Optimization of the stocking parameters for mud spiny lobster Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793) capture‐based aquaculture in tropical open sea floating net cages

Mud spiny lobsters, Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793), were reared at four different stocking sizes and stocking densities in open sea cages to evaluate their effects on growth performance. To evaluate the effect of stocking size on the growth performance, the lobsters were segregated into four different treatment groups according to size and were stocked at a density of 300 animals per cage. To evaluate the effect of stocking density on the growth performance, lobsters of 81–100 g were stocked in four different stocking densities, i.e. 16/m², 24/m², 32/m² and 40/m². The results showed that the growth rate of (60–80 g) size group, was significantly higher compared to the size groups, i.e. 101–120 g and 121–140 g comprising of larger individuals. The final body weight, though significantly higher in 81–100 g as compared to 60–80 g, the growth performance (i.e. weight gain percentage (WG %) and specific growth rate (SGR)) were not significantly different. The density‐dependent influence on growth performance was evident in this study. The WG % and SGR during 90 days’ culture period was significantly higher in 24/m² compared to other groups. This study provides crucial information about the appropriate stocking density and stocking size of lobsters at the field level, which would help to promote sustainable lobster cage farming by maximizing the production potential of the system.     

Effect of different biofloc system on water quality,biofloc composition and growth performance in Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

The experiment was conducted with three biofloc treatments and one control in triplicate in 500 L capacity indoor tanks. Biofloc tanks, filled with 350 L of water, were fed with sugarcane molasses (BFT_S), tapioca flour (BFT_T), wheat flour (BFT_W) and clean water as control without biofloc and allowed to stand for 30 days. The postlarvae of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) with an Average body weight of 0.15 ± 0.02 g were stocked at the rate of 130 PL m^?2 and cultured for a period of 60 days fed with pelleted feed at the rate of 1.5% of biomass. The total suspended solids (TSS) level was maintained at around 500 mg L^?1 in BFT tanks. The addition of carbohydrate significantly reduced the total ammonia‐N (TAN), nitrite‐N and nitrate‐N in water and it significantly increased the total heterotrophic bacteria (THB) population in the biofloc treatments. There was a significant difference in the final average body weight (8.49 ± 0.09 g) in the wheat flour treatment (BFT_W) than those treatment and control group of the shrimp. Survival of the shrimps was not affected by the treatments and ranged between 82.02% and 90.3%. The proximate and chemical composition of biofloc and proximate composition of the shrimp was significantly different between the biofloc treatments and control. Tintinids, ciliates, copepods, cyanobacteria and nematodes were identified in all the biofloc treatments, nematodes being the most dominant group of organisms in the biofloc. It could be concluded that the use of wheat flour (BFT_W) effectively enhanced the biofloc production and contributed towards better water quality which resulted in higher production of shrimp.     

Effect of azadirachtin on haematological and biochemical parameters of Argulus-infested goldfish Carassius auratus (Linn. 1758)

Argulosis hampers aquaculture production and alters the host physiology and growth. Azadirachtin is recognized as a potential antiparasitic agent against Argulus sp. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of different concentration of azadirachtin solution on haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Argulus-infested goldfish Carassius auratus. Ninety Argulus-infested goldfish were randomly divided into six equal groups. Fish of group 1–5 were treated with azadirachtin solution through bath of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg L^?1 as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively, and group 6 was exposed to 2 % DMSO solution without azadirachtin and considered as negative control T0^?. Along with six treatment groups, a positive control T0⁺ of healthy goldfish free from Argulus infestation was also maintained. Parasitic mortality was evaluated after 3 days of consecutive bath treatment. After 7 days of post-treatment, the blood and serum were drawn from each of the treatment groups and haematological and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated. Total leucocyte count (TLC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), blood glucose, total protein (TP), globulin, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) were significantly (p < 0.05) high in negative control group when compared with positive control group. It could be concluded that Argulus infestation altered marked haematological and serum biochemical parameters. However, in treated groups complete elimination of Argulus was found in T4 and T5 groups. Also significant (p < 0.05) reduction in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of all the treatment groups were recorded in comparison with negative control group. In addition, T4 and T5 groups showed significantly (p < 0.05) high superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total erythrocyte count (TEC) and haemoglobin (Hb). However, higher mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), blood glucose and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in T5 group revealed that higher concentration of azadirachtin have notable effects on activity of vital tissues function and physiology of the host. Argulus spp. from infested goldfish could be eliminated using bath treatment with solution of azadirachtin having concentration of 15 mg L^?1 and that also shifted haematological and serum biochemical parameters towards homeostasis.     

Probiotic efficiency of Bacillus sp. in Labeo rohita challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila: assessment of stress profile,haemato‐biochemical parameters and immune responses

Fish are always susceptible to a wide variety of deadly pathogens which cause a huge loss in aquaculture industries. In this investigation, we have demonstrated the in vivo probiotic efficiency of Bacillus sp. MVF1 (GenBank Acc. No. KP256503) in Labeo rohita challenged with pathogenic strain of Aeromonas hydrophila (MTCC 1739). To check the probiotic potential of the selected bacterial strain, fish were divided into four groups: control, D1, D2 and D3. A total of 100 days (70 days probiotic feeding + 71th day sampling and 28 days challenged test + 29th day sampling) of feeding trial was conducted. To establish the probiotic potential of Bacillus sp. MVF1, certain haematological parameters (haemoglobin, total erythrocyte and leucocyte count), serum biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin and globulin), immune parameters (serum lysozyme and total IgM levels) and hepatic stress profile (malondialdehyde production, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity) have been measured. Our results demonstrated that red blood cell number, white blood cell number and haemoglobin content were much higher in D2 group fish compared to other groups and control fish. Similarly, total protein contents, albumin concentration, globulin concentration, lysozyme activity and IgM production were also recorded to be highest in D2 group fish. This finding clearly indicated the probiotic potential of Bacillus sp. MVF1 in L. rohita. Furthermore, our results also demonstrated that 1 × 10⁷ CFU g^?1 feed (D2) provides better immunity compared to 1 × 10⁵ (D1) and 1 × 10⁹ (D3). Due to beneficial effects, the bacterium Bacillus sp. MVF1 might be useful in aquaculture industries to reduce the disease susceptibility.     

Photoperiod and temperature affects seasonal ovarian gene expression of p450 aromatase and gonadotropin receptors in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) broodstock

Photoperiod and temperature modulated the seasonal pattern of ovarian gene expression of P450 aromatase, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone receptor and Luteinizing Hormone receptor in Atlantic salmon broodstock.     

Effect of cortisol and triiodothyronine bath treatments on the digestive enzyme profile and growth of Catla catla larvae during ontogenic development

Digestive enzyme profile is a good indicator of the nutritional and health status of the fish. The present investigation aims to evaluate the effect of exogenous bath treatment of hormones, cortisol and triiodothyronine, on the digestive enzyme activities and growth of carp Catla catla (Ham.) during ontogenic development. Catla larvae (4 days old) were given bath treatment with cortisol (hydrocortisone, 0.2 mg L^?1), 3,5,3′‐triiodothyronine (T3, 2.5 mg L^?1) and a combination of cortisol and T3 for 30 min. Digestive enzyme profile was recorded on every third day and was continued for 30 days. Larvae were fed with live food for initial 14 days and then weaned to mix feeding of live food and prepared diet. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher amylase, total protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, chitinase and chitinobiase activities were found in the hormone‐treated groups compared to the control one during ontogenic development. Among the treated groups, amylase activity was highest in cortisol‐treated larvae. Total protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, chitinase and chitinobiase activities were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in larvae exposed at combined treatment of cortisol and T3 compared to the other two groups in most sampling days. Average length, weight and specific growth rate of treated larvae were higher compared to the control one. The combined bath treatment of cortisol and triiodothyronine influenced the digestive enzyme activities of catla larvae and thereby enhanced the growth at early developmental stage. This helps the larvae to overcome the problems associated with early developmental stage.     

Some In Vitro Invasion Inhibition of Red Cells by In Vivo Non‐protective Anti‐LDH Antibodies of Plasmodium berghei

In Plasmodium berghei, sephadex G‐200 purified lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) fraction immunized mice did not exhibit protection when challenged with 1 × 10⁶P. berghei‐parasitized erythrocytes. However, LDH immunized mice seroconverted and showed an antibody titre of 1:2048 by indirect haemagglutination (IHA) and 1:160 by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assays. Fluorescence was distributed evenly on P. berghei‐parasitized red cells showing no specific location of parasite LDH. Anti‐LDH antibodies supplemented in 19 h in vitro culture of P. berghei exhibited 9.2% invasion inhibition into the fresh red cells.     

Temporal changes in circulating levels of plasma interleukin-8 during peripartum period in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) under subtropical climate

The objective of this study was to elucidate the changes in circulating levels of plasma interleukin-8 (IL-8) during peripartum period in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). IL-8 was estimated in blood plasma of healthy peripartum Murrah buffaloes (n = 6) on days ±30, ±15, ±5, ±3, ±1 and 0 pre- and postpartum with respect to the day of parturition (day 0) in each of the two different seasons (hot–humid and spring). The mean microclimate Temperature–Humidity Index (THI) during spring season was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than the corresponding THI in hot–humid season. In both the seasons, plasma IL-8 remained lower in prepartum period (≤46.56 ± 14.08 pg/ml during spring and ≤ 73.18 ± 18.56 pg/ml during hot–humid season) than in the postpartum period (≥51.41 ± 13.82 pg/ml during spring and ≥ 84.13 ± 16.97 pg/ml in hot humid season). During spring, the IL-8 levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) on days +5 and +15 postpartum in comparison to the IL-8 levels on days −30, −5, and −3 prepartum. During hot–humid season, IL-8 level was significantly higher (P < 0.05) on day +30 as compared to the IL-8 levels on days −30 and −5 prepartum. The correlation between IL-8 and mean microclimate THI was significant (r = 0.25, P < 0.01). From the results, it is concluded that peripartum period in buffaloes is associated with an inflammatory response leading to significantly higher plasma IL-8 during parturition and postpartum period than in the pre-partum period.     

Seroprevalence of brucellosis in yaks (Poephagus grunniens) in India and evaluation of protective immunity to S19 vaccine

The present study was carried out to explore the seroprevalence of brucellosis in yaks of North-Eastern hilly yak tracts of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Of 374 animals tested, 23.79, 21.11 and 18.98% were found positive for brucellosis using avidin-biotin ELISA (AB-ELISA), Rose-Bengal plate test (RBPT) and standard tube-agglutination test (STAT), respectively. The relative sensitivity and specificity for STAT were 79.77 and 100%, respectively and the same for RBPT were 88.76 and 100%, respectively in comparison to AB-ELISA. The alarming prevalence as recorded was highest among the yak cows (31.42%) followed by heifers (23.85%) and bulls (8.88%). The immune response in yaks following standard dose of calfhood vaccination with Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine showed that protective antibody level persisted up to 210 days. This is the first report from India on prevalence of brucellosis and immunization with B abortus strain 19 vaccine in yaks. The present investigation would be a valuable guideline for future control measure and eradication programme of brucellosis in yaks.