Effect of larval stocking density on growth,survival and whole body cortisol of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) larvae reared under laboratory conditions

Interest of mussel hatchery development has increased during the last years as natural seed collection does not always satisfy the demand of producers. Success on larval bivalve culture depends on several factors such as diet, temperature or stocking density. In this study, the effect of larval density in mussel culture success has been assessed testing three larval densities: high (50 larvae mL^?1), medium (25 larvae mL^?1) and low (5 larvae mL^?1). Results showed higher growth and survival at low density but the amount of postlarvae was low. The highest number of settled larvae was observed at high density but mortality was also high and a delay on the larval development was detected producing a prolongation on the culture length. However, medium density resulted in a good survival and growth and also in a considerable amount of postlarvae, as this density could be adequate for massive mussel seed production. Cortisol content on the larvae and postlarvae was also analysed and significant differences were obtained among groups probably due to the stress associated to settlement and metamorphosis.     

Use of common salt affects aggressiveness in matrinxã larvae (Brycon amazonicus)

Aggressiveness is potentiated during the production of fish of commercial interest due to the densification and confinement, and this may affect the welfare and health of these animals. We compared the effect of salinity on aggressiveness, locomotor activity and body cortisol level in matrinxã larvae (Brycon amazonicus) submitted to three experimental treatments: 0, 2 and 4 g of common salt/L. For each treatment, the larvae were collected at 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 HAH (hours after hatching) and then transferred to 5‐L aquariums for 30 min to analyse behavioural categories. The use of common salt increased the frequency of aggressive interaction, cannibalism, mortality and locomotion in all observation periods. Body cortisol levels did not differ between treatments until 48 HAH, but showed a significant increase at 72 HAH in the 4 g salt/L. There was a positive correlation between aggressive interactions and locomotor activity. Negative correlation was observed between these parameters and cortisol up to 60 HAH; however, they were positively correlated at 72 HAH. We concluded that the use of common salt stimulates the display of aggressive behaviour and locomotor activity and that the effect of salt is dependent on the developmental phase of the larvae of B. amazonicus.     

Evaluation of dietary histidine supplementation on meagre,Argyrosomus regius,juvenile growth,haematological profile,stress and muscle cellularity

Histidine plays an important role in haemoglobin synthesis, antioxidant defence system and stress resistance, and it is thought to be a limiting amino acid in most meagre diets. In this study, two different diets, a control and a diet supplemented with 3% histidine, were tested in 60‐day‐old meagre (initial weight—6.2 g) for 82 days. Survival varied between 92% and 94%, and neither SGR nor whole fish composition seemed to be affected by the diet. When fish were submitted to a stress test (outside water for 30 s), it was observed that the levels of glucose and lactate significantly increased in both treatments. The concentration of cortisol increased after the stress test only in the His 30 g/kg group. Muscle cellularity was affected by the diets, where the control group showed a higher mean fibre area and lower fibre density. These results, associated with a lower frequency of smaller fibres, suggest a decrease in fibre recruitment and a higher fibre hypertrophy. In conclusion, the supplementation of diets with 3% led to a more pronounced response to the stress test in terms of cortisol levels and increased muscle fibre recruitment, decreasing muscle fibre hypertrophy contribution to muscle growth.     

Using Efinol®L during transportation of marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata (Günther)

The objective of this experiment was to test the efficacy of a probiotic (Efinol^®L) during transportation of marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata . Wild specimens were captured from a small stream and transported for 24 h in plastic fish boxes with a probiotic (10 mg L⁻¹) and probiotic-free water. The boxes were sampled at 3, 12 and 24 h of transport. At the end of the experiment, the survival rate was close to 100% in both treatments. Dissolved oxygen diminished with time in both treatments, but the probiotic group had significantly higher levels. Conductivity, pH and ammonia increased significantly during the transport, demonstrating higher levels in the probiotic-free group. Fish from both treatments presented very high net Na⁺ and K⁺ effluxes after 3 h of transport. At 24 h, net K⁺ effluxes in fish of the probiotic treatment reached values close to zero and a significantly lower Na⁺ efflux was observed. Cortisol levels in both treatments at 3 and 12 h were significantly higher than that in control samples. Higher body cortisol levels were observed in the probiotic-free group than that in the probiotic group at 3 and 12 h. The results demonstrate that addition of a probiotic during fish transport improves water quality and leads to fish presenting a lower stress response intensity.     

High stocking density induces crowding stress and affects amino acid metabolism in Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis (Kaup 1858) juveniles

Fish held at high stocking densities are generally exposed to chronic stress situations that impose severe energy demands and may predispose the fish to infection. Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis (Kaup) juveniles (78.8±18.9 g body weight) were maintained at low (LSD; 4 kg m^?2 at the end of the experiment), medium (MSD; 9 kg m^?2) and high (HSD; 14 kg m^?2) stocking densities during a period of 63 days. Although disease outbreaks were observed in fish reared at HSD, growth and food consumption did not vary among different treatments. Results from plasma cortisol and free amino acids (FAAs) showed significant differences among different rearing densities pointing to HSD as stressful rearing condition. However, higher plasma glucose and osmolality levels indicated that fish held at MSD may also be under stress. The higher usage of FAAs from the HSD group may be due to the higher demand for energy production in order to cope with stressful rearing conditions, higher rate of protein synthesis or due to synthesis of other important metabolites related to stress response. Therefore, results from the present study point out to HSD as a stressful rearing condition and suggest that crowding stress may affect amino acid requirements.     

Anaesthetic efficacy and physiological responses to clove oil-anaesthetized kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus

The efficacy of clove oil as an anaesthetic and at producing a physiological response (plasma cortisol and glucose) was evaluated in the kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus . To acquire complete anaesthesia in less than 3 min and recovery in <10 min, three doses of clove oil were tested at 18, 22 and 26 °C. Although higher anaesthetic doses resulted in shorter induction times and longer recovery times, and a lower temperature resulted in longer anaesthesia induction and slower recovery, we found the optimal dose and administering temperature of clove oil to be 250–300 mg L⁻¹ at water temperature of 18 °C, 150–200 mg L⁻¹ at water temperature of 22 °C and 50–100 mg L⁻¹ at water temperature of 26 °C respectively. Following the administration of 150 mg L⁻¹ of clove oil at 22 °C, the plasma cortisol level was highest (4.24 ± 1.571 μg dL⁻¹) after 12 h and the plasma glucose was highest (92.7 ± 9.61 mg dL⁻¹) after 2 h. These results should be useful to the aquaculture industry, where anaesthesia is necessary for a range of activities.     

皮质醇对黄颡鱼成鱼吞噬细胞和补体活性的影响

采用皮质醇混饲投喂的方法．模拟自然条件下的慢性应激,研究皮质醇对黄颡鱼咸鱼吞噬细胞呼吸暴发和血清补体旁路溶血活性（ACH50）的影响。研究结果与结论如下。皮质醇混饲投喂可使血清皮质醇浓度持续显著升高,各周对照组血清皮质醇含量均无显著性差异,证明采用皮质醇混饲投喂的方法可模拟自然慢性应激情况下的血清皮质醇浓度持续显著升高。从第2周开始头肾吞噬细胞的呼吸暴发功能显著下降（P〈0．05）,证明皮质醇对头肾吞噬细胞的杀菌能力产生显著抑制作用。10mg／kg剂量组,ACH50在投喂第2、第5、第6周显著低于对照组（P〈0．05）,100mg／kg剂量组,ACH50从第2周开始一直都极显著低于同期对照组（P〈0．01）,证明皮质醇显著抑制血清补体旁路溶血活性,且血清皮质醇浓度越高其抑制作用越强。     

Serum cortisol in mules intended for agricultural work

Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that is stimulated by physiological and pathological factors and has been studied widely in equids, but not in mules. The objectives of this study were to obtain a reference value for serum cortisol in mules destined for agricultural activities and to identify age- and gender-related differences in the value. The concentration was obtained in blood samples using a commercial sandwich ELISA specific for cortisol. The concentration was 96.3 ± 40.6 ng/ml and similar between age groups and genders.     

Effect of Climate on the Seasonal Endocrine Profile of Native and Crossbred Sheep under Semi-arid Conditions

Thirty-four 2-year-old ewes, of which 17 were native (Chokla) and 17 were Avivastra (Chokla 67.5%×32.5% Rambouillet) breeds of similar body weights, were selected. Both groups were maintained under the same management conditions with 8 hours daily grazing. In addition to grazing, each ewe received 300 g/day of a concentrate mixture comprising crude protein 20% and 70% total digestible nutrients. The ewes of both breeds were not mated during the study. The daily environmental parameters were recorded throughout the year, consisting of four main seasons, namely rainy, winter, spring and summer. Blood samples were collected into heparinized tubes during the morning hours for seasonal studies via indwelling jugular vein catheters to avoid stress to the animals, but for the diurnal studies the sampling was done twice daily at 07:00 and 17:00 continuously for three days in each season. Cortisol, thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃) were estimated in the samples. The T₄ and T₃ profiles were maximal in the summer, followed by the rainy season in both groups, with no significant differences. However, the cortisol in both the groups was maximal during the spring rather than the summer. No significant differences were found in T₃ concentration between morning and afternoon in any season in the native ewes but these animals showed significantly higher levels of T₄ in the morning. The opposite was true for the crossbred animals with regard to both the T₃ and T₄ profiles. Significantly more cortisol was found in the evening than in the morning in both genetic groups in all seasons.     

Hydrocortisone Concentrations in Post-Race Urine from Horses

As hydrocortisone is an endogenous substance, it is first necessary to establish its normal concentrations so as to be able to control its use in racing animals. This study was designed to establish the hydrocortisone concentrations in post-race urine samples of horses racing in Brazil and also to evaluate the results in relation to the international threshold set for this drug. Urine samples were analysed by HPLC-UV. The results were evaluated according to the concentration range as well as sex and time of sample collection (afternoon or evening races). The results showed a high degree of variation in the concentrations of hydrocortisone in the urine (93±69 ng/ml). The maximum concentration observed was 646 ng/ml, although only a few horses (around 1%) showed levels within the range 500–650 ng/ml, 91% being in the range 0–150 ng/ml. The data suggested a normal distribution curve. Statistical analysis showed no significant influence of sex or time of sample collection.