Evaluation of fish-meal free diets for rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Eight experimental diets were formulated for rainbow trout using agricultural byproducts as major ingredients. Each experimental diet contained varying amounts of corn grain, corn gluten meal, corn gluten feed and one of the following: 200 g kg^?1 peanut meal, 200 or 400 g kg^?1 soybean meal (SBM), 390 g kg^?1 low-allergen soy flour, 310 g kg^?1 soy protein concentrate, 300 g kg^?1 low-allergen soy protein concentrate or 200 g kg^?1 SBM + 110 g kg^?1 blood meal. One diet contained 200 g kg^?1 SBM and canola oil as the main lipid source. The remaining diets contained 95 g kg^?1 menhaden oil. Fish fed a commercial trout diet exhibited significantly greater weight gain (322%), and a lower feed conversion ratio (0.89) but significantly lower protein efficiency ratio (2.18) than fish fed the experimental diets. Within the experimental diets, fish fed the 400 g kg^?1 soy flour diet and the 400 g kg^?1 soybean meal diet had significantly higher weight gains (276% and 268%) and protein efficiency ratios (2.58 and 2.52), and lower feed conversion ratios (1.02 and 1.03) than fish fed other experimental diets. Fillet flavour varied between treatments. Most notable was the lower fishy flavour and higher chicken flavour of fish fed the diet that contained canola oil rather than menhaden oil. Microscopic evaluation of the liver and five sections of the gastrointestinal tract failed to demonstrate any differences between treatment groups. The ingredient costs of several experimental diets were lower than the estimated cost of a standard commercial trout diet. However, the superior feed conversion ratios of fish fed the control diet resulted in lower feed costs per unit of fish produced.     

A comparison among differently enriched rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and their effect on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) larvae early growth, survival and lipid composition

We evaluated the effect of differently enriched rotifers on the early growth, survival and lipid composition of Atlantic cod larvae (Gadus morhua). The enrichments tested were: (i) AlgaMac 2000^®; (ii) AquaGrow^® Advantage; and (iii) a combination of Pavlova sp. paste and AlgaMac 2000^®. Larvae from treatment 3 [1.50 ± 0.11 mg dry weight (dw) and 7.10 ± 0.14 dw specific growth rate (SGR)] were heavier (P = 0.006) and grew faster (P = 0.004) than larvae from treatment 2 (1.03 ± 0.04 mg dw and 6.29 ± 0.04 dw SGR). No significant differences were found in the final weight and SGR among larvae from treatment 1 (1.21 ± 0.07 mg dw and 6.58 ± 0.20 dw SGR) and larvae from treatments 2 and 3. The treatment 3 also resulted in the best survival at the end of the experimental period, estimated to be 3 on a scale from 1 to 5, whereas the survival estimates for the two other groups were 1–2. Larvae from the treatment 3 reached 37 days posthatch with levels of ω6DPA 32‐fold higher than newly hatched larvae. Differences in the larval enrichment of ω6DPA may explain the differences in growth and survival of the Atlantic cod larvae.     

Evaluation of two soybean meals fed to yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

Aquaculture of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) has been increasing, yet there have been few nutritional studies and no evaluations of alternative protein sources in diets. Solvent‐extracted, dehulled soybean meal (SBM) and expelled‐extruded soybean meal (exSBM) were fed to yellow perch to evaluate their effectiveness in replacing dietary fish meal (FM) in isonitrogenous practical feed formulations. Both soy ingredients were incorporated in graded amounts from 100 to 730 g kg⁻¹ of the diet. Feed consumption, weight gain, feed efficiency (FE) and survival were significantly affected by type of soy ingredient, concentration and the interaction of the two main effects. Consumption was significantly lower in fish fed diets containing 400, 600 and 730 g kg⁻¹ compared to fish fed diets containing lower concentrations. Weight gain was significantly lower in fish fed diets containing 600 g kg⁻¹ and FE significantly lower in fish fed diets containing 500 g kg⁻¹ compared to fish fed the control diet or lower concentrations of soy ingredients. Most fatty acid concentrations were affected by feeding exSBM compared to fish fed the control diet, but long chain fatty acids remained at relatively high concentrations. Based on feed consumption, weight gain and FE data, yellow perch are able to effectively utilize both soy ingredients in practical diets. A conservative recommendation of 300 g kg⁻¹ diet appears appropriate for growout diets.     

蟋蟀粉替代鱼粉对黄颡鱼幼鱼生长性能、肌肉氨基酸组成和血清生化指标的影响

为研究蟋蟀(Gryllus bimaculatus)粉替代鱼粉对黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)幼鱼生长性能、肌肉成分和血清生化指标的影响,以黄颡鱼幼鱼[(2.0±0.13) g]为研究对象,分别使用蟋蟀粉替代0 (对照组)、15%、30%、45%和60%的鱼粉配制成5组等氮等能的实验饲料,分别记为T0、T15、T30、T45和T60组。实验幼鱼在室内循环水系统进行为期10周的养殖实验。结果显示,随着蟋蟀粉替代量的增加,黄颡鱼幼鱼生长呈先增加后降低的趋势;T30组的终末均重(FBW)、增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)最高,且均显著高于T0组;T30组的饲料系数(FCR)显著低于T0和T15组;T30的肝体比(HSI)显著高于T0和T15,而与T45和T60组无显著差异。与T0组相比,各替代组的脏体比(VSI)、摄食量(FI)、肥满度(CF)和成活率(SR)均无显著差异。黄颡鱼幼鱼肌肉必需氨基酸(EAA)含量中,T60组肌肉中精氨酸(Arg)和缬氨酸(Val)含量显著高于T0组;且蟋蟀粉替代不同比例的鱼粉对黄颡鱼幼鱼肌肉中的总呈味氨基酸(TFAA)含量均未产生显著影响。T30、T45和T60组血清中的葡萄糖(GLU)含量显著高于T0组;相反,其总胆固醇(TCHO)含量显著低于T0组。在本研究条件下,蟋蟀粉替代不同比例的鱼粉不影响黄颡鱼幼鱼的生长性能和肌肉氨基酸含量,且能增加血清GLU和降低TCHO含量,以30%的蟋蟀粉替代鱼粉比例能生长最佳,且优于对照组。本研究对揭示蟋蟀粉在黄颡鱼饲料中替代鱼粉应用的可行性、为今后昆虫蛋白源在水产饲料中的开发提供科学依据。     

Use of differently enriched rotifers,Brachionus plicatilis,during larviculture of haddock,Melanogrammus aeglefinus: effects on early growth,survival and body lipid composition

We evaluated the effects of enriched rotifers on growth, survival and on the lipid composition of haddock larvae. The treatments tested were (1) AlgaMac 2000^®, (2) AquaGrow^® Advantage and (3) Pavlova sp. paste and AlgaMac 2000^®. The treatments did not influence larval growth rate throughout the experimental period (P = 0.70). Larvae from all treatments grew approximately 8% of their dry weight per day between 1 and 29 days post hatch (dph). Treatment 3 resulted in the best survival, estimated to be 3 on a scale from 0 to 5, whereas for the two other groups the survival estimates were 0 and 2. Rotifers from treatment 1 had low sterol concentrations, high eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio and their feeding resulted in high larval mortality. Rotifers enriched with Pavlova sp. had the lowest proportions of the sum of saturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and sum of ω3 and the highest proportions of the sum of monounsaturated fatty acids (ΣMUFA). This was partially reflected in larvae from treatment 3 in that they had the highest proportions of ΣMUFA and the lowest proportions of Σω3 (P < 0.0001 for both analyses). In addition, these larvae had the highest and lowest ΣC₂₀ and ΣC₂₂ polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) respectively (P < 0.0001 for both analyses). We suggest that more research with ω3 and ω6 PUFA can lead to improvements in the rearing of haddock larvae produced in hatcheries.     

Transfer from Erwinia herbicola to Escherichia coli of a plasmid associated with biocontrol of fire blight

Strains of Erwinia herbicola effective in the biocontrol of fire blight of hawthorn were used to investigate the possibility that the antagonistic activity is coded by plasmid-born genes. Agarose gel electrophoresis of isolated plasmids from four antagonistic Erw. herbicola strains showed a band of a supercoiled 12 kb plasmid in each strain, with a second band greater than 16.2 kb consistently seen in two strains. Erw. herbicola strains showed resistance to penicillin-G, which could be conferred on penicillin-G sensitive Escherichia coli TG1 by transformation with a pure Erw. herbicola plasmid preparation. Transformed strains of Esc. coli appeared to contain the Erw. herbicola 12 kb plasmid, but not the > 16.2 kb plasmid. In an agar plate assay, Esc. coli transformants produced an inhibition zone against Erw. amylovora similar to those produced by the original Erw. herbicola strains. In two biocontrol assays, the transformed Esc. coli strains had a suppressive effect on disease development on infected pear fruit slices and hawthorn blossoms.     

Vaginal Neurofibroma in a Hysterectomized Poodle Dog

A 15‐year‐old, spayed, female poodle dog was presented for evaluation of a mass of tissue prolapsed from the vulva. The dog had been hysterectomized when it was 5 years old. A vaginal mass had been removed approximately 10 months before presentation. Haematological and serum biochemistry analyses demonstrated mild leucocytosis and glycaemia. A vaginal smear was predominantly made up of parabasal cells and intermediate cells with no neoplastic cells. Thoracal and abdominal radiographic findings were unremarkable. The ovaries could not be identified using abdominal ultrasonography. A midline exploratory laparotomy identified both ovaries that were surgically excised. The vaginal mass was also removed following an episiotomy procedure. Histopathological examination of the mass demonstrated that it was a neurofibroma. Both ovaries had cystic changes. Four months after the surgery, the owner reported that the dog was clinically normal. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of a vaginal neurofibroma after an incomplete ovariohysterectomy in the dog.     

THE USE OF AMITRAZ IN THE CONTROL OF AN OUTBREAK OF SARCOPTIC MANGE IN A COLONY OF KOALAS

SUMMARY: An outbreak of sarcoptic mange in a colony of koalas was effectively controlled by the topical application of amitraz as a 0.025% aqueous suspension. Several koalas died in the 9 months preceding treatment, with lesions suggestive of Sarcoptes scabiei ; however, no further deaths occurred following treatment and there was complete recovery of all affected animals.