to dry extrusion and mechanical oil extraction (ME50); 50% enzyme-treated soybean meal (ET50) and an inclusion of 60% composed of 30% toasted, dehulled and solvent-extracted soybean meal and 30% enzyme-treated soybean meal (SE + ET/60). ADCs values of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid and gross energy did not significantly differ between ME50 and SE + ET/60 but both of them were inferior to the other treatments (P < 0.05). Compared with the control FM-based diet, only the group that consumed the ME50 diet had lower specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and gross protein retention efficiency values (P < 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio did not differ between the FM-based control group and all other soy derivate groups (P > 0.05). In order to gain more insight on the effects of the diet on fish growth, activity of the brush border enzymes was measured. No significant differences were found in leucine amino peptidase and maltase activities, between the control group and the other soy derivate groups. The activity of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase was significantly higher in the upper section in fish that consumed the control diet compared with fish that consumed the soy derivate diets. Yet, the main activity of this enzyme was found in the lower intestinal section. In all the soy derivate diets except for the SE25 diet, the activity of alkaline phosphatase was significantly lower than its activity in the control diet. Feeding diets that include various types and levels of soybean derivatives did not affect the whole body composition and slaughter yield but significantly reduced liver weight. The results show that in methionine supplemented diets, FM can be replaced in terms of protein by 25% SE, 50% ET or 60% soy composed of 30% SE and 30% ET without hampering fish performance. The inclusion of 50% protein from ME resulted in significantly lower growth performance and feed utilization.     

豆粕替代鱼粉对牛蛙生长、体组成、消化酶活力及肝脏生化指标的影响

为减少牛蛙饲料鱼粉使用量以降低养殖成本,研究了豆粕替代饲料中不同比例的鱼粉对牛蛙的生长性能、体组成、肠道消化酶活力和肝脏生化指标的影响。用豆粕分别替代0%、20%、40%、60%、80%和100%的鱼粉配制出6种等氮等能的实验饲料,每组饲料设3重复,养殖牛蛙60 d。结果显示,豆粕替代鱼粉对牛蛙摄食率、成活率、肝体指数、脏体指数、蛙体水分和灰分含量、蛙腿肌肉组成以及肝脏丙二醛含量的影响不显著;豆粕100%替代鱼粉显著降低牛蛙增重率、特定生长率、饲料系数、蛋白质效率、蛋白质累积率;随豆粕替代鱼粉比例的提高,牛蛙的肥满度和后腿指数呈下降趋势,替代100%鱼粉显著降低牛蛙肥满度,替代60%鱼粉显著降低牛蛙后腿指数;替代80%鱼粉显著降低牛蛙全体粗蛋白的含量;牛蛙全体粗脂肪含量随替代鱼粉比例的提高呈上升的趋势,替代100%鱼粉组粗脂肪含量最高;随着替代比例的提高,牛蛙肠道蛋白酶的活力显著降低,而肠道淀粉酶和脂肪酶活力显著提高。豆粕替代鱼粉显著影响肝脏超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活力,其中超氧化物歧化酶活力最低值出现在替代80%鱼粉组,过氧化氢酶活力最低值出现在替代100%鱼粉组。基于以上实验结果,建议牛蛙饲料中豆粕可替代鱼粉的比例为60%~80%。     

Effects of soybean meal based diet on growth performance, gut histopathology and intestinal microbiota of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Effects of soybean meal (SBM) based diet on growth performance, histology of the intestinal epithelium and on the gut microbiota of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated on two trials lasting for 8 weeks (Trial I) and 18 weeks (Trial II). The microbiological characterization was done both with conventional plating techniques, biochemical profiling and length heterogeneity analysis of PCR amplified 16S rDNA (LH-PCR).Typical histological changes were found after 18 weeks of SBM feeding (Trial II). Mean height of simple foldings were significantly higher within the group fed with fish meal (FM) based diet. These changes were not, however, reflected in the appearance, behavior and weight gain of the fish, although the feed conversion rate (FCR) was higher, compared to fish fed with the traditional FM feed.In both SBM and FM groups the counts of cultivable intestinal bacteria dropped within the first 4 weeks of feeding (Trial I). Subsequently, the bacterial numbers increased in the FM group, but not in the SBM group by the 8th week of the trial. The LH-PCR data suggested also that diet-related qualitative changes in the microbiota had occurred (Trial II). The main identified bacteria were mainly representatives of the genera Aeromonas, Sphingomonas and Chryseomonas, and among the lactic acid bacteria, Lactococcus and Lactobacillus.Future research will be directed to the identification and eventual elimination the SBM-associated factors involved in the inflammatory responses and unfavorable FCR, in particular by modifying the intestinal microbiota.