Abnormalities in the juvenile stage of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) reared at different temperatures: types, prevalence and effect on growth

Osteological malformations are always considered an important problem in intensive aquaculture. This work studies the effect of rearing temperature on malformations in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. To this end, two batches of the species were subjected to the following incubation/cultivation temperatures: 15 °C/natural and 19/19 °C, from fertilization until 190 days after hatching. The different malformations were studied in 1643 juveniles at 190 days and classified by categories. The Chi-square statistic was calculated to verify the relationship between the presence of anomalies and the application of different temperatures. The percentage of anomalies observed in individuals reared at a high temperature (19/19 °C) was 66.44%. In both temperature systems, opercular malformations were those which caused a greater delay in growth. The results found indicated that temperature played a very important role in the development of deformations, which may be of interest from the viewpoint of aquaculture.     

Growth, digestibility and nutrient utilization of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles fed different dietary soybean oil levels

A shortage of marine raw ingredients, such as fish oil, is predicted in the near future. The use of suitable alternative lipid sources, such as vegetable oils, is crucial for sustainable growth of the aquaculture sector. Three isonitrogenous (50% Crude Protein) and isoenergetic (19 kJ g⁻¹) diets, in which fish oil was gradually replaced by soybean oil (0, 25 and 50% of the oil fraction) were tested for 12 weeks, using European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles. No dietary effects (p>0.05) on growth performance, feed conversion, digestibility or body composition were observed with either species. The results obtained suggest the inclusion of soybean oil up to 50% of the dietary lipid is possible, in diets for sea bass and/or rainbow trout juveniles.     

Vaccine-associated granulomatous inflammation and melanin accumulation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., white muscle

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of variably sized pigmented foci encountered in fillets of farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. The material was sampled on the fillet production line and on salmon farms from fish with an average size of 3 kg from various producers. The fish had been routinely vaccinated by injection. Gross pathology, histology, immunohistochemistry using antisera against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II beta chain and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the changes. Macroscopically, melanized foci were seen penetrating from the peritoneum deep into the abdominal wall, sometimes right through to the skin, and also embedded in the caudal musculature. Histological investigation revealed muscle degeneration and necrosis, fibrosis and granulomatous inflammation containing varying numbers of melano-macrophages. Vacuoles, either empty or containing heterogeneous material, were frequently seen. The presence of abundant MHC class II+ cells indicated an active inflammatory condition. TEM showed large extracellular vacuoles and leucocytes containing homogeneous material of lipid-like appearance. The results showed that the melanized foci in Atlantic salmon fillet resulted from an inflammatory condition probably induced by vaccination. The described condition is not known in wild salmon and in farmed salmon where injection vaccination is not applied.     

Influence of artificial insemination on the reproductive performance of Farfantepenaeus paulensis in conventional and unisex maturation systems

The application of artificial insemination techniques as a way to overcome the lack of mating of the closed thelycum Farfantepenaeus paulensis under large scale conditions is reported. The performance of artificially inseminated females (49.4±11.6 g) maintained in conventional versus unisex maturation systems was compared. Groups of unilaterally eyestalk-ablated females were artificially inseminated with one compound spermatophore soon after molting. The percentage of fertilized spawns increased from 26% before the use of artificial insemination to 57% afterwards. The reproductive performance of inseminated females held in conventional or unisex maturation systems showed no significant differences. Artificial insemination was considered a practical approach to overcome the lack of mating of F. paulensis under large-scale conditions with acceptable reproductive performance. The results also indicate the possibility of holding females separately from males, which could mean significant improvements in maturation systems through the increase in the stocking density of spawning females.     

Kurokura Solution as Immobilizing Medium for Spermatozoa of Tench (Tinca tinca L.)

This study tested KUROKURA solution (Kurokura et al., 1984, Aquaculture 37, 267–274) and its modifications (by increasing NaCl content to 160, 180 and 200 mM) on immobilizing properties for sampling and short-term preservation of potential motility of tench spermatozoa. The immobilizing solution is used because, when collected, the sperm of most samples is contaminated by urine, causing spermatozoa to be of poor quality, with low motilities and velocities (almost 0), thus resulting in a worsened fertilization and hatching rate. Sperm was sampled with a syringe containing an immobilizing solution (IS), allowing an IS:sperm ratio of 2:1, under aerobic conditions at 0–4°C. This sperm solution was stored for 10 h and untreated sperm was collected prior to fertilization as a control. Spermatozoa quality was evaluated for the cell motility and velocity parameters and also for fertilization ability and hatching rate. Results obtained for tench sperm motility, velocity, fertilization and hatching rate showed that only sperm collected in the various immobilizing solutions can be successfully used for artificial insemination and preservation after 10 h at 0–4°C. The best immobilizing solution was found to be KUROKURA 180 (180 mM NaCl, 2.68 mM KCl, 1.36 mM CaCl₂· 2H₂O and 2.38 mM NaHCO₃), giving a fertility and hatching rate of 41%, with no change in rates after 10 h storage of sperm. Control sperm without immobilizing solution showed a fertilization and hatching rate of only 6–7%.     

Possible degradation of type I collagen in relation to yellowtail muscle softening during chilled storage

ABSTRACT:   In this paper, the detection of type I collagen degradation during the softening phenomenon of yellowtail muscle, was examined. Acid soluble collagen was isolated from dorsal ordinary muscle at death and after 24-h chilled storage. In the abundant ratio of subunit components, an increase in β12 chain (5.4 points) and a decrease in components with molecular weights larger than γ chain (7.0 points) after 24-h chilled storage, was found. Type I collagen was detected in the alkali-soluble fraction by SDS-PAGE. Its amount calculated from hydroxyproline contents in alkali-soluble fraction was increased from 0.097 mg/g muscle to 0.155 mg/g muscle during 24-h storage. The increased alkali-soluble collagen (0.058 mg/g muscle) was about 1.4% of whole collagen. These results suggest that a slight decomposition of type I collagen of yellowtail muscle may occur and subsequently becomes alkali-soluble corresponding to postmortem softening.     

Environmental influences on histological changes in the reproductive cycle of four New South Wales sea urchins

The suitability of a sea urchin population for commercial harvesting and culturing depends on the timing and duration of the spawning season. Pilot studies have shown that the New South Wales echinoids produce mature gonads for several months.Investigations were made into the influence of those exogenous factors which could be modified under aquacultural conditions.Temperature and food appeared to affect gonad (roe) development, while depth and density did not. The relationship between macro and micro changes in the gonads was established and methods of estimating stages of gametogensis were compared.     

Histological and histochemical changes in the digestive tract of white sturgeon larvae during ontogeny

Ontogenetic changes in digestive tract histology and digestive enzyme histochemistry were investigated 11 to 36 days post-hatch in white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus larvae. From initiation of exogenous feeding (12 days post-hatch), larvae were fed a commercial salmonid diet for the ensuing 24 days. The digestive system of white sturgeon displayed a high degree of morphologic organization and functionality at the onset of exogenous feeding. An enhancement of digestive capacities occurred with transition to active feeding. On day 2 of feeding, there was a clear increase of alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase M, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, and -glutamyl transpeptidase activity in the brush border of the spiral intestine. This strong activity is an apparent confirmation of the importance of this segment of the intestine for protein digestion and nutrient absorption. The functional development of the pyloric intestine occurred on day 4 and was concomitant with an increase in the activity of brush border and cytoplasmic enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase, dipeptidyl peptidase II, - and -galactosidases. The absence of acetylcholinesterase, lactase, nonspecific esterase, and weak activity of exopeptidases and alkaline phosphatase in the anterior intestine suggests that this segment of the intestine may be less important in nutrient absorption than the pyloric and spiral intestines. The observed quantitative and qualitative differences in enzyme activity along the intestine indicate a high degree of specialization of each segment for specific digestive and absorptive processes.     

Optimum protein-to-energy ratio for two size groups of rabbitfish, Siganus canaliculatus (Park)

Three approximately isoenergetic (17 kJ g^?1) diets were formulated with dietary protein levels of 270, 360 and 480 g kg^?1 (DM basis) providing protein-to-energy ratios of 15.69, 20.48 and 27.16 mg crude protein (CP) kJ^?1, respectively. The effects of these diets on several growth and nutritional parameters were evaluated for the fry (2.50 ± 0.184 g) and fingerlings (11.53 ± 0.023 g) of Siganus canaliculatus (Park). Maximum growth and best feed utilization efficiency of fry were obtained using the diet containing 480 g kg^?1 protein and P:E ratio of 27.16 mg CP kJ^?1. For fingerlings the best results were obtained with the diet containing 360 g kg^?1 protein and P:E ratio of 20.48 mg CP kJ. Body composition of the fry was not affected by the feeding regime whilst the effect was evident in the fingerling groups. The carcass protein content of the fingerling was observed to increase with increasing P:E ratios while lipid content decreased as P:E increased.