Metabolic adjustments of Dentex dentex to prolonged starvation and refeeding

The particular metabolic strategies of the common dentex (Dentex dentex) to face a period of prolonged starvation and subsequent refeeding were assessed. Plasma metabolites, endogenous reserves, and the activity of key enzymes of intermediary metabolism in liver, white muscle, and heart were evaluated. Plasma glucose, total lipid, triglycerides, total-, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, and protein levels, liver, and white muscle glycogen, and perivisceral, and muscle fat were significantly reduced by starvation, whereas liver lipid content was surprisingly increased. Those enzymes involved in phosphorylation and oxidation of glucose and lipid synthesis, as well as alanine aminotransferase activity, were significantly depressed in liver of starved fish. The increase in β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) indicated an enhanced fatty acid oxidation during starvation. Part of the acetyl-CoA generated by β-oxidation was oxidized in the hepatic Krebs cycle, as reflected the increased citrate synthase (CS) activity. The oxaloacetate required for the reaction catalized by CS activity would be supplied by aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) activity whose activity was also enhanced. Glutamate dehydrogenase also increased to deaminate the glutamate produced by transaminases, especially by the increased ASAT activity. Liver gluconeogenesis of starved fish was maintained at the same rate that in controls, with glycerol playing an important role as glucogenic substrate. The increased hepatic β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (β-OHBDH) activity indicates that part of the acetyl-CoA arriving from β-oxidation was being diverted for ketone bodies production with dentex liver playing an important role in providing ketone bodies as fuels for other tissues under such circumstances. Most enzyme activities in white muscle of starved dentex were significantly depressed. In heart, starvation induced an important inhibition of those enzymes involved in glucose and protein metabolism, whereas CS, HOAD, and β-OHBDH activities were maintained at control levels. Although several biomarkers assayed returned to control values after refeeding, many others did not, which indicate that after 3 weeks of refeeding, pre-starved dentex is still experiencing a transient period of metabolic adjustments directed toward the restoration of body mass.     

Effect of handling and fish size on secondary changes in carbohydrate metabolism in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Two size groups (0.5 and 3 kg) of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were stressed by netting and transport from sea cages into land-based tanks. Handling lasted for 1 h. Before onset of stress, basal concentrations of haematocrit and haemoglobin, plasma cortisol and glucose, and liver and muscle glycogen were measured. All levels were within ranges reported for salmon. After handling and at chosen time intervals during recovery, samples were taken to judge the impact of handling and whether secondary changes in carbohydrate metabolism were related of fish size. A low cortisol peak indicated a mild stress reaction after handling independent to fish size. Plasma glucose peaked as cortisol declined, and returned to basal levels within 48 h. Liver glycogen seemed to be the main source of plasma glucose. No changes were measured in muscle glycogen concentrations. The results indicate a high tolerance to handling stress in Atlantic salmon independent of fish size.     

Biochemical responses of matrinxãBrycon cephalus (Günther, 1869) after sustained swimming

Juvenile matrinxã, Brycon cephalus, were submitted to sustained swimming for 72 days at 1.0 body length s^?1. Exercised fish (EF) grew more than non‐EF and their feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved; haematological responses demonstrated a decrease in haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin contents and increase in the mean cell volume. In the plasma, sodium, ammonia and amino acid concentrations increased; plasma triglycerides decreased while free fatty acids increased. Liver glucose, free amino acids, ammonia, the rate protein per fish weight and total lipid content increased, while the glycogen per fish ratio declined. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity increased while pyruvate kinase (PK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) decreased. White muscle glucose, lactate, the glycogen per fish‐weight ratio and total lipid content exhibited a decrease in their values; ammonia, free amino acids and the protein per fish‐weight ratio increased. GDH and PK decreased their activities. In the red muscle glycogen store, the glycogen per fish‐weight ratio and glucose were reduced. Juvenile matrinxãs, under sustained swimming, were physiologically and biochemically adapted to exercise as indicated by improved blood flow, transport and oxygen uptake, FCR, amino acid and protein incorporation and growth. Continuous exercise is a good practice for B. cephalus cultivation.     

Effect of blood glucose level on acute stress response of grass carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ctenopharyngodon idella</Emphasis>

Stress has a considerable impact on welfare and productivity of fish, and blood glucose level of fish may be a factor modulating stress response. This study evaluated the effect of blood glucose level and handling on acute stress response of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella. Fish were intraperitoneally injected with glucose at 0, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 mg g^?1 body mass (BM) and then were exposed to handling for 5 min. Glucose injection resulted in increase of plasma glucose level and liver glycogen content and decrease of plasma lactate level. Handling resulted in increase of plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, and lactate and plasma lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and decrease of liver glycogen content. At 1 h post-stress, the plasma cortisol level was lower in the stressed fish injected with glucose at 0.5 mg g^?1 BM than the stressed fish injected with glucose at 0, 0.2, and 1.0 mg g^?1 BM. No significant differences were found in the activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and pyruvate kinase (PK) in the liver between the stressed and unstressed fish, regardless of the dose of glucose injection. At 1 h post-stress, the liver glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity was higher in the fish without glucose injection than in the fish injected with glucose. This study reveals that blood glucose level can affect stress response of grass carp by modulating cortisol release and glucose homeostasis through glycogen metabolism and gluconeogenesis in the liver.     

Feed deprivation in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858) juveniles: effects on blood plasma metabolites and free amino acid levels

The effects of prolonged feed deprivation were assessed on blood plasma metabolites and free amino acid levels in Solea senegalensis. Juvenile specimens were maintained at two experimental conditions (24 h fasted and 21 days feed-deprived). In feed-deprived fish, relative growth rate and hepatosomatic index as well as plasma triglycerides and proteins levels were significantly lower. However, plasma cortisol levels were higher in feed-deprived fish, while plasma glucose and lactate values were not significantly different between treatments. Furthermore, feed-deprived fish showed higher levels of total plasma free amino acids than 24 h fasted fish. In 21 days feed-deprived sole, an increase in plasma cortisol levels may suggest a functional role in mobilizing energy due to the catabolic action of this hormone in teleosts. Higher levels of glutamine, arginine and ornithine in 21 days feed-deprived fish may be indicative of a dual role for these amino acids: ammonia detoxification and carbon source for gluconeogenesis. The increased plasma glucogenic and branched-chain amino acid levels, together with the maintenance of plasma glucose in 21 days feed-deprived sole, suggest active liver gluconeogenic processes supported by tissue proteolysis.     

草鱼、银鲫和青鱼捕捞后的应激反应

分别评价了捕捞对草食性(草鱼)、杂食性(银鲫)和肉食性(青鱼)鲤科鱼类血液指标(血浆史质醇、葡萄糖和乳酸浓度)、肝糖原含量和两种肝脏糖酵解酶(己糖激酶和丙酮酸激酶)活性的影响。结果显示:草鱼、银鲫和青鱼捕捞后血浆史质醇、葡萄糖和乳酸浓度均显著升高;草鱼和青鱼捕捞后2 h时肝糖原含量呈下降趋势,但银鲫捕捞前、后肝糖原含量未出现显著变化;捕捞前、后青鱼血糖浓度显著高于草鱼和银鲫。银鲫肝糖原含量显著高于草鱼和青鱼,其捕捞后血浆葡萄糖和乳酸浓度增加幅度较小,这意味着捕捞后银鲫应激反应强度相对较低。草鱼和银鲫捕捞后肝脏己糖激酶和丙酮酸激酶活性未发生显著变化,青鱼捕捞后2 h己糖激酶活性显著下降,这意味着捕捞应激后血糖升高未导致草鱼、银鲫和青鱼的肝脏糖酵解酶活性增强。     

Protein sparing effect of dietary lipids in common dentex (Dentex dentex): A comparative study with sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The common dentex (Dentex dentex) is a sparid fish which is considered a suitable candidate for Mediterranean aqua-culture. A seven-weeks feeding trial was conducted over the summer period with common dentex, sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). All three species were fed to visual satiety with two practical diets with varying crude protein and crude fat levels (55 % protein, 9 % lipids; 46 % protein, 17 % lipids). The initial body weights were 8.2, 11.6 and 17.3 g for common dentex, sea bass and sea bream, respectively. In all cases, specific growth rates were not significantly affected by dietary treatment, but they varied among species (sea bass 1.7–1.8 %; sea bream 2.1–2.3 %; common dentex 3.1–3.2 %). When comparisons between fish species were made, we observed that the increase in growth rates was linked to a decrease of the whole body fat content, as a consequence of a greater utilisation of dietary lipids as energy substrates. Furthermore, in common dentex, the 17 % lipid diet was able to improve protein retention, but this diet effect was less significant in sea bream and sea bass. In contrast to sea bream, the 17 % lipid diet did not up-regulate plasma GH levels in common dentex, which provides additional evidence for a more efficient utilisation of dietary lipids.     

Clove oil attenuates stress responses in lambari,Astyanax altiparanae

The effects of clove oil anaesthetic on mitigating the physiological responses to air exposure, a stressful and routine situation in fish farming, laboratory conditions and sport fishing (catch and release), were evaluated in lambari (A. altiparanae). Adult females (n = 80) were randomly sorted to receive one of four treatments: control, anaesthesia (clove oil 50 mg/L), stress (5 min air exposure) and pre‐anaesthesia associated to stress. Their cortisol, glucose, lactate and haematocrit levels, the hepatosomatic index (HSI), liver and muscle glycogen, lipid peroxidation and the enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR), were recorded. Glucose levels increased (53.9%) after anaesthesia and/or stress. The stress situation increased plasma cortisol (146.6%), lactate (294.6%) and lipid peroxidation in white muscle (45%) and decreased glycogen in white muscle (40.1%). The haematocrit increased after stress or anaesthesia (7.9%) while the liver glycogen and HSI did not change. Anaesthesia or stress did not affect the LDH but reduced the activity of CAT (46.1%) and GR (30.3%). We concluded that the anaesthetic clove oil in the concentration 50 mg/L modulates the physiological responses to air exposure stress improving the welfare; air exposure and clove oil affect the antioxidant defences of lambari; the activity of CAT and GR and the concentration of MDA can be used as biomarkers of stress in A. altiparanae.     

Physiological responses associated with capture and crowding stress in matrinxãBrycon cephalus (Gunther, 1869)

The dynamics of plasma cortisol, blood glucose, plasma chloride and liver glycogen were investigated in matrinxã (Brycon cephalus) submitted to capture and various periods of crowding. A total of 400 fish (700±22 g weight) were distributed in four ponds divided into four 50‐m² squares (25 fish/square, 350 g L^?1), where they were acclimated for 30 days. On the sampling day, after 24 h without food, all fish from three squares were transferred to the fourth square. Six fish were sampled before the procedure (control group, zero time) and 1, 3, 6 and 24 h after the capture and crowding. Each sampling was performed in a different pond to prevent additional stress. Fish were anaesthetized and blood and liver collected for biochemical analysis. Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, ammonia and nitrite levels were within acceptable levels for matrinxã rearing. Slight but not significant increases were verified in plasma cortisol and blood glucose levels, as were decreases in plasma chloride and liver glycogen levels. The results suggest that matrinxã is highly tolerant to the procedures of capture and short‐term crowding.     

Bacterial and parasitic pathogens in cultured common dentex, Dentex dentex L.

A bacteriological and parasitological study on cultured common dentex, Dentex dentex L., was conducted in a 2-year survey. Two different groups of fish were studied: (1) sampled only when mortalities occurred; and (2) sampled periodi-cally from 10days post-hatch until the juvenile stage. In both groups, peaks of mortalities coincided with high water temperatures. The same parasites were detected in both groups, except Ichthyophonus sp., which was identified only in the trunk kidney of fish from group 1. Two myxosporeans, Ceratomyxa sp. and Lepthotheca sp., were found in the bile and the trunk kidney, respectively. Epitheliocystis infection was also very frequent in the gills. An unidentified microsporidium, which was found in the liver, occurred very infrequently. Vibrio harveyi was dominant in samples from diseased animals (79%) and clearly associated with mortalities. It was not detected in water or larval homogenates. A high percentage (60%) of the isolates of this species were sorbitol positive. Other less frequently occurring bacteria were V. alginolyticus and Photobacterium (V.) damselae. The disease conditions found in common dentex were considered to be multifactorial in origin.     

Acute stress alters the intestinal lining of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.: An electron microscopical study

Groups of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in feeding (guts filled with faeces) or fasted (three days of diet deprivation) states were subjected to 15 minutes of acute stress. Blood samples and intestinal tissue were collected and prepared for chemical and ultrastructural analyses at intervals post stress until 53 h of recovery. Subjecting fish to acute stress led to significant alterations of the ultrastructure of the enterocytes lining the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). The most notable effect was substantial damage to the intercellular junctional complexes in midgut regions. These effects appeared within the first hour after stress, were maintained for at least 12 h and were more pronounced in fed than fasted fish. In contrast, hindgut was influenced less by stress and damage was rarely observed. Stress also influenced fish intestinal microbiota. Adherent bacteria decreased in both midgut and hindgut of stressed fish, and this was accompanied by a significant increase in the bacterial contents of faeces. It is suggested that this was due to the sloughing off of mucus eliminating existing microflora and allowing remaining bacteria (also pathogenic) in the gut lumen to colonize the surface of the enterocytes. Although blood haematocrit and plasma cortisol increased following stress, the response appeared to be greater in fasted fish. There were also significant differences in carbohydrate metabolism. While liver glycogen stores were depleted in fasted fish following the mobilization of glucose into plasma, liver glycogen was never depleted in fed fish. As a consequence, plasma glucose levels remained high for more than 12 h of recovery. In fed fish, plasma lactate was also higher than in fasted salmon, and the clearance rate appeared slower. Acute stress induced oxidative stress, as measured through plasma malondialdehyde, but the effect was marginal and nonsignificant. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dose-dependent effects of acute melatonin treatments on brain carbohydrate metabolism of rainbow trout

The levels of glycogen, lactate, acetoacetate and -hydroxybutyrate in brain as well as glycogen and lactate levels in liver, and glucose levels in plasma were evaluated in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, injected with ethanol/saline (5/95; v/v) alone (controls) or containing melatonin at three different doses 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg kg^-1. The results obtained demonstrate, for the first time in a teleost fish, the existence of changes in brain carbohydrate and ketone body metabolism due to melatonin treatment. Thus, a clear dose-dependent decrease was observed in brain and liver glycogen levels, whereas a clear dose-response increase was observed in brain for lactate, acetoacetate and -hydroxybutyrate levels, and in plasma for glucose levels. CO₂ production from glucose was also tested in brains of pooled fish and these rates were not altered by melatonin treatment. Altogether, these results suggest that melatonin may play an indirect role, possibly through alterations in insulin physiology, in the regulation of carbohydrate and ketone body metabolism in brain of rainbow trout.     

Effects of background color on growth performances and physiological responses of scaled carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) reared in a closed circulated system

Growth performances and physiological responses of Cyprinus carpio after long-term (14 weeks) background color adaptation were investigated. Six groups of ten individuals each (initial body weight 116 g) were reared in black, green and white tanks (two replicate groups for each color). At the end of the experiment, blood (cortisol, glucose, haematocrit, cholesterol, triglycerides, total lipids, osmolality, electrolytes, pCO₂, pH), liver (total lipids, glycogen, hepatosomatic index) and growth (body weight, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio, condition factor, proximate carcass composition) parameters were determined. Plasma cortisol levels in white-adapted carp were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those in black, while in green-adapted fish did not differ significantly from those in both other counterparts. White-adapted carp showed the highest specific growth rate and the lowest food conversion ratio, whereas black-adapted fish exhibited the opposite pattern. In addition, mean (%) increase of body weight in white-adapted carp was 4.66 and 3.58% higher than that in black- and green-adapted fish, respectively. Furthermore in white-adapted carp, blood pCO₂ and pH were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than those obtained in black- and green-adapted fish. In black-adapted carp, liver total lipid levels were significantly lower, and plasma total lipid levels were significantly higher, than those in white- and green-adapted fish. No significant variations were observed in the other parameters. It is concluded that different background colors may lead to different growth performances of scaled carp depending upon rearing conditions.     

不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对大黄鱼的生长性能、饲料利用及糖代谢关键酶活力的影响

为探讨饲料中添加不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对大黄鱼幼鱼生长、饲料利用以及糖代谢关键酶活力的影响,进行了为期8周的生长实验。设计了3个小麦淀粉水平(5%、10%和30%)和2个脂肪水平(5%和10%)的3×2的两因子实验,配制了6种等氮的饲料,分别喂养平均体质量为(6.75±0.12)g的大黄鱼幼鱼。结果显示,饲料中小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对大黄鱼增重率(WG)、特定生长率(SGR)、饲料效率(FE)、成活率(SR)、肝体比(HSI)和肥满度(CF)无显著交互作用,对脏体比(VSI)有显著交互作用。在同一脂肪水平下,淀粉水平为30%组WG和SGR显著高于10%淀粉组。不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对肝糖原含量无显著交互作用,而对肌糖原含量有显著交互作用,在饲料脂肪水平为5%时,30%小麦淀粉水平下的肝糖原含量显著高于10%和20%淀粉水平,10%淀粉水平下的肌糖原含量显著高于20%和30%淀粉水平;在脂肪水平为10%时,10%淀粉水平下的肝糖原含量显著高于20%和30%淀粉水平,而30%小麦淀粉水平下的肌糖原含量显著高于10%和20%淀粉水平。小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、总胆固醇(TC)和葡萄糖(GLU)含量无显著交互作用,对总蛋白(TP)和甘油三酯(TG)交互作用显著。不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对肝脏脂肪酶活性有显著的交互作用,对淀粉酶活性无显著交互作用;同一脂肪水平下,脂肪酶的活性随着淀粉水平的升高而升高,同一饲料淀粉水平下,饲料脂肪水平为10%组的脂肪酶活性显著高于5%组。不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对肝脏丙酮酸激酶(PK)的活性有显著的交互作用,而对葡萄糖激酶(GK)、磷酸果糖激酶(PFK)、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)、1,6-二磷酸果糖酶(FBPase)和6-磷酸葡萄糖酶(G6Pase)的活性均无显著交互作用。研究表明,当饲料脂肪水平为5%时,大黄鱼能够通过调节糖酵解关键酶活性及肝糖原含量来维持血糖平衡,改善对小麦淀粉的利用能力;而当脂肪水平为10%时,大黄鱼对小麦淀粉的利用能力降低。     

Effects of dietary arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids on common dentex (Dentex dentex Linnaeus 1758) larval performance

Oily emulsions containing constant levels of total fatty acids (FAs) and varying eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) levels were used to enrich rotifers. Common dentex larval survival and growth were compared between groups fed different enriched live prey. Growth, survival rate, and lipid composition of larvae suggest that feeding common dentex in the first 15 days posthatching with 2.5–3% EPA, 6–8% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and DHA/EPA ratio of 2.0–2.5 is sufficient to fulfill their EPA requirements. Higher amounts of dietary EPA did not result in any significant improvement in growth or survival. EPA requirement during this period of larval development does not seem to be as critical as other FAs during the first 15 days of common dentex larval development, but it does not exclude its essentiality later in development. In the case of ARA, nutritional requirements are low compared to other marine finfish species, with the upper limit of this essential FA being around 2% of total FAs provided in the live prey composition.     

Some physiological studies on the effect of onion and garlic juices on the fish, Clarias lazera

Fish, Clarias Lazera were orally administered onion (Allium cepa) or garlic (Allium sativum) juices. Contents of glucose, free amino acids, total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, total protein, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum as well as glycogen, free amino acids, total lipids, triglycerides and cholesterol contents in liver, white and red muscle were determined 5 h and 24 h after a single dose or after repeated doses (1 dose every 24 h for 5 days). Both onion and garlic treatments caused a temporary hypoglycemia as well as liver glycogen muscle depletion accompanied with a significant elevation in white muscle glycogen suggesting that dietary onion or garlic may enhance the process of glycogenesis in white muscle. Onion feeding caused hypolipidemia accompanied with significant decreases in liver content of total lipids in response to the repeated doses for 5 days and a severe rise in the lipid content of red muscle at all periods. Such results suggest that dietary onion may enhance the process of lipogenesis in red muscle of Clarias lazera. Probably, the main precursor of such lipogenesis in the red muscle was the serum fatty acids. Moreover, dietary onion led to hypocholesterolemia accompanied with a significant rise in cholesterol level of both liver and red muscle. On the other hand, dietary garlic significantly decreased serum free amino acids after 5 h and 5 days. Furthermore, significant elevations of liver free amino acids were dedected in the onion-treated fish group (24 h and 5 days) and in the garlic-treated fish group (5 h), probably due to oxidation of thiol components (sulfur attached to the proteins). This result was accompanied with either a marked increase in white muscle free amino acids at all periods of garlic fish group, or a noticeable drop in the onion group (repeated doses). Also, dietary onion and garlic treatment led to an elevation in hepatic ureagenesis in spite of the unchanged serum urea level. Significant decreases of both serum AST and ALT in garlic groups (all periods) and in onion groups (repeated doses) were observed. In liver, AST and ALT showed temporary rises after onion or garlic supplementation. In general, it could be concluded that both dietary onion and garlic have a transitory hypoglycemic action as well as a promoting effect on the process of glycogenesis in white muscle whereas dietary onion promotes lipogenesis in red muscle of fish. Also, dietary garlic may enhance the white muscle uptake of free amino acids which, in turn, may promote protein synthesis.     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate sources on the growth performance and hepatic carbohydrate metabolic enzyme activities of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum Linnaeus.)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary carbohydrate sources on the growth performance and hepatic carbohydrate metabolic enzyme activities of juvenile cobia. Six experimental diets were formulated to contain 20% glucose, sucrose, maltose, dextrin, corn starch and wheat starch respectively. The results indicated that fish fed the wheat starch and dextrin diets showed significantly better weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio compared with those fed the other diets. However, fish fed the glucose diet had a significantly lower survival and condition factor than those fed the other diets. There were significant differences in the total plasma glucose and triglyceride concentration in fish fed diets with different dietary carbohydrate sources. Haematocrit, haemoglobin, red blood cell and leucocytes were significantly affected by the dietary carbohydrate sources. The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphofructokinase (PFK) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) were significantly affected by the dietary carbohydrate sources, while fish fed the glucose diet showed higher G6PD, PFK and FBPase activities than those fed the other diets. These data indicated that dextrin and wheat starch were the most optimal carbohydrate sources for juvenile cobia.     

Changes in amino acids and essential fatty acids during early larval rearing of dentex

Samples of fertilized dentex, Dentex dentex, eggs and larvae fed enriched rotifers and Artemia according to standard hatchery procedures were analysed for free, total amino acid and fatty acid contents. Egg free amino acids (53 nmol ind-1) and total lipids (13.5 (g ind-1) levels were considerably reduced in the newly hatched larvae (6.0 nmol and 5.7 (g ind-1 respectively) while the amount of -3 PUFA (Polyunsaturated fatty acid) and 20:4-6 remained unchanged suggesting their possible role as essential fatty acids (EFA) in this species. In general, the changes in pattern of the major biochemical components during early development of dentex was similar to that outlined for other Sparidae species investigated to date. The essential amino acid profile of enriched live food did not show major imbalances when compared to that of dentex larvae. In contrast, the level of docosahexaenoic acid (22:63, DHA) and the DHA:EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5-3) ratio in larvae given rotifers and Artemia were significantly lower relative to the corresponding values in the unfed larvae.     

Dietary intake of probiotics and maslinic acid in juvenile dentex (Dentex dentex L.): effects on growth performance, survival and liver proteolytic activities

Two feeding trials were carried out to evaluate the efficiency of probiotics and maslinic acid, on growth and survival of juvenile dentex; liver proteolytic activities were also investigated in the second trial. For experiment 1, triplicate groups were fed six diets with two probiotics (Bacillus toyoi, T, and B. cereus, E) at increasing levels (0.5, 1 and 2 g kg^?1 diet) and a control diet. Growth and feed conversion were not significantly influenced by the probiotics. The diet T1 produced the lower mortality, whereas diet E1 rendered the higher mortality. It was concluded that no significant effects on growth and survival were found following the addition of two kinds of probiotics to dentex diets. However, the diet E0.5 showed a tendency to ameliorate the growth and feed utilization of the diet. In a second trial, triplicate groups were fed four diets with increasing levels of maslinic acid (0, 20, 40 and 80 mg kg^?1 diet). Growth of fish given diets with the highest level of maslinic acid (D80) was slightly but not significantly lower than those from the other groups. Furthemore, mortality of fish fed diet D40 was the lowest. Changes in liver proteasome and endoprotease activities measured on sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)/gelatin gels were also detected in a dose‐dependent manner. It was concluded that a dietary maslinic acid at a level of 80 mg kg^?1 diet seems to be too high for juvenile dentex to maintain a maximal growth and survival rate.