Effects of oral passive immunization against somatostatin‐14 on growth performance,body composition and IgY delivery in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Egg‐yolk antibodies (IgY) against somatostatin‐14 (anti‐SST‐14) were evaluated as orally administered, growth promotants in gastric rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and agastric common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in an 8‐week feeding trial. Feeding groups were compared with fish which did not receive anti‐SST‐14 IgY. Growth responses and IgY plasma contents of the blood were assessed. In contrast to rainbow trout, oral anti‐SST‐14 addition to carp significantly improved protein efficiency ratio (PER, 1.02 ± 0.04) and protein productive value (PPV, 26.7 ± 0.91) after 56 days (P < 0.05) compared to the negative control (PER = 0.91 ± 0.02; PPV = 22.9 ± 0.66). IgY was undetectable in plasma of rainbow trout after oral administration, indicating that gastric degradation of the fed IgY makes this application route for growth promotion in gastric trout challenging.     

Protective properties of egg yolk IgY containing anti-Edwardsiella tarda antibody against paracolo disease in the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica Temminck & Schlegel

Abstract. Immunized hens are known to contain a high level of immunoglobulin Y (IgY) in their egg yolk. In this study, the present authors obtained anti- Edwardsiella tarda IgY (containing 20% specific IgY, agglutination titre, 1:128) from hens vaccinated by injection with formalin-killed bacterin. The IgY was stable against eel digestive factors, and therefore, was orally administered with viable E. tarda to the Japanese eels and the efficacy of protection against E. tarda infection was evaluated. Orally administered IgY at a dose of 400mg fish^-1 cleared E. tarda inoculated simultaneously at 10^5–6 CFU fish^-1 from the intestine within 24h. Moreover, orally administered IgY at doses of 200 and 400mg fish^-1 inhibited the penetration of E. tarda inoculated simultaneously at 10^4–6 CFU fish^-1 into the liver and kidney via the damaged intestine. The fish orally administered with IgY showed reduced mortality. These results suggest that egg yolk containing anti- E. tarda IgY is effective in preventing edwardsiellosis.     

The effect of feed preparation on the pharmacokinetics of peroral administration of chlortetracycline in weaned piglets

The influence of different modes of feeding on the bioavailability of orally administered chlortetracycline was studied in weaned pigs. The animals were divided into three groups receiving a dry, a moist or a soup diet, respectively. CTC was applied at a concentration of 6000 ppm and 2500 ppm to each diet and the oral dosage of CTC was 40 mg chlortetracycline/kg bodyweight. The results of the experiments show that the pharmacokinetics of orally applied chlortetracycline are significantly influenced by the mode of feeding. A significantly higher bioavailability was observed with soup feeding compared with moist or dry food. To achieve a therapeutic blood level of 0.5-1.5 micrograms chlortetracycline/ml blood, 20-30 mg chlortetracycline/kg bodyweight/12 h and 30-40 mg chlortetracycline/kg bodyweight/12 h should be applied to soup and dry or moist feed, respectively.     

Possible application of mibolerone for induced sex inversion of grouper Epinephelus coioides

SUMMARY: Thirty immature juvenile grouper Epinephelus coioides (19–168 g bodyweight, BW) were randomly stocked in four units 6 t tanks to determine if mibolerone can be used to induce sex inversion in groupers. After acclimatization and weaning to artificial feed, the feed given daily (4% BW/day) was supplemented with 0, 50, 100, and 200 μg mibolerone/kg feed for about 18 weeks. Thereafter, the hormone treatment was withdrawn and the experiment was terminated at Week 24. Ten fish were killed for gonad histology at stocking to serve as an initial control while about three to five fish were killed every 8 weeks. In general, ovaries of initial controls showed the presence of moderate stromal cells and gonia and few primary oocytes. At Weeks 8 and 16, ovaries of the control fish (0 μg/kg) were similar to that of the initial control except that primary oocytes increased at Week 24. Gonads of fish fed diets containing 100 and 200 μg/kg had none to moderate spermatocytes and few spermatids at Week 8 and 16, although spermatozoa were not observed, indicating that the fish were undergoing spermatogenesis. Spermatogenesis at 50 μg/kg was not as advanced since only few spermatocytes occurred at Weeks 8 followed by moderate gonia and no spermatocytes and spermatids at Week 16. However, the presence of few primary oocytes was observed when mibolerone was withdrawn suggesting that sex-inversed fish reverted back to a female condition. These results show that sex inversion in juvenile grouper can be induced by oral administration of mibolerone and may have possible application on mature females to produce functional males.     

Protection of Fenneropenaeus chinensis (Osbeck, 1765) against the white spot syndrome virus using specific chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins by oral delivery

Two kinds of specific chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgYs), IgY‐WSSV and IgY‐VP28, were, respectively, raised against the 2 mM binary ethylenimine (BEI)‐inactivated white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and a principal envelope protein VP28. The activity of purified specific IgYs was stable under the conditions of 20–70 °C, pH 3.0–10.0 and 0–700 g L^?1 sucrose solution. In the neutralization assay, these high‐affinity IgY antibodies can specifically bind with the virus particles to protect shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) against WSSV infection. After oral delivery for 20 days, the IgY‐WSSV exerted a higher protection effect (RPS: 71.5%) than IgY‐VP28 (RPS: 63.7%). Moreover, an increase in RPS (79.2%) was found on addition of IgY‐WSSV:VP28 (0.1% IgY‐VP28 plus 0.2% IgY‐WSSV). This may indicate that neutralization of WSSV refers to the multiple‐hit model. By time‐course study of the levels of the specific IgYs in vivo, the data showed that the titre was enhanced to a relatively high level (P/N=8.35±0.45) at 3 days post administration, declined slightly (P/N=7.13±1.01) at 7 days post administration and then remained stable for further investigation. The stable antibody level potentially contributes towards blocking a large number of WSSV particles from entering and infecting on the major tissues at the early and late stages after challenge in shrimp.     

Induced spawning of maturing Indian catfish, Clarias batrachus (L.), using low doses of steroid hormones and salmon gonadotropin

Abstract. Effects of low doses of salmon gonadotropin (SG-G100) and three steroids — 17α,20β-dihydroxyprogesterone (17α,20β-diOHprog), deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and progesterone — individually, or combinations of steroid with SG-G100, on ovulation and hatching in Clarias batrachus (L.) were investigated. None of the steroids at any of the three different dose levels (1μg, 1·5μg/g and 2μg/g BW) could induce ovulation when injected alone. SG-G100 at a dose level of 10 μg/g BW was not effective but at the dose level of 15 μg/g BW it could induce ovulation. All the three steroids at their lowest doses (1μg/g BW) when injected in combination with SG-G100 (10μg/g BW) were significantly effective in inducing ovulation. When hatching percentage was taken into account, 17α,20β-diOHprog in combination with SG-G100 was found to be the most effective combination in comparison with other treatments.     

Metamorphosis to Postlarvae of Penaeus chinensis Osbeck by Removal of Heavy Metals from Rearing Systems with Polymeric Absorbent

The effect of removing heavy metal ions (copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium) with a polymeric heavy metal absorbent (PHMA) on metamorphosis of Penueus chinensis Osbeck was investigated. There was a significant ( P < 0.05) reduction in metamorphosis of protozoea to mysis at concentrations more than 31.0 μg/L copper, 38.3 μg/L zinc, 32.5 μg/L lead, and 30.3 μg/L cadmium, in the absence of PHMA. At concentrations more than 61.0 μg /L copper, 68.3 μg/L zinc, 62.5 μg/L lead, and 60.3 μg/L cadmium there was a significant ( P < 0.01) interaction between the absence and the presence of PHMA for metamorphosis of mysis to postlarvae. At concentrations of 12.3 μg/L copper, 45.8 μg/L zinc, 106.2 μg/L lead, and 200.2 μg/L cadmium, the metamorphosis of protozoea to mysis was blocked, but it was 51.4% in the presence of PHMA. At concentrations of 252.3 μg/L copper, 335.8 μ/L zinc, 806.2 μg/L lead and 300.2 μg/L cadmium, the metamorphosis of mysis to postlarvae was stopped, but it was 51.0% in the presence of PHMA. The toxicity of copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium to P. chinensis was reduced with PHMA.     

Liver damage in brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), following administration of the cyanobacterial hepatotoxin microcystin-LR via the dorsal aorta

Purified microcystin-LR (MC-LR) was administered via the dorsal aorta to brown trout, Salmo trutta L., or rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), and, within 24 h, a dose of 300 μ g MC-LR kg^–1 caused increased activities in the blood by enzymes originating mainly from the liver, i.e. lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alanine transaminase (ALT). A dose of 75 μ g MC-LR kg^–1 significantly increased liver enzyme activities in the blood of brown trout at 24 h, but was without effect on rainbow trout, whereas 25 μ g MC-LR kg^–1 had no effect on blood LDH or ALT activities in either species. However, histopathological analysis of liver from both species following administration of the lowest toxin dose showed hepatocyte swelling and necrosis. Liver damage was more severe in brown trout compared to rainbow trout following administration of 300 μ g MC-LR kg^–1, showing disruption of the parenchymal architecture. After 48 h, there was a dose-dependent increase in the hepatosomatic index in both species. It is concluded that brown trout are less tolerant to MC-LR than rainbow trout.     

Possibility for decreasing of mercury content in bluefin tuna <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus orientalis</Emphasis> by fish culture

ABSTRACT:   The bluefin tuna tested were reared for 22 months from eggs before the beginning of the experiment, and sampling was performed every 3 months over the following year. The experimental results showed that the mercury concentration in the muscle ranged from 0.32 to 0.85 μg/g, which is lower than that found in wild bluefin tuna of a similar size. Increase in the mercury concentration corresponding to the increase in body weight was not shown, and it was quite different with wild bluefin tuna. Furthermore, no significant relationship was found between the lipid concentration and the mercury concentration in muscle. Among the internal organs of cultured bluefin tuna, the heart (0.32–0.66 μg/g), liver (0.43–0.99 μg/g) and spleen (0.59–1.0 μg/g) contained higher concentrations of mercury. It was estimated that the full-cycle cultured bluefin tuna had been fed small fish containing lower concentrations of mercury, and that the mercury concentration of tuna would be almost equal throughout the year because the effect of mercury accumulation would be weakened by body growth. Therefore, it was concluded that selecting diet fish species might decrease mercury contents in cultured bluefin tuna.     

The Effects of Exogenous Bovine Growth Hormone and Placental Lactogen on Juvenile Striped Bass Morone saxatilis Feed and Growth Efficiency

Striped bass Morone saxatilis under normal pond-reared conditions usually requires 14–18 mo to grow out to market weight. This includes a winter of comparatively slower growth which could possibly be overcome through hormonally induced acceleration of growth. Thus, the objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that bovine growth hormone and bovine placental lactogen increase growth in striped bass in a dose dependent manner. A secondary objective was to determine the effect of these hormones on body composition. Variables tested were weight gain, length gain, condition factor, feed conversion, and body composition. Fish injected biweekly with 10 μg/g body weight, bovine placental lactogen ( P < 0.09) or bovine growth hormone ( P < 0.11) increased body weight. Fish injected with 1 or 10 μg/g body weight bovine placental lactogen ( P < 0.10) or bovine growth hormone ( P < 0.10) increased body length during the 12-wk study period. Proximate analysis indicated that bovine growth hormone increased protein content (10 μg/g; P < 0.10) and decreased fat content (1 and 10 μg/g; P < 0.10). No significant differences occurred in feed conversions. We conclude that bovine growth hormone and bovine placental lactogen are effective in increasing body growth in striped bass.     

High zinc in the erythrocyte plasma membranes of common carp Cyprinus carpio

ABSTRACT:   The distribution of zinc (Zn) concentration in the blood and erythrocytes of common carp, grass carp, silver carp and tilapia was studied. It was found that in whole blood, the average Zn concentrations in these four species of fish (approx. 6–14 μg/[ml whole blood]) were relatively similar to those in other species of fish and mammals. However, the mean Zn concentration in the erythrocytes of common carp is approximately two times higher than the other three species of fish (approx. 5 vs approx. 2 μg/[ml whole blood]). It was found that approximately 70% of the Zn in the common carp whole blood came from its erythrocytes. In addition, approximately 43% of the Zn in the erythrocytes of common carp was found to be located on its outer plasma membranes. When an antibody against a 43 kDa Zn-binding protein, isolated from the digestive tract tissue of common carp, was used, significant quantities of the protein were shown to be present on the erythrocyte plasma membranes of common carp by an indirect immunofluorescent staining. High Zn on the outer plasma membrane of the common carp erythrocyte most probably comes from the 43 kDa Zn-binding protein.     

Response of enzyme activities and metabolic intermediate concentrations to epinephrine administration in hepatopancreas and muscle of carp

SUMMARY: Common carp Cyprinus carpio were administered intraperitoneally with 10 μmol epinephrine per 100 g bodyweight, and enzyme activities and metabolic intermediate concentrations were determined in the hepatopancreas and muscle. Glycogen phosphorylase a (GPase a) activity together with cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentration was increased, and glycogen content was decreased in the hepatopancreas and muscle at 2 h after the administration. The epinephrine administration also increased hepatopancreatic glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-biphosphatase activities as well as serum glucose, lactate, and free amino acid concentrations. Furthermore, its administration increased phosphofructokinase activity together with lactate, fructose-6-phosphate, adenosine-5'-monophosphate, and adenosine-5'-diphosphate concentrations and decreased citrate concentration in the muscle. Thereafter, almost all parameter concentrations in the hepatopancreas and muscle recovered to the pre-administered levels during 24 h after the administration. These results suggest that epinephrine administration enhanced glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the hepatopancreas, and released glucose into the bloodstream to supply it to the muscle. The blood glucose together with muscle glycogen seems to be metabolized through enhanced glycolysis in the muscle.     

A Mammalian Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Increases Serum Growth Hormone Levels and Somatic Growth at Suboptimal Temperatures in Tilapia

The effects of a mammalian growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), PrebGRF(1–78)OH (bGHRH), on growth and serum growth hormone (GH) levels were investigated in tilapias Oreochromis mossambicus and O. niloticus × O. aureus . Fish were injected intramuscularly or implanted intramuscularly (Silastic or cholesterol implants) with distilled water, 0.1 μg/kg bGHRH, 1.0 μg/kg bGHRH, 10.0 μg/kg bGHRH, or 100.0 μg/kg bGHRH and compared to untreated controls, fish implanted with 60 mg/kg 17α-methyltestosterone (MT), or a combination of bGHRH concentrations plus either MT, 0.01 μg/kg of a thyroid hormone (T₃), or 0.01 μg/kg of a glucocorticoid (DEX). The bGHRH increased serum GH levels in tilapia maintained at suboptimal temperatures (18 C). Serum GH levels were highest (5.3–0.45 ng/mL) for fish injected with 10.0 μg/kg bGHRH. Fish implanted with a Silastic implant containing 10.0 μg/kg bGHRH had significantly higher (4.35–0.35 ng/mL) serum GH levels than those with an equivalent dosage in a cholesterol implant. The addition of MT, thyroid hormones, and glucocorticoids did not increase serum GH levels above those obtained for fish receiving bGHRH alone. Tilapia reared at suboptimal temperatures and implanted with 10.0 μg/kg and 100.0 μg/kg bGHRH had significantly greater increases in weight and length than control fish. Fish implanted with bGHRH, MT or bGHRH plus MT had significantly higher moisture and protein content, while fat and ash contents were significantly lower than controls or sham-implanted fish. Fish implanted with bGHRH or bGHRH plus MT had significantly higher gonadosomatic indices than fish implanted with MT alone, shams or non-treated controls. This study demonstrates that a mammalian GHRH stimulates release of GH, promotes somatic and gonadal growth and may affect reproductive performance in tilapia.     

Vertebral dysplasia in young fish exposed to the herbicide trifluralin

Abstract. Sheepshead minnows, Cyprinodon variegatus Lacépède, exposed to 5.5 to 31 μg/1 of the herbicide trifluralin, throughout their first 28 days of life, developed a heretofore undescribed vertebral dysplasia. This dysplasia consisted of semi-symmetrical hypertrophy of vertebrae (three to 20 times normal), characterized by foci of osteoblast and fibroblasts actively laying down bone and bone precursors. Effects of the abnormal vertebral development were dorsal vertebral growth into the neural canal, ventral compression of renal ducts, and longitudinal fusion of vertebrae. Pish, exposed for 51 days to 16.6 μg/1 trifluralin and thereafter depurated for 41 days, showed no increase in vertebral dysplasia during depuration; however, residual spinal column damage was evident. Serum calcium concentrations were elevated in adult fish exposed for 4 days to 16.6 μg/1 trifluralin. Fluorosis or mimicry of hypervitaminosis A are considered possible mechanisms for the osseous effect, but are not considered to be the only possible causes. The highly predictable nature of this disorder in experimental exposures strengthens the probability that young fish may serve as experimental models for determining effects of chemicals on early vertebrate ontogeny, particularly in regard to skeletal development.     

Effects of estradiol-17β and 17α-methyltestosterone on gonadal sex differentiation in the F2 hybrid sturgeon, the bester

The effects of giving oral estradiol-17β (E₂) and 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) on gonadal sex differentiation in the F₂ hybrid sturgeon, the bester ( Huso huso female ×  Acipenser ruthenus male), are investigated. Giving E₂ at 10 μg/g diet to fish from 14 months until 31 months of age induced incomplete feminization and resulted in approximately 40% abnormal ovary development in which oocytes were observed without ovarian lamellar structures and gonadal shape was similar to normal testis. Giving MT at 25 μg/g diet for the same duration failed to induce masculinization, and resulted in approximately 30% undeveloped gonads even at 30–37 months of age. In contrast, E₂ and MT at only 1 μg/g diet given from 3 to 18 months of age was sufficient to induce feminization and masculinization, respectively. In these fish, feminization and masculinization were observed at 9 months, when most putative ovaries and testes were histologically distinguishable by the shape of the gonadal surface. These results indicate that sex reversal can be induced in these fish by hormone treatment that is started at 3 months age, before morphological differentiation occurs on the stroma of the gonads.     

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in the Nauplii of Artemia salina

Artemia salina cysts (San Francisco Bay Brand) were exposed in seawater containing multiple concentrations of either a single heavy metal (Hg, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, Cr, Mn and Fe) or combination of heavy metals. The heavy metal accumulation in Artemia nauplii increased linearly with an increase in the heavy metal concentration in water. The metals could be detected in nauplii exposed to a single heavy metal at dosages of 5 μg/L for Hg, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu; 25 μg/L for Cd and Cr; 50 μg/L for Co; 100 mUg/L for Ni; and 250 μg/L for Pb. Cysts exposed to several heavy metal combinations had minimum effective dosages equal to or lower than the single heavy metals- 5 μg/L for Cu, Cr, Zn, Mn and Fe; 25 μg/L for Cd and Ni; 50 μg/L for Co; and 250 μg/L for Pb. The accumulation of Cu, Ni and Co by Artemiu nauplii did not differ for animals exposed to single or combined heavy metal solutions. Cr, Zn and Pb had a synergistic effect of heavy metal uptake in combined heavy metal element solutions, however, Fe, Cd and Mn had an antagonistic effect.     

The enrichment and retention of ascorbic acid in rotifers fed microalgal diets

The enrichment and retention of ascorbic acid (AA) was investigated in rotifers Brachionus plicatilis fed on microalgae ( Nannochloropsis oculata and Isochrysis sp. (T.ISO)) and baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae . The concentrations of AA of the rotifer diets used in the study differed significantly: 4200 μg g⁻¹ of dry weight in Isochrysis sp. (T.ISO), 2600 μg g⁻¹ in N. oculata and only 77 μg g⁻¹ in S. cerevisiae . Rotifers contained 620 μg AA g⁻¹ prior to the experimental feeding. When subsequently fed for 3 h on microalgae at a ration of 0.13 mg dry microalgae per 10⁶ rotifers rapidly and efficiently increased their content of AA: Isochrysis sp.-fed rotifers contained 1600 μg AA g⁻¹ and N. oculata -fed rotifers contained 1100 μg AA g⁻¹. Concentrations were boosted by a further feeding of a second ration of algae at three times the initial feeding ration; 21 h later, Isochrysis sp.-fed rotifers contained 2500 μg AA g⁻¹ and N. oculata -fed rotifers contained 1700 μg AA g⁻¹. This represented a 180% and 310% increase in the pre-feeding vitamin concentrations in Isochrysis sp. and N. oculata -fed rotifers, respectively. There were no significant changes in AA concentration in rotifers fed a similar ration of yeast throughout the feeding period (520-620 μg AA g⁻¹). Rotifers retained AA during a subsequent 24 h non-feeding period, with no significant changes in the concentrations in any of the rotifer groups. The production of rotifers rich in AA may be particularly valuable for the culture of fish larvae that have a high requirement for the vitamin.     

Vaccination of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), with recombinant and DNA vaccines produced to Flavobacterium psychrophilum heat shock proteins 60 and 70

Flavobacterium psychrophilum heat shock proteins (Hsp) 60 and 70 are highly immunogenic and were therefore investigated as potential vaccine candidates. Recombinant Hsps were purified from Escherichia coli and rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) were intraperitoneally injected with phosphate buffered saline/Freunds complete adjuvant (FCA), 8 μg of rHsp60/FCA, rHsp70/FCA or a combination of 4 μg each of rHsp60 and rHsp70/FCA. Antibody responses against recombinant Hsp60 and Hsp70 8 weeks post-immunization were observed, but only fish immunized with rHsp70 exhibited highly elevated antibody levels against F. psychrophilum whole cell lysate. Some cross reactivity occurred, which may have been due to the V5 tag common to both proteins. Protection against F. psychrophilum challenge was not observed in any treatments at 8 weeks post-immunization. To further investigate any protective effect of these proteins, hsps were polymerase chain reaction amplified and cloned into pVAX1. Rainbow trout were intramuscularly injected with 8 μg of pVAX1hsp60, pVAX1hsp70 or a combination of 4 μg each of pVAX1hsp60 and pVAX1hsp70. Antibody responses at 4 weeks post-immunization were low and protection was not observed following challenge at 6 or 10 weeks post-immunization. Although Hsps of F. psychrophilum have been shown to be immunodominant, these antigens do not appear to be good vaccine candidates when delivered alone or in combination.     

Susceptibility of steelhead trout Salmo gairdneri Richardson to redmouth infection Yersinia ruckeri following exposure to copper

Abstract. Steelhead trout were exposed to sublethal concentrations of copper and inoculated with Yersinia ruckeri. Copper exposure at 7 and 10 μg/1 for 96 h caused more fish to die of infection than control fish (no copper). Infection susceptibility increased with time of exposure to a single dosage of copper (10 μg/1), reaching a maximum at 48 h. Lowering the copper concentration to 5 μg/1 caused the infection susceptibility to occur at 24 h. The infectious dose of Y. ruckeri was lower in fish exposed to 10 μg/1 copper for 48 h than control fish.     

抗鲤疱疹Ⅱ型病毒卵黄抗体制备及其功能鉴定

为制备抗鲤疱疹Ⅱ型病毒(CyHV-2)的卵黄抗体,探索防治异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)鳃出血病的新方法和途径,本研究利用原核表达系统产生具免疫原性的重组CyHV-2-ORF72衣壳蛋白,纯化后免疫蛋鸡;二次免疫后采用间接ELISA法抽检免疫蛋的特异性卵黄抗体(IgY)含量,收集抗体效价...