Influence of swimbladder inflation failure on mortality,growth and lordotic deformity in Pacific bluefin tuna,Thunnus orientalis, (Temminck & Schlegel) postflexion larvae and juveniles

This study examined the influence of swimbladder inflation (SBI) failure on mortality (Experiment 1), lordotic deformity (Experiment 2) and growth (Experiment 1, 2) in Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis, postflexion larvae and juveniles by producing larvae lacking inflated swimbladders. Experiment 1 was conducted for postflexion larvae to juveniles (from 18 to 30 days‐post‐hatch; dph). Mortality was not significantly different between the fish with (WIS) and without (WOIS) inflated swimbladders. Standard length (SL) and body weight (BW) were significantly smaller in WOIS than WIS. Moreover, the SBI was found in WOIS after postflexion stage. In Experiment 2, two examination trials were conducted on SBI, vertebral deformity and growth for juvenile stage. Lordotic deformities were found neither in the WOIS nor in the WIS. Although SL and BW were significantly smaller in WOIS than WIS at 22 dph, after 37 dph no significant differences were found between them. The results of Experiment 1 and 2 indicate that SBI failure causes growth retardation until juveniles of 30 dph; however, it does not cause growth retardation in juveniles after 37 dph and mortality of postflexion larvae and juveniles. Moreover, SBI failure did not cause lordotic deformity in PBT differently from many other fish.     

Changes in the scotopic vision of juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) with growth

In cultured juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis), reducing the mass deaths caused by collision or contact with tank or net walls at night is a priority for seedling production. Pacific bluefin tuna is a visually dependant species, although its scotopic vision is poor. We recorded electroretinograms to investigate the visual function with growth in the dark-adapted eyes of juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna. Peak wavelengths of spectral sensitivity [38–62 days posthatch (dph), 77–167 mm standard length (SL)] were observed between 474 and 494 nm. Visual light sensitivity has a tendency to increase slightly with growth at 28–64 dph in individuals that measured 29–175 mm SL. However, visual temporal resolution did not significantly increase with growth at 38–62 days dph in individuals that measured 77–167 mm SL. These results suggest that the mass death continues between 28 and 64 dph because of low visual function and increasing swimming speed with growth.     

Effects of photoperiod and night‐time aeration rate on swim bladder inflation and survival in Pacific bluefin tuna,Thunnus orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel), larvae

Success of swim bladder inflation (SBI) is crucial for early survival of Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF) larvae, because it reduces larval sinking death by enhancing buoyancy. In Experiment 1, we examined the effect of photoperiod on SBI and survival in PBF larvae by comparing photoperiods of 9L: 15D (9L), 14L: 10D (14L: natural photoperiod), 19L: 5D (19L) and 24L: 0D (24L) during 2–10 days post hatch (dph). In Experiment 2, the combined effects of photoperiod (24L and 14L) and nighttime aeration rate (enhanced night‐time aeration: ENA of 1300 mL min^?1 as a countermeasure for sinking death and 130 mL min^?1) on the survival and SBI were also examined during 2–10 dph. Moreover, in Experiment 3 the effect of photoperiod on vertical distribution of larvae in night‐time was examined on 3–5 dph. Photoperiod of 24L in Experiment 1 significantly inhibited SBI compared with 14L and 19L; nevertheless, it significantly improved survival compared with other photoperiods with a dark period. On the other hand, the shortened light period (9L) showed significantly reduced SBI and also survival. In Experiment 2, the countermeasure for sinking death of ENA under 24L did not further improve the survival; rather it tended to reduce the survival. In Experiment 3, larvae distributed less in the bottom layer in 24L than in 14L, suggesting the reducing effect of 24L on sinking death. The results indicate that 24L without ENA is suitable for survival which is the most serious problem in PBF larviculture.     

Stabilizing effect of Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> on myosin and myofibrils of squid mantle muscle as affected by heating conditions

The suppressive effects of Ca²⁺ on the thermal denaturation of myosin and myofibrils of squid mantle muscle were compared. The stabilization effect on myosin was smaller than that on myofibrils and was not affected by KCl concentration. The stabilizing effect of Ca²⁺ on myosin decreased as the heating temperature dropped, showing no stabilization at 20°C, while the effect on myofibrils was the same at all temperatures tested. The stabilizing effect of Ca²⁺ on myosin disappeared even at 30°C in the presence of sorbitol, where a small inactivation rate was found, while the effect of Ca²⁺ on myofibrils was equally detected irrespective of the reduction in inactivation rate in the presence of sorbitol. Stabilization of myosin by Ca²⁺ again appeared even in the presence of sorbitol when the heating temperature was raised to 38°C. It was suggested that Ca²⁺ confers stabilization on myosin only when myosin is under unstable conditions. The stabilization effect of Ca²⁺ on myosin was enhanced upon F-actin binding: Ca²⁺-bound myosin was more significantly stabilized by F-actin binding, and the effect was no longer affected by the conditions for heating.     

Effects of feeding conditions and size differences on aggressive behaviour and cannibalism in the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck and Schlegel) larvae

We examined the effects of feeding conditions and size differences on the aggressive behaviour and cannibalism in Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) Thunnus orientalis larvae. In a 24 h experiment, restricted feeding alone was found to remarkably increase the frequency of aggressive behaviour, which was further elevated by differences in fish size. In a 4‐day rearing experiment, while aggressive behaviour was increased by restricted feeding alone, the frequency of cannibalism did not change significantly. Although the frequency of aggressive behaviour did not increase with difference in size factor, small fish in this group gradually tended to die over 4‐day period. In the restricted feeding and size difference group, large fish were observed to bite the small fish, and almost all the small fish died on the day after the start of the experiment. These results suggest that the aggressive behaviour of PBT larvae is chiefly increased by the shortage of live food; however, deaths related to cannibalism mainly occurred in small larvae and rapidly increased with food restriction and differences in fish size.     

Non-extractable Procyanidins and Lignin are Important Factors in the Bile Acid Binding and Radical Scavenging Properties of Cell Wall Material in some Fruits

The cell wall components and the food functions of alcohol-insoluble solids (AIS) of Chinese quince, quince, hawthorn, apple, pear and blueberry fruits were analyzed. Chinese quince contained characteristically high contents of cellulose, lignin, and non-extractable procyanidins (NEPCs). On the other hand, the quince AIS contained the highest proportion of NEPCs, the highest mean degree of polymerization (mDP), the strongest radical scavenging activity, and strong bile acid binding activity. In fruit AIS, the lignin and NEPC contents both showed positive correlations with the bile acid binding and radical scavenging activities. The value for mDP × NEPC content was a good index for the radical scavenging activity. The results suggest that highly polymerized NEPCs and lignin are important factors of cell wall components of fruits to having a high functionality, and Chinese quince and quince are interesting fruits from this view point.     

Use of urine albumin/creatinine ratio for estimation of proteinuria in cats and dogs

The clinical utility of the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UAC) using a simplified analyzer for estimation of proteinuria was studied in cats and dogs. Measurement results for diluted feline and canine albumin standard solutions showed linearity. Although conversion formulas (y=1.28x+1.04 and y=1.67x+10.47 for cats and dogs, respectively) were necessary, urine albumin concentrations could be determined in both animals. In cats and dogs with proteinuria, the UAC changed parallel with the urine protein/ creatinine ratio (UPC), and the Log UAC and Log UPC were significantly correlated (r=0.803 (p<0.01) in cats, r=0.801 (p<0.01) in dogs). The UAC using an UAC analyzer could be used clinically as one of the basic in-hospital laboratory tests for estimation of proteinuria in cats and dogs.     

Continuous in vitro culture of erythrocytic stages of Babesia gibsoni and virulence of the cultivated parasite

Babesia gibsoni infected erythrocytes were collected from the blood of an experimentally infected dog. The parasite isolated could be continuously cultivated in vitro, with an average parasitemia of 18.2 +/- 2.4% on day 3 of culture, in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 7.5% normal dog serum in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO(2) at 37 degrees C. The parasites in the original culture were morphologically similar to those found in the peripheral blood of dogs, however, on the 4th generation of subculture, the large oval parasites, erythrocytes including many parasites and extracellular parasites were frequently observed. The B. gibsoni isolate was injected to the dog to test its infectivity after maintained in vitro for 738 days at the 214th subculture. The cultivated parasite did not cause a severe clinical sign in the dog.