n‐3 and n‐6 fatty acid bioconversion abilities in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) at two developmental stages

The aim of this work was to study the fatty acid (FA) bioconversion ability in Eurasian perch fed with diets differing in their polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from n‐3 and n‐6 series content at two development stages: adults in exogenous vitellogenesis, and juveniles during the on‐growing phase. Duplicate groups of adults and juveniles were fed for 12 weeks with four diets: D1 and D2, two diets prepared with fish oil partially or totally as the lipid source, and so containing long‐chain PUFA (LC‐PUFA). Those two diets differed by their n‐3/n‐6 FA dietary ratio (0.2 and 7.0, respectively), D1 being characterized by a high n‐6 LC‐PUFA level, while D2 had a high level of n‐3 LC‐PUFA. D3 and D4 were constituted only with vegetable oils, and were therefore devoid of LC‐PUFA. D3 was characterized by a high level of 18:2 n‐6 (n‐6/n‐3 ratio of 0.3), while D4 was characterized by a high level of 18:3 n‐3 (n‐3/n‐6 ratio of 1.9). Both groups of fish were able to elongate and desaturate the 18:3 n‐3 precursor into eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, regarding the FA profile of livers. Furthermore, total elongation/desaturation from [1‐¹⁴C]18:3 n‐3 of LC‐PUFA was higher in fish fed with the high dietary 18:3 n‐3 level compared to the diet rich in n‐3 LC‐PUFA. By opposition, the bioconversion of 18:2 n‐6 into LC‐PUFA was limited, regarding the elongation/desaturation activity of LC‐PUFA from [1‐¹⁴C]18:2 n‐6. In view of the great ability for bioconversion of n‐3 FA, linseed oil is a promising alternative to fish oil in formulating feed for juveniles perch as there were no differences in terms of specific growth rate between the treatments, but adults undergoing maturation should have at least partially LC‐PUFA in their diet, particularly arachidonic acid (ARA) which is important during maturation, as breeders are not able to bioconvert 18:2 n‐6 into ARA.     

Biochemical indices (RNA/DNA ratio and protein content) in studying the nutritional status of Ruditapes decussatus (Linnaeus 1758) juveniles

In this work, we investigated the nutritional status of Ruditapes decussatus juveniles under different rearing conditions, using biochemical indices (RNA/DNA ratio and protein content) and the linear instantaneous growth rate (IGR). Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of starvation, addition of substrate (sand) as rearing support and diet composition on somatic growth and biochemical indices. Results show that biochemical indices of fed juveniles were significantly (P<0.05) higher. Highest RNA/DNA values and protein content were recorded in fed juveniles reared with substrate (P<0.05); conversely, lowest values were recorded in starved ones reared without substrate. In the second experiment, the highest RNA/DNA ratio was recorded in juveniles fed with control algal mixture composed of species commonly used in bivalve nurseries [Isochrysis galbana (clone T-Iso), Chaetoceros calcitrans and Tetraselmis suecica] and lowest in those fed with algal species isolated from Tunisian coasts. This confirms the usefulness of the RNA/DNA ratio and protein content in the clam's nutritional status evaluation. This assay is useful to provide information about the nutritional status and health of the clam in field conditions.     

NaHCO3碱度对5种幼鱼的生存及鳃、肾组织的影响

为摸清大鳞鲃在碱性水域推广的可行性,对大鳞鲃（ Barbus capito）、草鱼（ Ctenopharyngodon idllus）、镜鲤（ Songpu mirror carp）、鲫鱼（ Carassius auratus）和白鲢（ Hypophthalmichthys molitrix）幼鱼进行96 h急性NaHCO3碱度毒性试验,测定了水体中NaHCO3碱度对5种鱼的致死浓度,以及对鳃、肾组织的影响。结果显示,大鳞鲃、草鱼、镜鲤、鲫鱼和白鲢5种幼鱼NaHCO3碱度96 h半致死浓度LC50分别为123．325 mmol/L,91．825 mmol/L,114．262 mmol/L,134．045 mmol/L,86．246 mmol/L,其耐受能力大小顺序依次为：鲫鱼,大鳞鲃,镜鲤,草鱼,白鲢。观察了NaHCO3碱度对鳃和肾脏的病理组织切片,在高碱胁迫下,鳃小片缩短,细胞间隙增大,鳃小片上皮细胞出现不同程度的水肿,甚至脱落;肾组织中肾小管出现不同程度的萎缩,肾小管管腔变大。     

A review of the distribution, ecology and population dynamics of age-0 walleye pollock in the Gulf of Alaska

This review paper synthesizes published research and unpublished data on the abundance and distribution patterns, ecology and population dynamics of walleye pollock ( Theragra chalcogramma ) during their first year of life (age-0) in the Gulf of Alaska. Distribution patterns have been described using mainly trawl catches, but recently, acoustic methodology has been employed, especially in examining vertical distributions. Although age-0 pollock are found throughout the Gulf, the highest catches occurred west of Kodiak Island. Pollock are pelagic for at least their first 6 months of life but show an ontogenetic increase in depth distribution superimposed on a pronounced diel vertical migration at a larger size. Daily growth rates are variable depending on year, season and area, and growth generally ceases during the winter. The diet of age-0 pollock shifts from mainly copepods in early juveniles to euphausiids by fall, with epibenthic organisms becoming important during the winter months. Feeding occurs mainly at night in surface waters. Age-0 pollock are most frequently associated with gelatinous zooplankton (medusae) and older pollock. Many predators on age-0 pollock have been identified; the most important are arrowtooth flounder ( Atheresthes stomias ), adult pollock, puffins ( Fratercula spp.), murres ( Una spp.), harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina richardsi ) and Steller sea lions ( Eumetopiasjubatus ). Modelling provides some insight into the population dynamics of these juveniles and environmental conditions which interannually affect their survival. These results are discussed relative to the importance of age-0 pollock in the recruitment of this species and to their role in the pelagic ecosystem.     

投喂卤虫无节幼体条件下黄颡鱼仔稚鱼生长、存活率、摄食力和体成分的变化

试验分析了投喂卤虫无节幼体条件下黄颡鱼(Pseudogrus fulvidraco)仔稚鱼生长、存活率、摄食力和体成分的变化。随着仔稚鱼的生长和发育,摄食率和胃充塞度逐渐加大,体长大于10 mm的仔鱼,摄食率都在93.3%以上,大多数个体胃充塞度都在3～5级。投喂卤虫无节幼体的黄颡鱼仔稚鱼生长较传统育苗方式生长快,存活率高。体内粗养分、氨基酸与脂肪酸含量都发生相应变化。黄颡鱼淀粉酶、蛋白酶与脂肪酶活性均在1日龄时即可检测到,开口期即5日龄时,3种消化酶比活力均达到较高值,15日龄后消化酶比活力又都降低到较低水平。卤虫无节幼体体内营养物质含量丰富,大小适口,是黄颡鱼仔稚鱼开口摄食的优质生物饵料。