Reproductive roles predict sexual dimorphism in internal and external morphology of lake whitefish,Coregonus clupeaformis

Abstract – The different reproductive roles of the sexes can predict the direction and magnitude of sexual dimorphism of external and internal morphology. Males should have enlarged structures that enhance the acquisition of mating opportunities, whereas females are predicted to have enlarged organs that are associated with the production of eggs. We tested these predictions in male and female lake whitefish, a species in which both sexes have similar overall body size and shape. After controlling for body size, male lake whitefish had significantly longer jaws and pectoral and pelvic fins, larger hearts, and more muscle than females. Sexual dimorphism in relative muscle mass may be one of the most fundamental morphological differences between males and females. Females had relatively heavier livers than males. Because the liver is important for the breakdown of fats and vitellogenesis, selection should favour an enlarged liver in females for the processing of energy and the production of large numbers of eggs.     

Effects of dietary protein to carbohydrate ratios on growth and body composition of juvenile yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Siluriformes, Bagridae, Pelteobagrus)

The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary protein to carbohydrate ratios on growth and body composition of juvenile yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco . Nine diets were formulated to contain three protein levels (30%, 36% and 42%), each with three carbohydrate levels (24%, 30% and 36%). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 20 fish (initial mean body weight: 8.24±0.20 g) in indoor flow – through fibreglass tanks. The experiment continued for 8 weeks. Weight gain and specific growth rate were similar for the fish fed the 36% and 42% protein diets but higher than that fed the 30% protein diet. At the 36% protein level, carbohydrate contents varying from 24% to 36% ( P / E ratio of 24.0–28.2 mg protein kJ⁻¹) had no significant effects on growth performance and feed utilization ( P >0.05). Protein efficiency ratio tended to increase with dietary carbohydrate level at the same protein level. Dietary treatments significantly influenced body composition ( P <0.05), but not the condition factor, viscerosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and intraperitoneal fat ratio ( P >0.05). Based on these observations, 36% protein and 24–36% carbohydrate with the P / E ratio of 24.0–28.2 mg protein kJ⁻¹ seemed suitable for optimal growth and feed utilization, and carbohydrate could cause protein-sparing effect in diets for juvenile yellow catfish.     

Influence of dietary fat level and whole-body adiposity on voluntary energy intake by juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) under self-feeding conditions

The influence of dietary fat level and whole‐body adiposity on voluntary energy intake of juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) was examined using self‐feeders. Groups of lean fish [crude fat (CF) = 7%] and fat fish (CF = 11%), pretreated with a commercial diet with or without supplemental pollock oil, were self‐fed one of three fat level diets (CF = 8%, 13.5% and 19%) for 48 days at 17 °C. Final body weight (BW) and total digestible energy (DE) intake (kJ per fish) were positively affected by the initial BW. Relative to the initial BW, however, fat fish consumed less DE than lean fish. Although the effect of dietary fat level was not significant, percentage weight gain and daily DE intake per BW (kJ kg^?1 BW day^?1) of fat fish were significantly lower than those of lean fish (ancova with initial BW as a covariate, P < 0.05). Energy digestibility, feed efficiency and protein retention were improved with the dietary fat level; however, there was no difference resulting from body fat level. The whole‐body fat levels at the end of the experiment increased with the dietary fat level. Between groups self‐fed the same diet, fat levels of the initially fat fish were still higher than those of the lean fish. The results of the present medium‐term study suggest that rainbow trout adjust DE intake from diets with fat levels ranging from 8% to 19%. Although body fat level affects neither energy digestibility nor protein utilization, a high body fat level may reduce DE intake and consequently depress growth.     

Effects of processing on physical characteristics of diets with distinct levels of carbohydrates and lipids: the outcomes on the growth of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

The use efficiency and feed conversion of extruded and pelletized diets were compared. Eight isoproteic diets (220 g kg⁻¹ digestible protein) were assayed for 90 days in a 2 × 2 × 2 multifactorial design with two carbohydrate levels (400 and 500 g kg⁻¹), two lipids levels (40 and 80 g kg⁻¹) and two diet processing (pelletization and extrusion) with three repetitions. The growth of Piaractus mesopotamicus fed with these diets and the quality control indices of diets were gauged. The density of extruded diets was lower as carbohydrate level was 400 g kg⁻¹ and lipid 40 g kg⁻¹. The interaction carbohydrate and diet processing presented higher leaching value for low carbohydrate level in extruded diet. Fish fed with extruded diets presented the best feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio. When high levels of carbohydrate and lipid are combined, the weight gain is impaired. The interaction between diet processing diet and lipid levels resulted in the best fish performance when pelletized diets with 40 g kg⁻¹ lipid or extruded diets with 80 g kg⁻¹ lipid were considered. The protein efficiency ratio increased with the increment of carbohydrates in the pelletized diets. The fish show low tolerance to lipids and a preference for carbohydrate when the lipid productive values are taken into account.     

Seasonal changes in respiration rates of copepodite stage V Calanus finmarchicus (Gunnerus)

Copepodite stage V Calanus finmarchicus were collected at locations on the continental shelf north of Scotland, in the Faroe–Shetland Channel and west of Ireland on six occasions covering winter, spring and summer from October 1993 to June 1995. Oxygen consumption by the overwintering and active spring/summer population of animals was determined at temperatures close to in situ temperatures. Laboratory measurements of oxygen consumption were also made at standardized temperatures (0°C, 5°C, 7°C and 12.5°C) to determine the sensitivity of animals to temperature change in the different seasons. Rates of oxygen consumption were very low (7–30 μmol O₂ gC⁻¹ h⁻¹) at in situ temperatures during the winter and early spring and significantly higher (105–219 μmol O₂ gC⁻¹ h⁻¹) for the active surface population in May and June. Animals collected from the overwintering population showed no significant response to changes in temperature. Due to the low respiration rates, the calculated rate of decrease in carbon content in diapausing copepodite stage CV was very low (approximately 0.250 μgC day⁻¹). The respiration rates were used to construct a model to estimate survival of the animals with an initial carbon content equivalent to that expected of animals in October. The results showed that in order to survive during winter and have enough energy for moulting and migration to the surface in the spring, these animals have to live at temperatures close to 0°C and be in a diapause state.     

A dietary energy level of 14.6 MJ kg−1 and protein-to-energy ratio of 20.2 g MJ−1 results in best growth performance and nutrient accretion in silver barb Puntius gonionotus fingerlings

Five iso-nitrogenous (300 g protein kg⁻¹ diet) and iso-lipidic (80 g kg⁻¹ diet) semi-purified experimental diets with variable energy levels of 10.5 (D-1), 12.5 (D-2), 14.6 (D-3), 16.7 (D-4) and 18.8 (D-5) MJ kg⁻¹ diets were fed to Puntius gonionotus fingerlings (average weight 1.79 ± 0.02 g) in triplicate groups (15 healthy fishes per replicate) for a period of 90 days to assess the optimum dietary energy level and protein-to-energy ratio (P/E). Fifteen flow-through cement tanks of 100 L capacity with a flow rate of 0.5 L min⁻¹ were used for rearing the fish. Maximum specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value, RNA : DNA ratio, whole body protein content, digestive enzyme activity and minimum feed conversion ratio was found in fish-fed diet D-3 with 14.6 MJ kg⁻¹ energy level. There were no improvements in all these parameters with the further rise in dietary energy level. Hence, it may be concluded that the optimum dietary gross energy level for maximum growth and nutrient utilization of silver barb is 14.6 MJ kg⁻¹ diet with a resultant P/E ratio of 20.2 g protein MJ⁻¹ diet, when the dietary protein and lipid are maintained at optimum requirement levels of 300 and 80 g kg⁻¹ diet, respectively, for this species.     

舒适性空调节能系统的设计与试验研究

人体热舒适度和PMV指标有很大关系,即人体热舒适度不仅仅只与空气温度有关,还和其他一些环境因素有很大关系,因此只调整室内空气温度,达不到人体热舒适度的要求,必须还要相应得调整其他环境因素。在CFD模拟仿真的基础上,研究出一种新型的"风扇-灯"来改善室内环境。试验证明,利用此装置可以在升高室内温度的同时保证人体的热舒适度,达到了节能和热舒适度两方面的要求。     

In growing pigs, chlortetracycline induces a reversible green bone discoloration and a persistent increase of bone mineral density dependent of dosing regimen

We studied in growing pigs the effects of exposure to dietary chlortetracycline on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone color. Pigs were randomly allocated to a drug-free diet (n = 48) or a diet fortified with 800 ppm of chlortetracycline, starting either at 28- or 84-d of age, and for either a 28- or 56-d duration (n = 16 pigs/group). The lumbar vertebral discoloration and BMD of randomly chosen pigs were evaluated at 28-d intervals up to 168-d of age. The odds of bone discoloration increased with dosing duration and age at treatment onset, and decreased with the withdrawal time and age at treatment onset interaction (p ? 0.001). The measured trabecular BMD linearly increased with age and squared treatment duration (p ? 0.005). Therefore, TC-induced bone discoloration is reversible, and may be prevented with proper dosing regimen design. Moreover, TC induces a persistent increase on BMD that could be detected with quantitative computed tomography.     

Effect of tillage management on energy-use efficiency and economics of soybean (Glycine max) based cropping systems under the rainfed conditions in North-West Himalayan Region

The study on energy-use efficiency and economics of soybean based cropping system, viz., soybean–wheat (Glycine max 9 L., Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.), soybean–lentil (Lens culinaris Medicus) and soybean–field pea (Pisum sativum L., sensu lato), was carried out at the Hawalbagh experimental farm of Vivekananda Institute of Hill Agriculture, Almora, Uttarakhand, India during 2001–2003 (29°36′ N, 79°40′ E). These cropping systems, under rainfed conditions, were evaluated with different tillage management practices, viz., zero tillage (ZT), minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT). Each tillage management practice, under each cropping system was evaluated for total energy output, energy input–output ratio, gross income, net income and marginal income, to variable cost of cultivation. Results revealed that the maximum energy was consumed in terms of chemical fertilizers, followed by seed and plant protection chemicals, in all cropping systems. Equivalent energy was used from literature for conversion purpose. The maximum output energy was observed in CT (44,253 MJ/ha), followed by MT for soybean–lentil cropping system (43,450 MJ/ha). The output–input energy ratio was maximum in ZT for soybean–lentil (4.9) followed by MT for soybean–pea cropping system (4.6). The economic analysis also revealed that the maximum benefits could be obtained from these sequences. Conventional tillage for all cropping sequences was found to be a better option as compared to minimum tillage and zero tillage. Benefit–cost ratios were higher in conventional tillage in all the three cropping systems. However, from the point of energy saving or cost reduction, zero tillage and minimum tillage may be considered depending on resources.     

育成期雄性幼貉日粮适宜蛋白质和能量水平的研究

选用健康乌苏里幼公貉63只,随机分为7组(每组9只)。1～4组用以探讨适宜蛋白质水平,其蛋白质水平分别为31.54%、36.39%,40.37%和43.53%;5-7组用以探讨适宜能量水平,其能量水平分别为19589.78,21860.94和22600.04k J/kg。试验分育成前期和冬毛生长期两个阶段进行,饲喂同一营养水平的日粮。结果表明,育成前期饲喂蛋白质水平为36.39%的日粮,可获得理想的体重、体长及经济效益。 冬毛生长期,日粮蛋白质水平在31.54%～43.53%范围内,对幼貉的体重和体长无显著影响。育成期以饲喂能量水平为21860.94～22600.04 k J/kg的日粮为宜。育成前期适宜的蛋能比为16.1～16.6,冬毛生长期为14.0～14.4。