Dietary administration of soybean isoflavones enhances the immunity of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and its resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus

The growth response, total hemocyte count (THC), respiratory burst (release of superoxide anion), phenoloxidase (PO) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and resistance to the pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus were measured in white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) which had been fed diets supplemented with soybean isoflavones (SI) at 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg kg^?1 feed for 8 weeks. Dietary SI had no significant influence on survival rate of the shrimp. Significantly greater SGR was observed in treatments with 10, 20 and 40 mg kg^?1 SI supplement than that in control (P < 0.05). Shrimp fed a diet with 20 mg kg^?1 SI showed significant increase in THC, PO activity, respiratory burst activity, SOD activity as well as NOS activity (P < 0.05). Increased THC, respiratory burst activity, SOD activity and NOS activity were also noticed in shrimp fed SI at 10 or 40 mg kg^?1 (P < 0.05). Significant lower cumulative mortality after challenge was observed in shrimp fed diets with SI supplement (10.0–13.3%) than that in control group (36.7%) (P < 0.05). It is therefore concluded that oral administration of SI at 20 mg kg^?1 for 8 weeks could enhance the immune ability of shrimp and improve production in shrimp farming.     

Acrosome reaction in the sperm of the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon (Decapoda, Penaeidae)

Owing to the problem of male infertility in the domesticated shrimp Penaeus monodon, this study was conducted to reveal the morphological events of an acrosome reaction (AR) of sperm of this highly valuable species. The AR observed in an in vitro incubation of sperm with egg water (EW) and that during actual spawning was compared. Under transmission and scanning electron microscopy, sperm taken from the female thelycum was composed of a posterior main body, a central cap and an anterior single spike. Upon contact with EW, the sperm underwent two phases of AR: acrosomal exocytosis and spherical mass formation. The former was composed of a degeneration of the spike, swelling of the cap region and rupture of the acrosomal pouch. The latter began with polymerization of materials within the subacrosomal region and ended with re‐configuration of the subacrosomal region into an electron‐dense spherical mass. The AR of the sperm observed during spawning revealed similar morphological events, with degeneration of the spike upon contact with the vitelline envelope and formation of the spherical mass while penetrating into jelly material produced by protruding cortical rods. The results suggest the presence of AR inducers derived from the vitelline envelope and cortical rods of the egg. This study forms the basis for an evaluation of infertility regarding to AR in the domesticated P. monodon male.     

Hatching envelope formation in the egg of the black tiger shrimp,Penaeus monodon (Decapoda,Penaeidae)

The aim of this study was to reveal the process of hatching envelope (HE) formation in eggs of the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon, using fluorocytochemistry with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐labelled lectins and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with mouse monoclonal anti‐FITC‐conjugated gold‐lectin labelling. Following lectin binding screening tests, Concanavalin A (Con A) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) were chosen to trace movements of specific sugar‐associated components of the HE. This revealed that both Con A and WGA‐binding components migrated from the ooplasm to the HE. Using TEM, it was revealed that membranous materials in the ooplasm were released at the time of spawning, that these became associated with granular structures outside the oocyte and that they together developed into an outer layer of the HE. Contents of flocculent vesicles and dense vesicles in the ooplasm were exocytosed and formed the inner layer of the HE. The TEM with gold‐labelled Con A and WGA revealed that the dense and flocculent vesicles and the inner layer of the HE contained components associated with mannose (sugar affinity to Con A) and N‐acetyl‐β‐d ‐glucosamine (sugar affinity to WGA).     

芽孢杆菌、酵母菌及乳杆菌发酵饲料养殖凡纳对虾效果比较

为了探讨不同益生菌发酵饲料养殖对虾的效果,用枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)、酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)和嗜酸乳杆菌(Lactobacillus acidophilus) 3种益生菌单一及联合发酵对虾饲料,投喂凡纳对虾(Penaeus vannamei) 28 d,分析对虾的存活、生长及饲料利用情况,检测对虾体内外弧菌(Vibrio)数量及非特异性免疫相关指标变化,同时比较不同组间养殖水体中氨氮及亚硝氮的浓度差异。研究表明,对虾摄食枯草芽孢杆菌、嗜酸乳杆菌及复合菌发酵饲料存活率均显著提高(P<0.05),提高率分别达到8.54%、8.54%和9.76%;枯草芽孢杆菌及嗜酸乳杆菌发酵饲料能够显著提高对虾的体长增长率(P<0.05);嗜酸乳杆菌发酵饲料可显著降低对虾的饵料系数(P<0.05);投喂发酵饲料的各实验组养殖至第14、21天时的对虾肝胰腺中弧菌密度显著低于对照组(P<0.05);各实验组中,虾血清总蛋白含量显著高于对照组,投喂嗜酸乳杆菌发酵饲料能够显著提高过氧化物酶、超氧化物歧化酶及酚氧化酶活性(P<0.05),且在养殖末期,投喂不同益生菌发酵饲料均可不同程度地降低养殖后期水体中的氨氮和亚硝氮浓度。综上可知,3种益生菌单一或混合发酵对虾饲料对提高对虾存活率、促进生长及提高免疫力方面均有积极效果,但嗜酸乳杆菌用于对虾饲料发酵的综合效果最佳。本研究为益生菌发酵饲料在对虾健康养殖中的应用提供了理论依据。     

Isolation and characterization of pathogenic Vibrio alginolyticus from diseased postlarval abalone, Haliotis diversicolor supertexta (Lischke)

Outbreaks of serious mortality among cultured abalone postlarvae have occurred across Southern China since July 2002. Five motile bacterial strains were isolated from diseased abalone postlarvae on tryptic soy agar supplemented with 1% NaCl (TSA1) and/or thiosulphate citrate bile salt (TCBS) sucrose agar plates during an outbreak in August 2003 in Shanwei, Guangdong province. All isolates were characterized and identified as Vibrio alginolyticus on the basis of biochemical characteristics and comparisons with those of the reference strain V. alginolyticus ATCC 17749. Strain 19 (a representative of five similar isolates) was virulent to abalone postlarvae with an LD₅₀ value of1.00 × 10⁴ colony‐forming units mL^?1. All abalone postlarvae exhibited the same signs as in natural outbreaks. The same bacterium could be re‐isolated from abalone postlarvae after bacterial challenge using TSA1 and TCBS plates. The results reveal that V. alginolyticus is an infectious agent of abalone postlarvae.     

溶藻弧菌感染后凡纳滨对虾鳃组织免疫相关基因的表达

分别给凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)注射生理盐水、3×10⁶ CFU/mL(低浓度组)和9×10⁶ CFU/mL(高浓度组)溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)菌液, 采用荧光定量PCR技术, 检测不同处理后凡纳滨对虾鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶基因表达量随时间的变化。结果表明, 处理42 h内, 注射生理盐水组对虾的Toll受体和IMD mRNA表达量无显著变化, 溶菌酶mRNA表达量在注射36 h后显著升高。急性感染溶藻弧菌后, 凡纳滨对虾鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶mRNA的表达量峰值分别出现在感染后24、42和36 h; 溶藻弧菌的感染剂量不影响上述基因表达峰值的出现时间, 但显著影响上述基因的表达峰值(P<0.05), 各基因表达量峰值由大到小均依次为高浓度组、低浓度组、生理盐水组。急性感染初期, 对虾鳃组织中Toll受体mRNA表达量呈现显著下调, 而IMD和溶菌酶mRNA表达量在感染初期不存在显著下调现象。与感染前各基因的表达量相比, 高浓度溶藻弧菌感染组Toll受体mRNA表达量在2 h时显著下调, 低浓度溶藻弧菌感染组Toll受体mRNA表达量在3 h显著下调(P<0.05); 高浓度组IMD和溶菌酶mRNA表达量分别在36 h和12 h时开始有显著上调, 而低浓度组IMD和溶菌酶mRNA表达量则分别在42 h和24 h才有显著上调(P<0.05)。表明溶藻弧菌感染对凡纳滨对虾鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶mRNA表达量有显著影响, 各基因的表达量与感染进程及溶藻弧菌剂量存在一定的相关性。

     

花鲈弧菌病病原菌（哈维氏弧菌）的分离与鉴定

1999年4－5月，山东省青岛市胶南海区网箱养殖场花鲈（Lateolabrax japonicus)幼鱼发生暴发性传染病，死亡率达50％。从具有明显症状的病鱼的病灶组织分离到1株优势菌SF－1，经人工感染和从人工感染发病的花鲈再分离的SF－3菌株的再感染试验结果表明，所分离的菌株为此次花钙烂层病的致病菌，经形态、生理生化等64项特征指标鉴定，SF－1和SF－3均为哈维氏弧菌（Vibrio harveyi)。药敏试验结果表明，头孢噻肟，头孢三嗪，头孢孟多，呋喃妥因，氯霉素,氧哌嗪青霉素，磺胺类，复方磺胺、三甲氧苄氨嘧啶，多粘菌素E等10种药物对该菌株有明显的抑制作用。     

Dietary supplement of fructooligosaccharides and Bacillus subtilis enhances the growth rate and disease resistance of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

The effects of two dietary supplements, entrapped fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and microencapsulated Bacillus subtilis, on the growth and disease resistance of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus were investigated. Sea cucumbers (a total of 810 animals, with initial weight of 3.72 ± 0.16 g each) were fed with basal diet only or basal diet supplemented with three different doses of B. subtilis (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8%), three different doses of FOS (0.4, 0.8 and 1.6%), 0.2% B. subtilis plus 0.4% or 0.8% FOS. Growth and lysozyme activity were measured after 50 days feeding. The results showed that dietary 0.2% and 0.4% B. subtilis alone or 0.2% B. subtilis plus 0.8% FOS significantly increased the specific growth rate (SGR) of sea cucumbers compared with control (P < 0.05). The addition of B. subtilis with or without FOS had no significant effect on lysozyme activity. The animals were also challenged with Vibrio splendidus to assess the level of disease resistance provided by the two dietary supplements. Sea cucumbers fed with 0.8% B. subtilis or 0.2% B. subtilis plus 0.8% FOS exhibited the highest survival (P > 0.05). Under these experimental conditions, dietary B. subtilis and FOS had no synergistic effect on enhancing SGR and disease resistance of sea cucumber.     

Effects of dietary β‐glucan and glycyrrhizin on non‐specific immunity and disease resistance of white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) challenged with Vibrio alginolyticus

The white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, fed immunostimulant‐free, 0.2%β‐glucan and 0.06% glycyrrhizin diets for 18 days, respectively, were challenged with Vibrio alginolyticus at 6.4 × 10⁴ CFU shrimp^?1. The total haemocyte count (THC), phenoloxidase (PO) activity, respiratory burst (RB) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity changes for a 120‐h period were investigated, and shrimp mortality was also recorded. The results showed that PO activity, RB and SOD activity were significantly higher in shrimp fed the two immunostimulant diets after 18 days than those in shrimp fed immunostimulant‐free diets. The THC and SOD activity decreased significantly from 0 to 24 h post challenge, and then reverted to normal levels at 96 and 72 h respectively. The values for PO activity and RB increased from 0 to 48 h post challenge. Compared with those fed the control diets, shrimp fed immunostimulants had significantly higher PO activity and RB values at 120 h post challenge. Mortalities after challenge with V. alginolyticus were significantly lower in shrimp fed with β‐glucan or glycyrrhizin than in those fed with a diet without immunostimulants. It was concluded that dietary β‐glucan and glycyrrhizin increased the shrimp immunity. Furthermore, β‐glucan caused an increase in some immune parameters 12 h earlier than glycyrrhizin after V. alginolyticus challenge.     

Identification of immune cells interacting with Vibrio spp. and its in vitro post-phagocytic killing mechanism of haemocytes in the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edwards

Immune cells were identified and their interaction towards Vibrio alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. anguillarum was studied in vitro in the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus indicus. Haemocytes were divided into agranulocytes, semi-dense granulocytes and dense granulocytes according to their morphology. Agranulocytes (100%) and 0.3–0.7% of granulocytes were actively involved in coagulation. Granulocytes were involved in in vitro phagocytosis and encapsulation of foreign materials. Phagocytosis was enhanced by prior opsonization of bacteria with cell-free shrimp haemolymph. Semi-dense granulocytes were phagocytic towards V. alginolyticus with and without opsonization at the rate of 91.1% and 83.1%, respectively ( P < 0.05 ). Granulocyte death observed after 2 h with opsonized haemolymph was 26.1%. About 64.5% of dense granulocytes and 23.2% of semi-dense granulocytes were actively involved in encapsulation, forming capsules. A spectrophotometric nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay was used to demonstrate the production of superoxide anions (O₂⁻) by shrimp haemocytes. All the Vibrio spp. were able to induce superoxide anions (O₂⁻) during phagocytosis. Live Vibrio sp. induced O₂⁻ production in haemocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Significant activity was detected with a 40:1 bacteria to haemocyte ratio ( P < 0.05 ). NBT reduction assay for measuring the post-phagocytic killing mechanism in shrimp haemocytes might be a valuable tool for monitoring shrimp health and immunological studies.     

地衣芽孢杆菌对大泷六线鱼生长、肠道消化酶、血清非特异性免疫及抗病力的影响

本研究探讨饲料中添加地衣芽孢杆菌(Bacillus licheniformis)对大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammos otakii)生长、肠道消化酶、血清非特异性免疫及抗病力的影响。选取平均体重为(22.0±2.0) g的大泷六线鱼270尾,随机分成3组(对照组和2个不同菌剂水平的实验组),每组3个平行,每个平行 30尾鱼。对照组投喂仅有蛋白液包裹的基础饲料,实验组投喂含活菌量达5×107 CFU/g(0.5%)和1×108 CFU/g(1.0%)地衣芽孢杆菌的实验饲料。投喂50 d后进行致病菌杀鲑气单胞菌(Aeromonas salraonicida)攻毒感染,测定14 d内累积死亡率。结果显示,实验组饲料中地衣芽孢杆菌可显著提高大泷六线鱼的特定生长率(SGR) (P<0.05)。与对照组比较,0.5%和1.0%地衣芽孢杆菌均可提高大泷六线鱼血清中SOD、CAT及T-AOC活性(P<0.05),降低MDA含量(P<0.05);GSH-Px活性在1.0%实验组较对照组下降,而0.5%实验组较对照组提高。地衣芽孢杆菌实验组鱼血清GS、MDH和HK活性均得到提高(P<0.05),0.5%和1.0%不同剂量组的提高程度不同。地衣芽孢杆菌实验组鱼血清中AST和ALT活性较对照组均降低(P<0.05),CHE和ADA活性较对照组有提高(P<0.05)。实验组鱼肠道胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性均有不同程度的提高,且1.0%实验组活性最强(P<0.05)。攻毒实验结果显示,1.0%地衣芽孢杆菌组大泷六线鱼14 d内累积死亡率仅有35.55% (P<0.05)。由此可见,饲料中添加地衣芽孢杆菌可促进大泷六线鱼生长,提高其肠道消化酶活性及非特异性免疫酶活性,增强其对杀鲑气单胞菌的抵抗能力。     

Effects of a probiotic mixture (Bacillus subtilis YB‐1 and Bacillus cereus YB‐2) on disease resistance and non‐specific immunity of sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

The effect of a commercially available compound probiotics product containing Bacillus subtilis YB‐1 (50%) and Bacillus cereus YB‐2 (50%) fed to sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) on challenge infections and non‐specific immune responses was assessed. Sea cucumbers (were randomly allocated into nine aquariums at a density of 30 sea cucumbers per tank and triplicate groups) were fed diets containing 0 (control), 10⁷ and 10¹⁰ cfu (g diet)^?1 of the probiotics mixture for 32 days. The growth factors and immunological parameters were measured. In addition, the effects on resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus infection were also evaluated. The results indicate that all the immunological parameters (phagocytic activity, superoxide anion production, lysozyme activity, catalase activity and phenoloxidase activity) measured and the growth rate of sea cucumbers fed 10¹⁰ cfu of the probiotics mixture were significantly (P < 0.05) improved than control groups at 16 and 32 days. After challenging, the cumulative mortality for the control was 100%, whereas the cumulative mortality for sea cucumbers fed 10¹⁰ cfu of the probiotics mixture was 47% (P < 0.05). Although the total autochthonous intestinal heterotrophic bacterial counts were not affected by dietary treatment (P > 0.05), Bacillus sp. levels were significantly elevated in sea cucumbers fed the probiotics mixture (P < 0.05). These results confirmed that administration of the probiotics mixture in the diet stimulated non‐specific immune responses and enhanced the growth performance of sea cucumbers, and was effective in controlling infections caused by V. alginolyticus.     

基于溶藻弧菌感染的虾苗细菌性玻化症(BVS)及其防控中药筛选和药效学评价

为了筛选可用于防治虾苗细菌性玻化症(bacterial vitrified syndrome, BVS)的中药复方,本研究首先通过牛津杯法和二倍稀释法进行体外抑菌实验,从50种中药中筛选出对BVS致病菌溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)和副溶血弧菌(V. parahaemolyticus)具有良好抑菌效果的中药。然后,以不同浓度的溶藻弧菌浸浴感染虾苗,建立BVS病理模型;再通过体内药效学实验从死亡率、组织病理学和超微组织病理学角度比较不同中药复方对于患BVS虾苗的防治效果。体外抑菌实验结果显示,五味子(Schisandrae chinensis fructus)、马鞭草(Verbenae herba)、乌梅(Mume fructus)等中药对溶藻弧菌的抑菌圈直径可达12 mm以上;诃子(Chebulae fructus)、五味子、牡丹皮(Moutan cortex)等中药对副溶血弧菌的抑菌圈直径可达13 mm以上。五倍子(Galla chinensis)、诃子、五味子、丁香(Caryophylli flos)对溶藻弧菌和副溶血弧菌的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)均≤12.5 mg/mL,最小杀菌浓度(MBC)均≤50 mg/mL。结合香附(Cyperi rhizoma)、栀子(Gardeniae fructus) 2味中药组成3种中药复方,处方1、处方2和处方3;以5×104 CFU/mL的溶藻弧菌感染虾苗成功建立BVS病理模型,在此基础上采用药物治疗患病虾苗7 d,各组死亡率由低至高依次为空白对照组、处方1组、20%氟苯尼考粉对照组、处方3组、处方2组和阳性对照组。处方1组虾苗死亡率显著低于阳性对照组(P<0.05);处方2组、处方3组和20%氟苯尼考对照组虾苗死亡率低于阳性对照组,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。由此可见,处方1可显著降低患病虾苗死亡率。组织病理学和超微组织病理学研究显示,相比于其他感染组,处方1组虾苗肝胰腺病变程度明显较轻,肠道结构较为完整;虾苗肝小管上皮细胞的细胞膜、细胞核正常,线粒体、内质网丰富且基本正常。表明口服处方1可对患病虾苗的肝胰腺和肠道组织起到良好的保护作用,并优于处方2、处方3和20%氟苯尼考粉。综上所述,处方1 (诃子30 g、五味子20 g、香附20 g)对溶藻弧菌感染的虾苗保护和治疗效果良好。本研究结果可为研制防控虾苗BVS专用中药提供依据,助力对虾养殖绿色高质量发展。     

Effect of high water temperature on the survival, moulting and food consumption of Penaeus (Marsupenaeus) japonicus (Bate, 1888)

The kuruma shrimp, Penaeus (Marsupenaeus) japonicus (Bate, 1888), is a valuable aquaculture species in Queensland, Australia. The shrimp is supplied live to the Japanese market and must survive emersed transport for up to 36 h. In-transit mortality after harvest from high water temperatures (> 30 °C) has been reported by the industry, and a knowledge of the effects of high water temperature may provide important information for producers on grow-out management, timing of production and farm location. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of high water temperature on survival, moulting and food consumption in P. japonicus. Replicated groups of 15.6 ± 0.2 g shrimp were acclimated and exposed to five temperatures, between 28 and 36 °C, for up to 28 days. Mortality was highest at 36 °C and equally lowest between 28 °C and 32 °C. Intermoult period was not significantly different for temperatures between 28 and 32 °C (19.8–15.5 days) but was significantly greater above 32 °C (27.4 days at 34 °C and > 104 days at 36 °C). There was evidence of moulting synchrony at 28 °C. Mean daily food consumption was highest at 32 °C at 2.34% of body weight, but decreased to 1.56% at 28 °C and 1.33% at 36 °C. Over the range of water temperatures examined, survival, moulting rate and food consumption were highest at 32 °C.     

Cloning and expression of the gene encoding an extracellular alkaline serine protease from Vibrio alginolyticus strain HY9901, the causative agent of vibriosis in Lutjanus erythopterus (Bloch)

A 750-bp internal fragment of the alkaline serine protease gene (asp) from the Vibrio alginolyticus strain HY9901 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The flanking sequences of the 5'- and 3'- ends of the asp gene were characterized by reverse and nested PCR. Sequence analysis showed that the asp gene contained an 1893-bp ORF encoding 630 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the ASP (alkaline serine protease) precursor showed significant homology with several bacterial alkaline serine proteases. Expression of the asp gene in Escherichia coli and activity tests of the ASP indicated that the N-signal peptide of the ASP precursor was essential to autocatalyse and fold correctly the enzyme to obtain activity. The purified ASP was lethal for Lutjanus erythopterus with an LD(50) of 0.25 microg protein g(-1) body weight.     

Evaluation of growth,feed utilization efficiency and immune parameters in tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) fed diets supplemented with or diet fermented with gut bacterium Bacillus sp. DDKRC1. isolated from gut of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation of cellulolytic gut bacterium with plant protein‐based diet on growth, digestibility and digestive enzyme status of tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Bacillus sp. DDKRC1. (JN641289), a potential cellulolytic bacterium, isolated from the gut of Asian seabass was used as feed supplement in this experiment. The shrimps of group I, II and III were fed with control diet (without bacterial supplement, D1), diet supplemented with live Bacillus sp. DDKRC1. at 2.94 × 10⁷ cfu per 100 g feed (D2) and diet fermented (48 hr) with same bacteria (D3) respectively. At the end of the 42 days experiment, shrimps of group II showed significantly better (p < .01) growth and protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower (p < .01) feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared to group I and III. Dry matter, cellulose, hemicellulose and lipid digestibilities were significantly (p < .01) higher in group II than other two groups. Cellulase, amylase and protease activities in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract were significantly (p < .01) higher in group II as compared to other two groups. Total heterotrophic count, amylolytic, cellulolytic and proteolytic bacterial counts in gut were significantly (p < .01) higher in group II as compared to other two groups. Haematological analysis indicated better (p < .05) immune response in groups II and III than control group. Diets D2 and D3 showed better effect on growth, digestibility, FCR, survival and immune response of P. monodon as compared to D1.     

Effects of continuous and alternate administration of β‐glucan and mannan‐oligosaccharide on the growth,immunity and resistance against Vibrio splendidus of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

A 4‐week growth trial was conducted to compare the effects of different feeding strategies of dietary immunostimulants on the growth, immunity and resistance against Vibrio splendidus of sea cucumbers Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka). Six feeding strategies were set, including feeding immunostimulants‐free diet continuously (control), feeding dietary β‐glucan (1.25 g kg^?1 diet) continuously, feeding dietary mannan‐oligosaccharides (MOS; 2.00 g kg^?1 diet) continuously, feeding β‐glucan 2 days followed by MOS 5 days alternately, feeding β‐glucan 5 days followed by MOS 2 days alternately and feeding β‐glucan 7 days followed by MOS 7 days alternately. The sea cucumbers fed immunostimulants showed higher specific growth rate (SGR) and lower cumulative mortality than control (P < 0.05). When sea cucumbers were fed with β‐glucan continuously, total coelomocytes counts and superoxide anion were significantly higher than control on the 4th day (P < 0.05). However, these two immune parameters were not significantly higher than those in control after the 18th day (P > 0.05). While sea cucumbers continuously fed MOS, these two immune parameters were not significantly higher than control until the 15th day. All immune parameters of the sea cucumbers fed with β‐glucan and MOS alternately were significantly higher than those in control during the experiment (P < 0.05). The sea cucumbers fed with β‐glucan 7 days followed MOS 7 days alternately showed the highest SGR and second lowest cumulative mortality. It was suggested that this feeding strategy is most suitable for sea cucumbers.     

The effects of dietary probiotic Bacilli (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) on growth performance,feed efficiency,body composition and immune parameters of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) postlarvae

The present study investigates the effects of dietary commercial Bacilli probiotic (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) on the growth performance, feed efficiency, body composition and immune parameters of Litopenaeus vannamei. The L. vannamei postlarvae were supplied and acclimated (in 500‐L tanks) to laboratory conditions for 14 days. The shrimps were fed with diets containing 1 × 10⁴ and 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g probiotic Bacilli for 60 days. At the end of the feeding trial, growth performance parameters, body composition, serum biochemical parameters and the hemocytes count were evaluated. Shrimps fed diets supplemented with 1 × 10⁴ and 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g probiotic Bacilli showed improved weight gain, total length, specific growth rate, FCR and survival compared with the control group. The body composition studies revealed higher dry matter, crude protein and ash in shrimps fed with 1 × 10⁴ and 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g probiotic Bacilli. Also, dietary administration of 1 × 10⁴ and 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g probiotic Bacilli decreased serum glucose and cortisol levels. However, significantly increased total protein, lysozyme and hemocyte cell count were noticed in shrimps fed 1 × 10⁴ and 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g probiotic Bacilli. In general, the findings of this study proved that oral administration of 1 × 10⁴ and 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g commercial probiotic Bacilli improved growth performance, feed utilization and immune parameters in whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).     

Improvement of growth performance,water quality and disease resistance against Vibrio harveyi of postlarval whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) by administration of mixed microencapsulated Bacillus probiotics

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mixed Bacillus on growth, water quality and disease resistance against Vibrio harveyi in whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Postlarval shrimp (PL₃₀) were fed with (a) a basal diet (the control), (b) a diet containing mixed freeze‐dried Bacillus probiotics (FB) and (c) addition of mixed microencapsulated Bacillus probiotics (MB) in culture water. Addition of FB and MB probiotics improved (p < .05) growth, feed efficiency, survival and culture water quality (ammonia and nitrite) compared to the control group although there was no difference (p > .05) between the two treated groups. Bacillus numbers in gastrointestinal tracts and culture water of FB‐ and MB‐administrated shrimp were higher (p < .05) than in the control. After a 30‐day culture, shrimp were infected with V. harveyi and monitored for 10 days. A significant reduction (p < .05) in cumulative mortality was observed in FB‐ and MB‐supplemented shrimp (43.24% and 45.05%, respectively), compared to the control (63.06%). This finding demonstrated that administration of microencapsulated probiotics was as effective as freeze‐dried probiotics for improving growth, feed efficiency, survival, Bacillus in gastrointestinal tracts, water quality (ammonia and nitrite) and conferring disease resistance to V. harveyi.