Effect of supplemental taurine on juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus growth performance

Juvenile channel catfish (5.6 g/fish) were fed a basal diet that contained major protein (soybean meal, cottonseed meal) and energy (ground corn grain, wheat middlings) ingredients that were derived from plant sources. The basal diet was supplemented with three levels of crystalline taurine to provide 1, 2 and 5 g/kg taurine. In addition, a fifth diet that contained 80 g/kg menhaden fishmeal formulated with the same plant‐source ingredients was included as the positive control diet. Fish were fed the five diets once daily for 12 weeks. Weight gain was highest in catfish fed taurine at 2 g/kg (47.8 g/fish) compared to catfish fed the control basal diet (40.8 g/fish) and 80 g/kg fishmeal diet (41.1 g/fish) (p < .05). Among the taurine‐supplemented diets, weight gain was lowest in catfish fed taurine at 5 g/kg. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in fish fed diets supplemented with taurine at 2 g/kg compared to all other treatments (p < .01). Survival during the growth study ranged from 98.0 to 99.0% (p > .05) for all treatments. The results suggest taurine supplementation to juvenile channel catfish may improve weight gain and FCR.     

Reduced fishmeal allowance with constant protein input for juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus

In this study, we evaluated different dietary fishmeal and protein levels on growth performance, intestinal structure and intestinal microbial community of juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. A total of 1800 fish distributed into 36 tanks were fed with nine different diets containing three protein levels (300, 330 and 360 g/kg) with three fishmeal (FM) levels (0, 30 and 60 g/kg) for 90 days. The results showed that significant interactions between the protein level and FM level were observed in final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities. The significant lowest FW, WG, Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase and AKP activities were observed in fish fed with no fishmeal and 300 g/kg protein dietary while the highest were shown in 60 g/kg fishmeal and 330 g/kg protein treatment. Additionally, the microvillar length of the mid‐intestine in catfish was significantly affected by the interaction between dietary protein level and fishmeal level. The intestinal samples were dominated by three major phyla, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria. Genera Romboutsia and Turicibacter accounted for probably 800 g/kg of the phylum Firmicutes; meanwhile, genus Cetobacterium represented more than 900 g/kg of the phylum Fusobacteria. In conclusion, this study indicated that channel catfish juveniles can be fed with a practical diet without fishmeal as long as the protein level increased to 360 g/kg; however, if the percentage of dietary protein was 300 g/kg, it seemed that fishmeal need to be supplied as a protein source.     

斑点叉尾鳃健康养殖技术

斑点叉尾回属鲇形目回科鱼类,自然分布于美国中北部和加拿大南部各江河流域,肉间细刺少且营养丰富、肉质鲜美.为美国主要淡水养殖鱼类之一,具有生长快、抗病力强、食性杂、易垂钓等特点.80年代被引进我国,现已在我国部分地区开展养殖,希望以此文推动业界对这一品种的重视和开发.     

Susceptibility of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fed with dietary sodium chloride to nitrite toxicity

Juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were fed with nutritionally complete, basal diets supplemented with NaCl at 0, 10, 20 or 40 g kg^?1 diet (0, 1, 2, or 4%) to apparent satiation twice daily for 10 weeks. Catfish were exposed to nitrite after six (7.70 mg L^?1 nitrite‐N) and ten (7.18 mg L^?1 nitrite‐N) weeks of feeding to determine the effect of dietary NaCl supplementation on resistance to nitrite toxicity. Fish were sampled before (baseline, pre‐exposure) and after 24‐h nitrite exposure to determine the effects of dietary NaCl on haematology (haematocrit, haemoglobin and methaemoglobin) and plasma electrolyte dynamics (nitrite, chloride, sodium and potassium). Mortality from nitrite toxicity was also determined. Mortality from nitrite exposure tended to decrease with increasing NaCl in the diet at 6 weeks and was significantly lower in the 40 g kg^?1 NaCl group (12.5%) compared to the control group (57.5%). A similar trend in mortality occurred at 10 weeks as well; however, the differences among dietary treatments were not significant. The improvements in blood MetHb (non‐significant), chloride and nitrite levels in catfish may at least in part be responsible for the improved survival after nitrite exposure, which trended in support of the prevailing hypotheses for the positive effects of NaCl on nitrite toxicity.     

Nutriphysiological and cytological responses of juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) to dietary oxidized fish oil

An 86‐day growth trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary oxidized fish oil on the growth and cytopathology of juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Four diets containing 0 g kg^?1 (control: fresh fish oil), 30 g kg^?1 (low‐oxidized oil group), 60 g kg^?1 (medium‐oxidized oil group) and 90 g kg^?1 (high‐oxidized oil group) graded oxidized oil levels with the same dietary lipid level (90 g kg^?1 diet) were evaluated. The results show that the specific growth rate decreased with increasing dietary oxidized oil level (P < 0.05). All examined liver and kidney tissues in all dose groups exhibited what appeared as dose‐dependent cellular modifications. In addition, lipid droplet accumulation in the hepatocytes of fish in all dose groups was increased, and their localizations were distinctly different between all dose groups. The ultrastructural changes suggest the progression of mitochondrial vacuolation, especially in the renal tubules, in all dose groups. These results reveal a previously underappreciated effect of dietary oxidized fish oil on channel catfish kidneys. Overall, a series of nutriphysiological responses were adversely affected by exposure to dietary oxidized fish oil, and the corresponding interference patterns on the metabolism and transport of nutrients within cells were observed.     

Histological effects of prolonged sublethal hypoxia on channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Abstract. A vacuum degassing apparatus was used to subject channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) to sublethal hypoxia for 24, 48 or 72 h. Spleen, liver, gills, anterior kidney and posterior kidney from the catfish exhibited histopathological changes that included necrosis, hyperaemia, oedema, haemorrhage, hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Of the organs examined, gills were most affected by the hypoxic conditions. After 5 days of reacclimatization to normoxic conditions, channel catfish continued to exhibit histopathological effects of prolonged hypoxia.     

Vibriosis in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Abstract. An epizootic due to Vibrio anguillarum was observed in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Lesions in infected fish included ulceration and petechiae on body surfaces, vent and caudal peduncle. Internally, haemorrhages in liver and kidney were present and the intestinal tract was filled with a clear viscous fluid. Using an isolant recovered during the epizootic, laboratory studies were conducted to determine (a) bacterial dynamics of the agent in blood, kidney and liver and (b) clinical haematologic and biochemical parameters in infected fish. Under conditions of the study, vibrios were apparently sequestered in kidney and liver during initial stages of infection (8–12 h after exposure). Later, bacterial numbers in blood were comparable to those in kidney and liver. Clinical parameters of infected catfish were suggestive of cellular and tissue destruction and renal dysfunction. Based upon data of the present study and those of others, vibriosis appears to be a disease in which the agent is localized in select tissues. Secondary septicaemia may be incidental to factors which compromise host defences.     

Plasma citrulline and arginine kinetics in juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, given oral gabaculine

Experiments with young mammals have indicated that renal arginine synthesis is a major endogenous source of this amino acid. The kidney readily synthesizes arginine from intestinally derived citrulline, which is produced from glutamate, the so-called intestinal-renal axis. The present experiment was conducted to ascertain whether or not citrulline and arginine are synthesized in channel catfish via this pathway by administering gabaculine, an effective inhibitor of ornithine aminotransferase, and then monitoring circulating levels of arginine, citrulline, glutamate and ornithine. A conditioning diet was fed to apparent satiation to triplicate groups of channel catfish initially averaging 150 g/fish. After 2 weeks of acclimation, fish were lightly anesthetized with MS-222 and were intubated with a gelatin capsule containing gabaculine (3 mg/kg body weight) in one dose. Then, 24 and 48 h after gabaculine treatment, blood plasma was obtained and analyzed for amino acids via HPLC. Oral gabaculine administration significantly (p < 0.05) decreased plasma concentrations of citrulline (–41.8%) and arginine (–8.9%). It also increased (p < 0.05) plasma glutamine (+17.5%) and ornithine (+256.6%). A reasonable explanation for the increase in plasma glutamine and the decrease in citrulline and arginine is offered by the inhibition of glutamine degradation and a decrease in synthesis of citrulline caused by gabaculine. Results of this experiment suggest that endogenous synthesis of citrulline occurs in channel catfish, most likely at the small intestine, and it may serve as a de novo source of arginine. Therefore, the physiological needs of fish tissues and organs for arginine appear to be met via both dietary arginine and the endogenous synthesis of this amino acid.     

Susceptibility of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), to Edwardsiella ictaluri challenge following copper sulphate exposure

Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), with or without a preliminary 24 h exposure to 2 mg copper sulphate L(-1), were challenged with 7.5 x 10(6) colony forming units L(-1) of Edwardsiella ictaluri to determine the effect of copper sulphate on disease resistance. Catfish previously exposed to copper sulphate were significantly more resistant to the bacterial challenge than those not exposed. Catfish not exposed to copper sulphate suffered 35.5% mortality while catfish exposed to copper sulphate experienced 14.1% mortality. Copper concentrations were the same in tank waters of both exposed and control fish at the time of challenge, eliminating the possibility that copper in the water may have been toxic to bacteria. Copper concentrations in freeze dried and ground tissues of unexposed, exposed, and purged channel catfish were highest in fish before copper sulphate exposures suggesting that elevated tissue levels of copper were not responsible for the increased resistance to bacterial challenge. Competition for sites of bacterial attachment to gill or epithelial cells may account for the reduction in mortality; although this is not supported by the low copper content of fish tissue after copper exposure.     

Detection of channel catfish virus in asymptomatic adult channel catfish,Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)*

Abstract. Two populations of channel catfish were examined for the presence of channel catfish virus (CCV) by use of a nucleic acid probe. In one population of 22 fish with no history of CCV, viral DNA was found in every liver. These fish had previously been examined by a technique involving co-cultivation of their leucocytes with catfish tissue culture cells. The co-cultivation method had identified virus in 10 of these fish. The second fish population consisted of 14 adults that had survived a CCV outbreak in 1980. Of the 14 fish, 11 showed positive indication of CCV DNA. The tissue distribution of the CCV differed from fish to fish. All fish from the first group and one fish from the second group showed some alterations in the DNA banding patterns expected from pure CCV DNA. This might be indicative of modifications in the genomic structure of the CCV DNA when the virus is latent in a fish.     

斑点叉尾鮰肌肉营养成分分析

取15尾斑点叉尾鮰为样品,测定其含肉率和肌肉的营养成分。结果为:含肉率为75.71％;肌肉中粗蛋白占19.42％,脂肪占1.01％,水分占77.58％,灰分占1.12％,碳水化合物占0.87％;肌肉中含有18种氨基酸,占肌肉总量的18.72％,其中人体必需氨基酸占总氨基酸的42.26％。矿物质含量中Fe、Zn的含量较高,而对人体健康有害的物质如Pb、As等的含量很低。笔者认为斑点叉尾鮰是一种营养价值比较全面的淡水养殖品种,具有良好的养殖前景。     

甘露寡糖对斑点叉尾鮰成活率及生长的影响

在水库中选用8个网箱进行斑点叉尾鮰的养殖试验,网箱分为试验箱和对照箱2个组,每组设4个平行.在试验组的斑点叉尾鮰饲料中添加甘露寡糖进行投喂,甘露寡糖添加量为鱼体重的0.15‰,对照组不添加,试验时间60 d.结果表明,试验组斑点叉尾鮰成活率为94.51%,对照组为87.01%,高出7.5个百分点.随着投喂时间的延长,试验组斑点叉尾鮰的死亡率呈明显下降趋势,至试验结束时的第55～60天,死亡率比对照组的同一时间段下降了10倍;试验组斑点叉尾鮰体重的增加比对照组快16.5%,差异极显著(P<0.01).     

Branchiomyces infection in farm-reared channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Four cases (representing outbreaks in four different ponds on three farms) of branchial mycosis caused by Branchiomyces spp. were identified in channel catfish fry during the summer of 1996. Mortalities ranged from a few hundred to several thousand fish per pond. Significant gross and histopathological findings from these four cases were limited to the gills. All fry examined had fungal mycelia that were mainly but not entirely confined to the base of the primary lamellae and the gill arches. These fungal hyphae were intravascular and occluded vessels in the gill tissues. The present paper describes the fungal characteristics and pathology of branchial mycosis caused by Branchiomyces spp. in channel catfish.     

斑点叉尾鮰血浆铜蓝蛋白的全长cDNA克隆及表达特征分析

本研究克隆了斑点叉尾鮰中血浆铜蓝蛋白基因全长cDNA序列,其中5′非翻译区(5′-UTR)25 bp、3′非翻译区(3′-UTR) 860 bp、开放阅读框(Open reading frame,ORF) 3 225bp,编码一条含有1 074个氨基酸的多肽链。与其他真核生物血浆铜蓝蛋白成员进行同源性比较,表现出较高的保守性。本研究利用荧光实时定量PCR技术分析了斑点叉尾鮰血浆铜蓝蛋白基因在正常组织和被不同病菌感染后的肝脏、肠、头肾及脾脏中的表达。结果发现,正常组织中血浆铜蓝蛋白基因在正常肝脏中表达最强烈。4种病原（迟钝爱德华氏菌、海豚链球菌、嗜水气单胞菌和斑点叉尾鮰呼肠孤病毒）引起的血浆铜蓝蛋白基因的应答在不同组织中都有差异。血浆铜蓝蛋白基因对海豚链球菌的应答最为显著,而对呼肠孤病毒的应答最不明显。而且不难发现,感染4种病原菌后,血浆铜蓝蛋白基因在头肾中的表达都出现明显的上调。     

嗜水气单胞菌3种疫苗对斑点叉尾免疫原性比较研究

将经福尔马林灭活的嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)、菌体脂多糖(LPS)和菌体外膜蛋白(OMP)作为免疫原,分别接种斑点叉尾(Ictalurus punctatus Rafinsque)后,通过测定受免鱼的凝集抗体效价,头肾和血液中吞噬细胞的吞噬活性和用A.hydrophila活菌攻毒的方法,探讨了斑点叉尾对A.hydrophila的3种疫苗的免疫应答状况和对活菌攻毒的免疫保护效果。试验结果显示:对斑点叉尾经腹腔注射接种3种疫苗均能刺激受免鱼产生较强的免疫应答,3种疫苗的受免鱼均产生了特异性凝集抗体,接种F-Ah灭活菌苗的试验鱼最高,接种OMP疫苗的试验鱼其次,而接种LPS疫苗的试验鱼血清中凝集抗体效价最低;与未接种疫苗的对照鱼相比,受免鱼头肾和血液中吞噬细胞的吞噬活性明显上升,头肾和血液中吞噬细胞活性由高到低依次是LPS、OMP和F-Ah免疫接种的斑点叉尾;活菌攻毒的结果证明接种3种疫苗的受免斑点叉尾A.hydrophila的感染产生了不同程度的相对免疫保护力(RPS),以OMP免疫接种后的斑点叉尾RPS最高,达到72.5%,接种LPS的斑点叉尾稍差,RPS为62.5%,而RPS最低的是接种F-Ah的免疫组,RPS只有24.2%。     

Dietary rutin has limited synergistic effects on vitamin C nutrition of fingerling channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

A study was conducted to determine the possible synergistic effects between dietary rutin (a bioflavonoid) and vitamin C, and to evaluate their antioxidant effects in fingerling channel catfish. Purified casein/gelatin diets containing two levels of rutin (0 and 1000 mg/kg diet) and three levels of L-ascorbic acid (0, 1500 and 3000 mg/kg diet) in a factorial arrangement were fed to fingerling channel catfish for 16 weeks. Fish fed the diets without supplemental vitamin C showed deformed spinal columns, external hemorrhages and fin erosion after 10 to 12 weeks. Also these fish had significantly (p < 0.05) depressed body weight gain, feed efficiency, hematocrit, hepatosomatic index (% liver weight), as well as reduced liver, fillet and plasma vitamin concentrations after 16 weeks. Liver, fillet and plasma vitamin C concentrations were correlated with dietary vitamin C levels. Forced oxidation of fillet samples significantly (p < 0.05) increased 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values of fillets from fish fed diets without vitamin C and rutin. However, results from the present study indicated only limited synergistic effects of dietary rutin on vitamin C nutrition of channel catfish.