Environmental effects of a marine fish farm of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) in the NW Mediterranean Sea on water column and sediment

This study examined the effects of organic enrichment on water column, sediments and macrofauna caused by a fish farm in the Mediterranean Sea. Samples were collected on four sampling campaigns over a one‐year cycle. Significant differences were found in the water column in dissolved oxygen, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphate and total phosphorus concentrations between the fish farm and the control. The increase in the dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphate concentrations at the fish farm modified the stoichiometric ratios between nutrients, with silicate acting as limiting nutrient at the fish farm 11% more than at the control. Nevertheless, chlorophyll a concentration in the water column was higher at the control station, probably due to the fouling of the underwater fish farm structures. Significant differences were found in sediment concentrations of organic matter, total phosphorus and redox potential between the fish farm and the control. The Canonical Correlation Analysis indicated that organic matter, total phosphorus, redox potential and% of gravels accounted for 68.9% of the total variance in the species data. Changes were observed in macrofauna, with a decrease in number of species and up to a nine‐fold increase in abundance with respect to the control.     

Differences in early developmental rate and yolk conversion efficiency in offspring of trout with alternative life histories

Partial migration, in which some individuals of a population migrate while other individuals remain resident, is generally associated with ontogenetic shifts to better feeding areas or as a response to environmental instability, but its underlying mechanisms remain relatively unknown. Brown trout (Salmo trutta) exhibit partial migration, with some individuals remaining in freshwater (freshwater resident) while others undertake an anadromous migration, where they spend time at sea before returning to breed in freshwater (migrant). We reared full‐sibling groups of offspring from freshwater‐resident and anadromous brown trout from the same catchment in the laboratory under common garden conditions to examine potential differences in their early development. Freshwater‐resident parents produced eggs that were slower to hatch than those of anadromous parents, but freshwater‐resident offspring were quicker to absorb their yolk and reach the stage of exogenous feeding. Their offspring also had a higher conversion efficiency from the egg stage to the start of exogenous feeding (so were larger by the start of the fry stage) than did offspring from anadromous parents despite no difference in standard metabolic rate, maximal metabolic rate or aerobic scope. Given these differences in early development, we discuss how the migration history of the parents might influence the migration probability of the offspring.     

The effect of hepatic passage on postprandial plasma lipid profile of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) after a single meal

For the first time, pre‐ and post‐hepatic plasma lipid profiles were monitored following a single meal in a free‐swimming, non‐anaesthetized fish. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss; 700–1500 g; 10 °C) were equipped with cannulae in the dorsal aorta (DA) and hepatic portal vein (HPV). Simultaneous blood samples, taken from both cannulae at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h postprandial, revealed the time course of the plasma lipid profiles following a single meal (1% of body mass). Primarily monounsaturated fatty acids with the exception of 18:1n ? 9, increased significantly from baseline by 12 h postprandial without greatly affecting total plasma lipid concentrations. Total plasma lipids then showed a small peak at 24 h postprandial, coinciding with a peak in triacylglycerols. We conclude that assimilation of lipids from the digest into the plasma is slower than reported for proteins and carbohydrates in the same species. Furthermore, as there were no significant differences between the HPV and DA, no measurable effect of hepatic passage on plasma lipid levels was resolved. Therefore, we also conclude that, in contrast to that in higher vertebrates, hepatic passage does not seem to have a major role in rainbow trout for modulating the postprandial plasma profile of lipids.     

渤海沿岸多盐水池塘限制性营养盐的研究

研究结果表明,渤海沿岸河口氯化物型的多盐水池塘普遍少氮多磷,氮、磷比(总氮/总磷)为3.785～6.733,表现不同程度的氮限制。施肥则使营养盐的限制性作用大为减弱,在施肥后期表现出不很明显的氮磷协同限制。探讨了施肥情况下多盐水水体营养盐限制作用的影响因素,认为施肥后浮游植物的种类组成、种群密度等都产生了变化,从而导致营养盐限制性作用的变化。     

Variation in Reproductive Performance and Egg Quality Between Wild and Pond-Reared Indian White Shrimp,Fenneropenaeus indicus,Broodstock

ABSTRACT

The shrimp hatchery industry worldwide has placed immense interest on the production of closed-life cycle broodstock from farm stock. Unfortunately, majority of the studies have proven that pond-reared broodstock are inferior to their wild counterparts in terms of reproductive performance, spawn quality and post-hatching performance. In the present study, reproductive performance, egg, and nauplii quality of wild and pond-reared Indian white shrimp, Fenneropenaeus indicus, broodstock were analyzed. Biochemical analyses were done with egg and nauplii from both the sources, in an attempt to explain the difference in their performance. Results indicated better reproductive performance by wild females compared to pond-reared ones. The wild eggs contained higher total lipid, and vital HUFAs namely EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (Arachidonic acid). However, one of the dominant PUFA, 18:2 (n-6) was high in pond broodstock eggs. Biochemical analysis also indicated that glucose, carotenoids, and triacylglycerol content were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in wild eggs. But, egg protein and triacylglycerol content did not record significant difference between the egg samples. The percentage viable nauplii, nauplii length and triacylglycerol content were all significantly higher (P < 0.05) with wild nauplii. This study proves the better nutritional profile of wild eggs and nauplii in terms of analyzed biochemical components. But, as our knowledge on specific nutrient requirement for successful reproductive performance and offspring quality is limited, the better performance of wild eggs could not be attributed to any single nutrient. Meanwhile, it could be presumed that all the deficient nutrients collectively contributed to the poor reproductive performance and spawn quality.     

Effects of guanidinoacetic acid supplementation in all‐plant protein diets on growth,antioxidant capacity and muscle energy metabolism of bullfrog Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana

Effects of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation in all‐plant protein diets were evaluated on growth, antioxidant capacity and muscle energy metabolism of Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana. Six diets were prepared: a basal fish meal diet (FM), an all soybean meal diet (SM) and four GAA‐supplemented diets by adding 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 g GAA/kg to the SM diet (GAA2, GAA4, GAA6 and GAA8 diets). Triplicate groups of bullfrog (45 ± 0.2 g) were fed the diets to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. Total substitution of FM with SM led to significantly (p < .05) reduced growth and feed utilization. Adding 0.4 g GAA/kg to the SM diet significantly improved growth performance, and the values were comparable to those of FM group. SM and GAA2 groups showed drastically lower serum total antioxidant capacity than FM, GAA4 and GAA6 groups. Also, SM and GAA2 groups showed significantly lower catalase activity than FM and GAA8 groups. A remarkable increase in serum malondialdehyde concentration was detected in SM and GAA2 groups. FM and GAA6 groups exhibited significantly higher serum creatinine concentration than other groups. Muscle creatine kinase activity and glycogen content were significantly decreased in SM group and application of 0.4–0.6 g GAA/kg significantly improved their values. GAA4 group showed significantly lower pyruvate kinase activity than FM and GAA6 groups. Also, GAA2 and GAA4 groups had significantly lower succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity than other treatments. These findings show that supplementing 0.4 g/kg GAA to SM‐based diets improves growth, antioxidant capacity and muscle energy metabolism.     

Short‐term physiological role of thyroxine administration on plasma metabolites and growth performance of Sterlet sturgeon Acipenser ruthenus

Thyroid hormones (THs) play important roles in regulating growth, development and physiological functions in vertebrates. To study the role of short‐term effects of thyroxine (T4) on metabolism and growth in female Sterlet sturgeon, thirty fish with a weight of 707.97 ± 37.15 g were divided into six tanks. Fish were injected intraperitoneal with (a) coconut oil alone (control), (b) 1 mg T4 kg per BW in coconut oil (T₁) and (c) 10 mg T4 kg per BW in coconut oil (T₁₀). Blood samples were collected at 0, 4, 7, 14, 28 and 60 days for plasma biochemical analysis, and body length and mass were determined at day 60. Based on results, higher growth was indicated in T₁₀ group. The highest T4 levels were observed on day 4 in the T₁ and T₁₀ treatments and gradually declined during the trial. Plasma T3 levels were highest on days 4 and 7 in the T₁ and T₁₀ groups, respectively. Plasma triglyceride levels were significantly elevated on day 28 in the T₁ group and on day 60 in the T₁₀ group. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly elevated on days 7 and 14 in T₁₀ group. Overall, the present results suggest that a single injection of T4 can improve growth via changes in the metabolic profile of Sterlet sturgeon.     

Fishmeal alternative from renewable CO2 for rainbow trout feed

The rapid global growth in fish farming and limited supply of fish meal (FM) has consequently reduced FM inclusion levels in compound feeds leading to a higher reliance on alternative protein sources. Sasya is a single cell protein (SCP) product that has a similar amino acid profile as FM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing FM with SCP on in vivo digestibility, growth, feed efficiency, whole‐body proximate/amino acid composition and gene expression levels of various hepatic enzymes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Three isonitrogenous (470 g/kg crude protein) and isolipidic (18 g/kg crude lipid) diets were formulated as follows: Diet 1: control (30% FM); Diet 2:24% FM + 6% SCP and Diet 3:18% FM + 12% SCP. Each diet was hand‐fed to triplicate tanks containing 30 rainbow trout fingerlings (4.99 ± 0.20 g) for 9 weeks. Apparent digestibility coefficients of SCP for dry matter, crude protein, lipid and energy were 60, 80, 93 and 74% respectively. Growth performance (final weight: 69–71 g), feed conversion ratios (0.91–0.94) as well as whole‐body protein and amino acid composition were unaffected by diets. However, Diet 3 significantly increased whole‐body crude fat and energy. Fish fed the SCP‐based diets had significantly higher expression for carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1b (CPT1b), fatty acid delta 6 desaturase (FADS6) and fatty acid elongase 5 compared to the control. Overall, the quality of the SCP was similar as FM. Therefore, this product could enlarge the portfolio of alternative protein sources that can be used in fish diets and thus open a new market opportunity for use of a new feed resource in the feed industry.     

The effect of culture on morphology, lipid and fatty acid composition, and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) skin cells

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) skin cell cultures were obtained by trypsinization of the tissue and grown in Leibovitz L-15 medium. Lipid class compositions, and fatty acid profiles of total lipids and individual phospholipid classes were determined at different times of culture. The metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was investigated by incubating primary cultures after 7 and 14 days with [1-¹⁴C]18:2n-6 and [1-¹⁴C-]18:3n-3. The change in morphology between epithelial-like primary cultures and fibroblastic-like secondary subcultures was accompanied by alterations in the lipid composition. Polar lipids became predominant by 14 days in culture. The relative proportions of phosphatidylcholine (PC), the most abundant phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol and cholesterol increased significantly, while sphingomyelin decreased. Saturated fatty acids, 18:1n-9, n-6 and n-9PUFA were more abundant in total lipid in cultures at 14 days and 4 months than in cells initially isolated which contained higher percentages of longer chain monoenes and n-3PUFA. The changes in fatty acid composition with time in culture were observed in all the major phospholipid classes. Rainbow trout skin cells in culture desaturated and elongated both 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, with 20:4n-6 and 20:5n-3 being the most abundant products, respectively. PC presented the highest incorporation of radioactivity, especially following incubation with 18:3n-3. Lipid metabolism in general increased with the age of primary cultures, with both the amount of C18 PUFA incorporated and metabolized by desaturation/elongation significantly increased in 14 day cultures compared to 7 day cultures. Product/precursor ratios calculated for both n-6 and n-3 fatty acids showed that, while 6 desaturase activity was increased significantly with cell age, 5 desaturase activity was more affected by the fatty acid series, with 18:3n-3 being more readily transformed to 20:5n-3 than 18:2n-6 to 20:4n-6. Further desaturation of 20:5n-3 to hexaenes was low. Overall, the data suggested that the trout skin cell cultures were more similar to mammalian skin fibroblasts than mammalian epidermal/keratinocyte cultures.     

Effect of cortisol on the metabolism of 17-hydroxyprogesterone by Arctic charr and rainbow trout embryos

The effect of cortisol on the in vitro metabolism of [³H]17-hydroxyprogesterone ([³H]17OHP) was studied during embryonic development of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In the absence of cortisol, rainbow trout embryos metabolized [³H]17OHP largely to androstenedione (A₄) and androstenetrione (11-KA) with a minor conversion to 17,20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20P). In the presence of cortisol, this biosynthesis was inhibited. On the other hand, cortisol had no apparent inhibitory effect on the nature of metabolism of [³H]17OHP by Arctic charr embryos. In these embryos [³H]17OHP was metabolized mainly to 17,20P with a minor conversion to A₄ and without the formation of 11-KA that was seen in rainbow trout.When incubated in the presence of [³H]cortisol both Arctic charr and rainbow trout embryos produced 11ß-hydroxyandrostenedione (11ß-OHA) as the major metabolite, with a minor conversion to an unknown steroid. The catabolism of the cortisol by salmonid embryos may reflect the ability of the embryo to inactivate or detoxify cortisol to protect itself from the adverse effects of this biologically potent steroid hormone The study indicates the existence of species-specific differences in the nature of metabolism of [³H]17OHP and the inhibitory effect of cortisol on this metabolism.