The toxicity to Clarias lazera of copper and zinc applied jointly

1. The acute toxicity to juvenile Clarias lazera of a mixture of copper and zinc over a 96 hr exposure period was determined. Fish were exposed to the summation of half the 96 hr TLm value of each toxicant. 2. Percentage survival was much reduced indicating that the metals potentiate each others lethal action. 3. Comparison between metal residues in fish exposed to copper and zinc or to their mixture showed that the uptake of one metal was decreased by the presence of the other. 4. Toxic effects of the mixture on the physiological parameters studied were mainly attributable to copper, indicating that the presence of zinc did not influence the mode of action of copper.     

Serum transaminases activity and histopathological changes in Clarias lazera chronically exposed to nitrite

Increase in serum transaminases (GOT and GPT) activity attributable to nitrite toxicity was observed in juvenile Clarias lazera after chronic exposure to nitrite. The application of SGOT and SGPT assays for monitoring the effect of nitrite exposure over a 6-month period has shown that changes in activities are correlated with histological effects in Clarias liver. Kidneys from fish exposed to nitrite were not noticeably different histologically from that of control fish. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia were the most consistent lesions that occurred in the gills. Lifting of lamellar epithelium and necrosis of some epithelial cells were also prominent.     

Some physiological and biochemical indices of zinc toxicity in two freshwater fishes, Clarias lazera and Tilapia zilli

1. The effects of lethal zinc concentrations on some physiological and biochemical parameters in Clarias lazera and Tilapia zilli were investigated. 2. The analyses of lactate, pyruvate and glycogen in both liver and muscle tissues and the relation among them have been studied in detail. 3. Significant increases were observed in liver and serum proteins, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), erythrocyte count (RBCs), haematocrit or packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (HB) concentrations. 4. Zinc exposure reduced liver and serum acid phosphatase (ACP) as well as liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP).     

Stress response of juvenile Clarias lazera elicited by copper

1. Experiments were conducted with juvenile Clarias lazera to investigate the influence of acute copper exposure on bioaceumulation and some haematological constituents (erythrocyte count, haemoglobin content and haematocrit value).2. Analyses of copper residues in liver, kidney, muscle, gills, brain and blood after 96-hr exposure period revealed that liver and kidney accumulated the greatest amount of copper, while the other organs were found to accumulate relatively smaller concentrations.3. All blood samples collected from copper-treated fish showed some haemolysis. In addition, significant decreases in the values of the 3 parameters were noted. The anaemia reported is therefore of the haemolytic type, possibly due to the effect of copper on membrane ATPase, the glycolytic enzymes in the erythrocytes and glutathione.     

革胡子鲶生长激素cDNA克隆与蛋白质结构分析

从革胡子鲶(Clarias lazera(Burchell))的脑垂体组织中提取总RNA, 应用RT-PCR方法, 扩增得到了革胡子鲶生长激素(Growth hormone, GH)基因cDNA的开放阅读框(Open reading frame, ORF)序列。ORF全长为603 nt, 编码由22个信号肽氨基酸和178个成熟肽氨基酸共同组成的生长激素前体蛋白。序列同源比较结果表明, 研究中得到的革胡子鲶生长激素氨基酸序列与GenBank中已报道的其他6种鲶形目鱼类的氨基酸序列同源性高达95.8%。二级结构预测分析结果表明, 革胡子鲶生长激素蛋白中含有a 螺旋、b 折叠和b 转角以及无规卷曲等二级结构, 以a 螺旋为主, 是典型的a 型结构蛋白质。此外, 抗原性分析表明, 在氨基酸序列中的4个区域均可形成优势抗原表位, 其结构特点非常适合改造成为重组生长激素疫苗或单克隆抗体制剂加以开发利用。     

Salinity tolerance of young catfish, Clarias lazera (Burchell)

Experiments were conducted to determine the adaptability of young catfish, Claria lazera , to various saline concentrations. Young catfish, total length 52–88 mm, were subjected to abrupt and gradual changes from fresh water (salinity = 0.14‰) to various salinities. Ninetyfour per cent survival occurred when the fish were transferred from fresh water to 25% sea water (salinity = 9.5‰ No fish survived higher salinities even through gradual change.     

Myxosporean parasites of the catfish,Clarias lazera (Valenciennes)

Summary Five new species of myxosporean were found in the catfish Clarias lazera (Val.) in Israel. These species are described as: Henneguya laterocapsulata n. sp. (cyst-like trophozoites in the skin), H. suprabranchiae n. sp. (cyst-like trophozoites in the suprabranchial respiratory organs), Sphaerospora inaequalis n. sp. (spores in the lumen of the kidney tubules), Myxidium clariae n. sp. (spores in the gall bladder) and Myxobolus heterofilamentatus n. sp. (spores in the kidney, spleen, liver, suprabranchial respiratory organ, gills, heart and urinary bladder). Their taxonomic affinities to other species are discussed. ac]19860407     

Acute and chronic nitrite toxicity in juvenile pike-perch (Sander lucioperca) and its compensation by chloride

Pike-perch Sander lucioperca is currently considered as one of the most promising candidates for production in freshwater recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS). Here, due to the lack of studies on nitrite (NO₂^?) toxicity in pike-perch, a flow-through exposure at 0, 0.44, 0.88, 1.75, 3.5, 7, 14 and 28 mg/L NO₂^?–N was carried out to determine the acute and chronic toxicity over a period of 32 days. In juvenile pike-perch, 120 h LC₅₀ was 6.1 mg/L NO₂^?–N and at ≥ 14 mg/L NO₂^?–N all fish had died within 24 h. Chronic exposure revealed a significant build up of NO₂^? in the plasma as well as in the muscles at ≥ 0.44 mg/L NO₂^?–N peaking in fish exposed to the highest concentration of 3.5 mg/L NO₂^?–N after 32 days. Still, due to high individual variation methemoglobin (MetHb) was only significantly increased (p < 0.01) at 3.5 mg/L NO₂^?–N. No adverse effects on red blood cells (RBC) and hematocrit were observed in any of the treatments. In a second experiment, compensation of NO₂^? toxicity at increasing chloride concentrations (40 (freshwater), 65, 90, 140, 240, 440 mg/L Cl^?) was observed at a constant exposure of 10 mg/L NO₂^?–N for 42 days. At ≥ 240 mg/L Cl^?, NO₂^? build-up in blood plasma and muscle was completely inhibited. At lower Cl^? concentrations (≤ 140 mg/L), NO₂^? was significantly increased in plasma, but only insignificantly elevated in muscle due to high individual variation. MetHb was increased significantly difference only at 40 mg/L Cl^? (freshwater control) compared to the control. Again, high individual variations were observed. As a conclusion, S. lucioperca is moderately sensitive towards NO₂^? and acceptable levels in RAS should hence not exceed 1.75 mg/L NO₂^?–N to avoid MetHb formation. However, based on the 120 h LC₅₀ and a factor of 0.01 according to Sprague (1971), a NO₂^? concentration of ≤ 0.061 mg/L NO₂^?–N is considered as “safe.” Thereby, no NO₂^? should accumulate in the plasma or muscle tissue during chronic exposure. For 10 mg/L NO₂^?–N, ≥ 240 mg/L chloride compensates for NO₂^? uptake in plasma and muscle.     

大水体池塘培育革胡子鲶稚鱼的研究

本文报道在云南南亚热燕山区大水体池塘中,用人工施肥培养浮游动物,作为革胡子鲶稚鱼的开口饵料及其形成夏花鱼苗的动物性饲料是可行的。对孵出四日龄的稚鲶进行培育,在水温２３．２－３０．３℃时,可使十七日龄稚鲶达到夏花水平,存活率达６０％以上,研究结果表明,四日龄稚鲶口宽为７６０－９００μｍ,开口期及生长前期主要摄取枝角类、桡足类和摇蚊幼虫。稚鲶生长后期,对轮虫、水生昆虫幼体及配合饲料的摄取量增加,而摄食     

Hemoglobin of the lung fish Clarias lazera: isolation and oxygen equilibrium studies

The hemoglobin of the lung fish Clarias lazera has a single component on starch gel electrophoresis. The hemoglobin has a molar mass of c. 68,000 similar to HbA on column chromatography. Clarias hemoglobin has a high oxygen affinity with a low Bohr effect. There is a haem-haem interaction, n, which is pH dependent. The R-state is more stable than the T-state, unlike in most fish hemoglobins.     

Isolation of gonadotrops from the pituitary of the African catfish,Clarias lazera

Summary Dispersed pituitary cells from male African catfish, Clarias lazera, were fractionated in a density gradient of Percoll. Five fractions were isolated, consisting of about 6, 19, 39, 95 and 83% gonadotrops, respectively. The gonadotrops were identified by their ultrastructural characteristics, by immunocytochemistry, and by measuring their hormone content. After one day in culture, in each fraction the secretion of gonadotropin could be stimulated by a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue, indicating that the cells had retained their functional integrity. Since the regulatory mechanisms of different cell types from the pituitary have some similarity, purification of the gonadotrops provides a model to study the regulation of gonadotropin secretion.A portion of the results was presented as a poster at the XII^th Conference of the European Society of Comparative Endocrinology, Sheffield, July 31–August 5, 1983     

On the blood sugar in Clarias lazera C. et V.

Summary The normal blood sugar of Clarias lazera was determined and found to have an almost constant value.Whereas starvation hardly affected the blood sugar level, after feeding the blood sugar increases considerably, due to a rise in true glucose. The highest values were found at a time when digestion of the ingested food was almost completed.In animals kept out of water for more than one hour the blood sugar was found considerably higher than in normal fishes. After return to the water, the blood sugar regained its original level after 26 hours.The hypoglycaemia after insulin injections was found to be mild, slow to appear and to subside rather quickly.The author is indebted to Dr. J. J. Mansoub-Bek, for suggesting the problem and for advice during the course of the work.     

Acute toxicity of nitrite in fat snook (Centropomus parallelus)

Oxidative stress and hypoxia responses in Centropomus parallelus exposed to three different concentrations of nitrite (0, 0.5, and 10 mg L^?1) were evaluated. To determinate toxicity, we used enzymatic analyses and quantifications of oxygen consumption and opercular beats under conditions of normoxia and hypoxia. There was no significant difference in GST, CAT, or GPx enzymes in the liver or in GPx in the gills. Levels of GST were altered at a concentration of 10 mg L^?1 in experiment I. Experiment II displayed alterations for GST and CAT in the liver at the same concentration, indicating that exposure to nitrite does not generate differentiated activation in the body’s defense system by the production of oxidative stress enzymes. When nitrite was associated with hypoxia, there was a significant increase in both enzymatic activity and opercular beating under hypoxia in the group exposed to 10 mg L^?1 nitrite compared to the control.     

The development of the stomach in Clarias lazera and the intestinal absorption of protein macromolecules

Summary The development of the stomach of the teleost, Clarias lazera, during the early posthatching period, is described, and the developing stomach is compared with that of adult Clarias.The stomach develops in two distinct parts: the corpus, which differentiates first, and the pylorus. The corpus contains a mucous surface epithelium, arranged in folds, and a tubular gland system containing only one type of gland cell, to which the secretion of pepsinogen and HCl is attributed. The pyloric region does not contain tubular glands.From the ultrastructure of the gland cells, the ³H-thymidine labeling index, and the onset of acid production (as determined with pH indicators) it is concluded that a functional stomach is present in juveniles with a standard length of ± 11 mm (approximately 12 days after fertilization at 23–24° C).The ultrastructure of the intestinal epithelium has also been studied. The intestine consists of three segments, similar to those described for stomachless teleosts and a number of fish larvae. In larvae as well as in juveniles, the enterocytes of the second segment show pinocytosis of horseradish peroxidase, although in the juveniles the stomach has already developed. This second segment has the same relative length in all studied larvae and juveniles and is also present in adult Clarias.It is therefore concluded that the capacity to absorb protein macromolecules is not specifically related to the absence of a functional stomach in this teleost species.     

冬季革胡子鲶中腺垂体细胞超微结构的研究

本文描述了冬季革胡子鲶中腺垂体ＧＴＨ细胞、ＴＳＨ细胞、ＳＴＨ细胞的超微结构。研究发现冬ＧＴＨ细胞呈现出６种不的结构类型,与生殖季节中的ＧＴＨ细胞在结构上很大的差异。本文进一步分析和讨论了冬季革胡子鲶中腺垂体ＧＴＨ、ＳＴＨ、ＴＳＨ细胞的结构变化及生理机能等问题。     

Acute toxicity of ammonia and nitrite to different ages of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) larvae

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the acute toxicity of ammonia and nitrite to three developmental stages of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) larvae (11, 22, and 35 days after hatching, with mean total lengths of 4.63 ± 0.14, 5.83 ± 0.17, and 7.46 ± 0.23 mm, respectively). The results showed for the first time that the acute toxicity of ammonia and nitrite is closely related to the age of Pacific cod larvae, and the acute toxicity of ammonia or nitrite increased with increased Pacific cod larval growth. Lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of un-ionized ammonia nitrogen (UIAN) for a 48-h exposure in 11-day post-hatch, 22-day post-hatch, and 35-day post-hatch Pacific cod larvae were 1.72, 0.69, and 0.32 mg L^?1, respectively. The 48-h LC₅₀ of nitrite nitrogen to Pacific cod larvae 11-day post-hatch, 22-day post-hatch, and 35-day post-hatch were 831.76, 269.15, and 223.87 mg L^?1, respectively. The present findings demonstrate that the acute toxicity of ammonia for Pacific cod larvae is much higher than that of nitrite.     

Toxicity in Tilapia zilli and Clarias lazera (Pisces) induced by zinc, seasonally

Subadult teleosts, Tilapia zilli and Clarias lazera, were exposed in laboratory bioassays to lethal and sublethal concentrations of zinc, seasonally (at range of temperature between 9.3 +/- 1.5 and 25 +/- 1 degree C). It appears that Tilapia is more susceptible to Zn than Clarias and both species are more resistant to Zn toxicity at lower temperature (during winter). To determine the uptake and tissue distribution of Zn in the two species, gill, liver and muscles were analysed at moderate temperature (during spring). After a 96 hr exposure period, Zn was decreased in the following order: gill greater than liver greater than muscle.     

Aspects of the biology of the catfish Clarias lazera (Cuv. & Val.) related to its economic cultivation

The seasonal abundance, population structure, reproduction, feeding, respiratory adaptations and tolerance were studied in the catfish Clarias lazera (Cuv. & Val.) in the reservoir of Jebel Aulia on the White Nile, and in the Green-Belt canals near Khartoum. Continuous monitoring of the ripe, spent and spawning females and immature fish in the population revealed that C. lazera breed synchronously in the autumn in the reservoir and rather sporadically in the canals. Medium-sized females were more fecund than old and young females. Administration of pituitary extract enhanced maturation, induced spawning in mature fish, stimulated body growth, especially in maturing specimens, and produced, as a side-effect, a diuretic response. Mature fish depended on pulmonary respiration for about 45% of the total oxygen requirement. C. lazera fed preferentially on its fry and on decayed proteinaceous food. The suitability of this species for economic cultivation is discussed.     

Ultrastructure and immunolabeling of gonadotrops and thyrotrops in the pituitary of the African catfish,Clarias lazera

Summary Pituitaries of the African catfish (Clarias lazera) were studied with immunocytochemical methods, at the light-microscopic and ultrastructural levels, for the characterization and localization of gonadotropic and thyrotropic cells. Two immunostaining procedures with the use of different markers were carried out: (i) with peroxidase-antiperoxidase, (ii) with protein A-gold. In routinely stained sections for light microscopy two types of basophils were identified in the proximal pars distalis: (1) large, round, purple cells, and (2) small, angular, light-blue cells. Both types were immunolabeled with antibodies against Clarias ,-gonadotropin (GTH) and salmon G100-GTH. Only the large basophils were immunolabeled with anti-carp -GTH, whereas the small basophils were the only cells immunolabeled with anti-human thyrotropin beta subunit (anti-h TSH-). It was concluded that the large basophils represent the gonadotrops and the small basophils the thyrotrops. At the ultrastructural level the immunostaining of the GTH-cells was confined to three types of inclusions: (i) secretory vesicles, (ii) globules, and (iii) electron-dense, membrane-bound irregular masses. Especially the protein A- gold method, in combination with the use of a highly diluted homologous antiserum, resulted in a distinct localization of GTH. The presence of two types of nerve fibres, synaptically contacting the gonadotrops, is discussed with regard to the presence of a peptidergic (stimulatory) and an aminergic (inhibitory) control of GTH-secretion.Part of the results were presented as a poster at the IX^th conference of the European Society of Comparative Endocrinology, Jerusalem, August 1981, and published as an abstract (Peute et al. 1982)     

Histochemical evidence for granulosa steroids in follicle maturation in the African catfish,Clarias lazera

Summary The effects of carp pituitary suspension (CPS) and 11-desoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA) on 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3-HSD) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity in the ovary of Clarias lazera are described. Strong 3-HSD and G6PD activities are localized in the stroma, of both control and treated fish. A single CPS injection stimulates 3-HSD activity in the granulosa of postvitellogenic, maturing and postovulatory follicles, but DOCA has no such effect on the postvitellogenic and maturing follicles, and only stimulates a weak response in the postovulatory ones.