Isolation and selection of suitable reference genes for real-time PCR analyses in the skeletal muscle of the fine flounder in response to nutritional status: assessment and normalization of gene expression of growth-related genes

In the present study, different reference genes were isolated, and their stability in the skeletal muscle of fine flounder subjected to different nutritional states was assessed using geNorm and NormFinder. The combinations between 18S and ActB; Fau and 18S; and Fau and Tubb were chosen as the most stable gene combinations in feeding, long-term fasting and refeeding, and short-term refeeding conditions, respectively. In all periods, ActB was identified as the single least stable gene. Subsequently, the expression of the myosin heavy chain (MYH) and the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) was assessed. A large variation in MYH and IGF-IR expression was found depending on the reference gene that was chosen for normalizing the expression of both genes. Using the most stable reference genes, mRNA levels of MYH decreased and IGF-IR increased during fasting, with both returning to basal levels during refeeding. However, the drop in mRNA levels for IGF-IR occurred during short-term refeeding, in contrast with the observed events in the expression of MYH, which occurred during long-term refeeding. The present study highlights the vast differences incurred when using unsuitable versus suitable reference genes for normalizing gene expression, pointing out that normalization without proper validation could result in a bias of gene expression.     

Freshwater catfish jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) larvae are prepared to digest inert feed at the exogenous feeding onset: physiological and histological assessments

This study assessed the morphological development of jundiá larvae’s digestive system and digestive proteolytic activity. Specific serine proteinases activities varied over time, with the highest peak at 12 h after hatching (AH), which corresponded to 296.38 ± 84.20 mU mg^?1 for trypsin and 315.45 ± 42.16 mU mg^?1 for chymotrypsin. Specific aspartic proteinases activities increased up to the start of weaning, oscillated during that phase, but showed a consistent increase after that, resulting in the highest specific activity at 252 h AH (7.88 ± 0.68 mU mg^?1). Gel assays showed different molecular forms, especially of serine proteinases. Histology showed the gastrointestinal tract development onset at 0 h AH and open mouth at 4 h AH. At 16 h AH, the following differentiation of the digestive tract was evident: oropharyngeal cavity, esophagus, liver, pancreas, stomach, and intestine. At 40 h AH, zymogen granules in the pancreas were observed, and at 48 h AH, mucus in the digestive tract and gastric glands in the stomach. Findings indicate that jundiá has a functional stomach before the end of vitelline reserves. Therefore, jundiá larvae are probably capable to digest inert feed at the exogenous feeding onset.     

Use of Spray-Dried Blood Meal as an Alternative Protein Source in Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) Diets

We evaluated the effects of various dietary blood meal levels on the growth performance and body composition of pirarucu (Araipama gigas) juveniles. Fish (8.5 ± 0.4 g) were stocked into 24 tanks and fed for 60 days with eight isoproteic diets, having 0% to 21% incorporation of blood meal. Fish increased weight by six to 15 times from their initial weight. The highest body weights (117–135 g), growth rates (4%–5% BW/day), and protein retentions (19%–20%) were observed in fish fed 0% to 6% blood meal. Feed intake increased from 2.9% to 4.4% BW/day with increasing blood meal level. Feed conversion ratio (FCR: 1.0–1.1) did not vary among groups fed 0% to 6% blood meal (P < 0.001). However, when fish were fed more than 6% blood meal, FCR (1.3–1.7) and protein retention (11.1–13.7) deteriorated sharply. Lipid (7.7–11.7%) and energy (18.7–21.2 kJ/g) content increased with increasing blood meal levels up to 9%.     

Changes in lipid classes,fatty acids,protein and amino acids during egg development and yolk‐sac larvae stage in brill (Scophthalmus rhombus L.)

Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus L.) is a flatfish considered of special interest for aquaculture diversification, but the high mortality observed during the early larval rearing is the main obstacle to commercial culture. The objective of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of nutrient utilization of early‐hatched larvae, characterizing the changes in lipid and protein contents during embryogenesis and the yolk‐sac larval stage of S. rhombus. Total lipid, lipid classes and fatty acid contents remained constant during embryogenesis and yolk‐sac larval development, except for phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol, which increased in quantity during the yolk‐sac larval stage. On the other hand, total protein (including non‐protein nitrogen) and amino acids decreased their contents in both periods, especially at hatching. The decrease only in the serine, glutamic acid, proline and lysine contents during embryogenesis suggests a selective use of amino acids during this phase. Unlike embryogenesis, amino acids loss during hatching appears to be non‐selective, and almost all amino acids (essential and non‐essential) decreased. Our results suggest that there is higher catabolism of protein vs. lipid during embryogenesis and the yolk‐sac larval stage of S. rhombus.     

Redox Status and Neuro Inflammation Indexes in Cerebellum and Motor Cortex of Wistar Rats Supplemented with Natural Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Astaxanthin: Fish Oil,Krill Oil,and Algal Biomass

Health authorities worldwide have consistently recommended the regular consumption of marine fishes and seafood to preserve memory, sustain cognitive functions, and prevent neurodegenerative processes in humans. Shrimp, crabs, lobster, and salmon are of particular interest in the human diet due to their substantial provision of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3/PUFAs) and the antioxidant carotenoid astaxanthin (ASTA). However, the optimal ratio between these nutraceuticals in natural sources is apparently the key factor for maximum protection against most neuro-motor disorders. Therefore, we aimed here to investigate the effects of a long-term supplementation with (n-3)/PUFAs-rich fish oil, ASTA-rich algal biomass, the combination of them, or krill oil (a natural combination of both nutrients) on baseline redox balance and neuro-inflammation indexes in cerebellum and motor cortex of Wistar rats. Significant changes in redox metabolism were only observed upon ASTA supplementation, which reinforce its antioxidant properties with a putative mitochondrial-centered action in rat brain. Krill oil imposed mild astrocyte activation in motor cortex of Wistar rats, although no redox or inflammatory index was concomitantly altered. In summary, there is no experimental evidence that krill oil, fish oil, oralgal biomass (minor variation), drastically change the baseline oxidative conditions or the neuro-inflammatory scenario in neuromotor-associated rat brain regions.     

Environmental conditions and physiological state influence estuarine movements of homing sockeye salmon

The reproductive migration of anadromous salmonids through estuarine waters is one of the most challenging stages of their life cycle, yet little is known about the environmental and physiological conditions that influence migratory behaviour. We captured, sampled tissues, tagged and released 365 sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) homing through inner coastal waters towards the Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada. Biotelemetry was used to assess the behaviour of individual sockeye salmon approaching estuarine waters and at river entry, which were related to both fish physiological condition at release and to prevailing environmental conditions. Sockeye salmon tended to stay close to the shore, migrated during the day, and movements were related to tide. Sockeye salmon migration rate was linked to wind‐induced currents, salinity and an individual's physiological state, but these factors were specific to location and stock. We propose that wind‐induced currents exposed sockeye salmon entering the estuary to stronger olfactory cues associated with Fraser River water, which in turn resulted in faster migration rates presumably due to either an increased ability for olfactory navigation and/or advanced reproductive schedule through a neuroendocrine response to olfactory cues. However, once the migration had progressed further into more concentrated freshwater of the river plume, sockeye salmon presumably used wind‐induced currents to aid in movements towards the river, which may be associated with energy conservation. Results from this study improve our biological understanding of the movements of Fraser River sockeye salmon and are also broadly relevant to other anadromous salmonids homing in marine environments.     

High?throughput phenotyping of two plant?size traits of Eucalyptus species using neural networks

In forest modeling to estimate the volume of wood, artificial intelligence has been shown to be quite effi-cient, especially using artificial neural networks (A...     

Pen culture of Macrobrachium amazonicum: use of artificial diet and impact on benthic community

The pressure on the benthic macroinvertebrate community and the use of artificial diets were evaluated during the pen rearing of Macrobrachium amazonicum. The study followed a completely randomized design with three treatments and three repetitions: treatment no prawns, no feed (noPnoF); treatment prawns, no feed (PnoF); and treatment prawns, feed (PF). Six pens were stocked with 10 prawns m^?2 with average initial weight of 0.63 ± 0.05 g and average length of 4.28 ± 0.14 cm; the other three pens were not stocked with prawns. Every 10 days, prawn biometry was carried out and samples were collected from the water and the sediment in each pen. The results showed that the limnological variables remained adequate for the species' biology. The zootechnical indices did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in weight, total length and survival, with values of 4.43 ± 0.93 g, 8:03 ± 0:43 cm, and 80 ± 9.6%, respectively, for the treatment PnoF, and 4.83 ± 1.03 g, 8.42 ± 0.51 cm and 73 ± 3.5% for treatment PF. The macroinvertebrate analyses showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) for the total abundance of Oligochaeta among the days of collection and for Polymitarcyidae among the treatments. It is therefore concluded that the presence of prawns affects the abundance in the benthic community and that the zootechnical performance of M. amazonicum in this experimental condition is not influenced by supplied artificial feed.