高盐胁迫对凡纳滨对虾消化及免疫相关酶活力的影响

为探讨高盐对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)消化及免疫相关酶活力的影响,实验设置了30、40、50、60共4个盐度梯度。对虾体长(7.84±0.68)cm,养殖密度333尾/m~3,每个梯度设3个平行,实验周期30d。取血淋巴、肌肉、肝胰腺等组织,检测其超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)及蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶活力。结果表明,盐度显著影响凡纳滨对虾肝胰脏中胃蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶的活力(P0.05);随着盐度增加,消化相关酶活力均不断下降,处理间差异显著(P0.05);盐度对凡纳滨对虾不同组织的免疫指标产生影响,表现为随着盐度升高,血淋巴中,AKP活力逐渐升高,ACP、CAT和SOD活力均表现为先升高后降低;肌肉中,AKP、ACP和SOD活力呈现先升高后降低的变化趋势;肝胰脏中,AKP活力呈现先降低后升高再降低的变化趋势,ACP活力高盐处理间差异不显著(P0.05),CAT活力先降低后升高,SOD活力盐度40后逐渐降低。实验结果初步说明,高盐显著影响凡纳滨对虾的消化及免疫相关酶活力,且盐度对不同组织中免疫酶活力影响存在一定的组织特异性,50以上的高盐胁迫对对虾消化和免疫相关酶活力的影响尤为显著。     

两种微藻对凡纳滨对虾幼体成活率的影响

试验旨在研究钝顶螺旋藻(Sprinulian platensis)和Picochlorum sp.两种微藻培育凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)幼体效果, 为开发凡纳滨对虾开口饵料提供参考依据。实验对照组D0 投喂商品螺旋藻粉, 实验组D1、D2 分别投喂钝顶螺旋藻和Picochlorum sp., 每组3 个重复,每个重复2 万尾凡纳滨对虾幼体, 在300 L 育苗桶中饲养七天。 结果表明, D0 和D1 组间凡纳滨对虾存活率无显著差异(P＞0.05), 但两组极显著高于D2 组(P＜0.01)。在凡纳滨对虾育苗过程中, 水体总氨氮浓度小于50 umol·L^-1、亚硝酸盐氮浓度小于2 umol·L^-1。钝顶螺旋藻可以保证较高的幼体变态存活率, 可以作为凡纳滨对虾开口饵料新资源开发利用。     

盐碱地渗水钙镁离子对凡纳滨对虾酶活力的影响

研究了盐碱地渗水中不同钙镁离子总量、不同钙镁离子比例对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)的存活、生长和体内谷草转氨酶(GOT)、谷丙转氨酶(GPT)、Na -K -三磷酸腺苷酶(Na -K -ATPase)等3种酶活力的影响。实验用水盐度保持在5‰,钙镁总量分别为300、600、900mg/L,钙镁离子比例梯度1∶1、1∶3、1∶5、1∶7、1∶9、1∶11。经过20d的养殖实验,结果表明,当钙镁总量为600mg/L时,凡纳滨对虾的存活及生长、3种酶活力表现最佳;在此钙镁总量条件下,钙镁离子比为1∶5和1∶7时其存活率和体长、体重增加率较高,而钙镁离子比例为1∶3和1∶5时具有较高的酶活力。综合以上研究结果,在5‰的盐度下,使钙离子和镁离子浓度分别保持在100mg/L和500mg/L的养殖用水,能够保证凡纳滨对虾的存活和最佳生长,证明经适当调配的盐碱地渗水养殖凡纳滨对虾是可行的。     

维生素C对凡纳滨对虾生长及抗病力的影响

以不同水平维生素C 2 磷酸酯 (添加量分别为 0、75、15 0、30 0和 6 0 0mg/kg)的饲料喂养凡纳滨对虾 10周 ,研究维生素C 2 磷酸酯对凡纳滨对虾生长及抗病力的影响。结果显示 :在养殖前 4周 ,饲料中添加维生素C 2 磷酸酯显著促进凡纳滨对虾的生长 ,然而对对虾的成活以及饲料利用不产生影响 (P >0 0 5 ) ;而到实验后期添加维生素C 2 磷酸酯不能促进凡纳滨对虾的生长 ,却显著提高凡纳滨对虾的成活率 (P <0 0 5 )。维生素C 2 磷酸酯对对虾体水分、脂肪、蛋白质和维生素C在肝胰脏中的积累量的影响显著 (P <0 0 5 ) ,对对虾体灰分影响不显著 (P >0 0 5 )。维生素C 2 磷酸酯对对虾血清中超氧化物歧化酶活力无显著影响 ,饲料中未添加维生素C或过量添加 (超过 30 0mg/kg饲料 )均导致血清中酚氧化酶活力、血细胞总数和溶菌酶活力的显著下降。以生长、成活和酚氧化酶活力为指标 ,饲料中维生素C 2 磷酸酯的适宜添加量为 15 0mg/kg。     

环境因子对凡纳滨对虾性别分化的影响

通过外部形态观察和组织学连续切片,探讨温度(251)℃、(291)℃和(331)℃、光照周期(6L∶18D、12L∶12D、18L∶6D和24L∶0D)、光照强度(800、3000和5000 lx)、盐度(10、20、30和40)和环境雌激素壬基酚(40、80和120g/L)对凡纳滨对虾仔虾性别分化的影响。结果表明:温度和光照对凡纳滨对虾性别比例无显著影响(P0.05),但显著地影响性分化时间;10、20和40盐度组以及120g/L的壬基酚处理组的凡纳滨对虾雌雄比分别为0.81∶1,0.67∶1,1.29∶1和1.24∶1,显著偏离1∶1的性别比例,且盐度和壬基酚处理也影响性腺分化时间。此外,凡纳滨对虾触鞭长与体长之比1.0时与其性腺及外部形态分化时期相一致,提示可以将触鞭长与体长之比1.0作为判定凡纳滨对虾性分化开始的指标。       

碳酸盐碱度和pH值对凡纳滨对虾仔虾存活率的影响

采用静态急性毒理学方法,探讨了碳酸盐碱度和pH值对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)仔虾存活率的影响。结果表明:在pH值为7.5、8.0、8.5、9.0、9.5、10.0及10.5的试验组中,凡纳滨对虾仔虾存活率随着pH值的升高而下降,碳酸盐碱度在3mmol·L-1、pH值在9.0以上时,凡纳滨对虾仔虾的存活率受到影响显著;在碳酸盐碱度0～44.43mmol·L-1各试验组中,随着碳酸盐碱度升高,凡纳滨对虾仔虾的存活率下降,凡纳滨对虾仔虾对碳酸盐碱度的耐受性随着pH的升高明显下降;pH值为8.8时,碳酸盐碱度的48hLC50为36.81mmol·L-1,pH值为9.2时,碳酸盐碱度的48hLC50为33.05mmol·L-1,pH值为9.6时,碳酸盐碱度的48hLC50为5.55mmol·L-1;在本试验范围内,凡纳滨对虾对高碳酸盐碱度显示出较强的耐受性,是一种适宜移植到盐碱水域的养殖品种;碳酸盐碱度和pH对凡纳滨对虾的致毒作用是一个综合致毒效应,其中CO32-为主要致毒因子。     

重金属离子对凡纳滨对虾肝胰脏、鳃丝和血液SOD活力的影响

研究了3种重金属离子(Cu²⁺、Zn²⁺、Cd²⁺)在96 h内对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)对肝胰脏、鳃丝和血液超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力的影响.结果表明,凡纳滨对虾SOD活力在3种重金属离子作用下随取样时间变化显著(P＜0.0),Cu²⁺在实验浓度范围内(0.1～1 mg·L^-1),肝胰脏、鳃丝和血液的SOD活力随时间延长呈一峰值变化,Zn²⁺在10 mg·L^-1时对肝胰脏表现为显著抑制作用,Cd²⁺在0. mg·L^-1时对肝胰脏和鳃丝起显著抑制作用,0.2 mg·L^-1对鳃丝SOD活力无显著变化(P＞0.0),其他浓度Zn²⁺(＜10 mg·L^-1)、Cd²⁺(＜0.2 mg·L^-1)对各组织器官SOD活力的影响随时间延长均呈现先升高后下降的趋势.3种重金属离子对凡纳滨对虾肝胰脏、鳃丝、血液SOD活力的影响呈现明显的剂量-时间效应关系.其SOD活力大小顺序为肝胰脏＞鳃丝＞血液,3种重金属离子对凡纳滨对虾伤害大小顺序为Cd²⁺＞Cu²⁺＞Zn²⁺.     

不同盐度、pH条件下氨氮对管角螺稚贝毒性影响

在水温28.5℃,采用实验生态学方法研究了不同盐度、pH条件下氨氮对管角螺(Hemifusus tuba)稚贝[壳高(11.3±0.11)mm,n=30]毒性的影响。结果表明,(1)盐度对氨氮的毒性有较大影响,随着盐度的降低,氨氮在水体中的毒性增强;盐度为16、19、23和28,总氨氮对稚贝的96h半数致死浓度(96hLC50)分别为36.5、43.7、52.6和58.8mg/L,安全浓度(SC)为3.7、4.4、5.3和5.9mg/L。(2)氨氮在水体中的毒性随pH的升高而增强,pH为7.6、8.0、8.4和8.8时,总氨氮对稚贝的96hLC50依次为58.3、54.5、50.6和20.2mg/L,对应的SC依次为5.8、5.5、5.1和2.0mg/L。氨氮在pH8.8时对稚贝的96hLC50急剧下降,其毒性是在pH7.6时的2.9倍。     

饲料中铜水平对凡纳滨对虾免疫相关基因表达和抗菌能力的影响

在饲料中添加0、30和50 mg Cu/kg饲料的蛋氨酸铜,投喂凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)7、14和21d,检测对虾体组织铜蓄积、免疫相关基因(Toll受体mRNA和溶菌酶mRNA)表达水平和免疫抗菌能力的变化。结果表明:凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺铜含量随着饲料蛋氨酸铜添加量增加及投喂时间延长而显著增加(P0.05);对虾肌肉的铜含量显著低于肝胰腺的铜含量。饲料中铜水平对凡纳滨对虾肌肉、血淋巴及肝胰腺中溶菌酶活性无显著影响(P0.05)。对虾组织SOD活性因饲料中铜水平和投喂时间变化显著,添加30 mgCu/kg组对虾肌肉、血淋巴和肝胰腺中SOD活性在第21天时显著高于其他两组(P0.05)。饲料中铜水平对凡纳滨对虾鳃组织中溶菌酶mRNA表达水平无显著影响,但显著影响鳃组织Toll受体mRNA表达水平(P0.05)。第7天时凡纳滨对虾Toll受体mRNA表达水平随着饲料铜水平升高而显著升高(P0.05);第14和第21天时,Toll受体mRNA表达水平在摄食添加30 mg Cu/kg组最高。人工急性感染溶藻弧菌(Vibrioalginolyticus)实验表明,第7天时,摄食添加50 mg Cu/kg组凡纳滨对虾全致死时间和半致死时间长于未添加铜组和添加30 mgCu/kg组,但在第14天,摄食添加30 mg Cu/kg组的全致死时间和半致死时间最长。研究表明饲料铜添加水平不但影响组织中铜的蓄积,还影响凡纳滨对虾SOD活性和Toll受体mRNA表达水平,从而影响机体的抗弧菌能力。     

凡纳滨对虾各月龄性状的主成分与判别分析

为了研究凡纳滨对虾各性状增长规律和判定最佳生长季节凡纳滨对虾的体格与月龄的关系,选择1～6月龄凡纳滨对虾各1000只,选择全长、体长、第一腹节背高、第三腹节背高、第一腹节背宽、头胸甲长和体重共7个性状,进行主成分与判别分析.结果表明:各月龄凡纳滨对虾性状之间均呈现显著的正相关(P<0.01), 其中以全长与体长的相关性最为明显,1月龄凡纳滨对虾体重与形态性状的相关系数较小.各月龄凡纳滨对虾的主成分有所不同,1～2月龄凡纳滨对虾的第一主成分为长度因子,第二主成分为宽度因子,第三主成分为高度因子;3月龄凡纳滨对虾的第一主成分与1～2月龄凡纳滨对虾一致,但第二主成分为高度因子,第三主成分为体重因子;4～6月龄凡纳滨对虾的第一主成分为体重因子,第二主成分为高度因子,第三主成分为宽度因子.1～3月龄凡纳滨对虾形态性状的增长优先于体重, 4～6月龄凡纳滨对虾体重优先于形态性状的增长.错过最佳生长季节的凡纳滨对虾的与体格大小相符的月龄可通过建立的判别式来判断,总的判别准确率为98.98%,其中2～4月龄凡纳滨对虾的判别准确率为100%.     

Effect of copper sulfate on the immune response and susceptibility to Vibrio alginolyticus in the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

White shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) held in 35 per thousand seawater were challenged with Vibrio alginolyticus at a dose of 3 x 10(5) colony-forming units (cfu) shrimp(-1), and then placed in water containing concentrations of Cu2+ at 0 (control), 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg l(-1). Mortality of shrimp in 5, 10 and 20 mg l(-1) Cu2+ was significantly higher than those in 1 mg l(-1) Cu2+ and the control solution after 24-96 h. In another experiment, L. vannamei which had been exposed to control, 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg l(-1) Cu2+ for 24, 48 and 96 h were examined for THC (total haemocyte count), phenoloxidase activity, respiratory burst (release of superoxide anion), phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency to V. alginolyticus. Copper concentrations at 1 mg l(-1) or greater for 24h resulted in decreased THC, phenoloxidase activity, phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency, whereas copper concentration at 20 mg l(-1) caused significant increase in respiratory burst of L. vannamei. In conclusion, concentration of Cu2+ at 1 mg l(-1) or greater increased the susceptibility of L. vannamei to V. alginolyticus infection by a depression in immune ability. The release of superoxide anion by L. vannamei exposed to 20 mg l(-1) Cu2+ was considered to be cytotoxic to the host.     

The immune stimulatory effect of sodium alginate on the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and its resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus

The total haemocyte count (THC), differential haemocyte count (DHC), phenoloxidase activity, respiratory burst (release of superoxide anion), superoxide dismutase activity, phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency to the pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus were measured when the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (9.4-11.3 g) were injected individually with sodium alginate at 10, 20 or 50 microg g(-1). No significant differences in THC, DHC and superoxide dismutase activity were observed among the shrimp injected with saline and those injected with sodium alginate at 10, 20 or 50 microg g(-1). However, L. vannamei injected with sodium alginate at 20 microg g(-1)increased its phenoloxidase activity and respiratory burst after 2 days and one day, respectively. L. vannamei injected with sodium alginate at 50 microg g(-1)maintained a higher phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency to V. alginolyticus after 4 days. In another experiment, L. vannamei which had been injected with sodium alginate, were challenged with V. alginolyticus at 2x10(5)colony-forming units (CFU) shrimp(-1)and then placed in seawater of 34 per thousand. The survival of shrimp that received sodium alginate at either dose was significantly higher than that of control shrimp at the termination of the experiment (6 days after the challenge). It is therefore concluded that L. vannamei received sodium alginate at 10 microg g(-1)or more and increased its immune ability and resistance from V. alginolyticus infection.     

两种微藻改善虾池环境增强凡纳对虾抗病力的研究

人工引入波吉卵囊藻和微绿球藻于凡纳对虾养殖环境中,检测与凡纳对虾抗病力有关因子变化和测定主要水质因子,研究微藻生态调控对凡纳对虾抗病力的影响。结果表明,引入波吉卵囊藻和微绿球藻能改善养殖水体的水质,凡纳对虾的血细胞数目,血清蛋白的含量以及酚氧化酶、超氧化物歧化酶,溶菌酶,抗菌酶的活性都较对照组显提高。因此,微藻生态调控是防止对虾疾病的重要技术措施。     

利用水螅检测Cd2+毒性的研究方法比较

利用中国水螅,分别检测了自来水、无EDTA培养液(NEC)、含EDTA培养液(HEC)内Cd2+抑制水螅摄食的10min半数效应浓度(10minEC50)和24h、48h、72h的LC50。结果表明:(1)自来水、NEC、HEC的对照组10min已摄食个体数分别为94.17%、94.66%和51.90%;(2)自来水组与NEC组的10minEC50分别为0.991mg/L和4.300mg/L;(3)自来水组、NEC组、HEC组24hLC50的Cd2+浓度分别为0.138mg/L、0.330mg/L和0.473mg/L;其48hLC50分别为0.046mg/L、0.080mg/L和0.203mg/L;其72hLC50分别为0.036mg/L、0.040mg/L和0.307mg/L。经分析认为,HEC对水螅摄食具抑制作用,对重金属具螯合作用,不宜用于水螅培养和重金属毒理实验;自来水因各地水质指标的差异,不宜用于毒理实验;NEC是理想的毒理实验稀释液与培养液。研究提出的10minEC50的方法简便、快速。中国水螅比其他水螅更易繁殖,便于鉴别,是毒理实验理想的模式生物。       

Acute toxicity of ammonia on Litopenaeus vannamei Boone juveniles at different salinity levels

Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles (total length 22+/-2.4 mm) were exposed to different concentrations of ammonia-N (un-ionized plus ionized ammonia as nitrogen), using the static renewal method at different salinity levels of 15 per thousand, 25 per thousand and 35 per thousand at pH 8.05 and 23 degrees C. The 24, 48, 72, 96 h LC50 values of ammonia-N on L. vannamei juveniles were 59.72, 40.58, 32.15, 24.39 mg l(-1) at 15 per thousand; 66.38, 48.83, 43.17, 35.4 mg l(-1) at 25 per thousand; 68.75, 53.84, 44.93, 39.54 mg l(-1) at 35 per thousand, respectively. The 24, 48, 72, 96 h LC50 values of NH(3)-N (un-ionized ammonia as nitrogen) were 2.95, 2.00, 1.59, 1.20 mg l(-1) at 15 per thousand; 2.93, 2.16, 1.91, 1.57 mg l(-1) at 25 per thousand; 2.78, 2.18, 1.82, 1.60 mg l(-1) at 35 per thousand, respectively. As the salinity decreased from 35 per thousand to 15 per thousand, susceptibility of ammonia-N increased by 115%, 132%, 140% and 162% after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h exposure, respectively. The "safety level" for rearing L. vannamei juveniles was estimated to be 2.44, 3.55, 3.95 mg l(-1) for ammonia-N and 0.12, 0.16, 0.16 mg l(-1) for NH(3)-N in 15 per thousand, 25 per thousand and 35 per thousand, respectively.     

The immunostimulatory effect of hot-water extract of Gracilaria tenuistipitata on the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and its resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus

The total haemocyte count (THC), phenoloxidase activity, respiratory burst, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency to the pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus were examined in the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (10.3+/-1.5 g) injected individually with hot-water extract of Gracilaria tenuistipitata at 4 or 6 microg g-1. L. vannamei receiving hot-water extract of G. tenuistipitata at either dose increased significantly its THC, phenoloxidase activity, and respiratory burst after 2 days. L. vannamei received hot-water extract of G. tenuistipitata at 6 microg g-1 increased its phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency to V. alginolyticus after 1 day. In another experiment, L. vannamei which had been injected with hot-water extract of G. tenuistipitata were challenged with V. alginolyticus at 2x10(6) colony-forming units (cfu) shrimp-1 and then placed in seawater of 34 per thousand. The survival of shrimp that received hot-water extract of G. tenuistipitata at 6 microg g-1 was significantly higher than that of shrimp that received saline and the control shrimp after 3 days, and at the termination of the experiment (6 days after the challenge). It is therefore concluded that L. vannamei receiving the hot-water extract of G. tenuistipitata at 6 microg g-1 or less increased its immune ability and resistance to V. alginolyticus infection.     

副溶血弧菌高效消毒剂的筛选及PHMG防治对虾AHPNS的应用研究

为寻找凡纳滨对虾急性肝胰腺坏死综合症(AHPNS)重要致病菌——副溶血弧菌的高效低毒消毒剂, 选取了包括苯扎溴铵、聚六亚甲基胍盐酸盐(PHMG)等22种水产或医学上常用的消毒剂, 比较分析其对副溶血弧菌的杀灭效果。悬液定量杀菌试验发现, 22种消毒剂中PHMG对副溶血弧菌的杀灭效果最好。接着, 进一步分析PHMG的有效杀菌浓度, 结果显示, PHMG浓度达到0.2 mg/L时作用48h即能100%地杀死副溶血弧菌。对7种常见病原菌和凝结芽孢杆菌的杀灭试验显示, PHMG对弧菌的杀灭效果最好, 0.5 mg/L PHMG能100%地杀灭四种弧菌, 对迟钝爱德华菌、嗜水气单胞菌和海豚链球菌的杀灭效果较差, 对凝结芽孢杆菌的杀灭效果最差。急性毒性试验得出PHMG 24h的LC₅₀=80.28 mg/L; 48h的LC₅₀=23.32 mg/L, 安全浓度SC=0.59 mg/L。对攻毒副溶血弧菌凡纳滨对虾的保护试验显示, PHMG浓度达到0.5 mg/L时, 24h对对虾的相对保护率达(77.78±5.01)%左右, 且与三个高浓度组相对保护率差异不显著。随着PHMG浓度的升高, 凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺所含副溶血弧菌数量明显减少, 48h后1.1及1.4 mg/L组副溶血弧菌数量降为0。降解试验结果显示: 0.5 mg/L的PHMG在第5、第6天浓度有所下降, 1 mg/L的PHMG在试验7d中基本保持稳定。研究证明了PHMG具有高效、低毒、低降解的特性, 是防治凡纳滨对虾AHPNS的理想消毒剂。     

Chronic effect of nitrite on the rearing of the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in two salinities

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nitrite on the growth and survival of the white shrimp L. vannamei in two different salinities. Nitrite concentrations tested in salinity 8 g/L were 0 (control), 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mg NO₂^?-N/L, and in salinity 24 g/L were 0 (control), 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, and 40.0 mg NO₂^?-N/L. For these experiments, 30 experimental units with 30?L of useful volume were stocked with 20 juvenile L. vannamei (8.0 ± 0.50 g), corresponding to a stocking density of 100 shrimp/m², and cultivated for an experimental period of 30 days. A significant difference was found between the control and treatment groups with respect to growth and survival. The 2.5 mg NO₂^?-N/L treatment showed the best performance indexes in salinity 8 g/L, while the best growth performance indexes were found in the control and 5.0 mg NO₂^?-N/L treatments in salinity 24 g/L. Total mortality was observed in the 10 and 20 mg NO₂^?-N/L treatment groups from salinity 8 g/L and in the 40 mg NO₂^?-N/L treatment group in salinity 24 g/L. This study determined that concentrations of nitrite of up to 2.5 and 10 mg/L are acceptable for the rearing of L. vannamei in salinities of 8 and 24 g/L, respectively.     

The protective effect of chitin and chitosan against Vibrio alginolyticus in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

White shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, which had been injected with chitin at 4, 6 and 8 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 2, 4 and 6 microg g(-1), were challenged with pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus at 2 x 10(6) colony-forming units (cfu) shrimp(-1) and then placed in seawater of 34 per thousand. The survival of shrimp that received chitin or chitosan at either dose was significantly higher than that of control shrimp after 1 day, and at the termination of the experiment (6 days after the challenge). In another experiment, the total haemocyte count (THC), phenoloxidase activity, respiratory burst, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and phagocytic activity to V. alginolyticus were measured when L. vannamei (10.4 +/- 0.7 g) were injected individually with chitin at 4 and 6 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 2 and 4 microg g(-1). L. vannamei received chitin at 6 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 2 and 4 microg g(-1) increased significantly its THC and respiratory burst after 2 days. L. vannamei received chitin at 6 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 2 and 4 microg g(-1) still maintained significantly higher phenoloxidase activity after 6 days. L. vannamei received chitin at 4 and 6 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 2 and 4 microg g(-1) increased its phagocytic activity against V. alginolyticus after 1 day, respectively. It is therefore concluded that L. vannamei that received chitin at 6 microg g(-1) or chitosan at 4 microg g(-1) or less increased its immune ability and resistance to V. alginolyticus infection.     

Effects of dopamine on the immunity of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

The total haemocyte count (THC), phenoloxidase activity, respiratory burst, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency in response to pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus were measured when the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (20.0+/-1.5 g) were injected individually with dopamine at 10(-8), 10(-7) and 10(-6)mol shrimp(-1), respectively. For the shrimp that received dopamine at 10(-7) and 10(-6)mol shrimp(-1), the THC decreased by 25% and 39%, phenoloxidase activity decreased by 15% and 32%, respiratory burst decreased by 21% and 36%, and SOD activity decreased by 50% and 63%, respectively, after 4 h. The phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency of shrimp that received dopamine at either dose decreased significantly after 2 h. The THC, phenoloxidase activity, respiratory burst, SOD activity, phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency returned to normal values after 16, 8, 8, 24, 16 and 4 h, respectively, for the shrimp that received dopamine at either dose. In another experiment, L. vannamei which had received dopamine at 10(-8), 10(-7) and 10(-6)mol shrimp(-1) were challenged after 1 h by injection with V. alginolyticus at 1.0x10(5) colony-forming units (cfu) shrimp-1 and then placed in seawater of 20 per thousand. The cumulative mortality of shrimp that received dopamine at either dose was significantly higher than that of shrimp that received saline after 8 h, and of shrimp that received saline at the termination of the experiment (48 h after the challenge). It is therefore concluded that dopamine administration at 10(-6)mol shrimp-1 or less causes immune modulation of L. vannamei.