Effect of chloride on nitrite‐induced methaemoglobinemia in Atlantic sturgeon,Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus (Mitchill)

We evaluated the effects of chloride concentration on the clinical pathology in juvenile Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus (Mitchill), following semi‐static exposures to 1 mg L^?1 nitrite for 96 h. In spring water naturally low in chloride (5 mg L^?1), plasma nitrite concentrated to more than 40× environmental levels resulting in a severe methaemoglobinemia characterized by torpid behaviour, 30‐fold increase in methaemoglobin fraction, anaemia, leucopenia and hyperkalaemia. Loss of intracellular water and potassium to extracellular space may have resulted in hyperkalaemia and haemodilution. Fish survived nitrite exposure, but 60% of torpid fish died following capture and tissue sampling. Fish acclimated to 10‐fold higher chloride content (55 mg L^?1) did not concentrate nitrite in the plasma above environmental levels or develop methaemoglobinemia, but did exhibit similar haematology and plasma chemistry changes. Plasma nitrite returned to preexposure levels by 14 days following nitrite exposures, but severity of clinical pathology changes persisted or increased, suggesting that Atlantic sturgeon have reduced capacity to recover from methaemoglobinemia. Fish that survive methaemoglobinemia may be susceptible to mortality from the cumulative effects of intoxication, handling and other stresses for two or more weeks following nitrite remediation. Chloride buffering in aquaculture systems reduces the toxic effects of nitrite accumulation.     

Immunophysiology of Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus (Mitchill), and the relationship to parasitic copepod, Dichelesthium oblongum (Abilgaard) infection

The copepod parasite, Dichelesthium oblongum, is known to infect the Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus, within the area near New York city, USA, known as the NY Bight. The gross pathology associated with the juvenile and adult copepod stages along with the parasite's link in causing changes in sturgeon osmoregulatory capabilities has led us to investigate the host immunophysiology in relation to this host-parasite system. All the host variables, which included gill Na(+) -K(+) -ATPase activity, serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) and white blood cell differential counts, were affected in a non-linear manner by the copepod parasite. The parasites increased the host gill Na(+) -K(+) -ATPase activity and serum AP along with the percentage granulocytes while decreasing the percentage lymphocytes. A new method, developed to sample and preserve white blood cells in the field for future flow cytometry analysis, proved adequate. The effects of fish size, location and time of sampling were accounted for by the use of generalized linear models, and their effects on the host variables are discussed.     

可见植入荧光标记和编码金属标对达乌尔鳇标志效果的初步研究

2011年9月底至2012年5月,采用可见植入荧光标记(VIE)和编码金属标(CWT)标志全长为(28.06±1.79)cm的达乌尔鳇(Huso dauricus),检验了VIE和CWT的标志保持率及其对达乌尔鳇生长和存活的影响。结果显示,经过210 d实验,VIE标志达乌尔鳇吻部腹面,CWT标志达乌尔鳇背部前(第1～2块背骨板间下方肌肉)、中(第6～7块后背骨板间下方肌肉)、后(第11～12块背骨板间下方肌肉)的标志保持率分别为:95.83%、92.00%、92.59%、92.59%。实验中VIE出现破碎、脱落或迁移致使标志可识别性下降;CWT背部中这一标志部位操作最为简便。标志30 d,VIE标志组的保持率较CWT背部不同部位标志组及对照组低,且差异显著(P<0.05),此后31～210 d并无显著性差异。VIE和CWT背部不同部位标志对达乌尔鳇的生长无显著性差异。结果表明,VIE和CWT均可用于标志达乌尔鳇。进行短期大规模达乌尔鳇的标志放流可使用成本相对较低的VIE标志。     

Osmoregulation in juvenile Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)

The osmoregulation capabilities of juvenile Siberian sturgeon exposed to three experimental osmolalities (22, 250 and 387 mOsmol kg⁻¹) were studied over a 45-day period. Growth performance, haematological parameters, ion concentrations, gill and spiral valve Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activities, as well as gill and spiral valve histology, were measured. At the end of the period, the plasma osmolality of fish kept in 250 and 387 mOsmol kg⁻¹ was higher than that of fish kept in 22 mOsmol kg⁻¹. Similar trends were observed in electrolyte concentrations. Spiral valve and gill Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity varied with exposure time and environmental salinity. Shortly after being transferred to hyperosmotic media, spiral valve Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity fell, while gill Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity remained constant. At the end of the experiment, gill Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activities in fish kept in isosmotic and hyperosmotic media had increased in comparison to those of the control fish. Moreover, spiral valve Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activities recovered and were similar to those recorded in fish kept in hyposmotic environments. Although some of the morpho-physiological mechanisms were operational in juvenile Siberian sturgeon in their adaptation to hyperosmotic media, fish cannot be considered hyperosmotic regulators as they were unable to maintain their plasma osmolality and electrolyte equilibrium in salinities higher than 250 mOsmol kg⁻¹. This suggests that the culture of juvenile Siberian sturgeon in brackish environments is unlikely to be successful. However, our data indicate that in natural environments, juvenile Siberian sturgeon in migratory populations (Ob and Lena Rivers) would be able to migrate successfully into estuarine brackish grounds with a salinity of up to 9%. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

大豆浓缩蛋白对中华鲟幼鱼生长、血脂和体成分的影响研究

分别用大豆浓缩蛋白(SPC)替代饲料中0(R0,对照组),15%(R15),30%(R30)和45%(R45)的鱼粉蛋白,配制成4组等氮等能饲料,喂养(58.00±2.69)g中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)幼鱼10周,每组设3个重复,研究SPC对中华鲟幼鱼生长性能、饲料利用率,以及血脂和体成分的影响。结果显示,随替代比例的增加,中华鲟幼鱼的增重率(WG)、特定生长率(SGR)、饲料效率(FE)和蛋白质效率(PER)逐渐降低,肥满度和肝体指数无显著性差异(P>0.05)。FE在R30组出现显著差异(P<0.05),WG、SGR和PER在R45组出现显著性差异(P<0.05)。随替代比例的增加,血浆高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量无显著变化(P>0.05),胆固醇(CHOL)、甘油三脂(TG)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量逐渐降低。CHOL、TG和LDL-C含量在R30组出现显著差异(P<0.05)。随替代比例的增加,肌肉和肝脏水分逐渐升高,脂肪逐渐降低,蛋白含量无显著差异(P>0.05)。R30和R45组的肌肉和肝脏水分含量显著高于R0组(P<0.05),脂肪含量显著低于R0组(P<0.05)。结果表明:在本试验条件下,综合考虑生长性能、饲料利用、血脂和体成分等指标,中华鲟幼鱼饲料中SPC替代鱼粉蛋白的比例可达30%。     

Growth and physiological characteristics of juvenile Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) during adaptation to seawater

Mariculture is a new exploratory approach for ex situ conservation of Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis). In order to reveal the adaptability and physiological characteristics of cultured juvenile Chinese sturgeon in natural salinity environment, a 120‐day simulated catadromous migration experiment including 25‐day seawater acclimation and following 95‐day seawater (25‰) culture was carried out with 1.5‐year‐old Chinese sturgeons. Fish of seawater acclimation at four time points (days 0, 9, 17 and 25) and seawater culture at one time point (day 120) were sampled, and the growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical indicators were analysed. The results showed that the survival rate of seawater group throughout the experiment reached as high as 100%, and seawater culture significantly improved growth performance, the average weight and specific growth rate (SGR). Serum osmolality and ion concentrations (Na⁺ and Cl^?) were immediately increased at the beginning of seawater acclimation, but then maintained at a relatively stable level. White blood cell (WBC), serum total antioxidative capacity (T‐AOC) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) exhibited no significant change during the seawater acclimation, but after 3‐month seawater culture, these values of seawater group were significantly higher than those of freshwater group. Our results indicated that 1.5‐year‐old Chinese sturgeons had strong adaptability to seawater environment, and their growth performance and physiological characteristics including antioxidant capacity, and immunoregulatory capacity were improved after seawater acclimation.     

Observations on the natural history of the Gulf of Mexico sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus de sotoi Vladykov 1955) in the Suwannee River, southeastern United States

From 1986 to 1994, we collected 3,098 Gulf of Mexico sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus de sotoi) during their spring migration from the Gulf of Mexico to the Suwannee River, Florida. We estimated population size and described migratory and seasonal growth patterns of sturgeon in the Suwannee River, using data from tag returns, movement of ultrasonic-lagged fish and weight records. Population size estimates for 3.0- to 81.0-kg Gulf of Mexico sturgeon in the Suwannee River ranged from 1,504 to 3,066 fish. Sturgeon migrated from the Gulf of Mexico into the Suwannee River from mid-February to early May. Fish moved upstream and remained within a 2-km upstreamdownstream “home” area. These sites were closely associated with undenvater springs that discharge into the river. Sturgeon migrated downstream and into the Gulf of Mexico in October and November. In the Gulf of Mexico, ultrasonic-tagged fish were located in the Suwannee Sound area just north of Cedar Key, Florida. On an annual basis, fish gained an average of 20% of their body weight while in the Gulf of Mexico and lost about 12% of their weight during their stay in the Suwannee River. We observed movement of tagged sturgeon between the Suwannee and Apalachicola Rivers.     

Growth and Feed Conversion of Sub-Yearling Atlantic Sturgeon,Acipenser oxyrinchus,at Three Feeding Rates

Abstract

Growth and survival of fingerling Atlantic sturgeon, Aci-penser oxyrinchus, were examined at three different feed rates. Sturgeon (mean initial weight±SD of 28±12 g) were offered a closed-formula, commercially-available sturgeon diet (48.5% protein, 16.2% fat, 9.9% moisture, 7.6% ash, 0.5% fiber and 17.4% nitrogen free extract) via 24-hour, time-controlled feeders at rates of 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5% body weight per day (BW/day). Mean water temperature was 16.8°C. After 49 days of feeding, final length, final weight and feed conversion were all significantly affected by feeding rate (P ≤ 0.05). Peak feed conversion occurred at a ration of 1.5%, while maximum increase of both length and weight occurred at approximately 3.0%. No mortality occurred during the seven-week trial. The choice of feeding rates will ultimately depend upon production requirements and the culturist. Offering diet at a rate of 3.0% BW/day will result in significantly greater growth accompanied by high survival. Delivering diet at a rate of 1.5% BW/day will result in equally high survival and require approximately 50% less diet. It will, however, yield lower growth rates.     

Effects of feeding rates on growth performances of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) fries

Four 1‐week growth trials were conducted to determine the effects of feeding rates on the growth performances of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) fries 6–9 weeks after initiation of feeding. Six feeding rates with four replications were used in each of the four trials, and the feeding rates were 3.0–8.0, 2.0–7.0, 1.0–6.0 and 1.0–6.0% body weight (BW) per day in 1% increment, respectively. Number of fries per replicate and their initial BW (means ± SEM) were 60, 45, 30 and 30 and 2.8 ± 0.1, 4.5 ± 0.4, 8.5 ± 0.7 and 10.0 ± 0.7 g, respectively. The fries were kept at 18–19 °C and fed a commercial salmonid feed (488 g kg^?1 protein and 123 g kg^?1 fat). Mortality was low and unrelated to feeding rates. Final body weights, body weight increases, specific growth rates and feed efficiency were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the feeding rates. Body moisture and lipid contents were significantly affected by feeding rates except body moisture content in trial II. Body protein contents were not affected by feeding rates except in trial III. Broken‐line analysis on specific growth rates indicated that the optimum feeding rates were 6.5 ± 0.4, 4.8 ± 0.2, 4.2 ± 0.1 and 3.8 ± 0.2% body weight per day, respectively, for white sturgeon fries 6–9 weeks after initiation of feeding.     

Evaluation of visible implant elastomer tags for tagging juvenile gilthead seabream (Sparus auratus L.); effects on growth, mortality, handling time and tag loss

The use of the fluorescent visible implant elastomer (VIE) tagging system in juvenile gilthead seabream, Sparus auratus L., between 7 and 18 g was examined. Four different colours (red, green, orange and yellow), three body positions (dorsal, lateral and caudal) and two orientations (horizontal and vertical) were tested. The mean tag application time for each fish was 15.7±0.32 s. There was no mortality associated with the method of tagging. The most visible tag colour was red. Injection orientation had a significant effect on length, width, fragmentation and fluorescent intensity of the tag. Horizontal tagging is recommended because of high fluorescent intensity, low fragmentation and for double tagging. There were no differences in growth between untagged controls and the VIE‐tagged fish.     

Immunohistochemical investigation of the pituitary of the sturgeon (Acipenser baeri,Chondrostei)

An immunohistochemical study of the sturgeon (Acipenser baeri) pituitary was undertaken using antisera directed against hormones from various classes of vertebrates, including the only pituitary hormone available from sturgeon, gonadotrophin. A positive reaction was obtained after application of antisera towards the following hormones 1–24 synthetic ACTH (1-24 ACTH), melanophore stimulating hormone (MSH), ovine prolactin (oPRL), ovine growth hormone (oGH), salmon growth hormone (sGH), carp gonadotrophin (cGTH) and its beta subunit (cGTH), sturgeon gonadotrophin (aciGTH), carp thyrotrophin (cTSH) and subunit of the human thyrotrophin (hTSH). The results demonstrate that, in general, the sturgeon pituitary resembles that of teleosts as regards the distribution of the different cell types: ACTH and PRL cells in the rostral pars distalis, GTH, TSH and GH cells in the proximal pars distalis and MSH and PAS-cells in pars intermedia. In addition to the topographical organization of the sturgeon pituitary, this study provides data on the immunological relationships between sturgeon pituitary hormones and those of other vertebrates.     

The effect of feeding rate on the growth performance of green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) fry

Four one‐week growth trials were conducted on green sturgeon fry to determine the effect of feeding rate on their growth performance at 18 °C when they were fed a salmonid soft moist feeds containing 445–457 g kg^?1 of crude protein and 201–207 g kg^?1 of lipid. The fry used in Trials I‐IV were 5–8 weeks after their initiation of exogenous feeding. Their average initial body weights were 1.63 ± 0.01, 2.63 ± 0.03, 5.08 ± 0.08 and 7.49 ± 0.05 g, respectively. Six feeding rates used were as follows: 2.5–15.0% body weight per day (% BW day^?1) with a 2.5% increment in Trial I; 1.25–7.50% BW day^?1 with a 1.25% increment in Trial II; and 2.0–7.0% BW day^?1 with a 1.0% increment in Trials III and IV. Four replicates with 50 fry per tank in Trials I‐III and 30 fry per tank in Trial IV were assigned randomly to each feeding rates. The final body weight, specific growth rate, feed efficiency, protein retention, and whole‐body moisture, lipid, and energy contents were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the feeding rates. The optimum feeding rates determined by the broken‐line model were 7.1, 5.7 and 5.3% BW day^?1 for Trials I, II and IV, when the fry were 5, 6 and 8 weeks after their initiation of exogenous feeding, respectively.     

Dopaminergic influence on gonadotropin secretion in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

The effects of dopamine on the secretion of two sturgeon gonadotropins (stGTH I and stGTH II) in sexually mature male white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) were evaluated. In Experiment I, sturgeon were given intraperitoneal injections of physiological saline (PS), dopamine (100 mg kg⁻¹), the gonadotropin releasing hormone analog D-Ala⁶-des-Gly¹⁰-GnRH ethylamide (GnRHA) (10 μg/kg⁻¹), and a combination of GnRHa and dopamine. Fish receiving only GnRHa had significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of plasma stGTH I and stGTH II compared to fish receiving PS, dopamine, or a combination of GnRHa and dopamine. Two hours following its administration, dopamine was effective in decreasing plasma concentrations of both stGTHs that were previously elevated by GnRHa. Dopamine or PS administered by themselves did not alter plasma concentrations of either stGTH. In Experiment II, sturgeon injected intraperitoneally with a combination of GnRHa and pimozide had significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of plasma stGTH I and stGTH II compared to males receiving GnRHa or pimozide alone. While this effect of GnRHAa + pimozide was observed in the spring, no such potentiation was seen in these fish during the summer (Experiment III). These results represent the first evidence of dopaminergic inhibition of GnRH-induced pituitary gonadotropin secretion in Chondrostean fish.     

Evaluation of lethal and non-lethal sampling methods for the detection of white sturgeon iridovirus infection in white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus (Richardson)

Pectoral fin tissue of white sturgeon was investigated as a potential non-lethal sample source for the detection of white sturgeon iridovirus (WSIV) infection. Histopathology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results using fin tissue were compared with the standard lethal histopathology sampling method that utilizes head tissue. Tissues for each of the three sampling methods were collected weekly for 8 weeks from individual sturgeon undergoing an experimental cohabitation challenge with fish infected with the Abernathy isolate of WSIV. Non-lethal fin histopathological evaluation did not reveal infection during the first 3 weeks of sampling, while non-lethal PCR and the lethal method were variable. However, all three sampling methods were equally capable of identifying infection from 4 to 8 weeks post-exposure. Of the survivors tested, all were negative by PCR and the lethal method, and only one fish was identified as being positive by non-lethal fin histopathology. In another experiment, all three sampling methods were applied to asymptomatic WSIV carriers in a case study conducted at the Kootenai Tribal Sturgeon Conservation Hatchery. Results showed that both lethal and non-lethal fin histopathology were equally effective in detecting infection, but PCR was unable to identify this strain of WSIV. Depending on the virus isolate, these results suggest that non-lethal sampling of fin tissue (histopathology or PCR) is comparable with the lethal sampling method at identifying WSIV infection once infection is established, and under certain circumstances may provide an alternative to lethal sampling.     

饥饿期间中华鲟幼鱼血液与肝脏酶活力的变化

将中华鲟幼鱼持续饥饿43 d,每隔6 d采样1次,研究饥饿期间中华鲟幼鱼血液与肝脏7项酶活力指标的变化。结果表明,饥饿期间中华鲟幼鱼血液丙氨酸转氨酶活力波动范围为42.1~134.6 U/L,在第13天与第37天均出现显著下降;天冬氨酸转氨酶活力在饥饿19 d后出现下降,最低值与最高值分别为310.1±52.4 U/L与420.8±83.4 U/L;溶菌酶活力呈现上升趋势,饥饿43 d组与饥饿前期的4个组之间具有显著差异;总抗氧化能力在饥饿19 d后下降至较低水平,饥饿13 d组显著高于饥饿37 d组;肝脏Na+-K+-ATP酶活力在饥饿前期下降,在饥饿37 d后显著升高,与饥饿前期的4个组之间具有显著差异;乳酸脱氢酶活力在饥饿13 d后显著下降,波动范围为5.101~3.154 U/g;碱性磷酸酶活力呈现上升趋势,饥饿19~43 d的5个组显著高于饥饿1 d组。从总体上看,中华鲟幼鱼生理指标在饥饿19~25 d后产生较大变化,这可能与其新陈代谢与能量供应水平下降有关,在人工养殖与救护工作中应防止中华鲟幼鱼受到长期的饥饿胁迫。     

Effects of feeding a high level of D-glucose on liver function in juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

Juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) were fed three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing either 35% D-glucose (HC), a mixture of 20% dextrin and 10% cellulose (MC), or 23% cellulose (LC), to investigate the effects of dietary carbohydrate on liver function. After 8-week feeding, body weight gain of fish fed the HC diet was consistently higher than that of fish fed the MC and LC diets, but was not significantly different from the MC-fed fish. Fish fed the HC diet had significantly (p < 0.05) higher feed efficiencies and liver glycogen concentrations than fish fed the MC and LC diets. Sturgeon were injected intravenously with 10 mg kg^-1 body weight of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) and post-injection blood taken from the caudal vein at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min. No significant differences in plasma BSP concentrations were found among the treatments at these times. Plasma hemoglobin and activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase were not affected by the diets. This study suggests that the HC diet does not adversely affect liver function or weight gain. Inclusion of high dietary levels of digestible and inexpensive carbohydrates in commercial sturgeon feeds seems promising, but long-term feeding trials should be conducted to confirm this assertion.     

Estimating the ideal dietary indispensable amino acid pattern for growth of white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus (Richardson)

Juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus, Richardson) were fed or starved for 4 weeks, and their whole body amino acid composition determined at the beginning and the end of the study. The amino acid compositions of muscle, liver, gill and gastrointestinal tract, and the free amino acids in plasma of fed and starved fish were also determined. Very little variation was observed in the amino acid compositions of all the tissues examined after starvation. However, the plasma free amino acids were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased following starvation. On the basis of the amino acid composition and nitrogen retention values of the whole fish, daily indispensable amino acid requirements for protein accretion and obligatory nitrogen losses (mg amino acid 100 g body weighr^?1 day^?1) were estimated. The pattern of indispensable amino acids required for each of these is different, with the pattern for protein accretion containing much higher levels of lysine, but lower levels of tryptophan and sulfur amino acids. Individual amino acid retention rates varied from 33.3% of dietary tryptophan to 80.2% for arginine. The estimated dietary indispensable amino acid pattern for young growing white sturgeon (expressed as a percentage of total indispensable amino acids plus cystine and tyrosine) is: arginine, 14.0; histidine, 6.6; isoleucine, 8.8; leucine, 12.5; lysine, 15.8; methionine (plus cystine), 6.6; phenylalanine (plus tyrosine), 15.5; threonine, 9.7; tryptophan, 0.8; and valine, 9.7.     

Physiological responses to feed restriction and starvation in juvenile Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii (Brandt, 1869): Effects on growth,body composition and blood plasma metabolites

An 8‐week study was applied to evaluate the effects of feed restriction and starvation on growth, proximate composition, haematological and biochemical factors in juvenile Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii with an average weight of 54 ± 0.6 g. Fish were randomly divided into nine indoor tanks (1,050 L volume) with 30 fish per tank in a flow‐through system at 18 ± 0.4°C. Three feeding strategies were considered: I) fed at satiation (F), II) restricted feeding at the rate of 1% body weight per day (R) and III) starvation (S) each with 3 replicates. Fish were fed with commercial pellets 4 times daily, but no feed was considered for S group throughout the trial. Basal level at the start, 4 and 8 weeks after initiation of the experiment, blood samples were taken from 5 fish/tank to measure the haematological and biochemical parameters. Moreover, growth performance was recorded every 2‐week interval. At the end of the experiment, the growth parameters and proximate composition were significantly different among the treatments. As expected, the highest weight (164.7 ± 2.1 g) was observed in F group compared to R (101 ± 1.7 g), or S (42.4 ± 0.8 g) groups. The highest (12.07 ± 0.14%) and lowest (5.37 ± 0.42%) fat contents were observed in F and S groups, respectively, while the protein was not affected in R group compared with F group. In addition, most haematological and biochemical indices of Siberian sturgeon were affected by starvation at week 4 and 8, while few changes were observed in restricted feeding. The highest mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, plasma total protein, cholesterol and triglyceride was found in S group, while the lowest value of plasma glucose was observed in this group. It can be concluded that Siberian sturgeon adjusts the physiological condition in short‐term (4 weeks) feed restriction using stored metabolites to have basal metabolism and due to this, a short period of feed restriction strategy recommends to the optimum nutritional management of Siberian sturgeon to cost‐saving during unsuitable conditions.