利用mini-Tn10转座子文库筛选鳗弧菌M3表型发生变化的基因

为了寻找影响鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)表型变化的基因,本研究使用转座子mini-Tn10 (pLOF/Kana)构建了鳗弧菌M3突变株文库,筛选影响表型变化的菌株及相关基因,证明这些表型变化的突变子与毒力存在一定的相关性。对M3突变文库的1152突变子进行筛选,获得泳动能力改变的突变子1个(编号为6G_1),酪蛋白酶活性发生改变的突变子3个(编号为5A_11、7B_12和7E_12),明胶酶活性发生改变的突变子1个(编号为7H_1),以及菌膜形成能力发生显著变化的突变子3个(编号为5E_2、6A_2和6E_12)。对转座子插入位点进一步分析显示,一个磷酸二酯酶相关基因突变引起泳动能力增强(P<0.05),leuD、rseB和thiQ突变引起酪蛋白酶活性显著减弱(P<0.05),potD突变引起明胶蛋白酶活性显著减弱(P<0.05),leuO、ilvH和grpB的突变引起菌膜形成能力明显减弱(P<0.05)。对这些表型变化的突变子进行毒力感染,发现野生型M3是6G_1突变子的半数致死剂量(Lethal dose 50%,LD50)的2.04倍,该突变子毒力相对增强。5A_11、7B_12和7E_12的突变子LD50分别为野生型M3的2.96、3.25和3.36倍。7H_1的LD50是野生型M3的1.25倍,5E_2、6A_2和6E_12的LD50分别为野生型M3的3.34、4.08和1.84倍,这些突变子毒力相对减弱。本研究结果为进一步阐明鳗弧菌的发病机制提供了理论基础。     

鲁氏耶尔森菌invF基因无痕缺失突变株的构建及生物学特性

鲁氏耶尔森菌是一种具有广泛致病性的条件致病肠杆菌。三型分泌系统(T3SS)是该菌的重要毒力系统,其中invF基因是T3SS功能表达的重要调控因子。为探讨invF和T3SS对Y.ruckeri致病作用的影响,本研究构建了Y.ruckeri SC09株invF基因的无痕缺失株,并对其生物学特性进行研究。通过融合PCR方法,将invF基因的上、下游片段A、C融合,构建同源臂AC;将获得的同源臂AC连接入自杀质粒pLP12,构建pLP12-invF同源重组载体;pLP12-invF电转化进入供体菌株大肠杆菌β2163,并利用接合转移方法转入受体菌株Y.ruckeri SC09,利用抗生素正向筛选和vmt反向筛选分别对插入突变株和缺失突变株进行筛选,并利用PCR技术和序列测定对Y.ruckeri invF缺失株进行鉴定;对突变株和野生株进行菌体菌落形态观察、生化特性鉴定和生长曲线测定。结果显示,融合PCR、AC片段经氯霉素抗性正向筛选和vmt反向筛选,PCR鉴定和测序鉴定后,成功获得了Y.ruckeri SC09 invF基因的无痕缺失突变株,突变株和野生株菌体菌落形态和生化特性基本一致,突变株菌落较野生株小,各个时期突变株的生长浓度较野生株低。研究表明,采用自杀质粒pLP12和大肠杆菌β2163接合转移系统,利用抗生素正向筛选和vmt反向筛选技术,在对其基本生物学特性无显著影响的情况下,可简捷高效地获得invF基因的无痕缺失突变株。     

溶血相关基因缺失降低鳗弧菌感染花鲈的致病性

为阐明毒力因子溶血素对鳗弧菌感染花鲈过程中发挥的作用,实验以花鲈为研究模型,采用临床剖检、组织病理学观察、分子生物学检测、转录组分析等检测方法开展实验。通过对花鲈幼鱼分别注射5.0×105 CFU鳗弧菌野生株和缺失株△vah1-vah4-rtxA,评估了溶血相关基因缺失对花鲈的感染能力、花鲈各组织的病理变化情况以及免疫响应的影响。结果显示,花鲈感染野生株后的LD50为2.103×105 CFU/mL,感染缺失株△vah1-vah4-rtxA后LD50为1.837×106 CFU/mL,溶血相关基因缺失使鳗弧菌毒性降低8.74倍;鳗弧菌主要定殖在花鲈的肠道和鳃中,溶血相关基因缺失降低鳗弧菌在花鲈体内的定殖能力,同时降低对肠道黏膜空泡化、鳃坏死的损伤程度;转录组分析表明vah1、vah4、rtxA缺失后,头肾组织的差异表达基因显著富集到造血细胞谱系、抗原处理和呈递、细胞粘附分子、肠道免疫网络的IgA生产等免疫通路。这些结果表明,溶血相关基因缺失降低了鳗弧菌感染花鲈的致病能力。研究结果有助于进一步了解鳗弧菌的致病机制,并为开发花鲈抗弧菌免疫增强剂或减毒疫苗提供依据。     

中华绒螯蟹肌肉抑制素基因(MSTN)同义突变对基因转录和翻译效率的影响

为分析同义突变对基因转录和翻译的影响,实验应用定点突变、体外转录和过表达等技术对中华绒螯蟹肌肉抑制素基因(Es-MSTN)中发现的5个SNP同义突变位点即SNP1(C/T)、SNP2(C/T)、SNP3(C/T)、SNP4(A/G)和SNP5(T/G),及其对应的12种基因型组合(CG、TA、1T、2T、3T、4A、5T、1C、2C、3C、4G和5G)进行了转录和翻译水平的研究。结果显示,12种基因型在体外转录中存在转录效率差异,1C基因型的转录水平最高,而CG和TA基因型的转录水平最低,差异显著;且TA基因型转录水平显著高于CG基因型。对上述基因型在293T细胞中进行过表达研究发现,不同突变基因型在转染后的不同时间(24、36、48、60、72、84、96和108 h)的表达强度存在显著差异,且TA突变基因型的表达强度显著高于CG突变基因型。研究表明,5个同义突变位点对中华绒螯蟹Es-MSTN的转录和翻译具有重要影响,同义突变也可能具有较为重要的生物学意义。     

溶藻弧菌双组分调控系统KdpDE减毒活疫苗的构建及其免疫效果评价

为了研究溶藻弧菌双组分调控系统KdpDE减毒活疫苗对鱼体的免疫保护作用,本研究采用Overlap PCR和同源重组技术,构建了kdpD/kdpE（kdpDE）基因无标记基因框内敲除突变株。对野生株和缺失突变株的生物学特性及致病性进行了比较研究,发现kdpDE的缺失对溶藻弧菌的生长速率和胞外蛋白酶活性的影响不明显,但是突变株的泳动能力、生物被膜形成能力较野生株下降。斑马鱼致病性实验结果显示,突变株毒力下降78.5倍,表明减毒株构建成功,可以作为减毒活疫苗的候选菌株。突变株在鱼体内存活能力实验结果显示,注射免疫7 d后,鱼体内不能检测到该菌。以突变株ΔkdpDE为抗原,分别用注射和浸泡的方式免疫斑马鱼,免疫后第28天用溶藻弧菌和哈维氏弧菌攻毒,评估该减毒活疫苗及不同免疫方式对斑马鱼的保护效果。实验结果表明,免疫后的斑马鱼能够抵抗溶藻弧菌的感染,其中注射免疫组的免疫保护率达83.3%,浸泡免疫组次之（66.7%）;同时,该减毒活疫苗能刺激斑马鱼对哈维氏弧菌产生交叉保护效应,其中注射免疫组的免疫保护率为65.5%,浸泡免疫组为55.2%。以上结果表明,kdpDE基因敲除突变株可能是抵抗溶藻弧菌感染的有效的候选减毒活疫苗。     

不同栽培方式对鳗草实生苗建成和生理的影响

在15 ℃条件下,研究了3种栽培方式(水培促萌+萌中插植、水培促萌+萌后插植以及基质栽培)对鳗草(Zostera marina)种子萌发、实生苗建成与生长的影响,分析了鳗草实生苗的培育成本及其应对不同栽培方式的生理响应。结果显示,水培促萌+萌中插植、水培促萌+萌后插植的鳗草种子萌发率和实生苗建成率无显著差异(P>0.05),平均达到54.8%和46.5%,分别是基质栽培处理组的1.3和1.6倍(P<0.05)。水培促萌+萌中插植、水培促萌+萌后插植的鳗草实生苗的各项生长指标亦无显著差异(P>0.05),其平均值均显著高于基质栽培处理组(P<0.05),特别是根生成速率平均达到基质促萌处理组的1.6倍。主成分分析显示,水培促萌+基质插植的鳗草实生苗生理状态较优,其中,总氮和可溶性糖含量的贡献度较大,贡献度平均分别达到16.6%和15.0%,是基质栽培处理组的1.2倍(P<0.05)。培育成本分析显示,水培促萌+萌后插植栽培方式的培育成本最低(3.6元/株),是水培促萌+萌中插植栽培方式的81.9%。综合实生苗培育效果和培育成本,水培促萌+萌后插植的栽培方式是适宜的鳗草实生苗栽培方式,其主要通过提升实生苗非结构性碳水化合物的形成和提高光合色素含量,实现对实生苗建成与生长的促进作用。     

鳗草根际溶磷微生物分离、筛选及其对鳗草生长的影响

为明确鳗草(Zosteramarina)根际溶磷微生物溶磷能力及其对鳗草生长的影响,采用选择性无磷培养基从鳗草根际土壤中分离获得4株具较高溶磷能力的菌株(P1、P2、P3和P4),从形态学、生理生化特征及16Sr DNA等方面对菌株进行了鉴定,探讨了菌株的最适培养条件,研究了其对鳗草植株存活、生长、生理及根际土壤酶活力的影响。结果表明,菌株P1～P4分别为芽孢杆菌(Bacillus altitudinis P1)、桑肠杆菌(Enterobacter mori P2)、大肠埃希氏菌(Escherichia coli P3)和Cobetia marina P4; 72 h菌株培养液中可溶性磷含量分别为116.98 mg/L、123.13 mg/L、130.21 mg/L和76.54 mg/L;最适培养温度分别为34.67℃、33.95℃、34.60℃和31.19℃;最适培养盐度分别为27.10、28.29、29.54和26.08;最适初始pH分别为8.26、7.92、8.17和8.21。鳗草室外盆栽实验证实,4个接菌处理组对鳗草植株的存活、生长生理及根际土壤酶活力等指标均有不同程度的提高或改善。其中菌株P2对鳗草生长的影响最为显著,单株新叶面积、地上及地下生产力最高,为(54.31±4.79)cm~2、(3.58±0.36)mg/(shoot·d)及(0.28±0.04) mg/(shoot·d),是对照组的2.77、2.91和1.75倍;叶片中叶绿素a、叶绿素b、总叶绿素和类胡萝卜素4种光合色素含量分别为31.35μg/cm~2、12.57μg/cm2、39.42μg/cm~2和6.21μg/cm~2,显著高于对照组(P0.05)。除菌株P4处理组外,其余各处理组的碱性磷酸酶活力均显著高于对照组(P0.05)。但脲酶含量与对照组无显著差异(P0.05)。综合分析认为,桑肠杆菌(Enterobacter mori P2)具备进一步研制溶磷微生物肥料的潜力,在海草床生态系统恢复中可能具有较高的应用价值。研究结果为深入探究高效溶磷菌株功能与代谢调控及其在鳗草植株人工促繁中的作用奠定了基础。     

鳗弧菌L-18株的限铁条件和铁调节外膜蛋白的免疫效果研究

利用Western-blot技术,对鳗弧菌L-18株的OMPs和IROMPs的免疫反应性进行了分析,并通过免疫牙鲆比较二者免疫保护力的差异,以期从IROMPs方向探索开发鳗弧菌新型鱼用疫苗,并为研究其免疫原理提供重要的科学依据。结果表明,培养基中加入不同浓度的联铁剂,鳗弧菌L-18株的生长和铁载体的表达出现规律性变化,其中加入100~130μmol·L-1 2,2’-联吡啶为最适合限铁条件,此时铁载体的表达量最高且生长受抑制程度较小。在此条件下,菌株表达出74.3ku和77.4ku的IROMPs,其中77.4ku蛋白具有免疫反应性,为重要抗原。用全菌灭活疫苗、OMPs、IROMPs分别腹腔注射免疫牙鲆7周后攻毒, IROMPs疫苗的相对免疫保护力达到75.9%,远高于OMPs疫苗的51.8%。相对于OMPs,IROMPs的抗体效价显著提高,接近全菌疫苗组的水平,而血清杀菌活力没有显著变化。 关键词：鳗弧菌;铁调节外膜蛋白;牙鲆     

草鱼MSTN-1基因多态性及与早期生长性状和肌肉成分关联分析

为研究草鱼MSTN-1基因多态性及与早期生长性状和肌肉成分的相关性,本研究扩增出全长为3824 bp的草鱼MSTN-1基因,用长江选育草鱼群体对MSTN-1基因多态性进行筛选和验证。结果共发现3个多态性位点(Locus 1:C1799T,野生型EE/突变型EF;Locus2:C1842T,野生型HH/突变型HI;Locus 3:TGAAGCGCTGGTTCT/2585-,野生型BB/缺失型BD)。利用一般线性模型分析3个位点及其组合型(剔除个体数少于3的组合)与生长性状和肌肉成分的相关性,发现2个位点对幼鱼生长性状表型差异有显著影响,但3个位点对肌肉成分差异均无显著影响。多重比较发现,单倍型HI突变组的体长和体质量显著高于HH野生组,BD突变组的体长和体质量显著性低于BB野生组;多倍型中存在HI突变组合的体长、体质量均显著高于其他组,存在BD突变的组合在体长性状方面显著低于其他组。表明草鱼MSTN-1基因3个SNPs中,HI突变是对草鱼生长性状的有利突变,BD突变是不利突变,而EF突变无显著影响,可将MSTN-1基因作为分子标记辅助草鱼选育的候选基因。     

拟态弧菌OmpU蛋白的黏附功能及所介导的致病作用

为了探明拟态弧菌OmpU蛋白的黏附功能,利用同源重组技术敲除基因组中OmpU基因,并构建其互补株,再经组合PCR方法和序列测定,证实了OmpU基因的缺失和互补。对野生株、缺失株和互补株进行了遗传稳定性、生长特性、生化特性、细胞黏附性、致病性等方面比较研究。结果显示,缺失株具有遗传稳定性;在相同的培养条件下,与野生株相比,突变株的培养特性和生化特性没有明显变化,生长速率略减慢,对实验草鱼的毒力降低了4倍,对鲤上皮瘤细胞(EPC)的黏附能力显著降低,下降了66.6%,而互补株的黏附能力和毒力又得到恢复,与野生株无明显差异。研究首次确证了拟态弧菌OmpU蛋白具有黏附功能,OmpU蛋白通过黏附参与致病作用。     

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

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

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

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

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

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

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

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

Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria

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

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

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

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

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

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

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