Effect of dexamethasone on activity of glycosidases and proreinases of intestine of sterlet <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser ruthenus</Emphasis>

Effect of dexamethasone (2.0 mg/kg) on activity of enzymes hydrolyzing proteinaceous and carbohydrate food components in the intestine of the starlet Acipenser ruthenus is studied. Dexamethasone modifies the activity of proteinases more than of glycosidases. As a rule, the hormone significantly decreases the level of proteolytic and general amylolytic activity of the intestinal mucosa and chyme in comparison with intact fish on the first day into the experiment and increases it on the 7th or 14th day. The dynamics of activity was different in enzymes of different chains (glycosidase and proteinase) and preparations (the mucosa and chyme).     

The effect of organic toxicants on sensitivity of intestinal glycosidases to Cu and Zn in juvenile roach

The chronic effect (duration of exposure 218 days) of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the prolonged effect of the short-term action of chlorophos or of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) during embryogenesis upon the sensitivity of intestinal glycosidases to Cu and Zn was studied in roach (Rutilus rutilus (L.) underyearlings. The Cu⁺² and Zn⁺² ions at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 25 mg/L in vitro cause a 10–77% decrease in amylolytic activity in the intestinal mucosa of control roach. An elevated level of PCBs (50.8 ng/g wet weight of food and 426 ng/g dry weight of ground) increased the sensitivity of glycosidases to Cu and Zn. The embryotoxic action of chlorophos at concentrations of 1 × 10⁻⁶−1 × 10⁻² mg/L in most cases increased the inhibitory effect of Cu but decreased that of Zn. As a rule, MNNG (3 × 10⁻⁷−3 × 10⁻¹ mg/L) reduced the glycosidase sensitivity to the effect of metal ions. The magnitude and direction of the effect depend on the nature and concentration of toxicants.     

Influence of biogenic metals (Cu,Zn) on the activity of carbohydrases in juvenile fish in vitro

It was revealed that intestine and whole-body amylolytic activity (AA) in juvenile fish serving as potential feeding items for piscivores significantly decreases in the presence of Cu and Zn ions within a wide range (0.1–25 mg/l) of concentrations in vitro. In most of the studied fish species, Cu and Zn decrease the activities of carbohydrases in the intestine mucosa stronger than in the whole-body. On the other hand, in piscivore-facultative benthivore perch, which have the least AA, the inhibiting effect of Cu and Zn ions is 1.5 to 2 times higher in the whole body than in the intestine. The study data suggest that Cu and Zn ions at concentrations found in organisms that serve as fish food may not only reduce the rate of initial stages of carbohydrates hydrolysis in the juvenile fish intestine, but also considerably decrease the potential contribution of the food objects to the digestion processes in typical and facultative piscivores.     

Effect of pH on the proteinase activities in the intestine mucosa,chyme, and enteral microbiota in the piscivorous fish differing in their ecological traits

The effect of pH on the activity of proteinases of intestine mucosa, chyme, and enteral microbiota was studied in three piscivorous fish species of the Rybinsk Reservoir differing in their ecological traits: pike Esox lucius, burbot Lota lota, and zander Sander lucioperca. In all fish species, studied pH of ten is optimal for the functioning of proteinases of intestine mucosa; in chyme proteinases, optimal pH values vary from six to ten. Optimal pH for functioning of proteinases of enteral microbiota is seven for zander and pike; pH of nine, for burbot. High activity of chyme and microbiota proteinases within the diapason of pH values of six to nine is a characteristic of burbot. Relative activity of proteinases of intestine mucosa in all fish species is not more than 15% of the maximal activity; that of chyme and enteral microbiota is lower than 40% in zander, close to 50% in burbot, and 80 and 50%, respectively, in pike. It is suggested that diversity of the patterns of pH-dependence of enteral microbiota proteinases relates to the specificity of microbiota in various ecological zones of the reservoir (littoral, sublittoral, and bathyal).     

Distributions and Congener Patterns of PCBs in Fish from Major Aquaculture Areas in the Pearl River Delta,South China

The distribution and concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in surface sediments and fish collected from freshwater fishponds in six major aquaculture areas of the Pearl River Delta. The concentrations of total PCBs ranged from 7.32 to 36.2 ng/g (dry weight) in sediments and 5.15 to 226 ng/g (lipid weight) in five species of fish, with higher concentrations in fishponds from two industrialized areas. Feeding habits of fishes played a significant role on the accumulation of PCBs and their homologue patterns in fish tissues, with higher concentrations in muscle and viscera of mandarin fish (Siniperca kneri), and tilapia (Tilapia mossambica) and lower in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus). In muscle, IUPAC No. 118, 138, 81/87, 153, 180, 52, 49, 99, and 44 congeners were the most dominant out of the 36 congeners measured in the present study. The contents of PCBs in fish cultivated in the Pearl River Delta were rather low when compared with the maximum concentration of total PCBs of 2.0 μg/g (wet weight), imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration edible seafood. However, due to the bioaccumulation and biomagnification nature of PCBs through the food chain, continuous monitoring of PCBs as well as other Persistent Organic Pollutants in this rapidly developed region is encouraged.     

Daily ration of juvenile Coregonus lavaretus (L.) fed on living zooplankton

Juvenile whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), wet weight 0.04 to 5.2 g, from Lake Constance were kept at 10, 12 and 16° C water temperature, respectively and fed with living zooplankton. The experimental duration lasted 72 to 120 h. Daily rations were defined as the amount of zooplankton remaining subtracted from the amount of zooplankton added after a 24 h interval. The mortality of the zooplankton was determined in parallel experiments without fish. Relative daily ration (zooplankton weight/fish weight) v. fish weight increased up to a fish dry weight of approximately 0.12 g and then decreased steadily. The maximum daily ration was about 270% of fish body wet weight (wet/wet) corresponding to 75% of body dry weight (dry/dry), respectively. In fishes of a dry weight higher than 0.12 g (wet weight 0.65 g) a significant difference in food intake was found between 12 and 16° C. The specific growth rate ranged from nearly 0 up to 33% per day. No correlation was found between daily ration and specific growth rate.     

Effect of pH on the activity of proteinases in intestinal mucosa,chyme, and microbiota of fish from the Cuciurgan reservoir

Proteolytic activities of the intestinal mucosa, chyme, and enteral microbiota have been studied in a wide range of pH values in five fish species from the Cuciurgan reservoir (Moldova). Differences in pH dependence of the intestinal proteinase activity of fish are determined by their feeding type. The maximum activity of proteinases is found in the pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus. The minimum activity of proteinases has been demonstrated by the zander Zander lucioperca. The pH optimum of the mucosa and chyme in all fish species (except for the European perch Perca fluviatilis) is 10. The pH optimum of the intestinal microflora varies from 6.0 (in the common carp Cyprinus carpio) to 10 (in the crucian carp Carassius carassius), whereas that in the perch from the Cuciurgan and Rybinsk reservoirs is 7. The majority of fish species, mostly Zander lucioperca and Lepomis gibbosus, are characterized by high proteniase activity of the microbiota, in the pH ranging from 6 to 9. It is assumed that proteinases in the enteral microbiota of fish are able to make up for the relatively low activity of those synthesized by their digestive system in the range of low pH values.     

Studies on the role of exogenous proteolytic enzymes in digestion processes in fish

Studies were carried out on the proteolytic activity of the fry of common carp, rainbow trout, grass carp, and whitefish, as well as on the activity of digestive organs of adult common carp and rainbow trout. Activity of exogenous enzymes in relation to endogenous ones was assessed on the basis of the proteolytic value of fish food and the activity of digestive organs. It was found that the share of proteolytic enzymes of natural food in the digestion process in fish was high. Beginning from a weight of 50–100 g for common carp and 10 g for rainbow trout, the relation between the daily enzymatic ration and the weight of fish indicates the cooperation of an approximately constant amount of exogenous enzymes.     

大黄蒽醌提取物对饲养建鲤生长的影响

将750尾建鲤(Cyprinus carpio var.jian)随机分成5组。一组为对照组,投喂基础日粮。另外4组为实验组,投喂的基础日粮中分别添加0.5%、1.0%、2.0%、4.0%大黄蒽醌提取物。连续投喂70d后,测定鱼的生长、免疫相关因子、肠道菌数量及肉质等。结果表明,与对照组相比,添加大黄蒽醌提取物提高了鱼体增重率、饲料转化效率、溶菌酶活性、一氧化氮浓度、超氧化物歧化酶活性,促进了肠道有益菌增加,抑制有害菌生长,降低了丙二醛含量及鱼体死亡率,但是与大黄蒽醌提取物的添加水平不成线性关系;其中1.0%实验组肝胰脏溶菌酶与超氧化物歧化酶活性最高,血清丙二醛含量最低;2.0%实验组增重率、血清一氧化氮浓度与超氧化物歧化酶活性、肝胰脏一氧化氮浓度、肠道乳酸杆菌数量最高;添加1.0%~2.0%大黄蒽醌提取物显著提高了肌肉粗脂肪含量。因此,添加1.0%~2.0%大黄蒽醌提取物能改善肠道的微生态平衡,提高机体免疫机能,改善肉质,促进鱼体生长。     

Effect of temperature on proteinase activities in intestinal chyme and mucosa of fish of different ecological groups

Effect of temperature on activities of proteinases in intestinal chyme and mucosa was studied in three fish species (pike-perch, zope, roach) belonging to different ecological groups by their nutrition type. There was revealed a significant difference of dependence of enzyme activities in chyme on temperature in the benthophage, roach (a higher level of relative activity in the range of lower temperatures and a wider zone of temperature optimum) as well as of values of apparent energy of activation of the protein hydrolysis process as compared with that in planktoand ichtyophages, zope and pike-perch, which indicates a significant effect of the enteral microbiota proteinases and of nutrition objects on characteristics of hydrolases functioning in fish intestine.     

Effect of temperature on proteinase activities in the intestinal chyme and the mucosa of various ecological fish groups

Effect of temperature on activities of proteinases in intestinal chyme and mucosa was studied in three fish species (pike-perch, zope, roach) belonging to different ecological groups by their type of feeding. There was revealed a significant difference of dependence of enzyme activities in chyme on temperature in the benthophage roach (a higher level of relative activity in the zone of lower temperatures and a larger zone of temperature optimum) as well as of values of apparent energy of activation of the protein hydrolysis process as compared with that in plankto- and ichthyophages--zope and pike-perch, which indicates a significant effect of the enteral microbiota proteinases and of nutrition objects on characteristics of hydrolases functioning in fish intestine.     

The dynamics of proteinases activity in fish chyme and intestine mucosa upon exposure to fresh and brackish water in vitro

The dynamics of activities of proteinases in roach and perch chyme and in bream intestine mucosa upon exposure to water with various salinities for 96-216 h were studied. Irrespective of the water salinity and source of the enzymes, the proteolytic activities in chyme and intestine mucosa may rise considerably during exposure. This rise is presumably provided by the intestine microflora. This noted phenomenon is least typical for the ichthyophage-facultative benthophage perch when compared to typical benthophages. This is most likely determined by the lower species diversity of the enteral microbiota in perch.     

The influence of testosterone on activity of glycosidases and proteinases in the intestine of the sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus)

Observation of the influence of testosterone (0.7 mg/kg) on the activity of glycosidases and proteinases, which function in the chyme and the mucosa of the sterlet intestine (Acipenser ruthenus), revealed a decrease in enzyme activity of both chains as against that one typical for intact individuals. The activity of the investigated enzymes changes in both the experimental and control groups of fish. Nevertheless, they have unlike dynamics of this activity. In a number of cases, we indicated a significant increase in enzyme activity of both chains in comparison to the control group. We also observed an increase in activity of chyme glycosidases, which was significant on the 21st day as compared to intact fish.     

草鱼肠道酸碱度的研究

胃肠道是一个复杂的消化系统, 每一部分都具有独特的生理特征。酸碱度(pH)是消化道重要的生理指标之一, 其对营养物质的消化、吸收和肠道微生物的生长等具有重要影响。为了研究草鱼在食物消化过程中, 肠道的酸碱度变化, 测定了草鱼肠道食物糜、肠液和黏膜的pH。结果显示, 随着食物的消化, 它们的pH都有下降的趋势。肠道食物糜pH在6.86±0.24到8.43±0.10之间, 肠液pH在7.14±0.22到8.63±0.02之间, 相同时间点相同肠段两者之间的pH差异很小, 并且在实验期间两者的pH变化趋势相同。黏膜pH在6.23±0.04到6.7±0.13之间, 为弱酸性。除了时间点12h外, 相同时间点和相同肠道部位黏膜的pH与食物糜、肠液的pH相比均有显著性差异(P<0.05)。分析发现草鱼摄食食物的pH与上述三相的pH之间均有显著性差异(P<0.05), 研究结果为草鱼消化生理及营养学研究提供了基础资料。     

Effects of the dioxin-like PCB 126 on larval summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Little is known about the sensitivity of teleost post-embryonic developmental stages (larval and metamorphic) to dioxin-like compounds. Larval and metamorphosing summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) were exposed to the dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl congener PCB 126, to compare their sensitivity to other fish species early life stages, and to document effects on metamorphic development, including degree of eye migration and gastric maturation. Median lethal doses (LD 50 s) ranged between 30 and 220 ng/g wet mass, indicating that pre- and early-metamorphic stages of summer flounder are equally sensitive to the embryos of some of the most vulnerable fish species tested. Consistent with the presence of a functional aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway, dose-dependent induction of cytochrome P-4501A (CYP1A) at four days post-exposure was observed in liver, stomach, intestine, and kidney of metamorphosing larvae. Stage-dependent differences in the epithelial distribution of CYP1A immunoreactivity were observed in the developing stomach of fish exposed to relatively high PCB 126 doses. A single sublethal dose (15 ng/g) delayed metamorphic progress (determined by the degree of eye migration), and resulted in abnormally high levels of cell proliferation and abnormal gastric gland morphology in late metamorphic stages. These results suggest that the post-embryonic larval and metamorphic stages of summer flounder, and potentially other fish species with complex life histories, are vulnerable to the effects of dioxin-like compounds, including lethality, developmental delay, and malformations.     

Effects of solution of low pH and taurocholate on release of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity from human duodenal mucosa in vitro

The presence of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-EpLI) in human duodenum and its release were studied. beta-EpLI was detected in the duodenum (mucosa, 26.7 +/- 6.3 pmol/g wet weight, mean +/- SEM; remaining tissue 23.1 +/- 5.3 pmol/g wet weight) and the stomach (7.1 pmol/g wet weight). The two activities gave similar curves for inhibition of beta-Ep radioimmunoassay of synthetic beta-Ep. On gel-filtration chromatography of a duodenal extract, two components of beta-EpLI were separated. When human duodenal mucosa was perfused with a solution of pH2 or 1mM or 5mM taurocholate, the release of beta-EpLI from mucosa into the perfusate increased 2-4 fold. These results indicate that beta-EpLI present in human duodenal is released by the direct action of low pH or taurocholate on the duodenal mucosa and suggest that it may have a physiological role.     

Laboratory studies on food intake, growth and food conversion of young herring, Clupea harengus (L.)

Food intake, growth and food conversion of young, O-group herring were studied at two temperatures and feeding regimes over a period of 19 weeks. The food intake of fish fed to satiation twice daily showed considerable variation. Food intake per fish at 14.5° C was about three times that at 6.5° C, and was generally much higher than in most other species of fish studied. The mean increase in wet weight over the 19-week period was 0.581 g/week at 14.5° C and 0.236 g/week at 6.5° C in fish fed to satiation and 0.094 g/week at 6.2° C and a ration of 1.3% of the body weight. Growth depensation was found to occur even in fish fed to satiation. The changes in specific growth rate, that is the percentage increase in weight/day, showed similar trends at different temperatures and food regimes. The mean conversion efficiency of fish on a ration of 1.3% at 6.2° C was higher than that of fish fed until satiation, at 14.5 and 6.5° C. The conversion efficiency of fish fed to satiation at 14.5° C showed a distinct decrease with increasing weight while at 6.5° C such a clear trend was not observed. In general, the conversion efficiency of young herring were found to be much lower than that of most other species studied. The weight exponent of the quantitative relationship between food intake and body weight at 14.5° C was 0.744. The total metabolic expenditure at 14.5° C, calculated using Winberg's (1956) 'utilization coefficient, gave a weight exponent of 0.773.     

Evidence of differences in growth and food intake regulation in different genetic strains of channel catfish

Norris and USDA-103 strains of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were compared for growth rate and food conversion ratio under satiation feeding and restricted feeding (1% body weight day⁻¹) regimes. At the start of the experiment Norris fish weighed 2·8 g, USDA-103 fish weighed 14·0 g. Therefore, a regression of the loge of specific growth rate against the log_e of mean body size with an empirically derived fixed slope of -0·37 was used to compare growth rates. Under both feeding regimes the USDA-103 strain had faster specific growth rates and more efficient food conversion. In subsequent studies, voluntary food intake of size matched fish (60 g average) from these two strains was compared using a radiographic method. Fish were acclimatized to tank conditions for 3 weeks prior to voluntary food intake measurement. Half of the groups were deprived of food for 2 days prior to food intake measurement, while the remaining groups were fed 1% body weight day⁻¹. The USDA-103 strain fish ate significantly more food and grew faster than the Norris strain fish. Previously fasted Norris fish subsequently ate more than their fed counterparts, whereas the fed USDA-103 fish consumed more food than the fasted USDA-103 group. When the USDA-103 strain fish were deprived of food for 4 , 2 or 0 days, all groups subsequently consumed between 4·5 and 5·0% of body weight in one meal. The USDA-103 fish, unlike the Norris fish were not stimulated to consume more after short-duration fasting. Taken together, these results suggest that there are genetic differences in growth, food conversion ratio and regulation of food intake between Norris and USDA-103 strains.     

Duckweed (Lemna polyrhiza) leaf meal as a source of feedstuff in formulated diets for rohu (Labeo rohita Ham.) fingerlings after fermentation with a fish intestinal bacterium

Eight isonitrogenous (35% crude protein approximately) and isocaloric (4.2 kcal g(-1) approximately) diets were formulated including raw and fermented duckweed (Lemna polyrhiza) leaf meal at 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% levels. A particular bacterial strain (Bacillus sp.) isolated from carp (Cyprinus carpio) intestine and having extracellular amylolytic, cellulolytic, proteolytic and lipolytic activities was used for leaf meal fermentation for 15 days at 37 degrees C. The fibre content of leaf meal reduced from 11.0% to 7.5% and the antinutritional factors, tannin and phytic acid, were reduced from 1.0% to 0.02% and 1.23% to 0.09%, respectively after fermentation. However, the available reducing sugars, free amino acids and fatty acids increased in the fermented leaf meal. The response of rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings fed the experimental diets for 80 days was compared with fish fed a fish meal based reference diet. On the basis of growth response, food conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio, 30% fermented Lemna leaf meal incorporated in the diet resulted in the best performance of rohu fingerlings. In general, growth and feed utilization efficiencies of fish fed fermented leaf meal containing diets were superior to those fed diets containing raw leaf meal. The apparent protein digestibility (APD) decreased with increasing levels of leaf meal irrespective of treatment. The APD for raw leaf meal was lower at all levels of inclusion in comparison to those for the fermented meals. The highest carcass protein and lipid deposition was recorded in fish fed the diet containing 30% fermented leaf meal. The results showed that fermented Lemna leaf meal can be incorporated into carp diets up to 30% level compared to 10% level of raw meal.     

Nutrient digestibility and intestinal enzyme activity of Clarias batrachus (Linn.) juveniles fed on dried fish and chicken viscera incorporated diets

A feeding trial was conducted for 56 days to study the effect of replacement of fish meal by dried fish and chicken viscera, and a combination of oil cakes, in the diet of Clarias batrachus juveniles. The nutritional values of these by-products were studied through a digestibility experiment. No significant difference in nutrient digestibility was observed in different diets. Even 19.59% lipid in the diet of catfish did not affect the nutrient digestibility. Both amylolytic and proteolytic enzymes in the intestine of juveniles were studied. A decreased protease activity due to replacement of animal protein by plant protein and a decreased (P < 0.01) aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) activity could be observed after inclusion of 22% of dried fish viscera in the diet of the catfish. Though body lipid content increased in fish fed a high level of lipid, fat-free body composition did not vary among the fish fed on different diets.