Toxicity of aqueous aluminium to the ectoparasitic monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris

Both laboratory and field experiments have demonstrated that aqueous aluminium can act as a paraciticide to the monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957 infecting freshwater salmonids. However, the reproductive conditions of gyrodactylids surviving to cessation of an aluminium exposure is unknown. Therefore, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr infected with G. salaris was experimentally exposed to elevated concentrations of aqueous aluminium for more than 1 month. During this period, the infection increased the first week before it peaked and started to steadily decline approaching elimination. When almost all parasite specimens were eliminated, the water quality was adjusted to normal aluminium-poor freshwater. During the next 3 weeks, the surviving G. salaris were shown to clearly resume their reproduction. The experiment demonstrates the potential of the gyrodactylids to reproduce after cessation of an aluminium exposure. Thus, the as-yet unknown mechanism behind the toxic effects of aluminium on G. salaris survival and reproduction might to some extent be reversible. The present study gives further support for this metal as a parasiticide to G. salaris but demonstrates at the same time that in order to eliminate the parasites totally, the aluminium treatment must eradicate all G. salaris from the skin of the infected hosts. Furthermore, the potential development of resistance to aluminium should also be studied.     

Evaluation of the effect of commercially available plant and animal protein sources in diets for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.): digestive and metabolic investigations

The present study investigated the effect of various alternative diet ingredients partially replacing fishmeal (FM) on digestive and metabolic parameters in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) post-smolts (initial body mass 305 ± 69 g) following 12 weeks of feeding. Experimental diets containing 20 % extracted sunflower (ESF), pea protein concentrate (PPC), soy protein concentrate (SPC), feather meal (FeM) and poultry by-product (PBY) were compared to a reference diet containing FM as the main protein source. For the different intestinal compartments trypsin, lipase, bile salts, dry matter and chyme-associated leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) were measured from the content and LAP was measured in the tissue. Selected metabolites were measured in plasma samples. In general, use of plant proteins resulted in low C-LAP activity, low plasma cholesterol and high plasma magnesium. The plasma levels of cholesterol and Mg reflecting were most likely reflections of the composition of the diet, while the LAP activity in chyme may indicate lower epithelial cell turnover. Other responses varied depending on the plant protein source. Results from the animal protein substitution also varied both between diets and compartments; however, both materials increased lipase activity in DI. FeM resulted in a significant increase in both total and specific LAP activities suggesting an attempt to increase the digestive capacity in response to low digestibility of the diet while PBY showed very little difference from the FM-fed control fish. The present trial indicates that 20 % PPC, SPC and PBY can partially replace FM in diets for Atlantic salmon. The qualities of ESF and FeM used in this trial show little promise as FM replacement at 20 % inclusion level.     

Diagnosis of Taxus (yew) poisoning in a horse.

A 2-year-old bay Thoroughbred colt was found dead overnight in its stall without a known history of any illness, existing disease, or toxicant exposure. No information on the clinical signs before this animal's death was reported. A full necropsy was performed the next morning and revealed a mild to moderate degree of endocardial hemorrhages in both ventricles. Microscopic examination of the heart showed an acute mild multifocal necrosis of papillary muscles and ventricles. The stomach content contained approximately 2% Taxus alkaloids as determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In the past, diagnosis of Taxus poisoning has been mainly based on history of exposure and the presence of plant parts in the gastrointestinal tract. Pathological lesions associated with Taxus poisoning have not been published for horses. Therefore, this is the first report of cardiac lesions in a horse after lethal exposure to Taxus. On the basis of these findings, it is suggested that Taxus exposure needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of horses that die suddenly or have cardiac lesions suggestive of Taxus exposure, even if intact plant parts are not identified in the stomach by the naked eye.     

A pharmacokinetic study including some relevant clinical effect of medetomidine and atipamezole in lactating dairy cows

Medetomidine is the most potent and selective alpha2-agonist used in veterinary medicine and its effects can be antagonized by the alpha2-antagonist atipamezole. The pharmacokinetics of medetomidine and atipamezole were studied in a cross-over trial in eight lactating dairy cows. The animals were injected intravenously (i.v.) with medetomidine (40 microg/kg) followed by atipamezole i.v. (200 microg/kg) or saline i.v. after 60 min. Drug concentrations in plasma were measured by HPLC. After the injection of atipamezole, the concentration of medetomidine in plasma increased slightly, the mean increment being 2.7 ng/mL and the mean duration 12.1 min. However, atipamezole did not alter the pharmacokinetics of medetomidine. It is likely that the increase in medetomidine concentration is caused by displacement of medetomidine by atipamezole in highly perfused tissues. The volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) for medetomidine followed by saline and medetomidine followed by atipamezole was 1.21 and 1.32 L/kg, respectively, whereas the total clearance (Cl) values were 24.2 and 25.8 mL/min x kg. Vss and Cl values for atipamezole were 1.77 mL/kg and 48.1 mL/min x kg, respectively. Clinically, medetomidine significantly reduced heart rate and increased rectal temperature for 45 min. Atipamezole reversed the sedative effects of medetomidine. However, all the animals, except one, relapsed into sedation at an average of 80 min after injection of the antagonist.     

Nutritional composition of rotifers following a change in diet from yeast and emulsified oil to microalgae

Rotifers, Brachionus plicatilis, fed baker's yeast and a lipid emulsion (High DNA Super Selco, INVE Aquaculture NV Systems SA, Belgium), were harvested and fed Isochrysis galbana for 72 h, the nutrient composition was analysed during this period. The enrichment effect on the rotifers following transfer to I. galbana was most pronounced for ascorbic acid and thiamin. I. galbana seemed to contribute very little as a source of the lipid-soluble vitamins. Most of the minerals and trace elements were unaffected by the transfer to I. galbana, but Fe, Mn, As and Cd increased, Cu and Ni decreased whereas the effect on Cr and Mo were uncertain. The fatty acid composition of the rotifers changed towards the composition of I. galbana during the experimental period. Intermediate glycogen levels were measured in the rotifers at all sampling times. With the exception of lysine, serine and proline, all amino acid levels seemed to be unaffected by the transfer to I. galbana. This study showed that transfer of rotifers to microalgae (I. galbana) feeding had a positive effect on nutritional value. Macronutrients were maintained at adequate levels, and algal feeding improved the nutritional quality of rotifers with respect to water-soluble vitamins. Changes in rotifer nutrient composition are discussed in relation to nutritional requirements of fish larvae.     

Feeding,growth and environmental requirements of Arctic charr: a review of aquaculture potential

Interest in the cultivation of Arctic charr arose during the 1970s, and research into charr farming was instigated in the Nordic countries and in Canada. Most work has been conducted on fish from anadromous populations, although land-locked freshwater populations of Arctic charr have also received attention. Research has also been carried out in the British Isles and in the alpine regions of central Europe, where land-locked populations of charr. Small-scale commercial farming is now carried out in several countries of northern Europe and North America, and charr are reared for restocking purposes in a number of countries.Growth of charr is rapid during the early freshwater rearing stages, and quite good rates of growth can be achieved at low water temperatures. Growth may be submaximal if charr are reared in systems designed for other salmonids, and problems may arise when charr are held at low stocking densities. Growth and food conversion can be improved by exposing the fish to water currents, forcing them to swim at moderate speeds. Growth in seawater has been reported as being highly variable, probably as a result of the use of inappropriate rearing techniques and owing to the seasonal changes in the hypo-osmoregulatory ability of the charr.Prospects for aquaculture development and areas requiring further research effort are briefly discussed.     

Digestive capacity, intestinal morphology, and microflora of 1-year and 2-year old Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) fed standard or bioprocessed soybean meal

The objectives of this work were to evaluate how dietary soybean meal (SBM) or a soy meal made by bioprocessing the SBM (BPSBM) to remove anti-nutritional factors affected hydrolytic capacity, amino acid absorption, intestinal morphology, and microflora along the intestinal tract of Atlantic cod at two life stages. Three fish meal based standard cod diets were formulated to contain no soy (FM control), 25% SBM, or 22% BPSBM. Prior to sampling the diets were fed to duplicate groups of 0.5 kg (1-year old) and 1.7 kg (2-year old) cod for a period of 3 months, and the groups reached 0.9 and 2.5 kg, respectively. Digesta was then sampled from different intestinal sections for analyses of trypsin and amylase activity as well as absorption of amino acids, nitrogen, and sulphur. Gastrointestinal sections were sampled for measurements of relative weight (kg^− 1 body weight), and tissues from these sections were sampled for analyses of brush border enzyme (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), and maltase) activity and histological examination. Microflora was sampled from both digesta and the intestinal wall. The SBM diet stimulated relative growth of all gastrointestinal sections except the distal intestine in both age classes. Relative growth of the pyloric intestine was also stimulated by BPSBM. The pyloric caeca and the upper mid intestine were found to be the major sites for enzymatic hydrolysis of protein and starch and for amino acid absorption. Dietary SBM and BPSBM did not alter the activity of trypsin and LAP, but the activity of these enzymes in the proximal intestine was affected by age, being higher in 1-year old than in 2-year old cod. The rate of amino acid, nitrogen, and sulphur absorption along the gastrointestinal tract was not affected by SBM, but was slowed by BPSBM. Dietary SBM or BPSBM did not alter the morphology of the intestinal mucosa in any sections of the cod intestine. The distal-most structure of the intestine, a compartment with inlet and outlet (anus) valves, showed very high microbial colonisation in the mucosal brush border. Inclusion of SBM in the diet changed the intestinal microflora, increasing the population level of transient bacteria in the pyloric and mid intestine, but reducing the population level of adherent bacteria throughout the intestine. To conclude, Atlantic cod appeared to have a robust and flexible digestive system able to adjust to high dietary levels of soy protein meals.