Serum biochemical parameters of Acipenser persicus

Serum biochemical parameters are important aspects in the management of endangered species, such as Acipenser persicus. The values of these parameters can be used for confirming the maturity and for monitoring any changes in the quality of waters and related soils. Serum samples of 44 A. persicus fishes were analyzed and their serum parameter values were determined as Mean±SD in four groups: mature males and females and immature males and females, respectively. We compared the levels of calcium (Ca; 1.97 ± 0.31–2.38 ± 0.28 mmol/l), blood urea nitrogen (BUN; 4.4 ± 0.54–6.16 ± 0.63 mmol/l), cholesterol (CHO; 2.55 ± 0.42–3.51 ± 0.65 mmol/l), creatinine (CREA; 27.23 ± 3.5–83.98 ± 7.5 mmol/l), magnesium (Mg; 2.74 ± 0.18–3.05 ± 0.46 mmol/l), bilirubin (Bilirubin; 2.05 ± 0.42–13.93 ± 4.39 μmol/l), aspatate transaminase (AST; 18.25 ± 1.5–167 ± 38 Iu/l), alanine transaminase (ALT; 11 ± 1–25.33 ± 9.24 Iu/l), alkaline phosphatase (ALP; 183.5 ± 17.68–523 ± 66.23 Iu/l) and creatine kinase (CK; 157.5 ± 27.58–2132.2 ± 250.92 Iu/l). We have shown that there were no differences in the Ca and Mg levels among the different groups. However, mature females have higher CREA, AST, CHO and lower BUN, ALP and ALT than the immature females. In the mature males, the values of ALP and bilirubin were higher yet the values of CREA and ALT were lower than in the immature males.     

Effects of long-term silymarin oral supplementation on the blood biochemical profile of rainbow trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>)

Silymarin, an extract from “milk thistle” (Silybum marianum) plant is traditionally used as herbal medicine. The present study was conducted to investigate the clinical effects and possible side effects of silymarin on biochemical blood parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fishes were treated with 0 (control), 100, 400, and 800 mg of silymarin per kg of food during 4 weeks. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), glucose, total protein, creatinine, triglyceride, cholesterol, urea, uric acid and liver cellular total antioxidant, and protein content were measured after 7, 14, and 28 days of silymarin treatment. The results showed that oral administration of silymarin in fish significantly reduced plasma glucose and cholesterol levels and relatively increased plasma total protein and globulin concentrations (P < 0.05). Increasing plasma albumin levels indicate the important role of albumin in drug transportation in circulatory system of fish. Silymarin also stabilized cellular membrane structure and regulated the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, CK, and LDH activity. In conclusion, on the basis of these results, oral administration of silymarin up to 400 mg per 1 kg of food has no side effect on blood biochemical and clinical parameters of fishes. However, oral administration of 800 mg/kg- of silymarin caused cytotoxicity and modifications in blood biochemical parameters of fish.     

不同水温下虹鳟血清酶的活性

使用日立7170A全自动生化分析仪,测定水温14℃、19℃、23℃时虹鳟(Salmo irideus)血清酶活性。结果表明:在3个温度下,虹鳟血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)和肌酸激酶(CK)活性随温度上升而降低,谷丙转氨酶(ALT)活性随温度上升而升高,谷草转氨酶(AST)活性表现为先升高后降低,乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性表现为先降低后升高。     

Dietary 1,8‐cinoele affects serum enzymatic activities and immunological characteristics in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to ambient ammonia

The present study aimed to investigate effects of dietary 1,8‐cineole (cineole) on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) health under ammonia toxicity. The fish were fed with four diets supplemented by 0 (control), 0.1 (0.1C), 0.5 (0.5C), and 1 (1C) percent cineole for 2 weeks, before a 24‐hr ammonia exposure. Blood samples were taken before and after ammonia exposure. The results showed that ammonia exposure significantly (p < 0.05) increased serum urea levels, and decreased serum alternative complement (ACH50) activity and serum total immunoglobulin (Ig) levels. Cineole significantly (p < 0.05) increased serum ACH50 activity (0.1% and 0.5% levels) and total Ig levels (0.5% levels). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in serum total protein, albumin and globulin levels among the treatments. Before ammonia exposure, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), and lysozyme activities among the cineole treatments. The treatment 0.5C had the lowest lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities before ammonia exposure. After ammonia exposure, serum LDH and ALT activities increased in all treatments, but the treatment 0.5C had the lowest activities. Serum ALP activities increased after the ammonia exposure in the control and 1C groups. Serum AST and lysozyme activities increased after the challenge in all groups except for the 0.5C group. Overall, the results suggest that ammonia exposure causes increase in serum LDH, ALP, AST, and ALT activities and decreased immune responses, which are indicator of tissue damage and immunosuppression. 0.5% cineole is capable to suppress adverse effects of ammonia intoxication in carp.     

Plasma biochemical responses of the omnivorous crucian carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carassius auratus</Emphasis>) to crude cyanobacterial extracts

Healthy crucian carp (Carassius auratus) were treated by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of crude cyanobacterial extracts at two doses, 50 and 200 μg MC-LR equiv kg⁻¹ BW. High mortality (100%) was observed within 60 h post injection in the high-dose group. In the treated fish, activities of four plasma enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), all showed substantial increases, with both dose and time-dependent effects. These increases of enzyme activity indicate severe impairment occurred in the liver of crucian carp over time. Plasma concentrations of energy-related biomolecules including glucose (GLU), cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride (TG), and total protein (TP) showed marked changes in the high-dose group, possibly a nutritional imbalance correlated with the liver injury caused by intraperitoneal exposure to crude cyanobacterial extracts.     

Anaesthetic efficacy and biochemical effects of 1,8‐cineole in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss,Walbaum, 1792)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anaesthetic efficacy and biochemical effects of 1,8‐cineole (cineole) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The fish were exposed to 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 800 μl/L cineole and time of induction of anaesthesia and recovery from anaesthesia were recorded. Thereafter, the fish haematological and biochemical responses to anaesthesia with different concentrations of cineole were studies. Moreover, the haematological and biochemical response of fish anaesthetized for 300 s with either cineole (283 μl/L) or eugenol (25 μl/L) were compared. Cineole at the concentrations of 200–800 μl/L induced stages 2, 3 and 4 anaesthesia within 109‐29.3, 226‐59 and 418‐117 s respectively. Increase in anaesthesia induction time led to higher stress responses and enzymes’ activity characterized by elevation in red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), blood haematocrit and haemoglobin, and plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate levels, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities. However, cineole concentrations had no significant effects on plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and ions levels. Comparison of cineole with eugenol showed that cineole showed less change in blood RBC and plasma AST, ALP, CPK, cortisol and glucose levels compared to eugenol. In conclusion, cineole is efficient to anaesthetize trout at concentrations of 200–800 μl/L. Increase in cineole concentration shortens anaesthesia induction time, stress response and probably tissue damage. The concentrations of 600–800 μl/L cineol is recommended for rapid sampling as it causes the least stress and enzymatic responses. The present results suggest that cineole causes slightly lower side effects in trout compared to eugenol.     

Effect of stocking density and journey length on the welfare of rohu (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis> Hamilton) fry

The effect of higher packing density and increased duration of transport on the survival and key metabolic enzymes of Labeo rohita fry was investigated. L. rohita fry (length 40 ± 5 mm, weight 0.60 ± 0.13 g) were packed in two different densities 40 and 80 g/l and sampled at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h after packing. Results showed that packing density and length of confinement severely affected the survival of the fry. The whole-body glucose level and the activities of the enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) assayed from the fish whole-body significantly (P < 0.05) increased due to increase in the length of the confinement. However, acetylcholine esterase (AchE) activity decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increase in the length of confinement. Similarly, higher packing density also significantly (P < 0.05) increased the glucose level and activities of all these enzymes (except AchE). The results revealed that both higher packing density and increased transportation duration mobilize protein resources for glucose production via gluconeogenesis and subsequently activate the glycolysis pathway for energy. The rise in the ATPase activity indicates disruption of the osmoregulatory function and the role of this enzyme in ameliorating it. Overall results suggest that normally practiced packing density of 40 g/l is optimum up to 24-h duration for seed transportation.     

A comparative study on the effects of a pesticide (cypermethrin) and two metals (copper, lead) to serum biochemistry of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

The present study was designed to compare the responses in freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus exposed to a synthetic pyrethroid, cypermethrin (CYP); an essential metal, copper (Cu); and a nonessential metal, lead (Pb). Fish were exposed to 0.05 μg/l CYP, 0.05 mg/l Cu, and 0.05 mg/l Pb for 4 and 21 days, and the alterations in serum enzyme activities, metabolite, and ion levels were determined. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities increased in response to CYP, Cu, and Pb exposures at both exposure periods. While elevations in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and in cholesterol level were observed in pesticide-exposed fish at 4 and 21 days, they increased in Cu- and Pb-exposed fish at 21 days. Although metal-exposed fish showed increases in cortisol and glucose levels at 4 days followed by a return to control levels at the end of the exposure period, their levels elevated in pesticide-exposed fish at both exposure periods. Total protein levels decreased in Pb- and pesticide-exposed fish at 21 days. Na⁺ and Cl⁻ levels decreased in pesticide-exposed fish at both exposure periods and in Cu- and Pb-exposed fish at 21 days. The exposures of pesticide and metals caused an elevation in K⁺ level at the end of the exposure period. The present study showed that observed alterations in all serum biochemical parameters of fish-treated pesticide were higher than those in fish exposed to metals.     

Metabolic and digestive enzyme activity of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) fingerlings in response to alternate feeding of different protein levels in the diet

A feeding trial was conducted for 90 days to assess the metabolic and digestive enzyme activity in response to alternate or mixed feeding of different protein levels in the diet of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings. One hundred and forty four fingerlings with an average weight of 5.0–5.5 g were distributed into four experimental groups each with triplicate. Four iso‐caloric diets with varying level of crude protein viz., 35%, 30%, 25% and 20% were made and designated as diet 35P, 30P, 25P and 20P respectively. Four treatments were maintained based on four different feeding schedules such as continuous feeding of diet 35P (35P/35P), alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 30P (35P/30P), alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 25P (35P/25P) and alternate feeding of 1 day diet 35P next day diet 20P (35P/20P). As a result, specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain percentage were relatively higher in treatment (35P/25P) followed by (35P/35P) and (35P/30P). The metabolic enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), Glucose‐6‐phosphatase (G6Pase), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were expressed better in (35P/35P) group followed by (35P/25P) and (35P/30P) groups. The digestive enzymes, protease and lipase activities were higher in (35P/35P) and (35P/25P) groups. The present study revealed that the better nutrient utilization and growth of 35P/25P group is because of their balanced digestive and metabolic enzyme activities through alternate level of higher and lower protein diet.     

Preclinical toxicity and safety evaluation of Althaea officinalis L. extract as naturopathic medicine in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.): Hematological and biochemical study

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of marshmallow extract (Althaea officinalis L.) administration on blood cells and biochemical parameters of carp liver. A total of 150 carps (Cyprinus carpio, initial body mass of 37.7 ± 4.4 g) were fed diets containing 0.0 (control diet), 2.5, 5, and 10 g marshmallow extract for 60 days. On days 30 and 60 of the experiment blood samples were collected and hematological parameters and liver enzyme activities—aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)—were measured. No significant difference was found (p > .05) in red blood cells (RBC); hemoglobin concentration (Hb); hematocrit (Htc); mean corpuscular volume (MCV); mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCH); or the percentage of neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils in fish fed with different concentrations of marshmallow extract on days 30 and 60. However, the white blood cell (WBC) count was increased significantly in the fish fed for 60 days with feed supplemented with 5 g marshmallow extract (p < .05). The MCHC was increased signi?cantly in ?sh fed with diets supplemented with 2.5 g marshmallow extract for 60 days (p < .05). Administration of marshmallow extract (5 g) significantly increased (p < 0.05) lymphocytes on days 30 and 60. However, dietary intake of 10 g marshmallow extract had significantly decreased the monocyte percentage after 60 days. A significant increase was observed in AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH levels in livers of fish fed with extract 10 g, which may be attributed to cytotoxicity. However, marshmallow extract 2.5 and 5 g did not have adverse effects on liver enzymes. These results indicate that preclinical dietary supplementations of 2.5 and 5 g marshmallow extract per kg diet have no side effects on common carp.     

Dietary trans‐cinnamic acid application for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): II. Effect on antioxidant status,digestive enzyme,blood biochemistry and liver antioxidant gene expression responses

The present study investigated the effects of dietary trans‐cinnamic acid (TrCin) on growth performance, biochemical composition, fatty acid composition, blood biochemistry, antioxidant status, digestive enzyme and liver antioxidant gene (EF1α, SOD1, SOD2, CAT, GPX1, GPX4, GR and GST) expression responses of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Five experimental groups of fish with mean weights of 17.49 ± 0.08 g were used in the study; four of them were fed with TrCin‐supplemented diets (0.25 g/kg TrCin25, 0.50 g/kg TrCin50, 0.75 g/kg TrCin75 and 1.50 g/kg TrCin150), whereas an additive‐free basal diet served as the control (Cntr). At the end of the 60‐day feeding trial, the growth performance, biochemical composition and fatty acid composition were similar for all experimental groups. A decrease was observed in intestinal and stomach pH, serum triglyceride and AST, ALT, LDH and ALP levels in fish fed with especially 0.50 g/kg TrCin‐supplemented diet. Moreover, dietary TrCin especially at 0.50 g/kg incorporation level significantly increased the serum SOD and liver SOD2, CAT, GST, GPX1, GPX4 and GR gene expression responses. As a conclusion, feeding rainbow trout for a period of 60 days with a diet containing 0.50 g/kg TrCin might be sufficiently enough to improve the levels of antioxidant enzymes and health status in fish.     

Influence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tribulus terrestris</Emphasis> on testicular enzyme in fresh water ornamental fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Poecilia latipinna</Emphasis>

The influence of Tribulus terrestris on the activities of testicular enzyme in Poecilia latipinna was assessed in lieu of reproductive manipulation. Different concentrations of (100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mg) Tribulus terrestris extract and of a control were tested for testicular activity of enzymes in Poecilia latipinna for 2 months. The testis and liver were homogenized separately in 0.1 mol/l potassium phosphate buffer (0.1 mol/l, pH 7.2). The crude homogenate was centrifuged, and supernatant obtained was used as an enzyme extract for determination of activities. The activities of testicular functional enzyme ALP, ACP, SDH, LDH, and G6PDH levels were changed to different extent in treated groups compared with that of the control. The total body weight and testis weight were increased with the Tribulus terrestris-treated fish (Poecilia latipinna). These results suggest that Tribulus terrestris induced the testicular enzyme activity that may aid in the male reproductive functions. It is discernible from the present study that Tribulus terrestris has the inducing effect on reproductive system of Poecilia latipinna.     

Changes in metabolic enzymes,cortisol and glucose concentrations of Beluga (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Huso huso</Emphasis>) exposed to dietary methylmercury

In this paper, effects of dietary methylmercury (MeHg) on several blood biochemical parameters including GLU (glucose), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and cortisol were investigated in the Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso). Beluga juveniles were fed for 32 days on four diets containing MeHg (control: 0.04 mg kg⁻¹; low: 0.76 mg kg⁻¹; medium: 7.88 mg kg⁻¹; and high 16.22 mg kg⁻¹ treatment). Significant increases (P < 0.05) were observed in all biochemical parameters, except ALP levels, which decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to the control group with either dose- or time-dependent effects. These results suggest that long-term dietary MeHg exposure may affect metabolic enzyme activity and glucose levels in Belugas. These findings provide useful information for environmental and fishery officials to apply in future decisions for managing fish resources in Caspian Sea.     

Effects of dietary nucleotides supplementation on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) performance and acute stress response

This experiment was conducted to examine the effect of dietary nucleotides (NT) on fish performance and acute stress response on fingerling rainbow trout (23 g ± 0.01, mean weight ± SEM). Five experimental diets according to different levels of supplemented nucleotides (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2%) were assayed on experimental fish for 8 weeks. Growth, hematological parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil count), serum proteins (globulin, albumin), and plasma enzymatic activity (alkaline phosphatase, ALP; aspartate transaminase, AST; lactate dehydrogenase, LDH; alanine transaminase, ALT) were assayed. At the end of feeding trial, fish fed the control and 0.2% diets were subjected to handling and crowding stress. Modulatory effects of nucleotides on acute stress response (cortisol and glucose) and plasma electrolytes (Na⁺, Cl⁻, K⁺, and Ca²⁺) were studied. The percentage of body weight gain (WG) and feed efficiency (FE) of fish were better when the fish were fed 0.15–0.2% diets. Fish fed the nucleotide-supplemented diets tended to have lower levels of serum enzymes including ALP, AST, LDH, and ALT. Plasma cortisol levels of fish fed on 0.2% diet under handling and crowding stress were significantly lower than fish fed the control diet at all post-stress time intervals. In our study, fish fed nucleotide-supplemented diet had significantly lower concentrations of glucose compared to those fed the basal diet. The concentrations of sodium, chloride, calcium, and potassium of fish fed the control diet were significantly lower than in fish fed nucleotide-supplemented diet. Dietary nucleotides administration seems to promote growth and to enhance resistance against handling and crowding stress in fingerling rainbow trout.     

Dietary nano‐selenium enhances antioxidant capacity and hypoxia tolerance of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella fed with high‐fat diet

To evaluate the effects of dietary nano‐selenium (Nano‐Se) on antioxidant capacity and hypoxia tolerance of grass carp fed with high‐fat diet, experimental fishes were fed Nano‐Se supplemented diets at doses of 0 (Control), 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 mg/kg for 10 weeks. After feeding trial, a part of the fishes were exposed to hypoxia stress. Results showed that the survival ratio of grass carp significantly increased in 0.6 and 0.9 mg/kg Nano‐Se group, and the content of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) significantly decreased in 0.6–1.2 mg/kg Nano‐Se groups compared with the control group. In addition, dietary Nano‐Se significantly enhanced glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in fishes fed diets with 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg Nano‐Se. Dietary Nano‐Se significantly elevated mRNA expression of GPX1 and catalase (CAT) by promoting the mRNA expression of NF‐E2‐related nuclear factor 2 (Nrf2) in the hepatopancreas. After hypoxia stress, the GPX and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly enhanced, and the MDA content and mortality rate consequently decreased in fishes fed diets with 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg Nano‐Se. In summary, these results suggested that optimal Nano‐Se in diet enhanced the antioxidant capacity and hypoxia tolerance of grass carp.     

Dietary ascorbic acid requirement for growth of striped catfish,Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) juveniles

A sixty‐day feeding trial was conducted to determine the ascorbic acid (AA) requirement for growth of striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus juveniles. Seven iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐energetic (370 g protein per kg and 19.6 MJ/kg) purified diets were prepared with different levels of ascorbic acid such as control (0), T₁ (17.5), T₂ (35), T₃ (70), T₄ (175), T₅ (350) and T₆ (700) mg ascorbic acid (L‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate) equivalent per kg diet. Fish with a mean body weight of 3.2–3.4 g were stocked (fifteen fish per tank) in triplicates following a completely randomized design. Each group was fed to satiation twice a day for 60 days. Significant differences were observed in growth, survival, body composition and metabolic enzymes activities with different dietary ascorbic acid levels. Maximum weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were found in fishes fed with 35 mg AA per kg diet, supported by best feed conversion. Fish fed a diet containing vitamin C had the highest activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to those fed with vitamin C‐depleted diets. In this study, based on using broken‐line regression analysis, the dietary vitamin C requirement for growth of P. hypophthalmus juveniles was estimated to be in the range of 46–76 mg AA per kg, depending on the criterion used, growth and liver storage. Our results will be helpful for the formulation of cost‐effective ascorbic acid incorporated diets for striped catfish, P. hypophthalmus.     

Effects of water temperatures and dietary protein levels on growth,body composition and blood biochemistry of juvenile GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of water temperature (WT) and dietary protein levels on growth, body composition and blood biochemistry of GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus; initial average body weight: 38.75 ± 0.61g, n = 20). The fish were fed with six diets contained graded levels of protein (209.6, 251.0, 302.4, 354.3, 401.9 and 456.8 g/kg) and raised in each of WT (22°C, 28°C and 34°C) for 8 weeks. Results showed that the growth, feed utilization and protein efficiency were significantly increased with the increase of dietary protein level and followed by the latter platform at each WT. The fish raised at 28 and 34°C showed similar growth performance, and their values were significantly higher than the fish raised at 22°C (p < 0.05). The lipid contents in whole body were decreases with the increase of dietary protein level at each WT. However, the whole‐body protein, ash and moisture contents were not affected by dietary protein level or WT (p > 0.05). The values of serum biochemical indices (ALP, ALT, AST and TCHO) were all decreased with the increase of dietary protein. The optimal dietary protein requirement for GIFT tilapia to achieve maximal growth performance is 374.4, 301.7 and 304.9 g protein/kg diet at 22, 28 and 34°C, respectively.     

Evaluation of dietary chitosan effects on growth performance,immunity, body composition and histopathology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as well as the resistance to Streptococcus agalactiae infection

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary chitosan supplementation on growth performance, body composition, immune response and histopathology of Nile tilapia, and also the in vitro antibacterial activity of chitosan against Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae). About 180 fish (average body weight 39.3 ± 0.3 g) were randomly divided into three groups according to chitosan supplementation: control group (basal diet without chitosan), Ch3 group (3 g chitosan/kg diet) and Ch5 group (5 g chitosan/kg diet). Growth performance parameters and body proximate composition were measured before infection but biochemical parameters and lysozyme and antibacterial activities before and after experimental infection. Results of the present investigation showed dietary chitosan (5 g chitosan/kg diet) significantly (p < .05) improved growth performance parameters, body composition (dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash, and carbohydrate) and serum biochemistry (total protein, albumin, globulin, with no effect on AST, ALT, urea and creatinine) before infection in Ch5 group than the control. After infection, liver enzymes (serum AST and ALT) were maintained lower in fish fed Ch3 or Ch5 than the control. Serum lysozyme and bactericidal activities significantly increased (p < .05) in chitosan groups before and after the challenge. The mortality rate was markedly reduced in the Ch3 group and prohibited in the Ch5 group after the experimental infection. In conclusion, feeding 3 or 5 g chitosan/kg diet increased the growth rate and improved FCR of Nile tilapia. In addition, it reduced mortality by its antibacterial and immunostimulant effects.     

Seasonal variations of immune parameters in the coelomic fluid of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus cultured in pond

In order to understand the effects of seasonal change on the immunity of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus cultured in pond, A. japonicus with body weight of 12.2 ± 4.5 g (sample A) and 32.6 ± 7.1 g (sample B), respectively, were collected monthly and randomly from a typical pond during a year cycle and employed for the evaluation of immunocompetence. Simultaneously, the environmental factors in the pond including water temperature, pH, salinity and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured using a handheld multiparameter meter. The activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lysozyme (LYZ), phenoloxidase (PO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the coelomic fluid were selected for the evaluation of A. japonicus immunocompetence and determined using biochemical methods. The results showed that in both samples, the activities of all determined enzymes had small values in winter and early spring, and LYZ, CAT and MPO activities also presented small values in summer, suggesting that pond‐cultured A. japonicus underwent immunosuppression twice during a year cycle, and the immunosuppression occurred in winter and early spring was more severe than that occurred in summer. In addition, most of the determined enzymes showed different variations between the two samples, and had significantly negative correlation with protein concentration, which was significantly and negatively correlated with water temperature, revealing that body weight and water temperature might have crucial effects on the immunity of A. japonicus cultured in pond.     

聚甘露糖醛酸对中国对虾免疫相关酶活性和溶菌溶血活性的影响

在中国对虾的血清、肌肉和肝胰提取液中有酸性磷酸酶（ＡＣＰ）、碱性磷酸酶（ＡＬＰ）、过氧化物酶（ＰＯＤ）,其中,ＡＣＰ和ＡＬＰ在肝脏中的活性最高。采用１．０％的聚甘露糖醛多糖作为免疫药物,对中国对虾进行注射刺激后,发现血清中的溶菌和溶血活性有显著提高;肝胰腺中的ＡＣＰ和ＡＬＰ活性也有明显增加,在７２ｈ,ＡＣＰ活性由对照组的３．２１Ｕ．１００ｍＬ＾－１提高到９．６９Ｕ．１００ｍｌ＾－１,ＡＬＰ活性由４