Impact of environmental deviations on the larval and year-class abundances in the spring spawning herring (Clupea harengus membras L.) of the Gulf of Riga (Baltic Sea) in 1947–2004

Regular weekly sampling of larvae with a Hensen net in the stationary stations on the main spawning grounds of the brackishwater herring population in the Gulf of Riga was carried out in 1947–2004. Probably due to the rapidly increasing anthropogenic eutrophication and the rising winter temperature the yearly abundance of herring larvae has significantly increased with a shift in the average abundance in 1972/1973. Correlation of the average number of herring larvae with the year-class strength was significant for the intermediate (10–16 mm, P < 0.05) and large (≥17 mm, P < 0.001) larval size groups. The monthly average air temperature in the period from January to March was the main environmental variable regulating the abundance of the year classes (P < 0.001). The dependence between the spawning stock biomass (SSB) and year-class abundance differed by climate periods. In the period of cold winters environmental conditions dominated in determination of the year-class abundance whereas the role of the SSB was nonsignificant (P > 0.05). In the period of milder winters the importance of the SSB in determination of the abundance of year classes considerably increased and it significantly correlated with the abundance of year classes (P < 0.05). The winter–spring temperatures and other climatic variables presumably control the abundance of the forming year-class during the period of the highest larval mortality mainly via the production of their food.     

Effect of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and 17 β-estradiol (E2) on growth, survival and histological structure of the internal organs in juvenile European catfish Silurus glanis (L.)

The effect of supplemented commercial diets with diethylstilbestrol (DES—15, 30 and 60 mg kg^?1) and 17 β-estradiol (E2—30 and 60 mg kg^?1), two chemicals commonly used in sex reversal procedure in fish, on survival and growth parameters of juvenile European catfish (Silurus glanis) was evaluated. During the two experiments, lasting 28 days each, fish were kept at temperature 25.2–26.5 °C, pH 7.4–9.3 and oxygen concentration 5.0–7.3 mg O₂ dm^?3. DES supplementation resulted in depressed growth rate of catfish. In experimental groups fed with E2, no negative effect on growth parameters was found. Both chemicals did not result in observed mortality. In all of the experimental DES groups, hepatosomatic index increased significantly, which suggests negative influence on physiological condition of catfish. DES supplementation significantly changed cytological factors of liver cells and caused hepatic alterations in parenchyma, such as vacuolization and blood congestion. Similarly, supplementation of E2 in food resulted in changes in cytological parameters of hepatocytes. However, E2 did not cause pathological changes within the liver tissue. Histological examination of the catfish gonads showed 19 and 38 % of sterile fish after treatment with 30 and 60 mg kg^?1 of DES, respectively. The results suggest that DES served in food could be ineffective in hormonal feminization process of European catfish. No disturbances of sex differentiation process after E2 treatment were observed. However, slight feminization effect in the highest level of E2 treatment group was recorded.     

The changes in digestive enzymes and hormones of gilthead seabream larvae (Sparus aurata, L 1758) fed on Artemia nauplii enriched with free methionine

Variations in digestive enzymes and hormones during the larval development of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fed on live prey (Artemia nauplii) enriched with free methionine were investigated for 16 days (from day 24 to day 40). Prior to initiation of the experiment, newly hatched larvae were transferred from incubators to fiber glass tanks (300 l) with black walls and fed with same diets until day 24. Each experiment was performed in triplicate. In the experimental group, the content of the free methionine in the Artemia nauplii was increased by adding a 5.3 mM free methionine solution to the culture water during a 16-h enrichment period. The larvae of both the control and enriched-methionine groups were sampled four times, with 4-day intervals between samplings, during a 16-day period. The larvae in the control group had a significantly lower growth than those of the methionine group at the end of the study (P < 0.05). The highest trypsin activity and leucine aminopeptidase N/leucine–alanine peptidase ratios were observed in the control group. A significant difference between bombesin activities in the treatment groups was not found at 5th minute after the initiation of feeding (P > 0.05), but they were significant at 15th minute post-initiation of feeding (P < 0.05). A significant difference between the cholecystokinin levels of the treatment groups was found (P < 0.05).     

Spatial and temporal distribution of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kr?yer) larvae in a sea loch containing Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., farms on the north-west coast of Scotland.

A plankton survey investigated spatial and temporal distributions of larval sea lice in a sea loch on the north-west coast of Scotland. Plankton tows were collected approximately weekly at two depths (0 and 5 m) at five sample stations over a 2-year period. The survey began in March 2002 when Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., farms in the study area stocked with fish and finished in March 2004, after farms completed harvesting. Over 90% of lice recovered were Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kr?yer); therefore, the results of this paper refer largely to that species. The data were analysed using generalized additive models with explanatory variables for time, depth and station. Greatest densities of nauplii were recovered at stations adjacent to farms indicating that the local salmon farms were a likely source of larvae at times during the production cycle. There were significant temporal trends in larval densities and the stocking and harvesting of farms can possibly account for these increases and decreases, particularly at the start and at the end of the production cycle. The distribution of copepodids was more widespread than that of nauplii, indicating that the larvae can be transported several kilometres from the point of release.     

The effect of allostatic load on hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal (HPI) axis before and after secondary vaccination in Atlantic salmon postsmolts (Salmo salar L.)

The experiment consisted of three experimental groups: (1) “vaccine and stress”, (2) “stress and vaccine” and (3) control. All groups have previously been vaccinated 6 months prior to the start of the experiment. At the start of the experiment, the “vaccine and stress” group was vaccinated with Pentium Forte Plus for the second time (25.02.2008) and then given a daily stressor (confinement stressor 267 kg m-3 in 15 min) for a period of 4 weeks. The “stress and vaccine” group was given a similar daily stressor for 4 weeks and then vaccinated for the second time. The control group was neither stressed nor vaccinated a second time. The results indicates that fish in the “stress and vaccine” group may have entered an allostatic overload type 2 due to oversensitivity to ACTH, a reduced efficient negative feedback system with elevated baseline levels of plasma cortisol and reduced immune response with pronounced effects on the well-being of the animal. The “vaccine and stress” group may likewise have entered an allostatic overload type 1 response, with oversensitivity to ACTH and transient reduced efficient negative feedback system. This study shows that if plasma cortisol becomes elevated prior to vaccination, it could perhaps instigate an allostatic overload type 2 with dire consequences on animal welfare. To reduce the risk of compromising the animal welfare during commercial vaccination of salmon, one propose to grade the fish minimum a week prior to vaccination or grade simultaneously with vaccination. This could reduce the overall allostatic load during handling and vaccination and secure a healthy fish with intact immune response and improved animal welfare.     

Changes in ide Leuciscus idus (L.) females’ reproductive parameters after stimulation with carp pituitary homogenate (CPH) and Ovopel: the effect of domestication?

Three groups (wild—WS, semi-pond—SPS, and pond-cultured—PS) of ide Leuciscus idus (L.) were examined. Each group consisted of 30 females and 10 males, aged 5–8 years. All groups were stimulated with two agents: carp pituitary homogenate (CPH) and a synthetic hormonal preparation Ovopel. The amount of ovulating females decreased in conjunction with females’ domestication level, mainly because of very low efficacy of CPH for pond-reared ide stimulation. The percentage of ovulating females stimulated with Ovopel (97.0 %) was significantly higher comparing to CPH (63.0 %). No significant differences were found in latency time between the groups but spawning synchronization increased in conjunction with ide domestication. The positive correlation between domestication level and latency time, i.e., the higher the domestication level, the higher the latency time, was stated. No significant differences were found in PGSI as well as in total volume of obtained eggs, but groups differed significantly in the number of dry eggs and in number of swollen egg. Significant negative correlation between domestication level and number of swollen eggs, i.e., the higher the domestication level, the lower the number of eggs, was detected. The survival rate at the eyed stage was the highest in WS group (60.4 %) and PS group (57.7 %), and was significantly higher than in SPS group (51.8 %). Eggs obtained after CPH stimulation had higher survival rate at the eyed-egg stage (60.3 %) than eggs obtained from the fish stimulated with Ovopel (53.0 %). The data suggest that some form of domestication appeared in ide cultivated for several generations in carp pond.