Acrosome reaction in the sperm of the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon (Decapoda, Penaeidae)

Owing to the problem of male infertility in the domesticated shrimp Penaeus monodon, this study was conducted to reveal the morphological events of an acrosome reaction (AR) of sperm of this highly valuable species. The AR observed in an in vitro incubation of sperm with egg water (EW) and that during actual spawning was compared. Under transmission and scanning electron microscopy, sperm taken from the female thelycum was composed of a posterior main body, a central cap and an anterior single spike. Upon contact with EW, the sperm underwent two phases of AR: acrosomal exocytosis and spherical mass formation. The former was composed of a degeneration of the spike, swelling of the cap region and rupture of the acrosomal pouch. The latter began with polymerization of materials within the subacrosomal region and ended with re‐configuration of the subacrosomal region into an electron‐dense spherical mass. The AR of the sperm observed during spawning revealed similar morphological events, with degeneration of the spike upon contact with the vitelline envelope and formation of the spherical mass while penetrating into jelly material produced by protruding cortical rods. The results suggest the presence of AR inducers derived from the vitelline envelope and cortical rods of the egg. This study forms the basis for an evaluation of infertility regarding to AR in the domesticated P. monodon male.     

Hatching envelope formation in the egg of the black tiger shrimp,Penaeus monodon (Decapoda,Penaeidae)

The aim of this study was to reveal the process of hatching envelope (HE) formation in eggs of the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon, using fluorocytochemistry with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐labelled lectins and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with mouse monoclonal anti‐FITC‐conjugated gold‐lectin labelling. Following lectin binding screening tests, Concanavalin A (Con A) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) were chosen to trace movements of specific sugar‐associated components of the HE. This revealed that both Con A and WGA‐binding components migrated from the ooplasm to the HE. Using TEM, it was revealed that membranous materials in the ooplasm were released at the time of spawning, that these became associated with granular structures outside the oocyte and that they together developed into an outer layer of the HE. Contents of flocculent vesicles and dense vesicles in the ooplasm were exocytosed and formed the inner layer of the HE. The TEM with gold‐labelled Con A and WGA revealed that the dense and flocculent vesicles and the inner layer of the HE contained components associated with mannose (sugar affinity to Con A) and N‐acetyl‐β‐d ‐glucosamine (sugar affinity to WGA).     

多子小瓜虫滋养体糖蛋白残基的种类和分布研究

应用伴刀豆凝集素A、麦胚凝集素、大豆凝集素和荆豆凝集素Ⅰ,检测寄生于金鱼皮肤、鳃和鳍上的多子小瓜虫滋养体糖蛋白残基的种类和分布。研究结果发现,伴刀豆凝集素A和麦胚凝集素免疫阳性染色在金鱼皮肤、鳃和鳍寄生的滋养体上均有分布,麦胚凝集素免疫阳性染色强于伴刀豆凝集素A,未见有大豆凝集素和荆豆凝集素Ⅰ免疫阳性染色。鳃上寄生的滋养体伴刀豆凝集素A免疫阳性染色最强,皮肤次之,鳍最弱。鳍上寄生的滋养体麦胚凝集素免疫阳性染色最强,皮肤次之,鳃最弱。研究结果表明,滋养体有单糖D-甘露糖和D-葡萄糖,以及氨基衍生物乙酰氨基葡萄糖。寄生于鳃上的滋养体D-甘露糖和D-葡萄糖可能较多,寄生在鳍上的滋养体乙酰氨基葡萄糖可能较多。     

Prevention of surface death of horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) larvae by the addition of egg white and camphor grain to rearing water

To prevent surface tension‐related deaths in horse mackerel larvae, Trachurus mediterraneus, camphor grain (CG; 26 and 52 mg L^?1 with and without ethanol) and chicken egg white (EW; 40 and 80 μL L^?1) were added to rearing water. Compared with the control groups, supplementation of EW (40–80 μL) and CG (52 mg L^?1, dissolved in ethanol) significantly improved the survivals of horse mackerel larvae (P<0.05). At the end of the 10 days after hatching, the survival rates of EW‐40 and EW‐80 were 64% and 72% respectively. No clear correlation was found between surface tension and survival rate.     

中国对虾卵水的特性和精子的应答

研究了中国对虾卵水的采集、保存方法、紫外吸收特性和有效期等方面的内容,并应用卵水研究了交尾期虾、雌虾及产卵期雌虾精荚或纳精囊中精子对卵水的应答开始时间、必要的反应时间等响应卵水的时间特性以及精子的存活期等。结果表明,卵水经液氮保存或先经液氮后转入普通冰柜保持冻结状态７个月后诱导精子激活效力无显著差异。精子在自然温度（１０℃）普通海水中可在１０ｈ内保持对卵水的响应能力。交尾期精子最初响应卵水有５￣１     

凡纳滨对虾卵巢类围食膜蛋白基因克隆及其在早期胚胎发育中的表达

围食膜蛋白最早是从昆虫围食膜中解离得到的,在保护昆虫免受外源微生物侵染过程中发挥了重要作用。为了解围食膜蛋白在对虾免疫过程中的作用,实验前期进行了凡纳滨对虾转录组分析,并克隆获得了凡纳滨对虾2条类围食膜蛋白基因LvPT1和LvPT2,其编码的2条氨基酸序列相似性极高,同已报道的其他虾类围食膜蛋白具有较高同源性。利用Real-time PCR方法进行组织表达分析发现,LvPT1和LvPT2与对虾卵巢围食膜蛋白(SOPs)类似,在卵巢中高度表达,利用半定量PCR方法,分析LvPT2在对虾早期发育中的表达情况。结果显示,LvPT2在受精卵时期表达量最高,随着发育进行,表达量逐渐降低,至无节幼体孵出后无明显表达。研究表明,LvPT1和LvPT2与虾SOPs应为同一类围食膜蛋白,可能参与了受精卵细胞的形成,并在保护对虾早期胚胎发育时免受外界病原微生物的侵染中发挥着重要作用。     

厚壳贻贝5-羟色胺2A受体(5-HT2AR)基因克隆和时空表达

为探究5-羟色胺2A受体（5-HT 2A receptor, 5-HT2AR）基因在海水贝类生长发育中的作用,本研究通过RACE技术和实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）克隆了厚壳贻贝5-HT2AR 基因的cDNA全长,并分析该基因的时空表达。结果显示,5-HT2AR基因全长2 636 bp,开放阅读框（ORF）2 124 bp,共编码707个氨基酸。序列分析结果显示该序列与人、小鼠、斑马鱼、长牡蛎和虾夷扇贝等物种分别具有45%、45%、48%、49%和67%的同源性。厚壳贻贝雌雄成体各组织和器官中均有5-HT2AR基因表达,雄性中的鳃表达量最高,而在雌性鳃、外套膜和性腺中的表达稍高于其他组织和器官;推测该基因可能与厚壳贻贝的摄食、对外界环境的感知及促进卵母细胞成熟有关。5-HT2AR基因在厚壳贻贝各发育阶段均有表达,且稚贝的表达量为眼点幼虫的1.4倍,推测5-HT2AR基因可能参与了调控厚壳贻贝幼虫的生长发育过程。本研究为进一步了解5-HT基因家族在双壳贝类中的功能奠定了基础。     

Effects of electrolyte enhanced water on culturing giant freshwater prawn <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrobrachium rosenbergii</Emphasis>

In this work, electrolyte enhanced water (EW) was used to determine the effect of EW in culturing freshwater prawns. The giant freshwater prawn juvenile, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, was exposed to different concentrations of EW in experiment 1. The EW was added into the water and labeled as treatment A1 which consists of 1% anolyte and 0.5% catholyte. In the respective treatments, the proportion of anolytes and catolytes are as follows: treatment B1 (1% anolyte and 1% catholyte), treatment C1 (2% anolyte and 0.5% catholyte), treatment D1 (2% anolyte and 1% catholyte), and control (without EW). All these treatments were run in three replicates for each treatment including the control. In the first experiment, the growth of the M. rosenbergii under treatment A1 showed an increased in growth as compared to the control after 56 days of exposure with a significant difference of p?<?0.05. The survival rate of prawns is higher in treatments A1 (73%), B1 (70%), and control (63%) as compared to treatments C1 (53%) and D1 (50%). In the second experiment, the treatment using EW concentration of 1% anolyte and 0.5% catholyte was used as the most suitable concentration for the prawn culturing tested with recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). The treatments used in the second experiment was labeled as A2 (EW), B2 (EW and RAS), C2 (RAS), and control. Treatment B2 showed a higher growth and survival rate and was significantly different to the other treatments. The colony-forming unit (CFU) showed a lower count of bacteria in all experiments that used EW as compared to the control. The concentration of 1% of anolyte and 0.5% of catholyte has shown to improve the growth and survival rate of the M. rosenbergii culture when combined with the RAS. This study showed a potential use of electrolyte enhanced water in culturing giant freshwater prawn.     

Egg Water Induced Reaction and Biostain Assay of Sperm from Marine Shrimp Penaeus vannamei: Dietary Effects on Sperm Quality

Reproductive performance was evaluated for sexually mature male Penueus vannamei fed one of four diets: 1) commercial 40% protein shrimp growout diet; 2) 100% squid; 3) 50% squid, 25% bloodworms and 25% Artemia; and 4) starvation. Spermatophores were ejaculated manually from tagged males at stocking and every 12 d thereafter. For each half of the compound spermatophore, weight and sperm count were determined. Four methods were used to assay the sperm quality: 1) gross morphology (GM); 2) trypan blue stain (TB); 3) acridine orange stain (AO); and 4) egg water induced reaction (EW). The reaction induced when P. vannamei sperm are exposed to conspecific egg water is grossly similar to that observed in vivo at the surface of the freshly spawned eggs from naturally mated females. Little correlation was found between spermatophore weight and sperm count. The best correlation was found between GM and AO (r²= 0.859, P < 0.01). Many morphologically abnormal sperm did not stain with TB. For most of the spermatophores evaluated; over 80% of the sperm were morphologically normal, were unstained with TB, and were immediately fluorescing light green when stained with AO. When exposed to egg water, sperm from these apparently good quality spermatophores yielded mixed results. The analysis of dietary effects on spermatophore quality were equivocal. Although a significant decline in body weight, spermatophore weight, and sperm count were observed in the starvation treatment as compared to maturation and squid diets, no significant differences were observed in MY of the sperm quality assays.     

Evaluation of egg quality in broodstock cobia Rachycentron canadum L.

Twenty egg batches spawned naturally from 17 different females over two spawning seasons were used to evaluate the egg quality of cobia Rachycentron canadum. A reduction in egg size was observed towards the end of the spawning season for both years. The proportion of floating eggs demonstrated a positive linear relationship with both yolk‐sac larval survival (r²=0.91, P<0.05) and batch larval production (r²=0.80, P<0.01). Viable egg batches (i.e. fertilization success >50%) were of higher batch fecundity, had larger eggs and a higher proportion of floating eggs than non‐viable batches (i.e. 0% fertilization success). Also, biochemical analyses revealed that these viable eggs had significantly higher protein and amino acid contents. A multiple regression model based on the proportion of floating eggs, batch fecundity and fertilization success provided the most accurate predictions of batch larval production (r²=0.95, P<0.001). Similarly, using the egg content of arginine/glycine and methionine significantly increased the correlation coefficient in the multiple regression model predicting larval deformity (r²=0.92, P=0.002). This study reveals that accurate determination of egg quality in cobia can be improved using a combination of several variables rather than a single variable.     

Reproductive performance and seasonal plasma sex steroid and metabolite levels in a captive wild broodstock of brill Scophthalmus rhombus L.

This study reports egg production by captive wild brill Scophthalmus rhombus, a potential new flatfish species for Southern Europe‐Mediterranean mariculture, as well as seasonal plasma levels of 17β–estradiol, testosterone, 11–ketotestosterone, proteins, triglycerides, glucose and lactate. A mean egg production of 102 800 eggs kg body weight⁻¹ was achieved during the 2005 spawning period (January–March), although a continuous egg supply could only be obtained from some females, which had a higher relative fecundity (261 019±10 393 eggs kg⁻¹) with 12–17 eggs batches released at a mean interval of 3.4 days. Most eggs were obtained with water temperatures ranging from 12 to 14°C, and under increasing temperatures (up to 2.9°C). Potential egg viability (70.1±2.9%), fertilization (72.2±3.4%) and hatching rates (31.9±3.9%) showed high variability, with potential viability tending to decrease as the water temperature increased (mainly between 16 and 17°C) and 0% hatching above 16.6°C. The endocrine changes that brill underwent during late gametogenesis, spawning and postspawning periods were similar to those reported in other Pleuronectiformes. This study establishes an important basis for further research on the biology and physiology of brill reproduction, directed towards the optimization of the breeding techniques used currently.     

Identification of a mannose‐binding lectin‐like protein recognized by the anti‐CD25 antibody in haemocytes from Cherax quadricarinatus

The crustacean haemolymph contains three main cell populations; however, it is not clear which mechanisms participate in the regulation of cells related to innate immunity. This work aimed to identify potential interleukin‐like receptors that could regulate cellular responses in Cherax quadricarinatus. By histochemical analysis with murine anti‐CD25 staining (targeting the α‐chain of the IL‐2 receptor), we identified that this antibody recognizes cytoplasmic granules in semigranular and granular haemocytes. In haemocytes stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), increased fluorescence was observed in these cytoplasmic granules, whereas staining with a human IL‐2 antibody after stimulation with 1–10 ng/ml PMA revealed no overexpression of the receptor or oxidative burst in haemocytes. Two‐dimensional Western blot analysis of haemocyte lysates showed that anti‐CD25 identified a 27.4‐kDa protein with an isoelectric point (pI) of 7.7 and a 46‐kDa protein with a pI of 6.9. De novo sequencing of these proteins identified that they had 32% homology with a mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) from Pacifastacus leniusculus. Our results indicate that a mannose‐binding lectin‐like protein could exert a protective effect that prevents damage from other activated immune responses.     

甘露糖—小清蛋白美拉德反应产物的免疫活性

为探讨以甘露糖为还原糖进行美拉德反应对小清蛋白免疫活性的影响,通过将鲢重组小清蛋白(r PV)和甘露糖混合物在干热条件下(100°C)反应100 min制得糖化的r PV(Mr PV),采用Tricine-SDS-PAGE和斑点杂交(Dot-blotting)分析糖化前后r PV的聚合特性、免疫活性及消化稳定性的变化;采用圆二色谱仪和扫描电子显微镜分析糖化对r PV的二级结构及微观结构的影响。结果显示,r PV糖化后形成大分子量的片状聚集体;甘露糖糖化修饰的r PV免疫活性及消化稳定性均显著下降;美拉德反应导致r PV二级结构中的α-螺旋和无规则卷曲的含量有一定程度的减少,而β-折叠的含量显著增加。研究表明,以甘露糖为还原糖进行美拉德反应可有效降低r PV的免疫活性及消化稳定性,这可能与糖化后r PV聚集体的形成及二级结构的改变有关。     

Interaction “nutrition-reproduction” in fish

In wild fish, gonad maturation and spawning induce modifications in feeding behaviour and dynamics of body stores which are possibly responsible for metabolic disorders. Conversely, food manipulations can modify reproduction of captive female broodstock. A restricted diet during early stages of the life cycle delays the first maturation age, a quantitatively restricted food supply during the stages of oocyte differentiation reduces the egg number, while a reduction of food levels during the last phases of oogenesis has only a small effect on egg size, composition and hatchability. During the spawning period, salmonid female broodstock seem to be more able to utilize carbohydrates than immature fish, they valorize the energy brought in by fats and have low quantitative requirements for proteins (28%). On the other hand, Red Sea bream broodstock have higher needs for proteins (45%).The incorporation into diet of liposoluble vitamins and essential fatty acids is necessary for normal reproduction, but (n-6) fatty acids seem to play a more important role than in juveniles. Although the effects and physiological role of carotenoids are not yet well known in salmonids, they are necessary for normal development in Red Sea bream. Although little work has been done on the effects of mineral nutrition, special attention must be paid to trace elements, manganese in particular.The major part of this review concerns female broodstock, since very little interest has been devoted to males.     

Progress Toward Year-round Spawning of Southern Flounder Broodstock by Manipulation of Photoperiod and Temperature

Reliable methods have been developed for controlled spawning of captive southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, broodstock during their natural winter (December–February) spawning season. From 1999 to 2004, we evaluated the effects of manipulation of photoperiod and temperature on both advance and delay spawning to produce viable embryos throughout the year. Wild‐caught adult broodstock were held in 4.8‐ to 7.0‐m³ controlled‐environment tanks at a sex ratio of approximately 12 females to 4 males. Broodstock were subjected to different artificial photothermal conditioning regimes: extended winter (EW), accelerated (A‐10‐, A‐6‐, A‐4.5‐, and A‐3.8‐mo regimes), and delayed (D‐16‐ and D‐14‐mo regimes), with gradual and abrupt transitions, respectively, from long to short daylengths. Under an EW cycle, fish were exposed to constant short daylengths (10 L: 14 D) after the winter solstice in January. Eighty‐seven natural spawnings from December to April produced 18.3 × 10⁶ eggs, with 20.9% hatching successfully (i.e., overall egg viability). Under an A‐10‐mo cycle, rate of decrease in daylength was accelerated after the summer solstice in July, to reach winter conditions in October. Seven induced spawning trials from October to November produced 897 × 10³ eggs, with 40.4% viability. Under an A‐6‐mo cycle, rate of change of photoperiod was accelerated after the winter solstice in January, to reach winter conditions in July. Three induced spawning trials in July produced 550 × 10³ eggs, with 14.7% viability. Under an A‐4.5‐mo cycle, broodstock exposed to EW from January through April were exposed to an accelerated cycle to reach winter conditions by October. Four induced spawning trials from September to November produced 729 × 10³ eggs, with 28.7% viability. Under an A‐3.8‐mo cycle, broodstock exposed to EW conditions from January through April were exposed to an accelerated cycle to reach winter conditions by September. Five induced spawning trials from September to November produced 510 × 10³ eggs, with 45.9% viability. Under a D‐16‐mo cycle, fish were exposed to a decelerated decline in photoperiod after the summer solstice in July, to reach winter conditions in May, when atretic females were observed. Under a D‐14‐mo cycle, fish were exposed to constant summer conditions from December through mid‐June and then to an abrupt decline in photoperiod to winter conditions in late June. Six induced spawning trials from September to November produced 763 × 10³ eggs, with 13.0% viability. Production of viable embryos was greatest during the extended winter because of abundant natural spawnings. While successful natural spawnings were rare during the fall or summer, viable embryos were produced through induced spawnings during all seasons of the year, with no significant (P > 0.05) differences in egg viability. Extended winter conditions prolonged spawning from 3 to 5 mo. Accelerated (3.8–10 mo) regimes were effective in producing viable embryos from summer through fall, but a minimum of 5 mo was required to complete gonadal recrudescence. While constant long daylengths after the summer solstice delayed gonadal recrudescence, with spawning obtained 2.5 mo after an abrupt reduction to short daylengths, a decelerated decline in photoperiod did not. Artificial control of daylength enabled precise control of gonadal recrudescence and year‐round spawning in southern flounder without adverse effects on the quality of eggs and larvae and will improve availability of seedstock for commercial aquaculturists.     

蟹源致病性拟态弧菌的粘附及侵袭特性

病原菌对机体的致病作用是由其产生的各种毒力因子共同作用的结果,其中病原菌对组织细胞或粘膜的表面粘附是造成机体感染的首要条件。病原菌的粘附因子主要包括菌毛粘附素和其它非菌毛粘附素(如鞭毛、外膜蛋白和血凝素等),其中以菌毛介导的病原菌对组织细胞的粘附是细菌在体内定居、增殖释放毒力因子发挥致病作用的关键。为了揭示拟态弧菌HX 4的致病机理,以经典粘附模式细胞HEp 2细胞作为体外细胞模型,探讨蟹源致病性拟态弧菌HX 4株的粘附特性以及受体物质和抗全菌抗体对细菌粘附作用的影响,同时采用庆大霉素清洗裂解培养法测定该菌对HEp 2细胞的侵袭力。结果显示,HX 4菌株能粘附HEp 2细胞,对HEp 2细胞具有侵袭力。细菌对HEp 2细胞的粘附方式为集聚性粘附,最佳粘附时间为1h,甘露糖和抗体能显著抑制该菌的粘附,表明HEp 2细胞上含有甘露糖样受体。该菌的粘附素除了主要是菌毛外,可能还含有鞭毛、外膜蛋白、血凝素等多种成分。     

外源性促性腺激素诱导日本鳗鲡精子发生和成熟的作用机制

用兔抗血清对抗促黄体素生成素受体（LHR）或称绒毛膜促性腺激素受体（CGR）和雄激素受体（AR）进行LHR和AR免疫组织化学定位,以揭示外源性促性腺激素（鲤脑垂体激素和hCG）诱发日本鳗鲡精子发生及其内分泌机制。结果表明,经过注射激素处理后的实验组与注射前的对照组相比较,其精巢发育和精子发生出现十分显著的变化。组织学切片观察显示,激素处理前鳗鲡精巢处于精原细胞增殖期,而两种激素混合注射后第10天,实验组可见精小叶中精原细胞的有丝分裂和初级与次级精母细胞的数量显著的增加。注射后第35天,靠近生殖上皮除有少量精原细胞外,精小叶中有大量初级精母细胞和次级精母细胞和少数精子细胞以及管腔中存在少量精子。在注射后第83天,日本鳗鲡完成了精子发生和精巢发育成熟以及释精。免疫组织化学染色结果进一步揭示,激素处理前,LH受体免疫活性分布在生殖上皮,显示强的免疫阳性反应;激素处理后,LH受体定位在Sertoli细胞和间质细胞以及精原细胞和初级与次级精母细胞的胞膜上,均显示强的免疫阳性反应。激素处理前,雄激素受体定位在生殖上皮和早期生精细胞的胞膜上;激素处理后,AR则定位在这些生精细胞的核或胞质,而精子细胞和精子显示免疫阴性反应。这些结果首次证明了这两种激素诱导鳗鲡精子发生和成熟的作用机制是通过LH受体和雄激素受体的介导。     

Effects of dietary keto-carotenoids (canthaxanthin and astaxanthin) on the reproductive performance of female rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

The aim of this study was to clarify further the relationship between dietary keto-carotenoids (canthaxanthin and astaxanthin) and reproductive performance in female rainbow trout. Three experiments were undertaken in three successive breeding seasons. In addition to a control diet, fish were fed a canthaxanthin-supplemented diet (200 mg canthaxanthin kg⁻¹ feed, designated as 6mC200) for 6 months prior to spawning (experiment A); the same diet as in A but for either 3 months (3mC200) or 6 months (6mC200) before spawning (experiment B); diets with one of two levels of astaxanthin supplementation, 50 mg (6mA50) or 100 mg (6mA100) kg⁻¹ feed, or a diet with 100 mg canthaxanthin kg⁻¹ feed (6mC100) fed for 6 months (experiment C).
There was no significant influence of carotenoid supplementation on either the frequency of maturing females or the date of maturation. The number of ova per kg of female body weight averaged 2700 and did not vary significantly among fish fed the different diets. Across experiments A, B and C there was no significant difference in egg and larval survival among fish fed carotenoid-supplemented and control diets. In experiment A, 6mC200 females produced smaller eggs than controls but this result was not confirmed in experiments B and C. In general, eyed egg yield appeared partly dependent upon egg size. Alevin weight was also correlated with egg weight. The growth test conducted on fingerlings from experiment B failed to provide any evidence of an effect of feeding carotenoid supplemented diets to the female parent. Pigment analyses conducted on alevins revealed that canthaxanthin fed to the female parent was transferred into the eggs and therefore to the larvae, although canthaxanthin was metabolized within a few weeks after hatching.     

Earthworm powder as an alternative protein source in diets for common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The increasing need for aquafeed resources and the finite availability of conventional feed resources are making it necessary to search for alternative high‐protein resources that are not used as human food. The earthworm Perionyx excavatus was tested as a feed ingredient in diets for common carp. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of earthworm powder as a replacement for fishmeal. In a recirculation aquarium system, triplicate groups of five common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) were fed a control feed (fishmeal based protein), or experimental diets in which 30% (EW30), 70% (EW70), or 100% (EW100) of fishmeal protein was replaced by earthworm protein. Fish growth, feed digestibility and feed utilization were monitored. Growth rate, protein efficiency and energy retention in fish were similar (EW30, EW100) or higher (EW70) for diets containing earthworm meal compared to the control diet. Protein digestibility in EW30, EW70 and EW100 was higher than in the control diet, but in (EW100), lipid conversion was lower. We conclude that earthworm is a suitable partial replacement for fishmeal in feeds for common carp.