镉对鲤血清促性腺激素和生长激素的影响

采用ＣｄＣｌ２浸没法处理鲤，研究镉对鲤血清促性腺激素（ＧｔＨ）和生长激素（ＧＨ）水平的影响，结果表明，较镐浓度镉（ＣｄＣｌ２９ｍｇ／Ｌ）处理引起血清ＧｔＨ水平降低，ＧＨ水平升高，提高水中钙浓度，能使由镉引起的ＧｔＨ水平的降低恢得取正常水平，并对镉引起的ＧＨ水平升高起延迟作用，镉处理使鲤对ＬＨＲＨ－Ａ刺激ＧｔＨ分泌的反应性下降，提高水中钙浓度也不能恢复正常，实验结果提示，镉引起的ＧｔＨ和ＧＨ的变化可     

Increased stocking density influences the acute physiological stress response of common carp Cyprinus carpio (L.)

The physiological response of common carp, Cyprinus carpio (L.) to increased stocking density and an additional acute net confinement stressor was investigated. Stocking densities were increased from 28.4 to 56.8 or 113.6 kg m^?3 by the use of crowding screens and fish were sampled from the crowded groups after 15, 39 and 87 hours of crowding (hc). A transient elevation of plasma cortisol was found in the higher density group after 15 hc before values returned to control levels. Increased stocking density also increased plasma levels of glucose, free fatty acids (FFA) and lactate during the experimental period. No effect was found on oxygen radical production in the blood, haemoglobin or haematocrit levels, but leucocrit values were lower after 39 hc in both groups. Net confinement resulted in a significant increase in plasma cortisol levels in all groups. However, after 15 hc, cortisol and FFA levels in both crowded plus confinement groups were higher than in the control and confined groups. Confinement resulted in increased oxygen radical production in the crowded plus confined groups at all times. Results indicate that although carp responded with a mild stress response to increased stocking density and adaptation occurred by 87 hc, the crowded fish were more sensitive to an additional acute stressor.     

Detoxified Jatropha curcas kernel meal as a dietary protein source: growth performance,nutrient utilization and digestive enzymes in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fingerlings

Jatropha curcas kernel meal is rich in protein; however, it is toxic. Two durations of detoxification process were investigated: 30 and 60 min; designated as J_a and J_b, respectively. Common carp fingerlings (252 fish; 3.2 ± 0.07 g) were fed diets: control containing fishmeal (FM); S₅₀, J_a50 and J_b50: 50% of FM protein replaced by soybean meal (SBM), detoxified Jatropha kernel meal (DJ_aKM and DJ_bKM); S₇₅, J_a75 and J_b75: 75% of FM protein replaced by SBM, DJ_aKM and DJ_bKM. Highest body mass gain, specific growth rate, metabolic growth rate (MGR) and energy production value were observed for the J_b50 group which were statistically similar to that for control group and significantly (P < 0.05) higher than for all other groups. Lowest feed gain ratio was observed in control group, which was statistically similar to than in J_b50 group. Lowest MGR, protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value and lipid production value were observed in J_a75 group. The dry matter and lipid digestibilities were statistically (P < 0.05) highest in control group and lowest in J_a50 group. Protein and energy digestibilities were statistically similar (P > 0.05) for control and J_b50 groups, and these values were highest among the groups. Highest crude protein efficiency was observed in J_b50 group, whereas lowest in J_b75 group. Relative intestinal length and hepatosomatic index were higher in plant protein–fed groups. Intestinal amylase, protease and lipase activities for control group were statistically higher (P < 0.05) than for plant protein–fed groups. Conclusively, performance of J_b50 group was similar to control group and better than other groups and, thus, is recommended as the most optimal diet for common carp fingerlings.     

Earthworm powder as an alternative protein source in diets for common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The increasing need for aquafeed resources and the finite availability of conventional feed resources are making it necessary to search for alternative high‐protein resources that are not used as human food. The earthworm Perionyx excavatus was tested as a feed ingredient in diets for common carp. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of earthworm powder as a replacement for fishmeal. In a recirculation aquarium system, triplicate groups of five common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) were fed a control feed (fishmeal based protein), or experimental diets in which 30% (EW30), 70% (EW70), or 100% (EW100) of fishmeal protein was replaced by earthworm protein. Fish growth, feed digestibility and feed utilization were monitored. Growth rate, protein efficiency and energy retention in fish were similar (EW30, EW100) or higher (EW70) for diets containing earthworm meal compared to the control diet. Protein digestibility in EW30, EW70 and EW100 was higher than in the control diet, but in (EW100), lipid conversion was lower. We conclude that earthworm is a suitable partial replacement for fishmeal in feeds for common carp.     

Effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seed extract as a dietary supplementation on growth performance immunological haematological biochemical parameters of common carp

This study aimed to assess the effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seed (DPS) extract at 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 4% as a dietary supplement over 60 days, on the growth and immune‐physiology of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings. The weight gain in fish fed with 0.5% DPS was significantly greater than other treatments and fish fed a control diet with no DPS (p < 0.05). With increasing DPS dosage above 0.5%, weight gain and growth rate gradually declined. Feed conversion ratio in fish fed 0.5% DPS was lower than other treatments, but not significantly so, except for the highest DPS concentration (4%). With respect to immunophysiological variables, fish treated with 0.5% DPS leucocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts that were generally equivalent to fish on a control diet, but significantly lower than fish treated with greater concentrations of DPS (p < 0.05). Chemilumincene response and lysozyme activity, as well as levels of total protein and albumin, were higher in all treated groups than the control. The highest levels of iron and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were observed in fish fed with 0.5% DPS, while the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDH), thyrotropin, thyroxine and triiodothyronine were lower level in fish fed with 0.5% DPS than in all other treatments. In aquaculture practice, use of 0.5% DPS in commercial carp feed can improve the growth rate and condition of fish.     

Lipid metabolism responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) to mulberry leaf meal in diet

This study investigated the lipid metabolism responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) to mulberry leaf meal (MLM) replacing of some fish meal in diet. Six iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐energetic diets containing different levels of MLM (0%, 6.3%, 12.6%, 18.9%, 25.2% and 31.5%) were prepared and fed to common carps in tanks for 56 days. Analysis showed that serum total protein, albumin contents and glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activities were not significantly different among treatments, blood glucose, cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein and low‐density lipoprotein but triglyceride concentration depicted a declining trend in MLM supplementation groups compared with control. Liver and muscle lipid content decreased with increased supplementation of MLM in the diet. Hepatic lpl showed an up‐regulated trend in the MLM groups, apo‐a1 was up‐regulated in common carp fed 31.5% MLM diet, pparα was up‐regulated in 18.9% and 25.2% MLM groups, while apo‐a4, pparβ and pparγ were down‐regulated in all the MLM‐treated groups compared with control, fabp1 was down‐regulated in fish fed high‐MLM diets (≥25.2%). The results revealed that half of fish meal in common carp diet could be replaced by MLM with no hepatotoxicity; MLM promoted the reversal of cholesterol transport thereby reducing the cholesterol in blood; MLM elevated the ability of fatty acid oxidation of the common carp, but did not activated the activity of lipoprotein lipase fully, and the suppressed transportation of fatty acid affected the degradation of triglyceride in blood together; MLM reduced liver lipid contents might through suppressing the isolation and proliferation of adipocytes.     

Magnesium status in freshwater fish,common carp (Cyprinus carpio,L.) and the dietary protein-magnesium interaction

Common carp juveniles were fed for 9 weeks one of the eight semipurified diets containing graded levels of magnesium, 0.08, 0.6, 1.1, 3, 2 g Mg kg^–1 and 25 or 44% protein.Fish growth and feed utilization were significantly affected by both Mg and protein levels in the diets. Significant interaction between these two studied variables existed in relation to the fish performance as well as to mean deposition rate of several minerals in common carp body. The fish fed diets containing 0.08 g Mg kg^–1 had reduced growth and developed deficiency signs such as muscle flaccidity and skin hemorrhages.Results indicated that a minimum Mg level of 0.6 g Mg kg^–1 was required to elevate plasma and bone magnesium content and to reduce the whole body Ca concentration (hypercalcinosis symptom). Further increase of dietary Mg up to 3.2 g Mg kg^–1 improved growth rate of fish insignificantly, but the deposition rate of dietary Mg fell to as low as 7.4 and 10.7 percent in low- and high-protein diet fed fish, respectively. In Mg-deficient fish, considerable amount of magnesium was absorbed via extra-oral routes, however, this way of the covering magnesium need becomes insufficient in fast growing fish.     

Preclinical toxicity and safety evaluation of Althaea officinalis L. extract as naturopathic medicine in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.): Hematological and biochemical study

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of marshmallow extract (Althaea officinalis L.) administration on blood cells and biochemical parameters of carp liver. A total of 150 carps (Cyprinus carpio, initial body mass of 37.7 ± 4.4 g) were fed diets containing 0.0 (control diet), 2.5, 5, and 10 g marshmallow extract for 60 days. On days 30 and 60 of the experiment blood samples were collected and hematological parameters and liver enzyme activities—aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)—were measured. No significant difference was found (p > .05) in red blood cells (RBC); hemoglobin concentration (Hb); hematocrit (Htc); mean corpuscular volume (MCV); mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCH); or the percentage of neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils in fish fed with different concentrations of marshmallow extract on days 30 and 60. However, the white blood cell (WBC) count was increased significantly in the fish fed for 60 days with feed supplemented with 5 g marshmallow extract (p < .05). The MCHC was increased signi?cantly in ?sh fed with diets supplemented with 2.5 g marshmallow extract for 60 days (p < .05). Administration of marshmallow extract (5 g) significantly increased (p < 0.05) lymphocytes on days 30 and 60. However, dietary intake of 10 g marshmallow extract had significantly decreased the monocyte percentage after 60 days. A significant increase was observed in AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH levels in livers of fish fed with extract 10 g, which may be attributed to cytotoxicity. However, marshmallow extract 2.5 and 5 g did not have adverse effects on liver enzymes. These results indicate that preclinical dietary supplementations of 2.5 and 5 g marshmallow extract per kg diet have no side effects on common carp.     

Biochemical parameters of blood plasma and content of microcystins in tissues of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) from a hypertrophic pond with cyanobacterial water bloom

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of the blood plasma parameters and the content of microcystins in the tissues of common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) in relation to the toxic cyanobacterial water bloom. Fish (average body mass 2176±697 g) in the hypertrophic pond were exposed to natural water bloom (dominated by Planktothrix agardhii, Pseudanabaena limnetica and Limnothrix redekei ), which contained microcystins (concentration in biomass 20–181 μg g⁻¹ dry wt, concentration in water 0.3–9.5 μg L⁻¹). Biochemical parameters in fish blood plasma were analysed in 89 fish at 14-day intervals during the whole season (nine sampling periods). Our results demonstrated high variability and fluctuations in the investigated parameters. The content of microcystins and density of cyanobacterial cells correlated with some haematological indices as lipase, alanine–aminotransferase, albumin, magnesium and chlorides. The concentrations of microcystins in the muscle and liver of the fish (determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometer) were below the limit of detection during the monitored period [0.31 ng g⁻¹ fresh weight (f.w.) for the liver and 0.13 ng g⁻¹ f.w. for muscle]. Our study demonstrates that although known cyanobacterial toxin microcystins were not detected in the fish tissues, several biochemical parameters important for the fish physiology were modulated by natural cyanobacterial bloom.     

Effect of supplemental phytase on growth, phosphorus digestibility and bone mineralization of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L)

The effect of dietary phytase on phosphorus (P) digestibility, growth, bone mineralization and plasma P of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was investigated. Five diets, D0, DP, PHYT1, PHYT2 and PHYT4, were used. D0 contained no supplement. DP was supplemented with 2.6 g P (Na₂HPO₄× 2H₂O) kg⁻¹. PHYT1, PHYT2 and PHYT4 comprised 1000, 2000 and 4000 U phytase [Ronozyme P (CT)] kg⁻¹. D0, PHYT1, PHYT2, PHYT4 had average of 7.95 g P kg⁻¹; DP contained 10.3 g P kg⁻¹. After 126 days of feeding, fish grew from 115 to 347 g (D0), 583.7 g (DP), 352.6 g (PHYT1), 393.3 g (PHYT2) and 406.4 g (PHYT4). Addition of phytase significantly increased daily feed intake, but only led to a marginal improvement in the weight gain, SGR and FCR of fish fed PHYT2 and PHYT4 compared with fish fed D0. Fish fed DP showed the best (P<0.05) growth performances. Fish fed DP and PHYT4 significantly digested dietary P more than the fish fed D0. Fish fed D0, PHYT1, PHYT2 and PHYT4 retained higher (P<0.05) Zn in their bones than fish fed DP. However, there was no further effect on bone mineralization. Plasma P scarcely improved by between 14% and 26% in fish fed PHYT2 and PHYT4 relative to fish fed D0. P concentration of the faeces was reduced by about 9–22% in fish fed PHYT1 and PHYT4 compared with fish fed D0.     

Effect of dietary willow herb,Epilobium hirsutum extract on growth performance,body composition,haematological parameters and Aeromonas hydrophila challenge on common carp,Cyprinus carpio

The present study was conducted to evaluate the use of Epilobium hirsutum extract in diet of common carp, Cyprinus carpio (20 ± 2 g). Different levels of plant extract (0%, 0.5%, 1, 3% and 3%+2‰ multivitamin (2 g of multivitamin per kg diet) were spread on commercial diet. The feed was offered by 8 weeks. Results showed that fish fed experimental diets had no significant difference (P>0.05) in specific growth rates, condition factor, feed conversion ratios and survival compared with control. There were no significant difference (P>0.05) in moisture, crude protein, crude lipid and ash content of common carp fed diets containing various levels of plant extract. The mortality of fish challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila have been recorded for 30 days after challenging, results showed that mortality decreased significantly (P<0.05) in fish fed diet containing plant extract compared with the control. The lowest mortality observed in group fed diet containing 3% plant extract. Haematological parameters showed that white blood cells had significantly (P<0.05) increased in infected and uninfected groups compared with the control. Red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit had no significant change (P>0.05) in infected and uninfected groups compared with the control.     

氧化鱼油对鲤抗应激能力的影响

在半纯化饲料中分别加入３％新鲜鱼油（ＰＯＶ１．２８ｍｅｑ／ｋｇ）和ＰＯＶ分别为５９．２８、１１８．７９和１８９．３７ｍｅｑ／ｋｇ的氧化鱼油,投喂体重１００ｇ左右２龄鱼种,１５周后进行抗应激试验,结果：氧化鱼油可导致鲁白细胞吞噬活性增强（Ｐ〈０．０５）,说明鲁非特异性的细胞免疫应答水平提高,处于应激状态,病原应激和运输应激实验结果证实,长期处于应激状态的鲤,其抗应激能力减弱。     

Preliminary nutritional evaluation of rubber seed and defatted rubber seed meals as plant protein sources for common carp Cyprinus carpio L. juvenile diet

The present study evaluates the use of rubber seed meal (RSM) and its defatted product on the growth and feeding performance of common carp Cyprinus carpio L. Digestibility test using chromium oxide as a tracer showed that defatted RSM (DRSM) resulted in significantly higher total feed, protein, Ca and P digestibility than those of unprocessed RSM (URSM). Growth test was performed with a control and three experimental diets which were 50% DRSM (50% of protein originated from DRSM), 75% DRSM (75% of protein originated from DRSM) and 50% URSM (50% protein originated from URSM). The use of diet containing URSM to replace 50% protein source resulted in the lowest growth and feeding performance which might correlate to the high cyanide content (1.16%) in the diet. Furthermore, providing the fish with this particular experimental diet also caused decline in fish haematological parameters and increased abnormalities in the fish intestine and kidney. Overall results suggested that the use of defatted RSM to replace 50% of other protein sources resulted in a comparable growth and feeding performance of common carp juvenile without any adverse effect.     

Artificial spawning of carp, Cyprinus carpio (L.)

The effect of reproduction was investigated on females of Hungarian strain W, French strain F, and their cross‐breed 1X whose ovulation was stimulated with carp pituitary (0.3 mg kg^?1and, after 12 h, 2.7 mg kg^?1) or Ovopel (one‐fifth of a pellet per kg and, after 12 h, one pellet per kg). It was found that in the case of Ovopel treatment, the percentage of spawning females of strain F and the cross‐breed 1X was higher than in the hypophysed fish compared. The applied ovulation stimulators did not significantly affect the weight of obtained eggs, whereas the significant (P ≤ 0.01) effect was recorded with respect to the quality of eggs after 12‐, 24‐, 36‐ and 48‐h of incubation. After Ovopel stimulation, the quality of eggs was better. The origin of the females had no statistically significant effect on the weight of eggs although the yield of eggs from fish of strain W was much smaller than that from females of strain F and the 1X cross‐breed. The interaction between the ovulation stimulator and the provenance of the females was significant (P ≤ 0.05) for the percentage of live embryos after 48‐h of incubation of eggs. Eggs of the best quality (and highest weight) were obtained from fish of strain F and cross‐breed 1X treated with Ovopel. In females of strain F that spawned within 6 and 10 h after the second Ovopel injection, the effect of the ovulation time on the weight of eggs was non‐significant. It was significant with respect to the percentage of egg fertilization and of live embryos after 36‐h of incubation (P ≤ 0.01 and P ≤ 0.05 respectively). The better quality of eggs (and their higher weight) was recorded when this time was shorter.     

The effect of common carp, Cyprinus carpio (L.) and mrigal, Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) as bottom feeders in major Indian carp polycultures

A polyculture experiment with the large carp rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton), catla, Catla catla (Hamilton) and either mrigal, Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) or common carp, Cyprinus carpio (L.) (as cash crop fish), and the small indigenous fish punti, Puntius sophore (Hamilton) (as food for the small‐scale farmer family) was carried out at the Field Laboratory of the Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The main objective was to compare polycultures of large carp in which the bottom feeder is either the native mrigal or the exotic common carp. Secondary objectives were to assess the effects of adding the small indigenous species punti to polycultures of large carp, and to compare the effects of mrigal and common carp on punti production and reproduction. It was found that (i) common carp damaged embankments, had no effect on catla, improved rohu performance by 50% and total fish production by 20%; (ii) punti addition did not affect rohu, catla and total yield, improved mrigal performance by 50%, and decreased common carp performance by 20%; and (iii) punti was not affected either by common carp or by mrigal. However, its performance was not satisfactory, probably owing to frequent netting, which might have hindered growth and breeding. In spite of the embankment damage caused by common carp, this bottom feeder seems to be more promising than mrigal, because it leads to higher fish production. The addition of punti to the large carp polyculture is a viable proposition, as it does not reduce cash crop production, and might be a good food source for a small‐scale farmer's family.     

Formulation of low phosphorus loading diets for carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

This study focuses on reducing total phosphorus loading (T-P) from carp culture through improved feed formulation. Since phosphorus (P) contained in fish meal (FM) mainly in the form of tricalcium phosphate is not available to carp, which lack a stomach, the reduction of FM from their diets is effective for lowering T-P. Thus in this experiment, six diets (crude protein < 35%, digestible energy > 3.5 kcal g⁻¹) were designed by substituting FM (10%−25%) with alternate protein ingredients such as poultry feather meal (PFM; 5%−10%), blood meal (BM; 5%−7%) and defatted soybean meal (dSBM; 4%−9%). All diets followed the Kasumigaura ‘Feed Standard’. The total dietary P was 1.0%−1.4% and water extractable P available to carp was 0.66%−0.71%, the levels meeting the dietary requirement of carp. A feeding trial was conducted with juvenile carp (4.6 ± 0.7 g) for 12 weeks at a mean water temperature of 23.7°C. The T-P loading from fish fed the different diets was estimated based on absorption and retention of dietary P. Growth performance corresponded to increasing levels of FM inclusion, being highest in the fish fed 25% FM diet; however, the decrease in T-P was achieved at the lower FM levels. The T-P (based on P retention) ranged from 8.9 to 11.7 kg t⁻¹ production, much lower than that from the commercial diets (9.1–26.4 kg t⁻¹ production). These results indicated that the reduction of FM levels in carp diets to 15%−20% through the combined use of PFM, BM and dSBM effectively lowered T-P. Moreover, the formulated diets were also found to be better than commercial diets in lowering the N loading from carp culture.     

The effect of dietary bamboo charcoal supplementation on growth and serum biochemical parameters of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

This study investigated the effect of dietary bamboo charcoal (BC) supplementation on the growth performance and health status of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). A 63‐day feeding trial was carried out wherein the carp were reared on diets containing increasing levels of BC (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 4%). Treatment with BC did not produce any obvious effect (p > .05) on the growth performance of the juvenile common carp and on the overall muscle fatty acid composition. However, significant improvements (p < .05) were reported on serum indicators such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (TP), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and glucose (GLU) with the 4% inclusion level producing the most beneficial effects without adversely affecting some of the indices that were not improved at this level. Improvements were further observed in the intestinal villus length and goblet cells numbers at 4% supplementation. Although some evidence of potential toxicity exists, the overall findings of this study suggest that supplementation of common carp diets with 4% BC has a potential to enhance serum biochemical indices, intestinal functions and fatty acid content in common carp. Furthermore, while no positive effects were observed on the growth performance and total muscle fatty acid composition, no adverse effects were reported on these parameters. Therefore, BC has the potential to be used as a feed additive in the diets of juvenile common carp to improve health status and intestinal function.     

棉酚对鲤鱼急性中毒的研究

鲤鱼（体重约16克）腹腔注射乙酸棉酚0，7．3，54，100，200，400mg/kg体重，经四天（96小时）后，死亡率分别是0，0，20％，70％，90％，100％。96小时半数致死剂量是63．6mg/kg体重。注射剂量高于54mg/kg体重时，发生腹腔红肿、体壁溃烂，甚至死亡。实验结果说明虽然棉籽水平的棉酚不引起鲤鱼的任何可见的中毒症状，但是腹腔注射大剂量棉酚可引起与哺乳类相似的中毒症状。     

Inheritance and reliability of random amplified polymorphic DNA-markers in two consecutive generations of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers have been used in a variety of genetic studies in fisheries and aquaculture. Most population studies are performed without preliminary data demonstrating the Mendelian inheritance and reproducibility of RAPD markers. In this study, the inheritance and reproducibility of RAPD markers was examined in two consecutive generations of common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. Variability and segregation of RAPD markers were investigated in one F₁ progeny and three F₂ progenies. Seventy-four RAPD markers were generated by five primers using DNA extracted from the initial ornamental (koi) common carp female and wild-type colour common carp male. Fifty-five of these RAPD markers were transmitted to the F₁ progeny and the inheritance patterns were analysed. Twenty RAPD markers were fully reproducible and demonstrated dominant simple Mendelian inheritance patterns in two consecutive generations. Twenty-four RAPD markers were not reproducible in all progenies. Thirteen markers displayed inheritance ratios in the progenies that did not fit simple Mendelian inheritance patterns. Non-reproducibility of RAPD markers and distorted ratios may be caused by the absence of amplification, poor amplification or by the appearance of artefact bands. Random amplified polymorphic DNA markers with poor reproducibility and non-Mendelian inheritance can lead to misinterpretations of data in population studies, resulting in errors in the estimation of genetic diversity within and between individual populations. Therefore, it is recommended to first identify the set of reproducible RAPD markers that demonstrate Mendelian inheritance before application of the RAPD technique in population studies.