The effects of different proportions of the 17β‐estradiol and 17α‐methyltestosterone on growth,sex reversal and skin colouration of the electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis ahli Trewavas, 1935)

This study was performed to investigate the effects of 17β‐estradiol (ES) and 17α‐methyltestosterone (MT) on growth, development, survival, sex ratio and colour change in the electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis ahli Trewavas, 1935). The hormones were not supplemented to the control feed, while six other feeds were prepared by adding 20, 40 and 60 mg kg^?1 17β‐ES or 20, 40 and 60 mg kg^?1 17α‐MT to each, resulting in seven different feed treatments. Average live weight of the fish supplemented with these diets was 0.42 ± 0.04 g. At the end of the study, the highest weight gain was observed in fish fed 60 mg kg^?1 17α‐MT group (2.62 ± 0.11 g) and the difference with the groups fed with 17β‐ES was found to be significant. All fish fed 17α‐MT were male, while the rates of feminization in fish fed 17β‐ES at 20, 40, 60 mg kg^?1 were 91.11%, 88.88% and 93.33% respectively. Survival rates were respectively determined as 80%, 95.56%, 84.44%, 93.33%, 77.78%, 84.44% and 84.44% for the control, 20, 40, 60 mg kg^?1 17β‐ES and 20, 40, 60 mg kg^?1 17α‐MT treatments. The best colouration was achieved in the 17α‐MT groups (P < 0.05). The L* values varied between 32.98 ± 4.44 and 61.35 ± 2.19, a* values between ?7.06 ± 0.22 and ?3.42 ± 0.11, and b* values between ?7.74 ± 0.10 and 11.65 ± 0.03, while Chroma (C*) and Hue (H°_ab) angle values varied between 7.54 ± 0.22 and 13.60 ± 0.01 and between 119.76 ± 0.05 and 239.73 ± 4.86. In conclusion, the 17α‐MT feeding was found to have a greater effect on the growth, feed conversion ratio, masculunization and pigmentation of the electric blue haps than the 17β‐ES treatment.     

LHRHa‐induced ovulation of the endangered‐Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius) and its effect on egg quality and two sex steroids: testosterone and 17α‐hydroxyprogestrone

To induce synchronized ovulation, migrating wild Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius) females were treated with two interperitoneal injections of Des‐Gly¹⁰, d ‐Ala⁶ LHRH (LHRHa), given 3 days apart. Two injections of 100 μg kg^?1 body weight of this hormone effectively induced ovulation. Within 27 days from the second injection, all fish injected with 100 μg kg^?1 LHRHa had ovulated compared with 54.5% of the controls. The mean time to ovulation was reduced significantly (P<0.05) from 31.67±4.84 days in control fish and 28.83±7.31 days in sham‐treated fish to 16.36±1.61 days in fish injected with 100 μg kg^?1 LHRHa. The fertilization rate in 50 and 100 μg kg^?1 LHRHa‐injected fish was significantly lower than that in the control fish (P<0.05). In fish injected with 50 and 100 μg kg^?1 LHRHa, significant (P<0.05) changes in testosterone (T) and 17α‐hydroxyprogestrone (OHP) levels were observed. After the second LHRHa injection, the fish injected with 100 μg kg^?1 showed the highest serum levels of testosterone and OHP. These results demonstrate that the use of LHRHa can effectively reduce the mean time to ovulation and induce synchronized ovulation in Caspian brown trout.     

Effect of dietary essential fatty acids on level of oestradiol‐17β and vitellogenin,reproductive performance and larval quality of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) in out‐of‐spawning season

A study was conducted to determine the effect of essential fatty acid in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) broodstock diets on a level of oestradiol‐17β and vitellogenin, reproductive performance and larval quality in out‐of‐spawning season. Five female and five male broodstock were stocked into a net cage (3 × 5 × 1.5 m³) and fed with pelleted diets containing 1.5% fish oil and different amounts of corn oil (CO) in diet formulation, that is 0%, 1%, 2% and 3% respectively. Gonadal development, oestradiol‐17ß and vitellogenin concentrations were examined every 2 weeks. Oestradiol‐17ß and vitellogenin concentrations showed an increase during the maturation process. The significantly highest percentage of female mature, fecundity, hatching rate, larval production and larval survival rate were obtained from fish fed with 2% corn oil in the diet. This result revealed that the administration of 2% corn oil in the diet as a source of n‐6 (linoleic acid) and 1.5% fish oil as a source of n‐3 (linolenic acid) can improve the reproductive performance of striped catfish broodstock in out‐of‐spawning season.     

Effects of estradiol‐17β on survival,growth performance,gonadal structure and sex ratio of the tiger puffer,Takifugu rubripes (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850), fingerlings

Systematic research was performed to assess the survival, growth performance, gonadal structure and sex ratio during and after sex reversal induced by estradiol‐17β in tiger puffers. The fish of 20 days after hatching (dah) were immersed in different doses (0.2, 2, 20, 100 ppb) for 60 days. There were significant differences in survival rates among groups (p < .05). With the increase in the estradiol‐17β dose, the survival rates of tiger puffers decreased, revealing a linear regression relationship with log₁₀ (estradiol + 1; p < .05). The growth tendency of fish in the low‐dose group was similar to those in the control group over the same period. The growth in the 20 ppb dose group was significantly slower than in the low‐dose and control groups in fish of same age (p < .05), but was significantly faster than in the 100 ppb dose group (p < .05) after 60 days. Intersex fish were categorized into intersex I, II and III types, according to the feminization degree from low to high. Phenotypic intersex puffer fish were found in the 2, 20 and 100 ppb dose groups. Intersex ratios in 2, 20 and 100 ppb were 10%, 43.3% and 46.7%, respectively, the ratios except the ones in 2 ppb group being significantly higher than those in the control group (p < .05). Moreover, 100.0% male induction for intersex II and III types occurred in 20 and 100 ppb groups. Together, these results indicated that estradiol‐17β at a dose of 20 ppb was most effective for pseudo‐female production.     

Masculinization of the Native Bay Snook,Petenia splendida,Using Oral Administration of the Synthetic Steroid 17α‐methyltestosterone

The possibility of inducing sex reversal in bay snook, Petenia splendida, was evaluated to generate a protocol aimed at producing single‐sex populations (100% males) and improving farming conditions for this species. This popular staple food is a cichlid fish native to Central America, with aquaculture potential. We evaluated oral administration of the synthetic steroid 17α‐methyltestosterone (MT) to determine optimal dosage (30, 45, and 60 mg/kg of food) and days of feeding (30, 45, and 60) to attain efficient masculinization. The statistical analysis indicates a highly significant effect of both factors as well as for the interaction (P < 0.01). We registered significant differences in growth at the end of the experiment; fish fed with 60 mg of MT for 60 d reached the largest size, while fish fed with no MT were smaller. No significant differences were observed for survival (P > 0.05), ranging from 55.7 to 75.3% in the treatments. We recommend the use of 60 mg/kg of MT for 30 d for achieving successful sex reversal. This study provides valuable information supporting the inclusion of new species in aquaculture, reducing time and costs associated with sex reversal previously proposed for the species.     

Induction of sex inversion in common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) males,using 17‐β oestradiol implants

The common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is a protandric hermaphrodite fish that has potential for aquaculture due to its high value and market acceptance. One of the difficulties to its reproduction in captivity is that females are older and bigger than males. The objective of this study was to use 17‐β oestradiol (E2) hormone implants to induce sex inversion in adult males. Fish with an initial body weight of 383 ± 83 g (mean ± SD), individually tagged were used in the experiment. Four E2 dosages (n = 7) were tested (0.5, 1.0, 4.0 and 8.0 mg   kg^?1) in Ethylene‐vinyl‐acetate (EVAc) implants, and a control group (n = 7) implanted without hormone. The parameters evaluated were: survival, weight gain, hepatosomatic and gonadosomatic indices (GSI and HSI) and plasma levels of testosterone (T) and 17‐β oestradiol (E2). Also, liver and gonad morphology was observed through histological sections. GSI was higher in E2 treated than in control fish. All E2 treated fish had completely developed ovaries with oocytes at the perinucleolar stage, while all fish in the control group remained males with evidence of active spermatogenesis. After 15 days, plasma levels of E2 were correlated with the hormone dosage. T levels in the control group were higher than in E2 treated fish, at all sampling times. In conclusion, 0.5 mg   kg^?1 of E2 in EVAc implants is effective to induce sexual inversion in common snook males, which could be useful to obtain broodstock females smaller than in the wild in a reduced time.     

Effects of anthropogenic disturbances on α and β diversity of fish assemblages and their longitudinal patterns in subtropical streams,China

Identifying the spatial patterns of α and β diversity of biotics is an important yet little‐understood area of basic and applied ecological research. Although the upstream–downstream patterns of α diversity of stream fishes are numerously reported, β diversity has received less attention. In this study, we surveyed fishes along the upstream–downstream gradients in three headwater streams of the Qingyi River, China, which were affected by different extents of human activities. We aimed to assess how anthropogenic disturbances affect α and β diversity of stream fishes and their upstream–downstream patterns. We found that, compared with that in the Shuxi Stream disturbed less, endemic species decreased and cosmopolitan species increased in the Maxi and Puxi Stream disturbed heavily. The streams disturbed heavily showed lower α diversity and higher β diversity than that in the stream disturbed less. This among‐stream variations in fish diversity only occurred at the mid‐downstream, not upstream segments. α diversity increased downstream and β diversity decreased downstream from headwaters to mouth in the stream disturbed less, whereas this upstream–downstream pattern in fish diversity shifted in the streams disturbed heavily, in which both α and β diversity showed the quadratic distributions with the hump‐shape for α diversity and the U‐shape for β diversity respectively. Our results suggest that anthropogenic disturbances cause some cosmopolitan fishes replacing many endemic fishes in upland streams. This replacement processes result in α diversity decreasing and β diversity increasing, and shift the spatial patterns in fish diversity along the upstream–downstream gradient.     

Characterization of β‐catenin 1 during the gonad development in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

β‐catenin gene is a pivotal gene for gonad development and maintenance of ovarian function in mammals. However, little is known about its expression and function in gonad development of fish. In this study, a complete cDNA (3342 bp) sequence of β‐catenin 1 was cloned from the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, by RACE PCR, which encodes a 780‐amino‐acid protein. Quantitative real‐time PCR demonstrated that β‐catenin 1 mRNA expressions were high in the testis and ovary tissue and the expression increased as the testes developed and the early stage ovaries developed. Western blot results revealed a single immunoreactive band with an estimated molecular weight of 90 kDa in testes. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that the β‐catenin 1 protein was concentrated mainly in the cytoplasm of early development stage of oocyte cells and in the cytomembrane of developing and mature sperm cells. 17β‐Ethinylestradiol injecting intraperitoneally into the fish decreased the relative β‐catenin 1 mRNA expression level except 1 μg/g 72 hr and 5 μg/g 48 hr of treatments in the ovary by real‐time PCR. These results suggest, for the first time, that β‐catenin 1 is an essential protein in gonad development and might be involved in ovarian early development of C. carpio.     

Effect of dietary β‐1,3‐glucan on the immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei exposed to nitrite‐N

β‐1,3‐Glucan with 1.0 g kg^?1 was supplemented to a basal diet [control (C)] with different feeding schedules: permanently β‐1,3‐glucan diet (BG) and 14 days BG–14 days control diet (C + BG). Growth and immunological responses [respiratory burst (RB), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lysozyme and total protein] in haemolymph, hepatopancreas and muscle of Litopenaeus vannamei were recorded after 84‐day feeding and exposure to nitrite‐N (20 mg L^?1) for 120 h. β‐1,3‐Glucan administration did not affect growth performance. However, as compared with control, elevated CAT and lysozyme activities were seen in haemolymph of both BG groups, while significantly higher activities of SOD, lysozyme and RB in hepatopancreas, and higher activities of CAT and lysozyme in muscle were only seen in C + BG group. After nitrite‐N stress, significantly higher haemolymph protein, and hepatopancreas activities of lysozyme and RB were observed in both BG groups, but significantly higher activities of haemolymph SOD was only seen in C + BG group. The mortality in groups BG and C + BG was significantly lower than that in group C, but C + BG group showed a trend of higher nitrite‐N resistance compared with BG group. Considering dietary cost and immunostimulatory effects, the feeding schedule with 14 days BG–14 days control diet is more recommended.     

Effects of γ‐aminobutyric acid supplementation on the growth performance,serum biochemical indices and antioxidant status of pharaoh cuttlefish,Sepia pharaonis

This study evaluated the effects of dietary γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the growth performance, serum biochemical indices and antioxidant status of pharaoh cuttlefish, Sepia pharaonis. Cuttlefish were cultured in open‐culturing cement pool systems for 8 weeks. Six practical diets supplemented with graded levels of GABA (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/kg) were formulated. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 60 cuttlefish (mean weight: 10.33 g), the cuttlefish were fed two times per day to apparent satiation. The results showed that the specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG) and feed efficiency (FE) significantly increased with dietary GABA supplementation (p < .05). The survival rate (SR) and protein content in muscle significantly increased when 58.9 mg/kg GABA supplied. Moreover, the nitric oxide (NO) content and acid phosphatase (ACP) activity in serum were significantly increased with dietary GABA supplementation (p < .05), while the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum decreased significantly when supplied with GABA at 58.9 mg/kg (p < .05). In addition, dietary GABA improved antioxidation activity by significantly increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) but decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver and gill (p < .05). On the basis of the quadratic regression analysis of FE, the optimum content of dietary GABA in S. pharaonis was estimated to be 55.3 mg/kg. The findings of this study demonstrated that dietary GABA had a positive effect on the growth performance, serum biochemical indices and antioxidant status of S. pharaonis.     

A non‐paradoxical dose response to 17α‐methyltestosterone by Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.): effects on the sex ratio,growth and gonadal development

Commercial tilapia production is dependent on monosex culture, commonly obtained through the inclusion of an androgen in the diet for a brief period soon after hatch. To determine a minimum effective dose and identify the problems associated with over‐dosing, Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fry were fed diets containing methyltestosterone (MT) at rates up to 1200 mg kg^?1 of diet for 28 days. The minimum effective dose for ≥95% males was 14 mg MT kg^?1 diet. Percent phenotypic males increased as the rate increased from 3.75 (80%) to 30 mg kg^?1 MT (99%). Methyltestosterone given at rates of 120 mg kg^?1 or more reduced efficacy but did not result in a reduced frequency of males relative to that of non‐treated fish. The term ‘paradoxical feminization’ does not adequately describe the observed sex ratios, where no fish were feminized but the efficacy of MT at high doses to masculinize females was reduced. At 1200 mg MT kg^?1, the frequency of females (48 ± 1%) was not different from that in the non‐treated population. The mechanism for the reduced efficacy is not clear and is not adequately explained as an aromatization of androgen to oestrogen response.     

Comparative effect of Freund's adjuvant and Aloe vera L. gel on the expression of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in vaccinated Cyprinus carpio L. with Aeromonas hydrophila C. bacterin

The comparative effects of Freund's and Aloe vera gel as adjuvants on the expression of IL‐1β and TNF‐α genes were studied in vaccinated common carp (Cyprinus carpio) with Aeromonas hydrophila bacterin. Fishes were intraperitoneally immunized with A. hydrophila bacterin in combination with Aloe vera gel or Freund's and also without any adjuvant. At day 28 after immunization, all groups were challenged by lethal dose of A. hydrophila (10⁷ cells/fish). Changes in the expression of IL‐1β and TNF‐α genes were evaluated in anterior kidney before challenge and 12, 24, 72 and 7 days postchallenge using quantitative real‐time PCR. Higher expression levels of both genes were observed in all vaccinated groups compared with non‐immunized group. Fishes which received Aloe vera gel showed higher expression of IL‐1β and TNF‐α in relation to animals which vaccinated with or without Freund's adjuvant. We concluded that Aloe vera gel in compared with Freund's adjuvant had a more stimulatory effect on the expression of immune‐related genes in vaccinated common carp and it can use as a novel adjuvant in aquaculture.     

Effects of α‐ketoglutarate on the growth performance,amino acid metabolism and related gene expression of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio)

A 70‐day feeding experiment was conducted to assess the effects of α‐ketoglutarate (AKG) supplementation in different protein sources of diets on the growth performance, nitrogen metabolism and related gene expression of mirror carp. Two kinds of protein diets (soybean meal protein source and fish meal and soybean meal compound protein source) and two levels of AKG (0 g kg^?1 and 15 g kg^?1, respectively) were utilized. Each experimental diet was fed three times a day with five replicates of 20 fish per tank with an average individual weight of 217.93 ± 0.78 g. The results indicated that AKG significantly improved the protein efficiency ratio and decreased the feed conversion rate (FCR) (p < .05). Soybean protein significantly decreased the weight gain rate and increased the FCR (p < .05). In addition, diets with AKG significantly improved the concentration of glutamine and glutamic acid (Glu) in the foregut and hindgut (p < .05), as well as the glutamine synthetase (GS) activity in the foregut (p < .05). Soybean protein significantly decreased the concentration of Glu and GS activity in the hindgut (p < .05). AKG significantly improved the contents of threonine, alanine, proline and essential amino acid in muscle (p < .05). Dietary supplementation with AKG significantly improved GS gene expression in the intestine and reduced Rhesus glycoprotein (Rhag and Rhbg) gene expression in the gill (p < .05). From the results, we know that a diet with AKG is beneficial for the growth and amino acid metabolism of carp.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of A3α‐peptidoglycan on the growth,immune response and defence of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

To determine the effects of A3α‐peptidoglycan (A3α‐PG) extracted from Bifidobacterium sp. on the growth, immune response and disease resistance of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, a 70‐day feeding trial was conducted in this study. A total of 216 sea cucumbers were fed with four practical diets prepared from a commercial feed with different contents (0, 1.5, 2.5 and 4.0 g kg^?1) of A3α‐PG. The specific growth rate (SGR), total coelomocyte count (TCC), phagocytotic activity and activities of four immunological enzymes in both cell‐free coelomic fluid (extracellular, EC) and coelomocyte lysate supernatant (intracellular, IC), including acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were measured at the end of the feeding trial. Finally, the animals were administered a 16‐day Vibrio splendidus challenge via intraperitoneal injection to test the potency of A3α‐PG on disease resistance. Compared with the control (0 g kg^?1 A3α‐PG), a significant increase (P < 0.05) in SGR was observed in the groups fed with 1.5 and 2.5 g kg^?1 A3a‐PG. The TCC, ranging from 7.25 × 10⁶ to 1.05 × 10⁷ cells mL^?1, was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by A3α‐PG,. Coelomocyte phagocytotic activities in all of the A3α‐PG‐supplemented groups were significantly activated (P < 0.05), but no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed. Sea cucumbers fed with 1.5 and 2.5 g kg^?1 A3α‐PG exhibited significant activation (P < 0.05) of EC/IC‐ACP, EC/IC‐ALP, and EC/IC‐POD activities. A significant increase in EC‐SOD activities (P < 0.05) was exhibited by all groups with A3α‐PG supplementation. The challenge test showed that animals fed with diets containing 2.5 and 4.0 g kg^?1 A3α‐PG had significantly lower cumulative mortalities compared with the control 16 days after exposure. All of the results presented here show that A3α‐PG can positively enhance the growth, immune response and disease resistance of sea cucumber, suggesting that dietary supplementation of A3α‐PG has potential applications in the health management of economic species of sea cucumber.     

Effects of β‐conglycinin on growth performance,antioxidant capacity and intestinal health in juvenile golden crucian carp,Carassius auratus

The objective of this study was conducted to research the effects of β‐conglycinin in the diets on the growth performance, immunity function, antioxidant capacity and intestinal health of juvenile golden crucian carp (Carassius auratus). Five diets contained respectively (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 g/kg) β‐conglycinin, and were used to feed juvenile golden crucian carp for 56 days. Final weight, weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly reduced by dietary β‐conglycinin (20–80 g/kg). Feed efficiency and protein efficiency were significantly reduced by dietary β‐conglycinin (40–80 g/kg). In hepatopancreas, the activities of T‐SOD, ACP, ALT and T‐AOC were significantly suppressed by dietary β‐conglycinin (20–80 g/kg). The activities of LZM, AKP, CAT and GPx were significantly reduced by dietary β‐conglycinin (40–80 g/kg). The activities of protease were significantly reduced and the content of MDA was significantly increased by dietary β‐conglycinin (60–80 g/kg). In proximal intestines, the activities of protease and CAT were significantly decreased by dietary β‐conglycinin (40–80 g/kg). In mid and distal intestines, the activities of protease and CAT were significantly inhibited by dietary β‐conglycinin (20–80 g/kg). In intestines, T‐AOC and GPx were significantly declined by dietary β‐conglycinin (20–80 g/kg). In proximal and mid intestines, the content of MDA were significantly increased by dietary β‐conglycinin (40–80 g/kg). In distal intestines, the content of MDA was significantly increased by dietary β‐conglycinin (20–80 g/kg). The expression of IGF‐I was significantly decreased and the expression of IL‐1β and TNF‐α was significantly increased by dietary β‐conglycinin (20–80 g/kg). The structural integrity of intestinal tissues were damaged by dietary β‐conglycinin (20–80 g/kg), the part of intestinal villus were shed, the part of epithelial cells were separated from lamina propria. Ultimately, these results suggested dietary β‐conglycinin should be <20 g/kg in formula feed of golden crucian carp.     

A3α‐peptidoglycan extracted from Bifidobacterium sp. could enhance immunological ability of Apostichopus japonicus

To assess the effects of A3α‐peptidoglycan (A3α‐PG) extracted from Bifidobacterium sp. on the immune response and disease resistance of sea cucumber, different concentrations (0, 0.5, 5 and 50 mg mL^?1) of A3α‐PG suspensions were used to perform hypodermic injection on Apostichopus japonicus, followed by a Vibrio splendidus challenge. Total coelomocyte count (TCC), phagocytosis activity and activities of four immunological enzymes in both cell‐free coelomic fluid (extra‐cellular, EC) and coelomocyte lysate supernatant (intracellular, IC), including acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), were measured at 2, 6, 14 and 24 h post injection (hpi). The TCC was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by A3α‐PG, ranging from 1.84 × 10⁶ to 3.53 × 10⁶ cells mL^?1. The coelomocyte phagocytosis activity was significantly activated (P < 0.05) in all the A3α‐PG treatments, whereas no significant difference was observed between them except 24 hpi (P > 0.05). The EC‐ACP activity in the 5.0 mg mL^?1 treatment increased significantly (P < 0.05) at all sampling times, while the IC‐ACP activity in the 50 mg mL^?1 treatment increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 2 hpi. Also, the 5.0 mg mL^?1 treatment had significant (P < 0.05) increase in the EC‐ALP activity within 14 hpi and the EC‐POD activity at 2 hpi, respectively, while significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced IC‐ALP and IC‐POD activities were observed in the 50 mg mL^?1 treatment within 6 hpi and at 2 hpi, respectively. Only the 5.0 mg mL^?1 treatment showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in the EC‐SOD activity at 2 hpi and IC‐SOD activity within 14 hpi, respectively. The challenge test showed that the animals treated with 50 mg mL^?1 of A3α‐PG had notably lower cumulative mortality after 14 days following V. splendidus exposure. All together, these results suggest that A3α‐PG could positively enhance immune response that effectively promotes the health status of A. japonicus against V. splendidus infection.     

Enhancement of the innate immune system and disease‐resistant activity in Cyprinus carpio by oral administration of β‐glucan and whole cell yeast

The effects of dietary β‐ (1,3) glucan and whole cell yeast (Sacharomyces uvarum) on the immune response and disease resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila were investigated in Cyprinus carpio. β‐(1,3) glucan was extracted from the yeast. Both β‐(1,3) glucan and whole yeast were incorporated into the diet at 1% level and fed to common carp C. carpio for a period of 60 days. Control and treated fish were exposed to A. hydrophila on the 30th and the 60th day of the experimental period. Dietary supplementation of glucan significantly increased the white blood cell count in fish on the 60th day (2.91±0.04 × 10⁴), and the highest nuetrophil nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) activity was also observed in glucan‐fed fish (30th day). A consistent increase in neutrophil (NBT) activity was also observed in whole cell fed fish until the end of the experiment. Similarly, β‐(1,3) glucan and whole cell yeast enhanced the serum lysozyme activity from the 15th day onwards but higher activity was reported on the 30th day in glucan and the 60th day in whole cell yeast‐fed fish. Suplementation of β‐(1,3) glucan protected the fish from A. hydrophila infection. Nearly 75–80% of the fish survived pathogen exposure (relative percentage survival). However, only 54–60% survival was observed in the whole cell‐fed fish. β‐(1,3) glucan and whole cell yeast protect the fish from pathogens by enhancing the cellular and humoral immune response in C. carpio.     

Effects of α‐lipoic acid on growth performance,body composition,antioxidant profile and lipid metabolism of the GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed high‐fat diets

The wide use of lipid as a non‐protein energy substitute has led to lipid metabolic problems in cultured tilapia. Therefore, studies that reduce the effects of high‐fat diets in genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) are required. This study evaluated the optimum level and effects of dietary α‐lipoic acid (α‐LA) on growth performance, body composition, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism of GIFT tilapia. The basal diet (120 g/kg lipid) was supplemented with six concentrations of α‐LA at 0 (control), L300, L600, L900, L1200 and L2400 mg/kg diet to make the experimental diets, which were fed to GIFT tilapia juveniles (initial body weight: 0.48 ± 0.01 g) for 8 weeks. The weight gain of fish improved significantly in the L300 than other dietary treatments. The intraperitoneal fat index and lipid content of fish fed on the L2400 diet decreased significantly than those fed on the control diet. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) in serum and liver were significantly higher in fish fed on the L300 diet than the control. The reduced GSH content of fish fed on the L300 in serum and liver was significantly higher than those fed on control diet. The malondialdehyde content in serum and liver was significantly lower in L300 than in the control. The adipose triglyceride lipase gene was significantly up‐regulated in fish fed on the L2400, but the diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 gene was down‐regulated in adipose. The liver‐type fatty acid‐binding protein gene in the liver was significantly up‐regulated in fish fed on the L300 and L600 diets. Moreover, the acyl‐coenzyme A oxidase gene in liver was significantly up‐regulated in fish fed on the L300, L600, L900 and L1200 diets. Polynomial regression analysis indicated that 439–528 mg/kg α‐LA is an appropriate dosage in high‐fat diet to improve growth performance and relieve lipid oxidative damage by accelerating lipid catabolism and reducing lipid synthesis in GIFT tilapia.     

RRR-α-Tocopheryl succinate is a less bioavailable source of vitamin E than all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate for red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus

Bioavailability of the succinate ester of α-tocopherol has never been investigated with aquatic animals to date. Therefore, a 12-week feeding trial was conducted to compare bioavailability of α-tocopheryl acetate and α-tocopheryl succinate by slope ratio analysis. The semi-purified diets were supplemented with either 0 (basal), 10, 20 and 40 IU vitamin E/kg as all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate or 10, 20, or 40 IU vitamin E/kg as RRR-α-tocopheryl succinate. Red drum juveniles were conditioned by feeding the basal diet for 8 weeks prior to the experimental period to reduce whole-body tocopherols. Fish initially averaging 12.2 ± 0.4 g/fish (mean ± SD) were fed experimental diets at a rate approaching apparent satiation for 12 weeks. Weight gain and feed efficiency responses of fish fed diets were not significantly altered by the type or level of vitamin E supplemented. However, α-tocopherol levels in liver and plasma were significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by dietary vitamin E level and ester form. The liver retention of α-tocopheryl acetate was 14 times higher than α-tocopheryl succinate, while thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver of fish fed α-tocopheryl acetate tended to be (P < 0.1) lower than that of fish fed α-tocopheryl succinate. In addition, plasma ascorbic acid in fish fed graded levels of α-tocopheryl acetate was significantly higher than fish fed graded levels of α-tocopheryl succinate. Fish fed the basal diet and 10 IU α-tocopheryl succinate/kg showed edema in the heart, while fish fed all other diets did not exhibit this pathology. Within the dose range of 0–40 IU/kg diet, hematocrit, neutrophil oxidative radical production and intracellular superoxide anion production of head kidney macrophages were not significantly influenced by α-tocopherol ester or dietary supplementation level. In conclusion, α-tocopheryl succinate is not readily available to juvenile red drum compared to the widely used α-tocopheryl acetate.     

Kinetics and isotherms of oxytetracycline adsorption on β‐cyclodextrin/carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel films

Oxytetracycline (OTC), widely used as an antibiotic substance in aquaculture, has an adverse effect on environmental and public health. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate that OTC can be removed by hydrogel films composed of β‐cyclodextrin/carboxymethylcellulose (β‐CD/CMC) with esterification‐crosslink method. Oxytetracycline adsorption experiments were performed with an initial pH of 1–12 and an initial concentration of 10–500 mg/L. The experimental data were fitted with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and compared using linear and nonlinear models. The experimental results indicate that OTC's adsorption capacity depends on the active β‐cyclodextrin content. The optimal pH was around 8.