Effect of body size and sub-optimal water quality on some hemato-immunological parameters of spotted babylon snail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Babylonia areolata</Emphasis>

Cellular and humoral effectors are imperative for the innate defense mechanisms of invertebrates, including the spotted babylon snail Babylonia areolata, a marine gastropod belonging to the family Buccinidae. In this study, we have investigated the influence of body size [5–8 g (small), 10–12 g (medium) and 15–17 g (large)], and culture waters of varied quality [natural seawater, low salinity, low alkalinity, high total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and artificial seawater] on some hemato-immunological parameters [total hemocytic counts (THC), hemolymphatic glucose, total protein concentration, phenoloxidase (PO), agglutinating and lysozyme activity] of the snail. Growth performance measures and survival of test snails were also evaluated after rearing them in culture water of varied quality. Body size did not influence most parameters assessed, except that the lysozyme and PO activities of medium and large-size snails were higher than those of the small-size snails. Sub-optimal culture water quality affected hemato-immunological factors, growth and/or survival of the spotted babylon snail. Seawater with low salinity, low alkalinity and a high TAN level caused decreased THC, hemolymphatic glucose, and PO activity; increased lysozyme activity; and clearly retarded growth of the snail. The snails held in artificial seawater could not survive after 4 weeks, suggesting the lack of certain essential factors necessary for their survival.     

Dietary exposure to melamine and cyanuric acid induced growth reduction,oxidative stress and pathological changes of hepatopancreas in Pacific white shrimp

This study examined the effects of dietary melamine (MEL) and cyanuric acid (CYA) singly and in combination on growth, nutrient utilization, immunological responses, oxidative stress, and histological changes in Pacific white shrimp. Seven experimental isonitrogenous (35%) and isolipidic (8%) diets were formulated, namely diet 1 (a control diet without MEL and CYA); diets 2–5 (with MEL and CYA at 2.5?+?2.5, 5?+?5, 7.5?+?7.5 and 10?+?10 g kg^?1 diet); diet 6 (with only MEL at 10 g kg^?1 diet) and diet 7 (with CYA alone at 10 g kg^?1 diet). The shrimp with initial body weight 2.37?±?0.02 g were fed with these diets for 10 weeks. The results indicate that all the diets with MEL and CYA singly or in combination had adverse effects on growth and nutrient utilization relative to the control diet (p?<?0.05). Total protease and trypsin activities were significantly lowered by all diets containing MEL (p?<?0.05). Haemolymph parameters, including total hemocyte count, phenoloxidase (PO) activity, respiratory burst, and lysozyme activity, were significantly decreased (p?<?0.05) in shrimp receiving MEL alone (10 g kg^?1 diet) and at high combination dosages (10?+?10 g kg^?1 diet). Moreover, MEL and CYA induced oxidative stress, damaged hepatopancreas, decreased antioxidant responses, increased lipid peroxidation, and caused abnormality of hepatocytes.