Postharvest efficacy of resistance inducers for the control of green mold on important Sicilian citrus varieties

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The disease reducing activity of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), chitosan and β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) against postharvest green mold (GM) of citrus...     

Toxicological Emergencies in Fish Products: Introduction

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Testicular leiomyoma and spermatogenic failure syndrome in a seabass from broodstock

Testicular leiomyomas and gonadal dysfunctions are not commonly reported in teleost and particularly in broodstock fish. In the present work, a testicular leiomyoma related to an unusual case of spermatogenic failure syndrome, in a broodstock seabass coming from an Italian aquaculture farm, is reported. At gross pathology, the circumscribed neoplasia showed several white nodular masses, originating from the gonad, deforming the anatomo-physiological shape. From light microscopy, the presence of neoplastic tissue islands with spindle cells with a whirling pattern and the low presence of connective tissue were evident and originated from smooth muscle cells. Seminiferous tubules showed severe azoospermia with the absence of sperm cells even closer to the neoplastic area. Immunohistochemical analysis was positive for alpha-SMA, desmin and vimentin but negative for S-100, confirming a diagnosis of leiomyoma. This is the first report of spermatogenic failure syndrome associated with a testicular leiomyoma in fish from broodstock. More efforts should be made in studying broodstock fish pathologies related to fish maintenance and hormonal treatments that could economically affect aquaculture production.     

Influence of Slaughtering Method on Some Aspects of Quality of Gilthead Seabream and Smoked Rainbow Trout

The effects of several slaughter methods on the quality of fresh and smoked trout and fresh gilthead seabream were evaluated during storage at 2^°C. Electrically stunned trout had slower ATP depletion of raw muscle and lower lipid oxidation in smoked product during storage. Gilthead seabream immersed in an ice slurry (IS group) after the harvest showed a more regular ATP depletion than in fish exposed to CO₂. Nevertheless, in the case of the IS group, self-initiated behaviour, response to handling and breathing all ceased only after 15–20 min, whereas carbon dioxide-stunned fish appeared dead after 5 min. However, gilthead seabream group having slower ATP depletion also showed lower lipid oxidation of muscle during storage. In both species this could be due to the rapid conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to xanthine oxidase induced by the rapid consumption of ATP. Xanthine oxidase, in the presence of redox iron and reintroduced oxygen, can produce hydrogen peroxide and, consequently, hydroxyl radicals.