斑点叉尾对全植物蛋白饲料的胃排空及消化道内容物特性研究

为研究斑点叉尾(鱼回)[体质量(115.55±7.54)g]对全植物蛋白饲料的胃排空,实验比较了3种常用数学模型对其排空曲线的拟合程度,同时探究了摄食过程中消化道内容物的水分、pH和消化酶的变化规律.结果发现,3种数学模型均可较好地描述斑点叉尾(鱼回)胃排空曲线,平方根模型最适于定量描述,指数模型次之,线性模型较差.根据平方根模型分别计算得到斑点叉尾(鱼回)胃50％排空时间为12.8 h(以干重计),完全排空约36 h.在摄食后0～36 h内,内容物水分含量在后肠保持不变,在胃部呈缓慢上升趋势,而在前肠和中肠则呈先上升后下降趋势.消化道各段内容物pH在摄食后3h内均显著下降,3～30 h间总体保持平稳状态,在30 h后又呈显著上升趋势.消化道各段蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶比活力在摄食3h内显著上升,并在3～30 h内保持相对稳定水平,摄食30 h后呈显著下降趋势.整个摄食过程中,消化道各段消化酶比活力大小依次为前肠＞中肠＞后肠＞胃.研究表明,斑点叉尾(鱼回)在摄食过程中,消化道各段内容物的水分、pH和消化酶比活力均随时间呈现相应的规律性变化.而这些内环境参数的相互作用,综合影响了特定胃排空时间的形成.     

Effect of phytase supplementation of a plant‐based diet on phosphorus and nitrogen bioavailability in sea bream Sparus aurata

To assess to what extent addition of phytase to a plant‐based diet results in spatio‐temporal changes of phytate, available P, soluble protein, total amino acids and the activity of the main digestive proteases in gilthead sea bream, fish were fed two plant‐based diets with or without phytase. Stomach, proximal intestine and distal intestine contents were monitored for these parameters at 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after feeding. A reduction (P < 0.0001) of the soluble P–IP6 in the stomach when phytase was added to the diet was observed. Within stomach, most of the total P–IP6 was precipitated (86%), possibly due to the low acidification capacity of the sea bream (pH > 4), but 57% of the dietary P–IP6 was dephosphorylated, suggesting that phytase could have the capacity to dephosphorylate insoluble IP6 at such pH. An increment (60%) (P < 0.01) in total gastric protease activity was observed by phytase addition, this being the first demonstration of the in vivo effect of IP6 on the pepsin activity in fish stomach. Gastric pH and residence time of the digesta inside the stomach are critical factors for an efficient phytase action and improve P and N bioavailability in plant‐based diets used in fish aquaculture.     

Effects of Fungal Phytase on Utilization of Dietary Protein and Minerals, and Dephosphorylation of Phytic Acid in the Alimentary Tract of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Fed an All-Plant-Protein Diet

A feeding trial was conducted to quantify the effects of phytase at levels of 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000 units (U) per kg diet on utilization of dietary protein and minerals by fingerling (12 g) channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus fed an all‐plant‐protein diet composed of soybean meal, corn, and wheat middlings. The effects of phytase on dephosphorylation of phytic acid (phytate) in the alimentary tract of catfish also were determined. After 14 wk, mean weight gains (30.2–43.9 g/fish), feed conversion ratios (2.27–2.40 g feed consumed/g weight gain), protein efficiency ratios (1.47–1.61 g weight gaid/g protein consumed), and dietary protein retentions (23.8–26.7%) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among treatment groups. A digestibility trial conducted after the feeding trial showed no difference (P > 0.05) in mean digestibility of diet dry matter (49.0–58.3%) or crude protein (85.4‐88.5%) among treatment groups. Concentrations of ash (46.7–48.6%), calcium (Ca, 17.9–18.5%), phosphorus (P, 9.1–9.5%), and manganese (Mn, 65.5–74.1 mg/kg) were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in bone of fish fed ≥ 500 U/kg than in bone of fish fed 0 U/kg (ash, 43.5%; Ca, 16.4%; P, 8.4%; and Mn, 49.0 ma/kg), but concentrations of these minerals did not differ (P > 0.05) in bone of fish fed ≥ 500 Uk/g. The magnesium (Mg) content of bone did not differ (P > 0.05) between fish fed 0 U/kg (0.29%) or 500 U/kg (0.34%), but was significantly lower in fish fed 0 U/kg than in fish fed ≥ 1,000 U/kg (0.35–37%). Bone Mg levels did not differ (P > 0.05) among fish fed ≥ 500 U/kg. The amount of zinc (Zn) in bone of fish fed 8,000 U/kg (153.3 mg/kg) was significantly higher than that in fish fed 0 U/kg (115.7 mg/kg) or 500 U/kg (130.3 mg/ kg), but did not differ from Zn levels in bone of fish fed 1,000–4,000 U/kg (134.5–135.8 mg/ kg). Dephosphorylation of phytate occurred primarily in the stomach within 2–8 h after diet ingestion, depending on the level of phytase supplementation. Initial levels of total phytate in the diet decreased 32–94% in stomach contents of fish fed l,000–8,000 U/kg within 2 h after feeding. Eight hours after feeding, stomach contents of fish fed ≥ 1,000 U/kg contained less than 6% of initial total dietary phytate. Stomach contents of fish fed 500 U/kg retained 92% of initial total dietary phytate 2 h after feeding and 15% of total dietary phytate 8 h after feeding. Results of this study indicate that phytase supplementation at levels up to 8,000 U/kg diet did not increase weight gain or improve dietary protein utilization of channel catfish fed an all‐plant‐protein diet. Addition of phytase at a level of 1,000 U/kg diet was sufficient to significantly increase the Ca, P, Mg, and Mn content of bone, relative to fish fed an unsupplemented diet, and significantly decrease the quantity of total phytate in feces. A phytase level of 8,000 U/kg diet significantly increased the bioavailability of naturally occurring Zn in feed ingredients and increased the rate of phytate dephosphorylation in the stomach, compared with a diet containing no added phytase. Increased utilization of naturally occurring minerals in feed ingredients reduces the need for mineral supplements in diets and results in decreased elimination of minerals in feces. Thus, use of phytase in catfish feeds can be expected to provide both economic and environmental benefits.     

Partial characterization and activity distribution of proteases along the intestine of grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.)

A series of studies based on biochemical assays and electrophoretical observations has been conducted in order to investigate activity distributions and partially characterize various types of proteinases in the digestive tract of grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.). The casein digestion assays revealed that the presence of acidic proteinase had the highest activity at pH 2.5–3.0 and the alkaline proteinases at pH 10.0. The acidic proteinase activity distribution was found to decrease gradually from the oesophagus to the anus. Pepstatin A and EDTA inhibited the acidic proteinases activity. The SDS‐substrate‐PAGE showed that crude extraction of grass carp intestine contained an acidic proteinase active component with molecular mass of 28.5 ku. The substrate‐PAGE at neutral pH condition showed the presence of two acidic proteinase active components. The activity distribution of alkaline proteinase was found to slightly fluctuate along the intestine. And the whole intestine had very high activity. The inhibition assays and substrate specificity assays showed that trypsin was the main active component of the alkaline proteinases. The SDS‐substrate‐PAGE further showed that the crude extraction of grass carp intestine had four types of alkaline proteinase with molecular mass of 26.4, 30.8, 43.0 and 105.0 ku respectively. They were characterized to be trypsin (26.4, 30.8 and 43.0 ku) and un‐serine proteinase (105.0 ku) respectively. No chymotrypsin was detected.     

Intestinal phytase I: Detection and preliminary characterization of activity in the intestinal brush border membrane of hybrid striped bass Morone saxatilis × M. chrysops

While numerous studies have evaluated intestinal phytase activity in terrestrial monogastric species, little work has been conducted investigating the enzyme's activity in finfish. This experiment was conducted to determine if hybrid striped bass Morone saxatilis × M. chrysops possess intestinal phytase activity, and to perform a preliminary characterization of this activity in terms of pH, metal ion dependence and substrate kinetics. Hybrid bass do exhibit low levels of intestinal phytase activity. The activity has an acidic pH optimum between 3.5 and 4.5. Low concentrations of Mn²⁺ slightly enhance this activity. The divalent cations Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ were shown to either have no effect on the enzyme activity or to be inhibitory, particularly at high concentrations. The present results indicate that intestinal phytase activity in hybrid bass does follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with estimated K_m and V_max values of 2.5 mM phytate and 4.8 units mg⁻¹ protein, respectively. The physiologic significance of the enzyme's presence in hybrid striped bass is questionable due to the low activity as compared to terrestrial monogastrics, the acidic pH optimum and the low affinity the enzyme appears to have for phytate. These observations also raise the question of whether the intestinal phytase activity detected in hybrid bass is merely a manifestation of non-specific acid phosphatase activity. Further investigation is needed to determine the practical significance of phytase activity in hybrid bass in terms of phytate phosphorus utilization. Additional experiments should also be conducted which evaluate intestinal phytase activity in other important aquacultured finfish species. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Combined effect of dietary protein and phytase levels on growth performance,feed utilization,and nutrients digestibility of African catfish,Clarias gariepinus (B.), reared in earthen ponds

The present study was based on a 2 × 4 factorial design with two levels of dietary protein (33% or 37% CP) and four phytase levels (0.0, 750, 1,000, and 1,250 FTU/kg diet). African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.) (10.7 ± 0.4 g), were distributed into earthen ponds (100 m² surface area per each) at a density of 4.5 fish per m². Fish were fed on the experimental diets up to satiation twice a day for 3 months. Another experiment with the same treatments was conducted in 45-L tanks for 2 months to evaluate nutrient retention and digestibility. The growth and production of African catfish fed phytase-enriched diets were higher than those fed the control diet. The highest fish performance and production was observed with fish fed 37% CP enriched with a 1,200 FTU/kg diet of phytase. Feed intake was significantly affected by supplemental phytase alone, where it increased significantly as dietary phytase increased at both protein levels, resulting in similar FCR values (1.31–1.46). Additionally, the maximum values of protein efficiency ratio, protein retention, and phosphorus retention were obtained at 33% CP with phytase levels of 750–1,000 FTU/kg diet. It is also noticed that organic matter, protein, and phosphorus were more digestible in fish fed a 37% CP diet with high phytase levels. These results suggest that the optimum performance and production of African catfish were observed at a 37.0% CP diet enriched with a phytase level of 1,200 FTU/kg diet.     

Effect of phytic acid and phytase on feed intake, growth, digestibility and trypsin activity in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.)

In the majority of experiments, the effects of phytic acid (with or without phytase) are not separated from the effects of adding plant meals containing phytic acid. A 12‐week experiment was conducted with Atlantic salmon (28.9 g) to determine the separate and combined effects of phytic acid and phytase on feed intake, trypsin activity, digestibility and growth. Diets were prepared without phytic acid and phytase; with 2000 U phytase kg^?1 diet; with 10 g sodium phytate kg^?1 diet; and with 10 g sodium phytate and 2000 U phytase kg^?1 diet. The basal diet contained sufficient phosphorus and other minerals to meet salmonid requirements. The addition of phytic acid had no significant effect on feed intake or weight gain, it significantly (P < 0.05) reduced protein digestibility although there was no reduction in trypsin activity. Phytase inclusion neutralized the effect of phytic acid on protein digestibility. Phytase had no effect on feed intake but significantly enhanced growth whether included with or without phytic acid. Feed efficiency ratio was significantly improved for fish fed the diet containing both phytase and phytic acid but not separately. The significance of this experiment was to separate the direct effects of phytase and the direct effects of phytic acid, added in a pure form, from effects due to other components in ingredients containing phytic acid.     

Use of Microbial Phytase in Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Diets to Improve Utilization of Phytate Phosphorus1

A 10-wk feeding trial was conducted in the laboratory during which channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (average initial weight: 6.5 g/fish) were fed five practical diets containing either 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 units of microbial phytase/kg diet. Fish fed diets containing 500 or more units of microbial phytase/kg consumed more feed and gained more weight than fish fed the basal diet without supplemental phytase. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) did not differ among treatments except the FCR for fish fed 1,000 units of microbial phytase/kg diet was lower than that of fish fed no supplemental phytase. Fish survival was not different among treatments. Contrast analysis showed that weight gain, feed consumption, bone ash, and bone phosphorus were higher and feed conversion ratio was lower for fish fed diets supplemented with phytase as compared to fish fed no supplemental phytase. The concentration of fecal phosphorus decreased linearly as phytase supplementation increased. Results from this study demonstrate that microbial phytase is effective in improving bioavailability of phytate phosphorus to channel catfish, which may eventually lead to a reduction in the amount of supplemental phosphorus added to commercial channel catfish feeds.     

Microbial Phytase Can Replace Inorganic Phosphorus Supplements in Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Diets1

Abstract.– Juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (initial weight: 6.8 g/fish) were fed four practical diets containing 0, 250, 500, and 750 units of microbial phytase/kg and a diet containing 1% feed grade dicalcium phosphate (but no microbial phytase) under laboratory conditions for 12 wk. Fish fed the diets containing 250 units of microbial phytase/kg and above consumed more feed, gained more weight, and had a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) in comparison to fish fed the basal diet containing no microbial phytase. Fish fed the diet containing dicalcium phosphate had intermediate weight gain and feed conversion ratio as compared to fish fed the basal diet and diets containing microbial phytase. Bone ash and phosphorus concentrations were lower for fish fed the basal diet than for fish fed other diets. No differences in weight gain, feed consumption, FCR, bone ash and bone phosphorus were observed among fish fed the diets containing various levels of microbial phytase. Fish fed the diet containing dicalcium phosphate had a lower bone phosphorus concentration than fish fed diets containing microbial phytase. Fecal phosphorus concentrations were lower for fish fed the diets containing microbial phytase than for fish fed the basal diet and the diet containing dicalcium phosphate. Results from the present study indicated that addition of 250 units of microbial phytase/kg to practical diets can effectively improve bioavailability of phytate phosphorus to channel catfish and may possibly eliminate the use of an inorganic phosphorus supplement in channel catfish diets. However, these data must be verified in trials conducted in ponds, prior to recommending removal of supplemental phosphorus from channel catfish diets.     

Digestive enzyme responses of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fed on different levels of protein and lipid

The adaptation of digestive proteases, amylase and lipase was studied in tambaqui fed with 350, 253, 301 and 205 g kg^?1 of crude protein, and 49, 81, 113 and 145 g kg^?1 of lipid, in isocaloric diets. Digestive protease increased when dietary protein increased in stomach, where the highest specific activity was observed. Unspecific protease activity in intestine was very low. Lipase was observed throughout the gastrointestinal tract, and higher activities were observed in the stomach. However, pyloric caecum and the anterior and posterior intestines were the responsive sections to the dietary lipid. Amylase was detected throughout the gastrointestinal tract, but pyloric caecum was the most relevant amylase producer. Positive correlations were observed between anterior intestine lipase versus dietary lipid and pyloric caecum amylase versus dietary protein. Tambaqui is responsive to the food composition adapting the main digestive enzymes to the best profile.     

Zinc supplementation of practical channel catfish diets

A 10-week feeding trial was conducted with fingerling channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus to determine the supplemental zinc level needed in a practical catfish diet. As phytic acid has been demonstrated to reduce zinc bioavailability, diets in this study were formulated to contain a relatively high level of phytic acid as compared to most commercial catfish diets. Incremental levels of zinc (as ZnO) were added to a soybean meal-based diet which contained 54 mg Zn/kg dry diet and 1.1% phytic acid. Catfish growth and feed efficiency were not improved with zinc supplementation. Serum zinc concentration did not increase significantly above a supplemental zinc level of 100 mg Zn/kg diet; whereas, bone zinc concentration plateaued at the 150 mg/kg supplemental zinc level and above. Based on these data a supplemental zinc level of 150 mg Zn/kg diet is recommended for practical catfish feeds to provide enough available zinc to the channel catfish.     

许氏平鮋消化道中部分消化酶的研究

对许氏平 (Sebastesschlegeli)消化道内的 5种与消化吸收有关的酶进行分布和活性测定。结果表明 ,(1)肠道各段均具很高碱性磷酸酶活性 ,最适 pH为 9.7。食道和胃几乎没有碱性磷酸酶活性。 (2 )消化道各部位均含酸性磷酸酶 ,肠道活性最高 ,自幽门盲囊起依次递降。食道和胃酸性磷酸酶活性明显低于肠 ,胃和肠酸性磷酸酶的最适 pH均为 5 .3。 (3)肠道中羧酸酯酶活性明显高于胃 ,且 2者羧酸酯酶最适 pH差别较大 ,分别为 8.4和 6 .8。(4)胃蛋白酶活性明显高于肠道 ,胃蛋白酶最适pH为 2 .6 ,肠蛋白酶最适 pH为 9.4。 (5 )胃淀粉酶活性明显低于肠道 ,胃淀粉酶最适 pH为 4 .6 ,肠道淀粉酶最适pH为 7.0。这表明许氏平对蛋白质的初步消化在胃中进行 ,在肠中进一步消化和吸收 ,而对糖类和脂类的消化和吸收主要在肠道进行     

卵形鲳鲹消化酶活性的研究ⅢpH对幼鱼和成鱼消化酶活性的影响

研究了pH对卵形鲳鲹幼鱼和成鱼3种主要消化酶(蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶)活力的影响。实验用鱼暂养7 d后解剖取样,在设计的10个酶反应pH值(2.2,3.2,4.2,5.2,6.2,7.2,8.0,8.6,9.6,10.6)下测定消化酶活力。结果表明:卵形鲳鲹胃内pH为强酸性,幼鱼肠内为中性偏酸性,肝、幽门盲囊和成鱼肠内为中性偏弱碱性。胃蛋白酶的最适pH值幼鱼为2.2,成鱼为3.2;肝、幽门盲囊和肠的蛋白酶活性最适pH值幼鱼为7.2,成鱼为8.0。淀粉酶活性的最适pH值幼鱼为8.0,成鱼为8.6。脂肪酶活性的最适pH值均为弱酸性,幼鱼和成鱼均为6.2。卵形鲳鲹幼鱼和成鱼3种相同消化酶活性的变化趋势相似,并以胃蛋白酶、肠淀粉酶、肠脂肪酶的活力最高。     

The Influence of Ovarian Fluid pH of Stripped Unfertilized Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Eggs on the Hatching Success of Channel Catfish ♀ x Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus♂, Hybrid Catfish Eggs

This study was designed to determine the effect of ovarian fluid pH of stripped unfertilized channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, eggs on fertilization and hatch rate of channel catfish ♀ x blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus♂, hybrid catfish eggs. A significant correlation was established between ovarian fluid pH of stripped channel catfish eggs and hybrid embryo hatch rate (R² = 0.75, P = 0.01), suggesting ovarian fluid pH of stripped catfish eggs prior to fertilization can be predictive of the hatching success of hybrid catfish embryos. These data were used to categorize pH of stripped eggs: pH <7.0 as “low pH eggs,” pH 7.0–7.4 as “medium pH eggs,” or pH >7.4 as “high pH eggs” quality eggs. The range in percent hatch rate for these pH categories was <15%, 15–30%, and >30%, respectively. Higher calcium concentrations during incubation do not appear to improve hatching success of “low pH eggs.” The predictive model presented herein describes a quick method for evaluating stripped catfish eggs for hybrid fry production in catfish hatcheries.     

pH对大眼鳜和翘嘴鳜蛋白酶活性的影响

研究了不同pH值对大眼鳜消化道不同部位蛋白酶活性的影响及在最适pH条件下与翘嘴鳜消化道蛋白酶活力的差异。结果表明,大眼鳜消化道不同部位蛋白酶的活性强弱顺序为:幽门盲囊>胃>前肠>后肠,其最适pH分别是:10.4、2.8、9.5、10.1。翘嘴鳜的胃和幽门盲囊蛋白酶活力明显高于大眼鳜(P<0.01),而肠的蛋白酶活力略低,差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

Effects of Dietary Supplements on Growth Performance and Phosphorus Waste Production of Australian Catfish,Tandanus tandanus,Fed with Diets Containing Soybean Meal as Fishmeal Replacement

Effects of dietary phytase, amino acid (AA), and inorganic phosphorus (P) in soybean meal (SBM) diets on the growth, feed utilization, and P waste of Australian catfish, Tandanus tandanus, were evaluated. In Experiment 1, SBM replaced 30% of fishmeal (FM) protein in the four test diets, supplemented with phytase (1000–3000 FTU/kg). In Experiment 2, SBM replaced 45% of FM protein in the four test diets, supplemented with phytase, AAs, inorganic P, or their combinations. Inclusion of 3000 FTU/kg significantly improved growth performance and feed utilization of catfish. Ortho‐P waste was significantly lower in fish fed with SBM diets. At 30% FM protein replacement, dietary SBM did not reduce the total P waste of catfish while dietary phytase significantly did. At 45% FM protein replacement, phytase alone did not significantly improve the growth and feed utilization of catfish fed with SBM diets while significantly better results were obtained when both phytase and AAs were supplemented. Dietary inclusion of inorganic P significantly decreased P utilization and increased P waste of the fish. Dietary phytase significantly improved P utilization of catfish in both experiments.     

Purification and characterization of stomach protease from the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

Proteolytic activity in the different parts of the digestive tract of the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) were studied in this work. One pure protease was isolated from turbot stomach and its behavior was studied. Results showed the optimum pH for proteases in the different parts of the digestive tract of the turbot were pH 2.0 for the stomach, pH 8.0 for the pylorus cecum, pH 8.0 for the foregut, pH 8.5 for the midgut, and pH 8.0 for the hindgut. The activity of proteases in the different parts of the digestive tract were in the sequence pylorus cecum protease > stomach protease > foregut protease > midgut protease > hindgut protease. The stomach protease was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and column chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose F.F. and Sephadex G-100. The purified enzyme gave a single band in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Its molecular weight was found to be approximately 42,000 Da. The enzyme is stable at pH 1.0–9.0 and at temperatures below 40°C. Its activity was maximum at pH 2.0 and 40°C. When reaction time was prolonged the optimum temperature of the enzyme tended to decline. The enzyme was activated by Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ and inactivated by Fe³⁺. It was fully inhibited by pepstatin and partially inhibited by PMSF, TPCK, PCMB, and NBS. These results imply the enzyme is a pepsin.     

Ontogeny of the digestive tract in butter catfish Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch) larvae

The ontogeny of the digestive tract was studied histologically in butter catfish Ompok bimaculatus from hatching to 30?days post-hatching (dph). At hatching, the digestive tract of butter catfish consisted of a straight tube with a smooth lumen dorsally attached to the yolk sac. Between 1 and 2 dph, the mouth opened, oral valves were visible and canine-like teeth and taste buds were detected. During this period, intestine was differentiated into the anterior and posterior intestine, and the digestive accessory glands were also developed. Exogenous feeding started at 2?dph, and there was a 2-day mixed endogenous–exogenous feeding period. Most of the yolk sac reserves were consumed between 2 and 3 dph, and by 5?dph, the yolk sac was completely depleted and no longer visible in histological sections. Between 3 and 4 dph, several vacuoles (neutral lipids) were observed in the intestine and also in hepatocytes, indicating a functional absorption of nutrients from food. At 8 dph, differentiation of gastric glands was noticed, and by 9–11?dph, there were abundant gastric tubular glands arranged along numerous longitudinal folds. During the same period, pyloric sphincter appeared as an epithelial fold that separated the stomach from the anterior intestine. From 12 dph to the end of the study at 30?dph, no noticeable histological modifications were observed. The development of gastric glands is considered as the last major events in digestive tract development and their presence designates the end of larval period and the onset of the juvenile period. Hence, it is suggested that, butter catfish larvae have a morphologically complete digestive tract by 12?dph. These findings on the development of the digestive system in butter catfish may lead to a better understanding of the ontogeny and would be useful to improve the larval rearing techniques of this promising catfish species for freshwater aquaculture diversification.     

Histologic changes in channel catfish,Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque,fed diets containing graded levels of gossypol–acetic acid

A study was performed to evaluate the histologic changes among fingerling channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, fed purified diets containing gossypol from gossypol–acetic acid. The catfish were maintained on diets with 0, 300, 600, 900, 1200 or 1500 mg gossypol kg^?1 diet for 12 weeks, and histologic samples from the stomach, proximal and distal intestines, pancreas, liver, and spleen were obtained from fish in all groups. Stomach sections exhibited significant gastric gland necrosis in fish fed 600 mg gossypol kg^?1 diet or higher. Non‐existent‐to‐mild enterocyte vacuolization loss, inflammatory cell infiltration, and hyperplastic lamina propria were noted in the intestinal sections from gossypol‐fed fish, but no significant differences in severity scores were noted. The pancreas from fish fed doses of gossypol above 600 mg gossypol kg^?1 diet exhibited significant mild‐to‐severe necrosis, and livers from fish fed 900 and 1500 mg gossypol kg^?1 diet exhibited significantly higher pigment deposition. No other significant histologic differences were observed in the fish fed diets containing gossypol–acetic acid. The data in this study indicates that at least 600–900 mg gossypol kg^?1 purified diet can cause statistically significant histologic changes in fingerling channel catfish, suggesting that gossypol should remain at concentrations below 600 mg gossypol kg^?1 diet.     

Digestive protease characterization, localization and adaptation in blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra Leach)

Digestive protease in blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra Leach) from whole gut extracts was found to have dual pH optima at pH 3 and 10 and an optimum temperature of 45 °C. Over the biologically relevant range of pH (5–8), protease activity dropped to a minimum at pH 5 (53% of the maximal rate at pH 3) rising gradually and continuously up to (and beyond) pH 8. Over the biologically relevant range of temperatures (9–24 °C), protease activity increased continuously with activity at 24 °C being 75% higher than activity at 9 °C. Protease digestion was relatively uniform in gut extracts from sections containing gut contents. Digestion thus appears to be significantly extracellular (in the lumen of the gut). Analysis of gut sections washed free of food matter suggests the anatomical origin of protease from activity of gut regions in the order: digestive gland » salivary gland ≈ stomach > crop > intestine > upper oesophagus. Whole gut protease levels did not alter in response to a high protein artificial diet.