Praziquantel treatment for yellowtail kingfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Seriola lalandi</Emphasis>): dose and duration safety study

Regulatory approval is being sought to use praziquantel (PZQ) to treat flukes infecting yellowtail kingfish (YTK), but accurate safety data were not available. We investigated the effect of increased doses or prolonged exposure of orally administered PZQ on YTK by assessing changes in haematological and biochemical characteristics, and mortality. Fish were intubated daily for 3 days with 0, 100, 300 and 500 mg PZQ kg^?1 BW day^?1 or once daily for 9 days at 0 and 100 mg PZQ kg^?1 BW day^?1. Blood was taken 24 h after the cessation of treatment. There was no significant difference between any of the haematological or biochemical indices in YTK treated with PZQ and controls, indicating that PZQ is safe for use at 100 mg PZQ kg^?1 BW day^?1 in YTK and that exposure to high doses or prolonged duration does not have negative effects on the YTK haematological or biochemical parameters we measured.     

Different effects of low- and high-dose waterborne zinc on Zn accumulation,ROS levels,oxidative damage and antioxidant responses in the liver of large yellow croaker <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudosciaena crocea</Emphasis>

The aim of the present study was to assess survival rate, Zn accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, oxidative damage and antioxidant responses after Zn exposure (2 and 8 mg L^?1 Zn) at different exposure times (6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 h) in the liver of large yellow croaker. Survival rate was reduced at 96 h, and hepatic Zn content increased during 24–96 by 8 mg L^?1 Zn. In the 2 mg L^?1 Zn group, no fish died and the increase in Zn content merely occurred at 96 h. Exposure to 8 mg L^?1 Zn induced accumulation of ROS, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation during the late stage of exposure. In contrast, exposure to 2 mg L^?1 Zn did not result in oxidative damage, which may result from the up-regulation of antioxidant defenses. Although exposure to 8 mg L^?1 Zn increased activities and mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes during the early stage of exposure, including Cu/Zn–SOD, Mn–SOD, CAT, GPx and GR, the activities of these enzymes except Cu/Zn–SOD were inhibited at 96 h. Furthermore, a sharp increase in Nrf2 expression was observed in fish exposed to 8 mg L^?1 at 6 and 12 h, and 2 mg L^?1 at 12 h and 24 h, suggesting that Nrf2 was required for the protracted induction of these genes. The late increase in Keap1 expression may support its role in switching off the Nrf2 response. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated different effects of low- and high-dose waterborne Zn on antioxidant responses, which could contribute to the understanding of antioxidant and toxic roles of zinc on a molecular level.     

Effects of nucleotides on growth performance,immune response,disease resistance and intestinal morphology in shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Litopenaeus vannamei</Emphasis> fed with a low fish meal diet

Nucleotides (NT) are widely used as an immunostimulant in aquaculture. A 10-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary NT on the growth performance, immune response, disease resistance and intestinal morphology of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (initial mean body weight: 0.39 ± 0.00 g). Five isolipidic (about 7 % crude lipid) and isonitrogenous (about 39 % crude protein) practical diets were supplemented with graded levels of NT (0, 60, 90, 120 and 1200 mg kg^?1), respectively. These diets were named as N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. Each diet was randomly fed to six tanks of shrimps, and each tank contained 40 shrimps. The shrimps were fed four times daily (07:00, 11:00, 16:00 and 21:00 h). The results showed that there were no significant differences in survival, final weight, specific growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and whole-body compositions among all the treatments (P > 0.05). Shrimps fed the control diet had the significantly lowest activities of superoxide dismutase, total nitric oxide synthase and lysozyme (P < 0.05). However, those parameters increased when dietary NT increased from 60 to 120 mg kg^?1 and decreased as inclusion level increased to 1200 mg kg^?1 (P < 0.05). The cumulative mortality of the shrimps challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus was significantly higher in the treatments without dietary NT supplementation than those in treatments with dietary NT (≥90 mg kg^?1) (P < 0.05). The jejunum wall thickness in shrimps fed the control diet was significantly lower than that in the treatments of N2, N3 and N4 (P < 0.05). For the villus height, the highest value (49.29 µm) was found in N3. In summary, the present study showed that 90 mg kg^?1 of dietary NT is the optimum dietary level for good gut health, immune response and disease resistance of Pacific white shrimp fed a diet with 18 % fish meal.     

Effects of dietary selenium on the pathological changes and oxidative stress in loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus)

In this study, loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus) were fed artificial diets containing 0.31 (control), 0.39, 0.48, 0.50 and 0.62 mg kg^?1 of selenium (Se) for 60 days, respectively. Liver histopathology, hepatocyte ultrastructure, blood indices, biochemical parameters of liver functions and oxidative stress in the Se-treated loach were then assayed. The results showed the following: histopathological and ultrastructural lesions in liver were only observed in loach fed the 0.62 mg Se kg^?1 diet; Haemoglobin and total protein were significantly increased in the 0.50 mg Se kg^?1 group; albumin and high-density lipoprotein were increased significantly in the 0.48–0.50 mg Se kg^?1 groups. However, white blood cell count was significantly decreased in the 0.48 mg Se kg^?1 group; alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were decreased in the 0.39–0.50 mg Se kg^?1 groups. In liver tissue, the content of hydrogen peroxide was lower than that of controls in the 0.48–0.50 mg Se kg^?1 groups, and the malondialdehyde level was lowest in the 0.48 mg Se kg^?1 group. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased in the 0.50 mg Se kg^?1 group; catalase and total antioxidant capacity were markedly increased in the 0.48–0.50 mg Se kg^?1 group. These present results indicated that the dietary Se requirement for loach is 0.48–0.50 mg Se kg^?1 diet.     

Effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on growth,body composition,and biochemical parameters in Nile tilapia <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium picolinate (Cr-Pic) on growth performance, body composition, and biochemical parameters in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Five experimental diets were formulated with high-protein diet (HP), low-protein diet (LP), and LP + 0.6, 1.2, or 1.8 mg kg^?1 Cr, respectively. Each diet was randomly assigned to four replicate groups of 30 fish per aquarium in a water-circulated rearing system for 60 days. Dietary 1.2 or 1.8 mg kg^?1 Cr inclusion significantly affects the final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, feed efficiency rate, and protein efficiency ratio of tilapia compare to the LP diet. The Cr inclusion significantly decreased the content of blood urea nitrogen and the blood glucose level generally with increasing Cr inclusion levels. The Cr content of gill tissue was higher than that of back muscle in all treatments, and the addition of 1.2 or 1.8 mg kg^?1 Cr significantly enhanced the Cr contents of back muscle. The cold stress test results showed that adding Cr significantly enhanced the serum T3 concentration and reduced the activity of serum creatine kinase and the serum cortisol level. These results indicated that the supplementation of chromium picolinate can improve the growth performance and reshape the serum protein and carbohydrate metabolism profile and has the potentiality to alleviate the detrimental effects of cold stress in Nile tilapia. The low-protein diet with 1.8 mg kg^?1 Cr obtained the same growth performance as the high-protein diet.     

Transferability of oxytetracycline (OTC) from feed to carp muscle and evaluation of the antibiotic effects on antioxidant systems in liver and kidney

Oxytetracycline (OTC) is employed in fish farms to contest or prevent bacterial infections. We simulated an OTC treatment at therapeutic level (75 mg kg^?1) and at higher doses (150, 300 mg kg^?1) for 10 days. A withdrawal period of 10 days was considered for treated carp, carrying out the same chemical and biochemical analyses (total glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and malondialdehyde). The aim was to obtain data related to the carryover in muscle and on variations in the antioxidant indicators in liver and kidney. The OTC residual levels in muscle showed a dose–response relationship. After 10 days of treatment at the recommended dose (75 mg kg^?1), the mean value in muscle was 295 μg kg^?1. After 10 withdrawal days, residues in all treated groups were not entirely eliminated by fish. Residues of recommended 75 mg kg^?1 OTC dose were lower than the maximum permitted by EEC regulation: 100 μg kg^?1. Disturbance in the antioxidant systems in liver and kidney was recorded in (150, 300 mg kg^?1) carp, as well as during the withdrawal period. A lowered superoxide dismutase activity and higher levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione were evaluated in liver, while in kidney only higher malondialdehyde and glutathione S-transferase concentrations were recorded for 300 mg kg^?1 dose. The therapeutic OTC dose exerted lower effects, and only in liver, enhancement of GPx and GR activities was recorded. After the withdrawal period, altered antioxidant responses in tissues were restored for all three OTC doses.     

Dietary ascorbic acid influences the intestinal morphology and hematology of hybrid sorubim catfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. corruscans</Emphasis>)

This study evaluated the effect of graded levels of dietary ascorbic acid (AA) (12.47, 20.27, 115.44, 475.50, 737.72, and 850.70 mg kg^?1) on growth, hematology, intestinal morphometry, and phagocyte activity of hybrid sorubim Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum × Pseudoplatystoma corruscans. Fish (n = 420, 14.57 ± 2.71 g, 15.11 ± 0.90 cm) were distributed in 30 polyethylene tanks (80 l) (5 replicates per treatment with 14 fish per tank) and fed for 45 days. Dietary treatment did not have a significant effect on growth metrics (P > 0.05). Fish fed 737.72 mg AA kg^?1 had a higher villi height (289.80 ± 19.96 μm) (P < 0.05) than fish fed 850.70 mg AA kg^?1 (245.4 ± 18.25 μm). Hemoglobin in fish fed 850.70 mg AA kg^?1 (5.34 ± 0.96 g dl^?1) was higher (P < 0.05) than fish fed 12.47 mg AA kg^?1 (3.42 ± 0.55 g dl^?1) and 20.27 mg AA kg^?1 (3.06 ± 1.26 g dl^?1). The erythrocyte number of hybrid sorubim fed 115.40 mg AA kg^?1 (1.73 ± 0.27 × 10⁶ μl^?1) and 475.50 mg AA kg^?1 (1.70 ± 0.28 × 10⁶ μl^?1) were higher (P < 0.05) than in those fed diets containing 20.27 mg AA kg^?1 (1.11 ± 0.34 × 10⁶ μl^?1). There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of dietary AA on leukocyte and thrombocyte and on phagocyte activity and phagocyte index. Inclusion of AA in feed seems to increase the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and stimulate erythropoiesis in hybrid sorubim catfish.     

Glycemic response after glucose oral administration of wild juvenile red grouper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus morio</Emphasis> fed two different diets

Epinephelus morio is a large carnivorous species of the Caribbean Sea under reproduction in captivity and nutritional physiology. A diet with raw cornstarch (RCS) was compared to a basal diet without starch (basal) to measure plasma glucose, liver glycogen, and intermediary metabolism. Glucose level did not change (p > 0.05) whereas liver glycogen was significantly higher in fish fed the RCS diet (137.2 ± 14.5 mg g^?1) than in fish fed the basal diet (87.4 ± 14.5 mg g^?1). Oral glucose administration (170 mg glucose per 100 g body weight) yielded a slight change; two peaks of plasma glucose were recorded with basal (5.6 mM L^?1) 2 h after oral administration and at 12 h (6.4 mM L^?1). After 24 h, with 1.7 mM L^?1, fish returned to initial stage (2.4 mM L^?1). RCS diet produced the highest level (6.3 mM L^?1) 2 h after oral administration; lowest level observed at 24 h after oral administration (1.0 mM L^?1). A significant effect was detected with the presence or absence of dietary carbohydrates (CBH) on hepatic fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase and pyruvate kinase activity. Grouper used two strategies to maintain glucose homeostasis: CBH present in the diet oriented towards gluconeogenesis, whereas no dietary CBH enhanced glycolytic route to liberate glucose and increase liver glycogen.     

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.     

Oxidative stress and antioxidant responses in juvenile Brazilian flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys orbignyanus</Emphasis> exposed to sublethal levels of nitrite

This study evaluated the effects of short-term exposure to sublethal levels of nitrite on oxidative stress parameters and histology of juvenile Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus. An assessment of fish recovery was also performed. Fish were exposed to 0.08 (control), 5.72, 10.43, and 15.27 NO₂-N mg L^?1 for 10 days followed by the same recovery time. Gill, liver, and muscle samples were collected after 1, 5, and 10 days of exposure and after recovery for the measurement of antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, content of non-protein (NPSH) and protein thiols (PSH), and lipid peroxidation levels by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) content. Nitrite exposure induced alterations which compromised the overall antioxidant system (reduced ACAP and GST activity) and enhanced oxidative damage in lipids and proteins. Increases in GST activity and NPSH and PSH contents were also demonstrated. The recovery period allowed for resumption of basal levels for all (treatment 5.72 NO₂-N mg L^?1) or some of the evaluated parameters (other treatments). In conclusion, exposure to nitrite concentrations from 5.72 to 15.27 NO₂-N mg L^?1 induced oxidative stress and antioxidant responses in juvenile Brazilian flounder. The 10-day recovery period was sufficient for a complete resumption of basal physiological condition of fish exposed to concentrations of up to 5.72 NO₂-N mg L^?1.     

Effect of dietary astaxanthin on the growth performance,non-specific immunity,and antioxidant capacity of pufferfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Takifugu obscurus</Emphasis>) under high temperature stress

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of astaxanthin on growth performance, biochemical parameters, ROS production, and immune-related gene expressions of the pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus) under high temperature stress. The experimental basal diets supplemented with astaxanthin at the rates of 0 (control), 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 mg kg^?1 were fed to fish for 8 weeks. The results showed that the fish fed diet with 80, 160, and 320 mg kg^?1 astaxanthin significantly improved weight gain and specific growth rate. Furthermore, fish fed the moderate dietary astaxanthin increased plasma alkaline phosphatase activities, and decrease plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities. After the feeding trial, the fish were exposed to high temperature stress for 48 h. The results shown that astaxanthin could suppress ROS production induced by high temperature stress. Meanwhile, compared with the control group, the astaxanthin groups increased SOD, CAT, and HSP70 mRNA levels under high temperature stress. These results showed that the basal diet supplemented with 80–320 mg kg^?1 astaxanthin could enhance growth, nonspecific immune responses, and antioxidant defense system and improve resistance against high temperature stress in pufferfish.     

Effect of thiamine injection on growth performance,hematology and germinal vesicle migration in sterlet sturgeon Acipenser ruthenus L.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of thiamine on growth, hematological, egg thiamine content and oocyte nucleus migration indices in sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus). A total of 45 female fish (698.6 ± 8.9 g) were distributed in nine fiberglass tanks with three treatments (each in three replicates). Experimental fish were fed once a day with practical diet supplemented with 1 g kg^?1 amprolium hydrochloride (as the antithiamine) for 5 months before spawning. Thiamine hydrochloride was injected to fish with one of three doses at 0, 5 and 50 mg kg^?1 body weight (BW) at three different stages. At the end of each month, fish were weighed and growth parameters such as weight gain, specific growth rate, feed efficiency and final weight were determined. At the end of the 5-month period, hematological parameters and egg thiamine content were measured. The results showed no significant differences in terms of growth performance. Hemoglobin, number of red blood cells and white blood cells were not significantly different among the treatments, but hematocrit was significantly higher in fish injected with 5 mg kg^?1 BW thiamine. The mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were not significantly different, but lower value of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was observed in fish injected with 5 mg thiamine. Percentage of lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes were not significantly different among treatments. The results of the germinal vesicle migration index at different stages showed no significant differences in different groups. Results showed that free thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate and total thiamine in eggs significantly increased at 50 mg kg^?1 injection dose compared with the control, but no significant different was found in thiamine monophosphate. The results revealed that thiamine injection to sterlet broodstocks has positive accumulation in egg thiamine content and some hematological parameters but have no effect on growth and ovarian maturation. We conclude that thiamine can affect some physiological features of broodstock, which needs to be specified in further studies.     

Dietary protein and carbohydrate requirement of juvenile Hawaiian limpet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cellana sandwicensis</Emphasis> Pease, 1861) fed practical diet

This study was conducted to evaluate dietary protein and carbohydrate requirement of juvenile Hawaiian limpets Cellana sandwincensis. A total of 64 juvenile limpets (3.12 ± 0.86 g) were fed five different dietary protein levels ranging from 270 to 470 g kg^?1 for 90 days. Carbohydrate and lipid levels were held constant at 180 and 49.7 g kg^?1, respectively. Weight gain and growth rates of the animals did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among the protein levels ranging from 270 g kg^?1 (0.30 % day^?1) to 470 g kg^?1 (0.23 % day^?1). Next, opihi were fed four diets with protein levels from 210 to 500 g kg^?1 with a constant carbohydrate level at 120 g kg^?1. Weight gain and specific growth rates of opihi increased with increasing dietary protein from 210 to 350 g kg^?1, and significantly (P < 0.05) decreased at the 500 g kg^?1 diet. Highest weight gain, growth rates, and protein efficiency ratio were achieved at 350 g kg^?1. Elevated carbohydrate levels (180–370 g kg^?1) produced a significant difference (P < 0.05) in growth. The fastest growth rates of animals were obtained with 270 g kg^?1 (0.27 % day^?1) and 320 g kg^?1 (0.26 % day^?1). The weight gain of animals fed 180 and 370 g kg^?1 carbohydrate diets were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of animals fed 270 and 320 g kg^?1. We conclude that about 350 g kg^?1 protein and 320 g kg^?1 carbohydrate levels could be used for opihi.     

Effects of dietary <Emphasis Type="Italic">myo</Emphasis>-inositol on growth,chemical composition and plasma chemistry of Amur sturgeon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser schrenckii</Emphasis>

The present study was conducted to demonstrate the dietary myo-inositol requirement and its effects on the growth, proximate composition and blood chemistry of Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii). Triplicate groups of 30 fish (initial weight 11.90?±?0.12 g) were fed different diets containing graded levels of myo-inositol (28.75, 127.83, 343.83, 565.81, 738.15 and 936.28 mg kg^?1) until satiation for 56 days. The fish were weighed after a 24-h fast, and six fish were used for whole body composition analysis. Further, the liver and muscle were sampled from another six fish for lipid analysis. The blood and liver were sampled from the remaining six fish for haematology and fatty acid analysis. The weight gain of fish increased with myo-inositol content, from the 28.75- to 343.83-mg kg^?1 myo-inositol treatment groups, and then stabilised. The liver lipid content and hepatosomatic index decreased significantly from 21.91 to 19.14% and from 3.20 to 2.76% with increased dietary myo-inositol supplementation, respectively. The whole body lipid content generally decreased from 6.33 to 5.55%. The content of liver-saturated fatty acids decreased significantly (28.13%) in the 936.28-mg kg^?1 treatment group. The content of plasma non-esterified fatty acids increased with the increase in dietary myo-inositol supplementation from 0.77 to 1.17 mmol L^?1, whereas the content of triglycerides significantly decreased from 4.62 to 3.28 mmol L^?1. In conclusion, the optimum myo-inositol requirement was found to be 336.1 mg kg^?1, based on weight gain in a two-slope quadratic broken-line model.     

Aflatoxin B<Subscript>1</Subscript> (AFB<Subscript>1</Subscript>) reduces growth performance,physiological response,and disease resistance in Tra catfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pangasius hypophthalmus</Emphasis>)

Triplicate groups of one hundred Tra catfish (8 g?±?0.2) were fed seven test diets containing increasing levels of AFB₁ (0, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 μg AFB₁ kg^?1). Additionally Mycofix® Secure was added at 1.5% to one diet containing 500 μg AFB₁ kg^?1. Results showed that Tra catfish are sensitive to AFB₁. Reduction in weight gain (P?<?0.05) was observed for fish fed 50 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 and declined further with increasing levels of AFB₁ in the diets. Fish fed diets contaminated with 500 and 1000 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 showed increased (P?>?0.05) hepatosomatic index (HIS), while an increase in adipose somatic index (ASI) was observed in fish fed 50 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 and above when compared to the control and Mycofix® diets. After 12 weeks, blood serum analysis revealed higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in fish fed the 50, 100, and 250 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 suggesting occurrence of liver damage. Disease resistance of fish exposed to Edwardsiella ictaluri was also compromised by the presence of AFB₁ in the feed and was directly related to the contamination level. Seven days after Edwardsiella ictaluri exposure, survival rates were 50, 41.7, 31.7, and 8.3% for fish fed control, 50, 100, and 250 μg AFB₁ kg^?1, respectively. This trial shows that AFB₁ at a level of 50 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 and above can affect fish performance and disease resistance. Application of an effective mycotoxin management in the feed seems to be useful to prevent the negative effects of AFB₁.     

Antioxidant status of serum,muscle, intestine and hepatopancreas for fish fed graded levels of biotin

Lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and antioxidant activities of muscle, intestine, hepatopancreas and serum in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) were investigated after feeding graded levels of biotin (0.010, 0.028, 0.054, 0.151, 0.330, 1.540 and 2.680 mg kg^?1 diet) for 63 days. Both malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl content in all studied tissues and serum were the lowest in fish fed diets containing 0.151–0.330 mg biotin kg^?1 diet and then increased in fish fed the diet with 2.680 mg biotin kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Similarly, glutamate–oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate–pyruvate transaminase activities in serum significantly decreased with biotin levels up to 0.151 mg kg^?1 diet (P < 0.05). Conversely, capacities of anti-hydroxyl radical (AHR) and anti-superoxide anion (ASA) in the detected tissues and serum significantly improved with biotin levels up to 0.054–1.540 mg kg^?1 diet and then decreased in 2.680 mg biotin kg^?1 diet group for muscle and intestinal AHR as well as hepatopancreas ASA (P < 0.05). Activities of superoxide dismutase in all studied tissues and serum significantly elevated with biotin levels up to 0.330 mg kg^?1 diet and then decreased when fish fed the diet with 2.680 mg biotin kg^?1 diet, except intestine (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase and total thiol content in all studied tissues and serum showed the upward trend with biotin supplementations (P < 0.05). These results indicated that biotin improved antioxidant status and depressed lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in all studied tissues and serum.     

A survey on the environmental impact of pond aquaculture in Hungary

The aim of the study was to survey the nutrient loads of receiving waters and evaluate the nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter budget of the conventional fishponds in Hungary. The average nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and organic matter (OM) concentrations in the filling-up water of the fishponds were 2.51 ± 1.25, 0.57 ± 0.57 and 23.8 ± 13.4 mg l^?1, respectively. Contrarily, the N, P and OM concentrations in the effluents of fishponds were 1.64 ± 2.19, 0.37 ± 0.51 and 30.2 ± 20.5 mg l^?1, respectively. The sediment nutrient content in the fishponds during the operation was 5.77 ± 4.42 mg g dry sediment^?1 for N, 1.25 ± 0.75 for P and 30.5 ± 43.3 for total organic carbon. The retained nutrients represented on average 53 % (84 kg ha^?1 year^?1) of N, 74 % (21 kg ha^?1 year^?1) of P and 74 % (2400 kg ha^?1 year^?1) of OM, introduced into the fishponds. In the fishponds, the ratio of input N, P and OM accumulated in fish biomass was 18.4 ± 6.7, 10.4 ± 4.4 and 6.8 ± 2.1 %, respectively. The investigated fishponds discharged 48 % less N and 62 % less P into the recipient waters than received with the intake water. However, 78 % more OM was discharged with the effluent from the fishponds than received with the inlet and supplement water.     

Biofloc management with different flow rates for solids removal in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Litopenaeus vannamei</Emphasis> BFT culture system

Different water flows for solids removal in the Litopenaeus vannamei BFT system were evaluated. One control (no solids removal) and two treatments using different water flows, high (3945 L h^?1—HF) and low (1750 L h^?1—LF), were used with no water replenishment after each process, and the total dry weight of the solids was measured. L. vannamei (0.18 ± 0.06 g; 350 individuals m^?2) were stocked in 35-m^?3 tanks. For 17 weeks, the physical and chemical parameters were maintained within the recommended. To keep the total suspended solids concentrations at approximately 500–600 mg L^?1, clarifying was performed. The average water volume flowed by clarifiers was significantly different (p < 0.05) between HF (205 ± 34 m³) and LF (114 ± 24 m³). There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the final tank volume in HF (28.09 ± 0.92 m³) and LF (28.62 ± 1.38 m³) due to the clarifying. Before clarifying (initial sample) and at the end of experiment (final sample) were not significantly different (p > 0.05) for crude protein, moisture or ash. The crude lipid of the LF in the final period was significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to others in both periods. The survival, productivity and food conversion ratio were significantly better (p < 0.05) in the HF and LF treatments compared to those of the control. The best shrimp performance was obtained with solids removal. The lower flow in the clarifier facilitated particle settling, allowing adjustment of the flow.     

Accumulation flux of nitrogen in mudflats and its implications for benthic shellfish culture

In order to evaluate impacts of benthic shellfish culture on sediments in the Daguhe Estuary, surface sediments are sampled in February, May, August and November 2009 and the water content and nitrogen content of sediment, accumulation flux of nitrogen are studied. About 40 % of the mudflat in the estuary is used for bottom sowing culture for Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. The seeding density is 1.1–1.5 kg m^?2 in the estuary if the mean weight of juvenile clam is 0.3–0.5 g. Moreover, the stock density of cultivated clam that can be harvested (with mean weight 8 g) is 450–1,600 individual m^?2, and the annual yield of this species of clam is about 3.4 kg m^?2. There is significant spatial difference of water content of sediment from February to November, during which the water content in the uncultured mudflat, the cultured mudflat and the river way is 32.07, 43.95 and 37.69 %, respectively. There is no significant spatial difference of TN (total nitrogen) content of sediment, and the TN content in the cultured mudflat, the uncultured mudflat and the river way is 0.26, 0.22 and 0.29 mg g^?1, respectively. Moreover, the IN (inorganic nitrogen) content of sediment in the cultured mudflat, the uncultured mudflat and the river way is 0.09, 0.08 and 0.14 mg g^?1, which implies that there is no significant spatial difference of IN content. Furthermore, there is no significant spatial difference of EN (exchangeable nitrogen) content of sediment from February to November, during which the EN content in the uncultured mudflat or the river way is about 0.04 μg g^?1 and it is 0.03 μg g^?1 in the cultured mudflat. Thus, the benthic shellfish culture may increase the water content and there is no significant effect of benthic shellfish culture on nitrogen content. The accumulation flux of TN in the cultured mudflat, the uncultured mudflat and the river way is 0.94, 1.13 and 1.40 mg cm^?2 year^?1. The accumulation flux of IN in the cultured mudflat, the uncultured mudflat and the river way is 0.31, 0.39 and 0.66 mg cm^?2 year^?1. Moreover, the accumulation flux of EN in the uncultured mudflat and the river way is nearly equal, which is 0.21 and 0.20 μg cm^?2 year^?1, respectively. The accumulation flux of EN in the cultured mudflat is 0.10 μg cm^?2 year^?1. Thus, the benthic shellfish culture in the estuary does not enhance the accumulation of TN or IN. Nevertheless, it may reduce the accumulation of EN. Furthermore, it is cautious to evaluate the effect of benthic shellfish culture on sediments by the nitrogen content only. The accumulation flux of nitrogen may be one better index to evaluate the impact.     

Respiratory response of grass carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ctenopharyngodon idellus</Emphasis> to dissolved oxygen changes at three acclimation temperatures

Respiratory parameters of grass carp were studied during dissolved oxygen (DO) changes from normal DO to hypoxia, then return to normal DO at 15, 25, and 30 °C acclimation, respectively. The results showed that with increases of acclimation temperature at normoxia the respiratory frequency (f_R), oxygen consumption rate (VO₂), respiratory stroke volume (V_S.R), gill ventilation (V_G), and V_G/VO₂ of grass carp increased significantly, but the oxygen extraction efficiency (EO₂) of fish decreased significantly (P < 0.05). With declines of DO levels, the f_R, V_S.R, V_G, and V_G/VO₂ of fish increased significantly at different acclimation temperatures (P < 0.05). A slight increase was found in VO₂, and the EO₂ of fish remained almost constant above DO levels of 3.09, 2.91, and 2.54 mg l^?1 at 15, 25, and 30 °C, while the VO₂ and EO₂ began to decrease significantly with further reductions in DO levels (P < 0.05). After 0.5 h of recovery to normoxia from hypoxia at three acclimation, the f_R, V_S.R, V_G, and V_G/VO₂ of the fish decreased sharply; meanwhile, the VO₂ and EO₂ increased sharply (P < 0.05). The respiratory parameters of fish gradually approached initial values with prolonged recovery time to normoxia, and reached their initial values in 2.5 h at 25 and 30 °C acclimation. The critical oxygen concentrations (C_c) of fish for VO₂ were 2.42 mg l^?1 at 15 °C, 2.02 mg l^?1 at 25 °C, and 1.84 mg l^?1 at 30 °C, respectively. The results suggest that grass carp are highly adapted to varied DO and short-term hypoxia environments.