草鱼体内溶血对肝脏氧化损伤的机制

以草鱼为研究对象,系统研究了溶血对肝脏的损伤机制,以揭示血红蛋白对机体的损伤作用。首先在体内注射血红蛋白,通过苏木精-伊红染色(H.E)发现注射血红蛋白组的肝脏组织中坏死细胞明显增多,普鲁士蓝染色揭示肝脏中存在大量的铁沉积,进一步的实时定量PCR (qRT-PCR)检测结果显示,注射的血红蛋白激活了铁代谢相关基因的表达。为进一步探究体内出血对肝脏的影响,实验通过体内注射苯肼模拟体内出血,H.E和普鲁士蓝染色结果表明,大量的溶血导致肝脏细胞坏死和铁的沉积增加,通过检测肝脏中血红蛋白和铁含量发现,苯肼组中,肝脏组织血红蛋白和铁含量随着时间延长而显著增加,而铁含量的增加同时激活了肝脏组织中铁代谢相关基因的表达。其次,实验检测了注射苯肼后肝脏组织中炎症因子的表达情况,qRT-PCR结果显示,高剂量的血红蛋白激活了多种细胞因子的基因表达,如促炎因子TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6,抑炎因子IL-10以及趋化因子IL-4和IL-8等。为进一步探究高氧化活性的血红蛋白对肝脏组织的氧化损伤作用,实验检测了肝脏组织中丙二醛(MDA)、脂质过氧化物(LPO)以及β-半乳糖苷酶的含量,检测结果表明,鱼体内的出血显著增加了肝脏氧化损伤作用,同时,qRT-PCR和酶活性检测结果揭示,血红蛋白的氧化损伤作用促进了肝脏组织细胞凋亡的发生。最后,实验检测了肝脏组织中抗氧化酶的表达情况,结果显示,体内的出血显著激活了肝脏组织中的抗氧化系统。研究表明,鱼体内大量出血释放的高氧化活性的血红蛋白显著激活了肝脏组织炎症和氧化损伤的发生,促进了肝脏组织中的细胞凋亡,同时也激活了机体内的抗氧化系统。     

草鱼血红蛋白通过诱导头肾巨噬细胞表达的炎症因子激活免疫反应

为了探究鱼类体内过量游离血红蛋白对鱼体的影响，本实验以草鱼为研究对象，通过体内注射血红蛋白模拟体内出血，探究血红蛋白对组织和组织中巨噬细胞的免疫调控作用。体内注射血红蛋白的实验结果显示，血红蛋白的刺激导致头肾和中肾组织中出现明显的血红蛋白沉淀，同时提高了鱼体血清中的抗氧化相关酶活性，促进了头肾组织中炎症因子基因TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-10的mRNA表达水平。普鲁士蓝和间接免疫荧光实验结果显示，头肾巨噬细胞对血红蛋白表现出了吞噬活性。荧光定量PCR检测结果显示，血红蛋白的刺激显著激活了头肾巨噬细胞中CD68、CD86、CSF和MHC-Ⅱ的mRNA表达水平。进一步的细胞因子检测结果显示，血红蛋白刺激12 h后，头肾巨噬细胞中的炎症因子基因(TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-4)、趋化因子基因(CCL20和CCL4)、IFN-α和TLR4的mRNA表达水平被显著上调表达。研究表明，草鱼头肾巨噬细胞对血红蛋白具有吞噬能力，同时血红蛋白也激活了巨噬细胞中多种细胞因子的表达。本研究结果首次阐述了草鱼血红蛋白与巨噬细胞的相互作用关系，丰富了鱼类血液基础免疫学理论，同时也为鱼类健康养殖提供了新的参考...     

白藜芦醇对脂多糖诱导草鱼肾脏细胞炎症的抑制作用

为评价白藜芦醇(resveratrol)对脂多糖诱导损伤草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)肾脏细胞(CIK)的保护作用,本研究通过脂多糖(LPS)诱导细胞炎症损伤,测定和分析白藜芦醇对CIK细胞抗氧化因子活性和抗氧化、炎症相关基因表达变化的影响。结果表明,与对照组相比,LPS处理导致CIK细胞活力降低(P<0.05),乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性升高(P<0.05),降低了细胞内过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性,并导致还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)浓度降低(P<0.05)和丙二醛(MDA)含量升高(P<0.05)。此外,LPS处理能引起CIK细胞的CAT、TNF-α、IFN-γ、IL-1基因表达显著上调(P<0.05),而对IL-10和SOD基因的转录表达无显著影响(P>0.05)。通过向培养基中添加白藜芦醇(4μg/mL)可以显著减弱LPS对CIK细胞造成的损伤,维系细胞抗氧化能力,抑制TNF-α等炎症相关基因的表达(P<0.05),促进CAT基因的表达(P<0.05)。研究认为白藜芦醇对LPS造成的CIK细胞损伤有明显的干预作用,主要原因可能是由于白藜芦醇对CIK细胞的抗氧化能力的改善以及对促炎因子表达的抑制。本研究可为白藜芦醇应用于鱼类炎症、氧化损伤相关疾病的防治提供理论依据。     

鳞头犬牙南极鱼LeptinB基因在抵御低温应激中的作用

为了探究瘦素基因(LeptinB, LepB)在斑马鱼肝脏细胞系(ZFL)低温应激中的作用,本研究根据鳞头犬牙南极鱼(Dissostichus mawsoni) LepB基因(DM-LepB)编码的氨基酸序列,克隆到构建的pTOL2-actin-EGFP质粒中(启动子为斑马鱼的β-actin)。选取EcoRⅠ和BamHⅠ为限制酶,设计构建了pTOL2-LepB+HIS-EGFP表达载体,并转染至ZFL细胞中。选择致死温度10 ℃进行实验,采用流式细胞术检测了低温胁迫下细胞的存活率,使用增强型CCK-8试剂盒检测了低温条件下细胞的生长增殖情况,使用荧光探针DHE检测了细胞活性氧(ROS)含量。结果显示,LepB基因的过表达能有效减少细胞ROS的产生,减轻细胞凋亡以应对低温胁迫。分析还显示,DM-LepB的过表达也有利于维持低温刺激下的胞内ATP水平与线粒体状态,有效减轻低温刺激对细胞的凋亡和坏死作用,对细胞冷应激起到保护作用。采用油红O染色和甘油三酯(TG)实验检测发现,DM-LepB基因能减缓低温刺激时细胞脂质的消耗,较多的脂质保留可减弱低温刺激对细胞的伤害,使得细胞能更好地抵抗低温损害。研究结果为揭示南极鱼类的低温适应分子机制提供了基础资料。     

基于转录组学技术对斑马鱼肝脏组织低氧胁迫影响的研究

为探究鱼类响应低氧胁迫的调控机制,将1月龄的野生型斑马鱼(Danio rerio)在1.5 mg·L-1的低氧浓度下胁迫2个月后,对其肝脏组织进行转录组测序比较分析。对常氧与低氧组的3 270个差异基因进行KEGG分析,主要富集于细胞增殖、脂质代谢、糖类代谢和氨基酸代谢等通路。其中,上调的1 864个基因主要与细胞增殖相关,下调的1 406个基因主要参与脂质代谢。对差异基因进行GO富集分析,发现铁离子束(Iron ion banding)功能差异显著。对铁代谢相关基因的表达量进行分析,发现铁离子储存相关基因fthl28和fthl31变化显著,提示在低氧胁迫下斑马鱼肝脏(Zebrafish liver, ZFL)组织中铁离子含量发生显著变化。利用ZFL细胞进行体外验证实验,将ZFL细胞进行0.1%(体积分数) O2低氧胁迫,发现随着胁迫时间的延长,ZFL细胞的成活率降低,且细胞中与铁代谢相关基因和铁蛋白(Ferritin)的表达均显著降低。综上所述,铁代谢调节是低氧胁迫下的重要响应过程,低氧会导致细胞内铁代谢紊乱,延长低氧时间会形成新的铁稳态。研究结果为探究鱼类的低氧适应机制提供了理论基...     

Daintain激发血液氧化应激反应

为了阐明草鱼异体移植炎症因子1在宿主免疫应答中的作用,实验采用蛋白质免疫印迹(Western blot)检测了脂多糖刺激后草鱼外周血白细胞分泌异体移植炎症因子1的水平。 将不同浓度草鱼异体移植炎症因子1重组蛋白加入到外周血白细胞培养液中。 48 h后,利用CCK-8试剂盒检测白细胞增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,活性氧和一氧化氮试剂盒检测细胞氧自由基和一氧化氮水平,ATP试剂盒和线粒体膜电位试剂盒检测线粒体功能状态,ELISA试剂盒检测肿瘤坏死因子α、白细胞介素1β和白细胞介素6释放。结果显示,脂多糖刺激了草鱼外周血白细胞异体移植炎症因子1的分泌, 而过量的异体移植炎症因子1诱导了白细胞增殖,通过改善线粒体膜电位,增强了ATP的产生,从而抑制细胞凋亡。同时异体移植炎症因子1激发了白细胞产生炎性介质活性氧和一氧化氮及释放炎性细胞因子肿瘤坏死因子α、白细胞介素1β和白细胞介素6。本研究表明,草鱼异体移植炎症因子1增强了白细胞活力和炎性因子的释放。本实验首次证实草鱼异体移植炎症因子1是一个新的免疫细胞因子,参与了宿主细胞的免疫应答,同时阐明了异体移植炎症因子1诱导草鱼白细胞增殖并抑制其凋亡,且促进白细胞释放炎性因子,从而增强草鱼对外源物质的免疫抵抗作用,为草鱼免疫应答相关的研究提供了新的思路。

     

低温胁迫诱导斑马鱼ZF4细胞ROS及MAPK相关蛋白表达的影响

为了研究鱼类低温下分子调控机制及其与活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)之间的关系,本实验对斑马鱼(Danio rerio)胚胎成纤维ZF4细胞进行不同程度的低温胁迫(18℃和10℃),监测其在不同低温胁迫时间下(1 d、3 d和5 d)ROS的变化以及丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)通路中蛋白的表达情况。结果显示:(1)DCFH-DA探针法表明在低温胁迫作用下,细胞内ROS含量增加。细胞内ROS上升水平与外界胁迫压力成正相关。低温处理3 d后,18℃和10℃的细胞,其ROS含量与对照组(28℃)相比分别显著升高到(1.23±0.04)倍(P0.05)和(2.31±0.08)倍(P0.05)。(2)Western Blot检测磷酸化的p38(p-p38)和磷酸化的JNK(p-JNK p54和p-JNK p46)的水平变化,结果显示低温胁迫可以使p38和JNK的活性增强,且均在10℃处理3 d达到最高水平。(3)进一步检测DNA断裂标记蛋白γH2A.X的表达水平,结果显示,无论在18℃还是10℃,其在第3天呈现高表达。本实验初步证实低温胁迫能够诱导斑马鱼细胞ROS的产生;通过对不同时间点的蛋白表达水平检测,发现p-JNK、p-p38和γH2A.X激活时间点与低温诱导ROS表达时间点相吻合。该研究为后期对斑马鱼细胞低温胁迫实验奠定基础,其中低温下处理3 d可以作为一个检测各个蛋白变化的关键时间点。     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒纤维蛋白VP56与草鱼GRP78蛋白互作诱导内质网应激

为了阐明草鱼呼肠孤病毒(GCRV)的感染机制，深入探究VP56 (Ⅱ型和Ⅲ型GCRV特有的纤维蛋白)与宿主细胞蛋白的相互作用。实验通过免疫共沉淀(co-IP)发现，VP56与细胞内定位于内质网的分子伴侣蛋白葡萄糖调节蛋白78 (GRP78)发生相互作用。而后，VP56与GRP78的互作通过基于远红外红色荧光蛋白mNeptune的双分子荧光互补系统(BiFC)得到验证。在VP56稳定表达的草鱼肾细胞系(CIK)中，相较于CIK细胞，内质网则形态发生巨大变化，产生肿胀、扩张、脱粒等现象，说明VP56激活内质网应激。通过对内质网应激下游转录因子的mRNA水平检测，发现VP56激活活化转录因子6 (ATF6)介导的信号转导途径，激活非折叠蛋白反应。研究表明，GCRV-Ⅱ感染过程中破坏了细胞稳态、激活内质网应激。本研究为GCRV感染机制和抗GCRV病毒研究提供了新思路，揭示了一种新的病毒逃逸机制，有助于淡水养殖产业中草鱼出血病的防控。     

草鱼核因子E2相关因子2基因克隆分析及其对呼吸爆发的调控作用

呼吸爆发过程可以产生大量的活性氧,核因子E2相关因子2(Nrf2)在此过程中起着重要作用。实验克隆和分析了草鱼的Nrf2基因,随后制备了Nrf2蛋白的多克隆抗体,研究了其和呼吸爆发的关系。草鱼Nrf2基因cDNA长度为1994 bp,开放阅读框为1782 bp,编码593个氨基酸(aa)。氨基酸序列比对发现,草鱼Nrf2基因与鲤的同源性最高,为87%;草鱼Nrf2基因含有6个进化过程中保守的Neh[Nrf2-Epoxy chloropropane(ECH)homology]区。实时定量PCR(q RT-PCR)和蛋白印迹法(Western blot)检测结果表明,Nrf2基因在检测的草鱼8个组织中均有表达。Nrf2激活剂叔丁基对苯二酚(t BHQ)处理草鱼肾细胞(CIK)后,CIK细胞总抗氧化能力显著上调,产生的活性氧下调,Nrf2及其下游的HO-1和GST基因的m RNA表达上调。Western blot和免疫荧光(IF)检测结果表明,t BHQ处理CIK后,Nrf2的蛋白表达也上调,并伴随着入细胞核现象。研究表明,保守的草鱼Nrf2基因在机体中广泛表达,能通过上调自身及其下游抗氧化基因的表达下调细胞活性氧的产生,从而参与调控呼吸爆发过程。     

尼罗罗非鱼铁调素调节蛋白在宿主抵御病原菌侵染和调节铁稳态中的功能

为了研究铁调素调节蛋白(hemojuvelin,HJV)在硬骨鱼中抵御病原菌感染和维持自身铁稳态过程中的作用,实验扩增了尼罗罗非鱼铁调素调节蛋白基因(Onhjv)的开放阅读框(ORF),分析其在健康尼罗罗非鱼各组织中的分布模式及在抵御病原菌感染和调节铁稳态中的相关作用。结果显示,Onhjv的ORF全长由1 248个碱基组成,编码415个氨基酸,在不同物种之间具有一定的保守性。实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)结果显示,Onhjv在尼罗罗非鱼各组织中广泛分布,并在肝脏中的表达量最高。在无乳链球菌或嗜水气单胞菌感染后,Onhjv在肝脏、脾脏、肠和鳃中的表达量均显著上调。体外头肾单核/巨噬细胞和肝细胞中Onhjv表达量在受到这2种病原菌应激下也显著上调。此外,在1和10μmol/L FeCl_3溶液刺激后,Onhjv表达量在肝脏、脾脏、肠和鳃等组织,以及头肾单核/巨噬细胞和肝细胞中的表达量也呈显著上调。受重组罗非鱼IL-6蛋白[(r)OnIL-6]刺激后,头肾单核/巨噬细胞中Onhjv表达量显著上调,表明炎症因子可以促进Onhjv表达。研究表明,尼罗罗非鱼铁调素调节蛋白在宿主抵御病原菌感染和维持铁稳态的过程中发挥作用。本实验为探究HJV在硬骨鱼中的生物学功能提供了参考,同时为进一步研究铁代谢在宿主防御病原菌感染过程中的重要作用提供理论指导。     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

Nitrogenous waste excretion and accumulation of urea and ammonia inChalcalburnus tarichi (Cyprinidae), endemic to the extremely alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Turkey)

The endemic, anadromous cyprinidChalcalburnus tarichi is the only fish species known to occur in alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). EightC. tarichi were maintained individually in Lake Van water (17 – 19°C; pH 9.8; 153 mEq·I^–1 total alkalinity; 22 total salinity) and tank water samples analyzed for 24 h in 2 to 4 h intervals. At zero time, < 1µM ammonia was present and urea was undetectable in the tank water; at 24 h, total ammonia and urea made up 114±32 and 35±25µM, respectively. Over the experimental period, ammonia-N and urea-N excretion averaged 1041±494 and 607±169moles·kg^–1 fish·h^–1, respectively. The extent of urea excretion was highly variable between specimens. Uric acid excretion was not detectable.Urea was present at high concentrations in all tissues and plasma (25 – 35moles·g^–1·ml^–1) of freshly caughtC. tarichi; total ammonia content of the tissues was by a factor of 1.9 (liver) to 3.0 (brain) lower. High arginase activity (2.4±0.2 U·min^–1·g^–1) was detected in the liver ofC. tarichi but ornithine carbamoylphosphate transferase, a key enzyme of the ornithine-urea-cycle, was absent. Ureagenesis is likely through degradation of arginine and/or uricolysis. High glutamine synthetase activity (11±0.6 U·min^–1·g^–1) and low ammonia content in brain suggest that, like other teleosts,C. tarichi has an efficient ammonia detoxification in the brain, but in no other tissue.Nitrogenous waste excretion at alkaline pH is discussed. The ability ofC. tarichi to excrete high levels of ammonia at extremely alkaline pH is unique among teleosts studied so far. The mechanism of ammonia excretion under Lake Van conditions remains to be elucidated.     

Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria

There has been growing concern about the overuse of antibiotics in the ornamental fish industry and its possible effect on the increasing drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic organisms in these fish. The aim of this study was to carry out an assessment of the diversity of bacteria, including pathogens, in ornamental fish species imported into North America and to assess their antibiotic resistance. Kidney samples were collected from 32 freshwater ornamental fish of various species, which arrived to an importing facility in Portland, Oregon from Colombia, Singapore and Florida. Sixty‐four unique bacterial colonies were isolated and identified by PCR using bacterial 16S primers and DNA sequencing. Multiple isolates were identified as bacteria with potential to cause disease in both fish and humans. The antibiotic resistance profile of each isolate was performed for nine different antibiotics. Among them, cefotaxime (16% resistance among isolates) was the antibiotic associated with more activity, while the least active was tetracycline (77% resistant). Knowing information about the diversity of bacteria in imported ornamental fish, as well as the resistance profiles for the bacteria will be useful in more effectively treating clinical infected fish, and also potential zoonoses in the future.     

Effect of iodophor disinfection of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs on their bacterial and fungus load

This study investigated the efficiency of iodophor disinfection (135 ppm active iodine for 15–30 min) of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs against different groups of bacteria and against fungus. Egg samples were taken from non‐disinfected and from disinfected eggs, microorganisms were cultured on specific nutrient media and their mass was measured by turbidimetric methods. Bacteria and fungus mass of non‐hardened eggs could be reduced but not eliminated by iodophor disinfection with 135 ppm active iodine for 15 min. The extent of reduction was 47–65% (Experiment 1). The efficiency of disinfection increased with disinfection time as the reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was 40–55% after 15 min and 58–74% after 30 min (Experiment 2). Disinfection efficiency of iodophor solution diluted in water (reduction 49–57%) and of iodophor solution diluted in sodium chloride solution iso‐osmolar to the oocytes (reduction 52–61%) was similar (Experiment 3). The reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was persistent as it was 39–72% lower in embryos deriving from disinfected eggs than in embryos deriving from non‐disinfected ones (Experiment 4). In conclusion, the tested disinfection method is inadequate to eliminate pathogens completely but it could positively influence immune defence of eggs and embryos.     

Influence of the antibacterial herbs, Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia on the survival, growth and bacterial load of Penaeus monodon post larvae

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and chemicals in shrimp hatcheries has led to biomagnification and that in turn could lead to rejection of a whole consignment. The application of the bioencapsulation technique as a tool for curative treatment in shrimp larvae was investigated. Herbs having antibacterial properties such as Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia (methanolic extracts) were bioencapsulated in Artemia and fed to Penaeus monodon post larvae PL 1–25. The post larvae were reared in a medium inoculated with pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio sp. Post larvae reared in the non-inoculated water and fed with non-enriched Artemia exhibited 90% survival, highest specific growth rate (12.43%) and reduced bacterial load. P. monodon reared in the bacterial inoculated water and fed with the non-enriched Artemia exhibited the lowest survival (10–30%), specific growth rate (8.42–9.1%) and increased bacterial load (2.86 × 10³ to 3.76 × 10⁵ cfu/g). The methanolic extracts of the herbs helped to increase survival and specific growth rate and reduced bacterial load in the P. monodon culture system. Among the three herbal extracts, P. corylifolia enriched Artemia fed post larvae showed the tendency to higher survival (>50%), growth rate (11.5 averaged) and low bacterial load (1.12 × 10⁵ cfu/g). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.