Effects of stocking density on haematological parameters,growth and fin erosion of great sturgeon (Huso huso) juveniles

The influence of stocking density (1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg m^?2) was investigated on haematological parameters, growth and fin erosion of great sturgeon (Huso huso) juveniles for a period of 8 weeks. The mean weight of fish at the start of trial was 93.13±1.04 g. After 8 weeks of rearing, the mean weight was 362.4, 319.7, 267, 242.1 and 211.1 in densities 1–8 kg m^?2 respectively. The results of this study showed that growth parameters, including condition factor, weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and body weight increase, had a statistically significant difference among treatments (P<0.05). A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in haematocrit, but the other haematological parameters, including red blood cells, white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and differential WBC count, showed no significant effect with stocking density (P>0.05). At the end of the experiment, stocking density had no significant effect on plasma cortisol and glucose concentration. The fin length (dorsal, anal, ventral, pectoral and caudal) of fish was measured to calculate the fin index. According to this index, dorsal, anal, ventral and pectoral fins showed no significant difference among treatments (P>0.05), but the erosion of the caudal fin was significantly different between fish held on 6 and 8 kg m^?2 (P<0.05). These results showed that rearing density has a major effect on the growth indices of H. huso. Unlike many other fish, great sturgeon exhibited lower stress responses to high stocking density. This indicates that they are more tolerable to rearing conditions in high stocking densities. With respect to the various effects that density causes on growth, fin erosion and physiological and haematological parameters, better understanding of these phenomena considering different levels of density could have a beneficial impact on many rearing steps of this species.     

Effects of different photoperiods on growth, stress and haematological parameters in juvenile great sturgeon Huso huso

The effects of constant light (24L:00D), no light (00L:24D) and two light–dark periods (18L:06D;12L:12D) on the growth, stress and haematological variables were assessed in juvenile great sturgeon, Huso huso . During the 8-week experimental period, juveniles (22.5 ± 0.6 g) were kept under a 150 lx light intensity in fibreglass tanks (0.8 m², 500 L). Differences in growth were insignificant during the experiment, but lactate levels were higher in the 00L:24D and 24L:00D photoperiods compared with 12L:12D and 18L:06D photoperiods. Cortisol levels did not show differences among the various photoperiods. At the end of the experimental period, fish reared under a 12L:12D photoperiod had higher haemoglobin values and erythrocyte numbers than in the other photoperiods, while no differences were found between groups with regard to haematocrit values or leucocyte numbers. The highest survival rate (89%) was observed in the 12L:12D period in which the levels of lactate and cortisol as stress indicators were minimal. The results indicate that various photoperiods cause different stress levels in juvenile great sturgeon and have no significant effects on growth, at least in short time periods.     

Interaction between dietary levels of vitamins C and E on growth and immune responses in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary levels of vitamins C (0, 100 and 2000 mg kg⁻¹), E (0, 50 and 500 mg kg⁻¹) and their interaction on the growth performance, liver contents of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol, haematology and immune response of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus . Each diet was fed to catfish in triplicate aquaria to apparent satiation twice daily for 12 weeks. The results indicate that the amount of vitamin E contained in the basal diet (23.1 mg kg⁻¹) was sufficient to promote good growth, feed efficiency and survival, but its supplementation was needed to maintain high haematological values and liver vitamin E. Supplementation of vitamin C (100 mg kg⁻¹) to the basal diet containing 10.5 mg kg⁻¹ was required for good growth, feed efficiency, survival and prevention of vertebral deformity and optimum haematological indices. Liver storage of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol increased with increasing dietary levels of each vitamin. Dietary vitamin E levels had no effect on liver ascorbic acid content, but increasing dietary vitamin C increased liver α-tocopherol. Some measured immune parameters (serum protein and superoxide anion production) were enhanced by supplementation of vitamin C or E. Chemotaxis ratio and phagocytosis were not affected by treatments.     

Ascorbate-2-sulfate as a dietary vitamin C source for atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): 1. Growth,bioactivity, haematology and humoral immune response

The present experiment shows that ascorbate-2-sulfate (AS) is not equivalent to ascorbic acid (AA) as a dietary vitamin C source for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Within reasonable feed supplemental levels AS does not provide the tissues with adequate supplies of vitamin C to secure optimal physiological functions as demonstrated by biochemical and haematological analyses. AS could not be detected in the liver of fish fed either AA or AS, nor in vitamin C — deprived salmon, suggesting that AS is not the natural storage form of vitamin C in this species. There were no significant differences in antibody production against a soluble artificial antigen (NIP₁₁-LPH) in fish fed 500 and 5000 mg AA/Kg dry diet or equivalent amounts of AS during a period of six weeks at a water temperature of 7.2°C.     

杂交鲟幼鱼饲料中有效磷需要量的研究

为研究杂交鲟(Acipenser baerii♀×Acipenser schrenckii♂)幼鱼对饲料中有效磷的需要量,实验以磷酸二氢钙为磷源,配制了有效磷水平分别为0.37%(对照组)、0.65%、0.96%、1.22%和1.48%的5组等氮等能饲料。每组饲料设置3个重复,每个重复22尾鱼,饲喂初重(10.06±0.39)g杂交鲟幼鱼8周。结果显示:(1)饲料中不同有效磷水平对实验鱼的成活率、肝体比、脏体比和肥满度均无显著影响。随饲料有效磷水平增加,实验鱼的增重率和特定生长率呈先升高后趋于平稳的趋势,0.96%、1.22%和1.48%组增重率和特定生长率均显著高于0.37%组和0.65%组;全鱼粗脂肪含量呈降低趋势;饲料效率和蛋白质效率均呈先升高后降低的趋势。(2)不同有效磷水平饲料对全鱼水分、粗蛋白和肌肉水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗灰分、磷含量均无显著影响。0.96%、1.22%和1.48%组全鱼粗灰分、磷含量和脊椎粗灰分、磷含量均显著高于0.37%组和0.65%组。(3)随饲料有效磷水平增加,实验鱼血清磷含量和碱性磷酸酶活性均呈先升高后趋于平稳的趋势。0.96%、1.22%和1.48%组血清磷含量显著高于0.37%组和0.65%组,对照组的碱性磷酸酶活性显著低于其他组。(4)分别利用折线模型拟合分析实验鱼的增重率、全鱼磷含量和脊椎磷含量与饲料有效磷水平的相关性,得到饲料中适宜有效磷需要量分别为0.93%、1.02%和0.95%。综上所述,建议杂交鲟幼鱼饲料中有效磷添加水平为0.93%~1.02%为最佳。     

养殖密度对中华鲟生长性能、生化指标及性腺发育的影响

为探究养殖密度对中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)成鱼生长性能、生化指标及性腺发育的影响, 本研究设置低、 中、高 3 个密度梯度, 初始密度分别为(6.12 ± 0.04) kg/m³ 、(8.92 ± 0.19) kg/m³ 和(11.75 ± 0.29) kg/m³ , 密度养殖实验周期 12 个月,实验结束后将鱼转入恢复池进行低密度[(4.11 ± 0.03) kg/m3 ]恢复实验(6 个月), 分别在 0、12 个月和 18 个月时测定实验鱼的生长、血液生化和性激素水平等指标。结果表明, 密度养殖实验结束后, 低、中、高密度组分别达到(10.99 ± 0.21) kg/m³ 、(13.59 ± 0.10) kg/m³ 和(17.78 ± 0.28) kg/m³ ; 随着设计密度的增加, 实验鱼体重、 特定生长率(SGR)、增重率(WGR)、日增重率(DWGR)显著降低(P ＜ 0.05), 体重变异系数和饲料系数(FCR)显著升高(P ＜ 0.05); 血清甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)和总蛋白(TP)浓度随设计密度的增加呈逐渐递减的趋势, 高密度组血糖(GLU)浓度高于中、低密度组, 各密度组间白蛋白(ALB)浓度无显著性差异; 各密度组 17α,20β-双羟孕酮(17α, 20β-DHP)和睾酮(T)浓度无显著性差异, 但其浓度比实验开始时略有升高; 高密度组雌二醇(E2)、卵黄蛋白原(VTG) 和孕酮(P)浓度水平显著低于低、中密度组(P ＜ 0.05), 低、中密度组间差异不显著。低密度恢复实验结束后, 各密度组实验鱼体重、肥满度(CF)、体重变异系数的组间差距较恢复期开始时要明显缩小, SGR 和 DWGR 随设计密度升高呈逐渐增加趋势; 各密度组血清 GLU、ALB、TG、TC 和 TP 浓度基本恢复至实验开始时的浓度水平, 各组间无显著性差异; 各密度组 E2、VTG 和 P 浓度基本恢复至同一浓度水平, 且各组间无显著性差异。结果说明, 高密度养殖对中华鲟成鱼的生长和性激素水平均产生了显著的负面影响, 而中、低密度组实验鱼未受到显著影响。因此, 在保障中华鲟成鱼性腺正常发育的前提下, 为了尽可能实现养殖设施的最大化利用, 可以适当舍弃一些生长性能, 建议中华鲟成鱼的实时养殖密度不宜超过 13.59 kg/m³ 。     

Effectiveness of l‐ascorbyl‐2‐monophosphate Na/Ca as a vitamin C source for yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata juveniles

A feeding experiment was conducted to examine the efficacy of a vitamin C (L‐ascorbic acid, AsA) derivative, l ‐ascorbyl‐2‐monophosphate Na/Ca (AMP‐Na/Ca) by comparing to l ‐ascorbyl‐2‐monophosphate‐Mg (AMP‐Mg) in terms of growth, AsA content in tissues, and hematology in yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata juvenile (1.10 ± 0.01 g). Furthermore, a stress resistance test for the species fed AMP‐Na/Ca was also conducted. In experiment 1, 11 test pellet diets with different levels of AMP‐Na/Ca (0, 12, 43, 88, 440 and 881 mg AsA kg^?1diet) and AMP‐Mg (0, 16, 52, 106, 595 and 1164 mg AsA kg^?1 diet) were formulated and fed to the yellowtail three times per day for 50 days. In both the vitamin C sources, the survival rates of the fish fed diets without supplemental AsA were lower than 50% at day 20, and more than 50% mortality occurred in fish that fed the diets containing 12 or 16 mg AsA kg^?1 after day 30. However, no significant differences were detected in survival and growth among fish that fed the diets containing more than 43 mg AsA kg^?1. Liver and brain AsA concentrations generally increased with increasing dietary AsA level in both sources. In experiment 2, test diets were formulated to contain 43, 88, 440 and 881 mg AsA kg^?1 using AMP‐Na/Ca, and after 60 days of feeding, yellowtail juveniles were subjected to low salinity and air exposure stress. The fish that received diets with 440 mg AsA kg^?1 showed significantly higher tolerance to low salinity stress and higher survival rate in air exposure stress than those of other groups. The present study demonstrated that yellowtail juveniles could utilize AMP‐Na/Ca as an AsA source like AMP‐Mg, and that supplementation of 43–52 mg AsA kg^?1 diet was optimum for normal growth. However, this study showed that dietary inclusion of 440 mg AsA kg^?1 would be necessary to improve stress resistance of this species.     

Haematological and biochemical alterations in Korean catfish, Silurus asotus, experimentally infected with Edwardsiella tarda

This study determined the haematological changes in Korean catfish, Silurus asotus , experimentally infected with Edwardsiella tarda . Twenty-four or 48 h after infection with 1 × 10⁴ colony-forming units (CFU) mL⁻¹ of E. tarda , the fish were anaesthetized and the blood was collected. The haematological and biochemical tests included haematocrit (Ht), haemoglobin (Hb), leucocyte counts (Lc), total calcium (Ca), total protein (TP) concentration, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose (GLU), aspartate aminotransferase, lysozyme and differential leucocyte populations. After 24- and 48-h infection, the values of Ht, Hb, Lc, TP, ALP and GLU were significantly decreased with respect to the control. Aspartate aminotransferase and lysozyme activity in both the 24- and 48-h groups exhibited higher levels compared with those in the control. However, the bacterial infection did not induce any significant alteration in the Ca concentration. After the 48-h infection, neutrophils and macrophage populations were reduced whereas lymphocytes were increased with respect to those in the control and the 24-h infection groups. The present study demonstrates that E. tarda infection causes haemato-biochemical responses that are related to the general physiological condition and defence system in catfish.     

Daily and seasonal variations in haematological and blood biochemical parameters in the tench, Tinca tinca Linnaeus, 1758

The purpose of the present study was to characterize daily variations in haematology and blood biochemistry in healthy male and female tench (Tinca tinca) in the four seasons of the year. Red blood cells, haematocrit and haemoglobin presented a similar daily profile in spring and summer, with high values during the scotophase. Total and differential types of leucocytes showed significant daily fluctuations, with a different pattern depending on the season and/or the type of leucocytes studied. A daily rhythm in plasma glucose and triglycerides was detected in winter, but significant changes in cholesterol concentrations were only detected in females during summer. The lowest mean level for triglycerides and cholesterol was observed in winter. The daily profile of plasma total proteins was similar in the four seasons, without a significant daily oscillation. All these daily and seasonal changes in haematology and blood biochemistry indicate that the time of the day and the season must be considered when such parameters are used for assessing the physiological status of the fish, and as biomarkers for disease and/or pollutant exposure.     

Ascorbic acid status as affected by dietary treatment in the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt): tissue concentration,mobilisation and L-gulonolactone oxidase activity

A study was conducted to evaluate tissue storage and mobilisation of L-ascorbic acid (AA) in the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri) fed three different experimental diets. The three treatments consisted of a diet devoid of vitamin C (diet A0) and two diets supplemented with equivalent of 300 mg AA kg^–1 in the form of either silicone-coated ascorbic acid (diet SC) or of ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (diet AP). During the first phase (4 months) of the trial, six batches of 130 Siberian sturgeon (initial body weight: 25.5±0.5 g) each were fed one of the three diets in duplicate. During the second phase (3 months), fish from groups SC and AP were switched to diet A0 and those fed diet A0 during the first phase were switched to diet SC. Irrespective of the dietary treatment, growth rates were not significantly different from each other. At the end of phase I, in all tissues studied, total ascorbic acid (TAA) concentrations were higher in Siberian sturgeon fed diet AP than in the other two groups. During phase II, tissue ascorbate depletion was also higher in the AP group than in the other two groups. Transfer of the AA-free diet fed group onto a diet supplemented with 300 mg AA kg^–1 (diet SC) led to a slight increase in the TAA concentrations in all tissues. Blood plasma tyrosine concentrations were not significantly different between the three groups. Whole-body collagen levels were affected by dietary AA levels or forms at the end of phase I; the differences were not significant at the end of phase II. Muscle collagen levels were slightly affected. L-Gulonolactone oxidase activity was found in the kidney of Siberian sturgeon, but not in the liver. The ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate appears to be either better utilised by Siberian sturgeon, like in many other teleosts, or more stable than the silicone-coated AA during food processing and storage. Presence of L-gulonolactone oxidase activity in Siberian sturgeon kidney combined with the absence of gross scorbutic signs in AA-free diet fed groups expressing very good growth rates suggested no need of dietary AA byA. baeri.