Antioxidant status and immunity in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., fed semi-purified diets with and without astaxanthin supplementation

Abstract. Parr of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were fed semi-purified diets supplemented with 60 mg astaxanthin kg⁻¹ and without astaxanthin supplementation for 10.5 months. The astaxanthin concentration in the non-supplemented diet was analysed to be 6–0 mg kg⁻¹ The growth of the fish was significantly affected by the dietary treatment. The mean daily weight gain in the groups fed the supplemented diets was 0.39% throughout the period, whereas the groups fed the non-supplemented diet had a mean daily weight gain of 0.18%. The dry matter and fat content were significantly higher in fish fed the supplemented diet. The astaxanthin concentration in the muscle of fish fed the astaxanthin-supplemented diet was 2–7 mg kg⁻¹ versus 0–3 mg kg⁻¹ in the non-supplemented fish. Antioxidant vitamins in the muscle (retinol, α-tocopherol) and liver (retinol, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid) were two to 20 times higher in the fish in the supplemented group, suggesting antioxidant sparing effects. Blood haemoglobin and immunological parameters tended to be higher in fish fed the low astaxanthin diet although the difference was not significant. However, the resistance to challenge with Aeromonas salmonicida was higher in fish fed the astaxanthin supplemented diet. This may be due to a difference in weight at the time of the challenge which, in turn, may have influenced the body composition and smoltification of the fish. A relationship between dietary astaxanthin concentration and antioxidant status in both liver and muscle was observed, and this may also have had an influence on the observed differences in blood parameters and disease resistance.     

Phenotypic and genetic parameters of body composition traits and flesh colour in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Data obtained on 3.5-year-old offspring of 58 sires and 171 dams (two year classes) of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were analysed. A substantial effect of sexual maturation status was demonstrated for several body composition traits, most pronounced for the content of fat and dry matter of muscle. Maturation effects generally exceeded estimated sex effects. Intermediate estimates of heritability (0.20-0.30) derived from the sire component of variance were obtained for intestinal fat weight, intestinal fat index, dressing percentage and fat and dry matter content of muscle. Corresponding parameters of the subjectively scored traits belly flap constitution, amount of intestinal fat and flesh colour were all low (= 0.10). Heritabilities derived from the sire and dam components of variance were generally similar in magnitude, indicating the absence of non-additive genetic and environmental effects common to full-sibs. Viewed in the context of likely selection goals for commercial breeding schemes, the results did not reveal major adverse genetic relationships among the investigated traits. However, the estimated genetic correlations of muscle fat with body weight (0.42 ± 0.17) and intestinal fat index (-0.64 ± 0.19) may be unfavourable.     

Quantitative genetic properties of four measures of deformity in yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi Valenciennes, 1833

The main aim of this study was to estimate the heritability for four measures of deformity and their genetic associations with growth (body weight and length), carcass (fillet weight and yield) and flesh‐quality (fillet fat content) traits in yellowtail kingfish Seriola lalandi. The observed major deformities included lower jaw, nasal erosion, deformed operculum and skinny fish on 480 individuals from 22 families at Clean Seas Tuna Ltd. They were typically recorded as binary traits (presence or absence) and were analysed separately by both threshold generalized models and standard animal mixed models. Consistency of the models was evaluated by calculating simple Pearson correlation of breeding values of full‐sib families for jaw deformity. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among traits were estimated using a multitrait linear mixed model in ASReml. Both threshold and linear mixed model analysis showed that there is additive genetic variation in the four measures of deformity, with the estimates of heritability obtained from the former (threshold) models on liability scale ranging from 0.14 to 0.66 (SE 0.32–0.56) and from the latter (linear animal and sire) models on original (observed) scale, 0.01–0.23 (SE 0.03–0.16). When the estimates on the underlying liability were transformed to the observed scale (0, 1), they were generally consistent between threshold and linear mixed models. Phenotypic correlations among deformity traits were weak (close to zero). The genetic correlations among deformity traits were not significantly different from zero. Body weight and fillet carcass showed significant positive genetic correlations with jaw deformity (0.75 and 0.95, respectively). Genetic correlation between body weight and operculum was negative (?0.51, P < 0.05). The genetic correlations' estimates of body and carcass traits with other deformity were not significant due to their relatively high standard errors. Our results showed that there are prospects for genetic selection to improve deformity in yellowtail kingfish and that measures of deformity should be included in the recording scheme, breeding objectives and selection index in practical selective breeding programmes due to the antagonistic genetic correlations of deformed jaws with body and carcass performance.     

The food and feeding of tropical marine fishes in floating net cages: Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), and brown-spotted grouper, Epinephelus tauvina (Forskal)

Abstract. A 156-day cage feeding trial was conducted with fingerling seabass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), and grouper, Epinephelus tauvina (Forskal), so as to test six different dietary feeding regimes, namely no exogenous feeding (NF), frozen fish (FF), commercial shrimp finisher pellet (SP), in-house prepared dry pellet RDI (RDI) and RD2 (RD2), and an in-house prepared moist pellet (frozen fish: diet Rd1, 40:60 mixture w/w — code MP). Seabass fed FF and MP displayed the best growth response, with fish (30/m³) growing from an initial weight of 8·9g and 8·5g to a final weight of 285·5g and 257·5 g in 156 days, with a food conversion ratio of 3·77–5·10 (dry matter basis 1·15 – 1·95), and with a survival of 93·3 and 93·3% respectively. Similarly, grouper fed FF and MP also displayed the best growth response, with fish (30/m³) growing from an initial weight of 23·8 g and 25·8g to a final weight of 471·7g and 388·7g in 156 days, with a food conversion ratio of 3·53–4·16 (dry matter basis 0·89–1·06) and 1·73–2·96 (dry matter basis 1·06–1·80), and with a survival of 90 and 98·3% respectively. The results are analysed from an economical viewpoint and discussed on the basis of other published studies.     

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for body measurements, reproductive traits and gut length of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) selected for growth in low-input earthen ponds

In this study we present estimates of phenotypic and genetic parameters for body size measurements, reproductive traits, and gut length for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) selected for growth in fertilized earthen ponds for two generations. Throughout the experiment, ponds were fertilized daily with 50 kg dry matter, (dm)/ha chicken manure. No supplementary feeds were added. For the analysis, 6429 fully pedigreed experimental fish from G0, G1 and G2 were used. Generations were discrete and therefore parameters were estimated separately for each year. Heritability estimates for body measurements ranged from 0.4-0.6 for standard length to 0.69-0.79 for head length. Phenotypic correlations between body weight and body measurements ranged from 0.64 to 0.89. Genetic correlations were close to unity. The heritability estimate for maturity at harvest (corrected for sex) was 0.13. Heritabilities for carcass traits were estimated from G₁ only and were 0.16 for gutted weight and 0.06 for dressing percentage. Phenotypic correlation between body weight and gutted weight was 0.84 and the genetic correlation was 0.20. Heritability estimate for gut length was 0.22. We also estimated a high genetic correlation between gut length index and standard length (0.78) but a low genetic correlation between gut length index and body weight (0.22 ± 0.28). These results suggest that selection for growth on an herbivorous diet could result in a correlated response in gut length.     

草鱼幼鱼生长性状和肌肉成分的遗传参数估计

为了研究草鱼幼鱼阶段生长性状和肌肉成分的遗传改良潜力。随机采集288尾人工繁育的4月龄草鱼幼鱼,基于12对微卫星标记,鉴定出来自16个家系（8个母本,9个父本）的273尾个体,各家系、母本和父本对应子代贡献率存在极显著差异（P<0.01）。对草鱼3个生长性状（体质量、体长和肥满度）和2个肌肉成分指标（粗蛋白含量和粗脂肪含量）比较发现,3个生长性状和粗蛋白含量在家系和母系半同胞间存在显著差异（P<0.05）,而3个生长性状和2个肌肉成分指标在父系半同胞间差异均不显著（P>0.05）。基于动物模型和限制性最大似然法,草鱼4月龄体质量、体长、肥满度、粗蛋白含量和粗脂肪含量的遗传力估值分别为0.34、0.33、0.17、0.17和0.20,其中3个生长性状遗传力估值统计检验显著（P<0.05）。遗传相关分析显示,体质量与体长之间呈极显著的高度正相关（0.82, P<0.01）,肥满度与体质量和2个肌肉成分之间存在显著的正相关（0.17-0.29, P<0.05）。研究表明,草鱼4月龄生长性状具有较高的选育潜力,并可通过体长选择实现对体质量的遗传改良;推测在草鱼生长改良过程中,可能会伴随肥满度和粗脂肪含量的变化,这应当引起重视。     

Growth and survival of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. fed different dietary levels of astaxanthin. Juveniles

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., juveniles, with a mean initial weight of 1.75 g, were fed casein-based purified diets which had been supplemented with different levels of astaxanthin for a 10-week period. The astaxanthin content of the diets ranged from 0 to 190 mg kg^?1 dry diet. The growth and survival of the juveniles were recorded throughout the experiment. The proximate composition, astaxanthin and vitamin A content were determined from whole-body samples at the start and termination of the experiment. The dietary treatment was found to affect growth significantly (P < 0.05). A reduction in the mean weight of the juveniles was observed in the groups fed the diets without astaxanthin supplementation. There was no difference in growth rate between the fish in the groups fed the diets containing 36 or 190 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 dry diet, whereas the fish in the group fed the diet containing 5.3 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 dry diet had a lower growth rate. There was a tendency to higher survival in the groups fed the diets containing astaxanthin when compared with the groups fed the non-supplemented diets. The moisture and ash contents were significantly lower and the lipid content was higher in the groups fed the astaxanthin-supplemented diets. The astaxanthin and the vitamin A concentrations in the fish were found to be dependent upon the dietary astaxanthin dose; the highest values were found in the fish fed the diet with the highest astaxanthin content. These results strongly indicate that astaxanthin functions as a provitamin A for juvenile Atlantic salmon. The body storage of vitamin A increased in the fish fed the diets containing astaxanthin. However, the increase was low in the fish fed the diet containing 5.3 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 dry diet.     

不同性别沙塘鳢体重与生化组成和能值的关系

研究了体重增加时不同性别沙塘鳢鱼体生化组成和能值的变化。结果显示,雌性沙塘鳢的干物质、脂肪含量和能值随体重的增加而显著增加,蛋白质含量与体重没有显著相关性;雄性沙塘鳢的脂肪含量和能值随体重的增加而显著增加,蛋白质含量显著下降,干物质含量与体重没有显著相关性。随着体重增加,雌性沙塘鳢的脂肪、蛋白质含量和能值以及雄性沙塘鳢的蛋白质含量和能值都与各自鱼体的干物质含量呈显著的直线相关,雄性沙塘鳢的脂肪含量与干物质含量没有显著相关性。     

Carbohydrate in rainbow trout diets. II. Influence of carbohydrate levels on chemical composition and feed utilization of fish from different families

Groups of rainbow trout fingerlings from ten different families were sampled after 12 and 24 weeks feeding on each of three diets which were similar in protein and energy content but had different percentages of metabolizable energy present as carbohydrate: 17, 25 and 38%. Fish fed different diets had the same dressed carcass weights, expressed as percentage of body weight, but fish fed higher carbohydrate diets had heavier livers and a higher percentage of discoloured livers. Chemical analyses of fish bodies showed lower fat and energy but higher protein and ash content for those fed higher carbohydrate diets. Livers contained more fat and carbohydrate but the same dry matter, and faeces showed less dry matter, more protein and the same energy content in fish with higher dietary carbohydrate. Utilization of dietary energy and protein was poorer in fish fed high levels of carbohydrate, but health of all fish appeared good. Little variation between different fish families, and no interaction between fish family and diet was found for any of the above parameters, indicating that prospects for change through selective breeding are poor.     

Genetic effects on carcass-quality traits in hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops♀×Morone saxatilis♂)

A 10 × 10 factorial mating design was used to examine the genetic effects on various carcass‐quality traits in hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops♀×Morone saxatilis♂). A total of 448 offspring were raised in a ‘common‐garden’ environment and carcass‐quality traits were assessed at 389 days post fertilization; parentage of each fish was inferred from genotypes at 5–10 nuclear‐encoded microsatellites. There was a significant effect of dam and sire on body weight and fillet weight and a significant effect of dam on viscera weight and condition factor. When carcass‐quality traits were standardized to body weight, there was a significant effect of dam, sire and dam × sire interaction on viscera percentage (proportion of viscera weight to body weight). Phenotypic correlations between body weight and non‐standardized carcass‐quality traits were high (r_p=0.80–0.92), whereas phenotypic correlations between body weight and standardized carcass‐quality traits were low (r_p=0.13–0.19). Genetic correlations between body weight and fillet weight (dams and sires), and body weight and viscera weight (dams only) were significant and positive, while the genetic correlations between body weight and viscera percentage (dams and sires) were significant and negative. Significant general combining ability values for favourable carcass‐quality traits in the same breeder (dam or sire) occurred only in one or two of 20 (dams and sires) used in this study, suggesting that simultaneous improvement in multiple traits in hybrid striped bass may require evaluation of large numbers of candidate breeders. The effect of sex on body weight and all non‐standardized carcass‐quality traits was significant and appeared to be due to faster growth in females. These results indicate that selection for faster growth of hybrid striped bass would lead to a correlated increase in fillet weight and viscera weight but not necessarily to an increase in the proportion of fillet and waste product generated. The significant dam, sire and dam × sire interaction effects on viscera percentage and the negative genetic correlations between body weight and viscera percentage indicate that selection for reduced proportion of viscera relative to body weight might be feasible.     

Production of Oreochromis niloticus (L.) and ecosystem dynamics in manured ponds of three depths

Abstract. During three 5-month experiments in Thailand, earthen ponds of approximately 370m2 surface area were stocked with male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), fingerlings of 4–12g weight at densities of 0·5 to l·6fish/m². Stocking and fertilization (with chicken manure, urea and TSP) in triplicated depth treatments of 0·6,1·0 and 1·5m were proportional to pond volume in two experiments (wet and dry seasons) and to pond area in the other (dry season).
Depth showed no direct effect on fish yields of 0·9–6·3t/ha/year, on survival rates of 66 to 98%, nor on final individual weights of 96–313 g/fish. Greater yields were obtained from deeper ponds when they received proportionally greater stocking and fertilizer inputs. Inputs per unit area were the most important factor accounting for yield variation.
Temperature, dissolved N and P, and suspended solids showed little or no relation to depth treatments. Time-averaged chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic production of dissolved oxygen were greater in treatments receiving greater inputs of nitrogen per unit pond volume.
Deeper ponds produced the greatest areal yields of fish, when fertilized in proportion to their volumes. Shallow ponds produced fish and dissolved oxygen at least as efficiently per unit input as did deep ponds, which is consistent with models of photosynthesis-depth relations.     

Effects of l-lysine supplementation of diets with different protein levels and sources on channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Abstract. Semipurified diets containing either 25% or 30% crude protein (CP) from soy isolate (soy) or 30% CP from casein and gelatin (casein) were supplemented with either of two levels of L-lysine HCI (0 or 0·5% of diet) in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement and fed to fingerling channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), in aquaria for 8 weeks. Factorial analysis of variance indicated a significant ( P < 0·001) positive effect of lysine on weight gain, protein conversion efficiency (PCE) and feed efficiency. Fish fed the soy diet containing 25% CP showed increased weight gain of 24% with lysine supplementation while fish fed soy and casein diets containing 30% CP showed increases of 11 % and 3%, respectively. However, supplementing the 25% CP soy diet with 0–5% L-lysine HCI did not enhance growth performance to the level offish fed the unsupplemented 30% CP soy diet. Significant effects of dietary protein levels and sources on weight gain, PCE, feed efficiency, haematocrit, hepatosomatic index (HSI; % liver weight), intraperitoneal fat (IPF) ratio, dry matter of fillet and whole-body, as well as lipid and protein content of whole-body tissue, were also observed. Fish fed the casein diet containing 30% CP had the greatest weight gain, PCE, feed efficiency, haematocrit and whole-body protein values and lowest IPF ratio and whole-body lipid values compared with those of fish fed the soy diets. Supplemental lysine did not affect body condition indices or proximate composition of whole-body and fillet tissues of fish fed the different protein sources. Therefore, based on this study, dietary protein levels and sources significantly influenced performance characteristics of channel catfish and supplemental lysine was most beneficial at a reduced CP level.     

草鱼体脂性状的变异特征及相关性

为探究草鱼体脂性状的变异特征及相关性,采用数理统计方法对296尾17月龄草鱼的15个数量性状指标进行综合分析评价。结果显示,草鱼体脂性状(腹脂指数IPF、肝胰脏粗脂肪含量HLC、肌肉粗脂肪含量MLC)具有丰富的变异特征,变异系数范围为21.30%～47.04%。相关分析发现,草鱼3个体脂性状之间呈现显著正相关,表明草鱼脂质沉积在不同组织中具有一定的同步性。进一步的因子与聚类分析显示,观测的15个草鱼数量性状大致分为4类,包括体型因子、体尺因子、脏器指数因子和体脂含量因子,其中IPF归属于脏器指数因子,HLC和MLC二者组成体脂含量因子。多元统计分析发现,草鱼形态性状对3个体脂性状变异的解释量范围为7.45%～24.83%,相较而言,矢状面体型SS可在一定程度上预测体脂性状。研究表明,草鱼体脂性状具备较大的选育潜力,其中IPF整体显示出较好的关联性,可作为代表性目标性状用于育种实践。本研究为草鱼体脂性状选择育种提供了重要参考依据。     

Evaluation of Bioelectric Impedance to Predict Carcass Yield, Carcass Composition, and Fillet Composition in Farm-Raised Catfish

Abstract.— Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) was evaluated as a method for predicting carcass yield, fat, and moisture in live channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (N = 20), and fat and moisture in fillets from channel catfish ( N = 20) and channel catfish female × blue catfish male, I. furcatus , hybrids ( N = 20). Fish were cultured in ponds, fed a commercial catfish diet (28% protein), and harvested at market weight (450 g-900 g, ∼19 months post-hatch). Live channel catfish were tranquilized, weighed, and sexed. Resistance and reactance were measured with a four-terminal impedance analyzer. Fish were then deheaded, eviscerated, weighed, and carcass yield was calculated. Fillets from channel catfish and channel catfish × blue catfish hybrids were measured for weight, resistance, and reactance. Carcasses and fillets were ground and fat and moisture were determined by chemical analysis. Regression models including total weight, resistance, and reactance as independent variables explained 71%, 75%, and 65% of the variation in carcass yield, fat, and moisture, respectively, in live fish. Regression models with fillet weight, resistance, and reactance as independent variables explained 62% and 41% of the variation in fillet fat and moisture, respectively, in channel catfish, and 53% and 58% of the variation in fillet fat and moisture, respectively, in channel catfish × blue catfish hybrids. Models including resistance and reactance explained significantly more variation in the traits measured than did models containing only whole weight as an independent variable. Improvements in prediction accuracy will be needed to make BIA a useful tool for predicting carcass yield, carcass composition, and fillet composition in farm-raised catfish.     

The influence of dietary astaxanthin and temperature on flesh colour in Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus L.

Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus L. averaging 150 g were fed six diets containing from 0 to 192 mg astaxanthin per kilogram dry diet al two temperatures (8 C and 12 C), After reaching an average weight of 320 g (102 days at 12 C and 126 days at 8 C), the fish were killed for evaluation of flesh pigmentation using instrumental colour measurement. There was a positive relationship between dietary astaxanthin and muscle redness up to a dietary concentration of around 70 mg kg^-1, where a plateau in pigmentation was reached. Tail sections were more intensely pigmented compared with the neck and dorsal regions. Within each temperature regime, flesh coloration was positively correlated to specific growth rate. Fish maintained at 8 C had significantly higher pigmentation compared to those grown at 12 C.     

Phenotypic and Genetic Variation in Two North American Arctic Charr,Salvelinus alpinus,Stocks Cultured in a Recirculating Aquaculture System

Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, were obtained as eggs from two North American sources, an eastern (Fraser River, Canada) and a western (Bristol Bay, Alaska, USA) stock. Fish were pit tagged (eastern , western ) and stocked communally into three replicated 7‐m³ tanks at a density of 7.6 ± 1.2 kg/m³. Each tank was supplied with 2 ppt salinity water from a recirculating biological filtration system. Fish were fed a commercial diet (48%P, 20%F) from automatic feeders. Fish were harvested approximately 24 mo after hatching at a final tank density of 56.2 ± 1.3 kg/m³. Mean daily water temperature was 10.4 C with a range of 5.9–12.6 C and mean dissolved oxygen was 12.6 mg/L with a range of 9.7 (91% of saturation) to 17.8 mg/L (149% of saturation). Individual fish were evaluated for total, carcass, and fillet weight, sex, stage of sexual maturity, fillet fat, fillet color, and gonad weight. The western stock fish grew faster and were significantly larger ( ) (P < 0.0001) than the eastern stock ( ). Heritabilities were low for all traits and ranged from 0.08 ± 0.06 to 0.28 ± 0.09. Genetic correlations for body size traits were highly positive and significant (0.99–1.00). Genetic correlations of fillet color and body size traits were positive, but not significant. Genetic correlations of fillet fat with body size traits were negative, but not significant. Genetic correlation of fillet fat and fillet color was positive and significant (0.55 ± 0.27). Random genetic variation was assessed from microsatellite variability on 30 fish from each stock (eastern and western) and 32 fish from a third commercial source of unknown origin for comparison. The amount of variation detected in the western stock was higher than the eastern and commercial stocks. The eastern stock was composed of an admixture of two sources, the commercial stock was composed by three different sources, and the western stock was composed by three to four source populations. Data will be used to calculate breeding values on a separate group of captive sibling adult broodfish and a line selected for carcass weight and maturity at 3 yr will be developed.     

Heritability estimates for processing and quality traits in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) using a molecular pedigree

Heritability estimates with a microsatellite parentage assignment based pedigree are of special interest in common carp cultured under traditional pond conditions. This method reduces common environment effects as all families can be grown immediately after hatching mixed in the same pond. We applied this method to study genetics of growth and processing traits in common carp at market size (1.5 kg and more). The experimental progeny was established by crossing 147 two-year old males and 8 females (six to eight-year old) of Hungarian synthetic mirror carp population. The fish grew up through three vegetation seasons and at the end a sample of 331 fish was examined for biometrical traits (standard length, body weight, relative head length, relative body height, relative body width), percent fat and processing traits (% processed body, % fillets with skin, % fillets without skin). It was shown that sex had a significant effect on most traits: females were larger and fatter than males, and they had both higher percent processed body and percent fillet with skin. Standard length, body weight, percent fat and relative head length had a high heritability (> 0.5), while relative body height, relative body width, percent processed body and fillet yields had a medium heritability (0.2–0.5). We found relatively high positive genetic correlations between body size (standard length and body weight) and percent fat (0.71 and 0.59, respectively), favourable genetic correlations between body size and percent processed body (0.69 for standard length and 0.74 for body weight) and between body size and fillet yields (0.50–0.77). Genetic correlations between body size and body shape (relative head length, relative body height and relative body width) were weak to moderate, thus selection for better growth should have little impact towards more rotund shape. Relative head length had strong negative correlation (− 0.7 to − 0.9) with percent fat, percent processed body and percent fillet yields. This means that indirect selection for reduced relative head length should be effective in improving of fillet yield.     

A simple non-destructive biometric method for estimating fat levels in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr

Abstract. Simple body measurements were used to predict the fat content of Atlantic salmon parr. For three different sizes (wet weights 18–98g, 44–207g and 137-151·8g) at two times of year (November/December and July) the percentage body fat (as measured by lipid extraction) could be predicted accurately using multiple regressions based on a combination of the following measurements: wet weight, fork length, opercular height, dorsal height, opercular width, dorsal width, anal width, adipose fin length and condition factor. In every case predictions based on multiple regression equations were more accurate than condition factor alone. This biometric method is easily employed and can potentially be used both in biological studies and on fish farms to assess body condition of individual fish. Since it is non-destructive it has the additional advantage of allowing repeated monitoring of fat levels in the same fish.     

Influence of 11-ketotestosterone, 17β-estradiol, and 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine on distribution and metabolism of carotenoids in Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus L.*

This investigation examines the influence of implants containing 11-ketotestosterone (11KT), 17-estradiol (E₂), and 3,5,3-triiodo-l-thyronine (T₃) on astaxanthin metabolism in sexually immature individually tagged Arctic charr. The fish (initial average weight 427 g) were maintained in freshwater for 40 days, and weekly implanted intraperitoneally with oil-based injections containing either 11 KT, E₂ or T₃ at levels of 0.1, 1.0 and 0.1 mg (100 g body weight (BW))^–1, respectively. The control fish were given the oil medium alone (0.2 ml 100 g BW^–1). The diet contained ca. 50 mg astaxanthin kg^–1. Carotenoid composition was monitored in plasma, fillet, liver and skin, and 11 KT, E₂ and testosterone (T) levels in plasma. All hormone treatments reduced plasma T compared to the control. E₂-treated fish had a higher (p<0.05) hepatosomatic index (HSI) than the other treatments. Hormone treatment did not influence gonadosomatic index (GSI). T₃ administration induced a silvery skin appearance. The fillet and plasma carotenoid content decreased during the experiment. 11 KT implantation reduced astaxanthin and idoxanthin concentrations of plasma and fillets, and increased the amount in liver and skin, compared to the other treatments. The relative proportion of astaxanthin to idoxanthin was higher in the control fish and T₃ implanted fish, than in fish implanted with 11 KT or E₂ (p<0.05). Fish treated with E₂ had the highest skin carotenoid concentration. Male fish had significantly higher carotenoid content in plasma, fillet and skin than female fish. This study reveals that sex hormones affect carotenoid metabolism and partitioning among body compartments of Arctic charr, effects differently displayed by the sexes.     

虾夷扇贝家系早中期生长性状比较与遗传参数估计

为获得虾夷扇贝快速生长家系及早中期生长性状遗传参数,以2011年培育的虾夷扇贝F28个半同胞和16个全同胞家系为实验材料,在其7~13月龄期间,测量其各生长性状,进行各生长性状变异分析、各生长性状多重比较分析,估计虾夷扇贝早中期各性状的遗传力和重复力,并对壳高、壳长、壳宽与活体质量各性状进行表型相关性和遗传相关性分析。结果表明,虾夷扇贝早中期生长性状中活体质量的变异系数最大,为37.40%~69.81%;壳高的变异系数最小,为12.74%~22.77%,表明虾夷扇贝各生长性状均有较大的选育空间。研究获得壳高、壳长、壳宽和活体质量快速生长家系Py11-02、Py11-03和Py11-15号家系。虾夷扇贝壳高、壳长、壳宽和活体质量的遗传力分别为0.220~0.586、0.151~0.511、0.200~0.742、0.219~0.617,为中高等遗传力;重复力分别为0.11~0.29、0.08~0.25、0.10~0.36、0.11~0.30,为中低等重复力;壳高、壳长、壳宽与活体质量间的表型相关分别为0.926~0.935、0.929~0.943、0.692~0.937,均达到极显著水平(P0.01);遗传相关分别为0.908~0.984、0.921~0.975、0.946~0.981,均表现出高度遗传相关。研究为虾夷扇贝良种培育提供一定的理论依据。