Effects of triploidy on the Caspian salmon Salmo trutta caspius haematology

Haloperidol alters the behavioral, hematological and biochemical parameters of freshwater African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)

The presence of drugs and their metabolites in surface waters and municipal effluents has been reported in several studies, but their impacts on aquatic organisms are not yet well studied. The present study investigated the effects of exposure to the antipsychotic drug, haloperidol on the behavioral, hematological and biochemical parameters in juvenile Clarias gariepinus. The fishes were exposed to 0.12, 0.24 and 0.48 mg/L haloperidol for 15 days and later withdrawn from the toxicant and allowed to recover for 5 days. Blood was sampled on days 1, 5, 10, 15, and after the 5-day recovery for hematological and biochemical analysis. The pack cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), reticulocytes and lymphocyte counts were significantly reduced in the exposed fish. The neutrophil counts were increased while that of monocytes, basophils and eosinophils were not affected by the drug. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were not different from the control on exposure to the drug. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and acid phosphatase (ACP); and serum creatinine, bile acid and bilirubin were increased on 15-day exposure to the drug. The activity of the clotting factor fibrinogen was reduced compared to the control after exposure to the drug. Haloperidol at concentrations used on 15-day exposure were toxic to fish, but the effect appeared short-lived, as it dissipated on 5-day withdrawal from the drug. While further studies are needed to ascertain the impact of prolonged exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations, caution is advised to avoid eco-toxicological damage to aquatic organisms.

Effects of triploid induction on innate immunity and hematology in Astyanax altiparanae

Triploid induction is a promising biotechnique that could be used to enhance aquaculture yields in the near future. However, studies conducted with several fish species have demonstrated that the presence of an extra set of chromosomes may result in deleterious health effects. Furthermore, studies of fish immune responses still need to be conducted before these specimens can be readily commercialized. In the study presented herein, we evaluated the effects of triploid induction on hematology, erythrocyte morphometry and morphology, phagocytosis, and the expression levels of IL-1β and TGF-β using specimens of the Neotropical species, Astyanax altiparanae. In general, the cell counts of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and neutrophils in triploid fish were lower than those in diploid fish. The erythrocytes of triploid fish were larger than those found in diploid fish, but also demonstrated considerably higher frequencies of cellular and nuclear abnormalities. Although not statistically significant, triploid induction resulted in a phagocytic capacity (PC) 20% lower than that found with diploid fish. No notable differences were observed in phagocytic index (PI). Gene expression levels for the cytokine IL-1 were lower in tissues from the head kidney, liver, and spleen of triploid fish with respect to diploid fish. Gene expression levels of TGF-β were lower only in the spleen of triploids compared to diploids. In conclusion, triploid induction resulted in A. altiparanae specimens with immune impairments and potentially lower resistances to disease and low-quality environments.

Genome Size Covaries More Positively with Propagule Size than Adult Size: New Insights into an Old Problem

The body size and (or) complexity of organisms is not uniformly related to the amount of genetic material (DNA) contained in each of their cell nuclei ('genome size'). This surprising mismatch between the physical structure of organisms and their underlying genetic information appears to relate to variable accumulation of repetitive DNA sequences, but why this variation has evolved is little understood. Here, I show that genome size correlates more positively with egg size than adult size in crustaceans. I explain this and comparable patterns observed in other kinds of animals and plants as resulting from genome size relating strongly to cell size in most organisms, which should also apply to single-celled eggs and other reproductive propagules with relatively few cells that are pivotal first steps in their lives. However, since body size results from growth in cell size or number or both, it relates to genome size in diverse ways. Relationships between genome size and body size should be especially weak in large organisms whose size relates more to cell multiplication than to cell enlargement, as is generally observed. The ubiquitous single-cell 'bottleneck' of life cycles may affect both genome size and composition, and via both informational (genotypic) and non-informational (nucleotypic) effects, many other properties of multicellular organisms (e.g., rates of growth and metabolism) that have both theoretical and practical significance.

First Report on Successful Triploidy Induction in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Using Electroporation

This study investigated the use of electric-shock in inducing triploidy in African catfish Clarias gariepinus. To achieve this, three voltages (9, 12, 21 V) were applied for different durations (3, 5, 10 min). The shock was initiated approximately three minutes after fertilization followed by incubation in ambient temperature. After incubation, hatchability and survival rates were determined while ploidy status of the treatment fishes was confirmed in one-month-old fingerlings using the exclusive triploid range of the erythrocyte major axis previously reported for the same species (11.9–14.9 μm) and by cytogenetic analysis of the chromosome. The results showed triploidy were achieved in 10 to 85% of the treatment groups. A consistent trend of decrease in hatchability and an increase in triploidy rate was observed with increased electroporation voltages and shock durations. The mean erythrocyte major axis length of triploid progenies (3n = 84) was observed to be between 11.3–14.6 μm and was higher than the range of 7.0–10.5 μm recorded for diploid progenies (2n = 56). It was concluded that electric shock can be used to induce triploidy in African catfish C. gariepinus.

Fertilization, hatching, and embryogenesis of diploid and triploid eggs of Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792)

This study investigated the breeding parameters and embryogenic development of diploid and heat shock-induced triploid eggs of Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792). To this effect, broodstocks of A. testudineus were induced to spawn using the Ovaprim® hormone. After fertilization, the eggs were divided into two groups and one portion heat shocked at 41°C (for 3 min), at approximately 4 min after fertilization. Results of fertilization, hatchability, as well as the sequence and timing of embryogenic development were collated from three breeding trials. Fertilization percentages were similar in both treatments (≈90%) while hatchability was higher in the diploid eggs (79.56%) than the triploid induced eggs (50.04%). Both treatments had the same sequence of embryogenetic stages; however, the timing of development was significantly delayed in the triploids (i.e. beyond the 2-cell stages) as compared with the observations in the control group (diploid eggs). Consequently, hatching time was 5 h faster in the diploid eggs [i.e. 18 hours post fertilization (hpf)] compared with the triploid induced eggs (23 hpf). The most critical stage of embryonic development in which mass mortality occurred in the different treatments was the somite stage. The status of triploid hatchlings was affirmed using erythrocyte morphology in 2-month-old fingerlings.

Hematological, morphological, biochemical and hydromineral responses in Rhamdia quelen sedated with propofol

Rhamdia quelen morphophysiological responses to propofol sedation were examined. The purpose was to investigate whether propofol would be a suitable drug to be used in fish transport procedures. Fish were exposed to 0, 0.4 or 0.8 mg L(-1) propofol for 1, 6 or 12 h in 40 L tanks, simulating open transport systems. Propofol was able to prevent the peak of cortisol levels experienced by the group exposed to 0 mg L(-1) propofol at 1 h. At 0.4 mg L(-1), propofol also preserved the stability of hematological (hematocrit, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), morphological (red blood cell area), biochemical (cortisol, glucose, lactate, total protein, ammonia, urea, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and hydromineral (Na(+), Cl(-) and K(+) plasma levels) indicators of stress. Such results suggest that sedation with propofol at 0.4 mg L(-1) is suitable for R. quelen transport.

Dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus oryzae enhance immunity and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila and Streptococcus iniae infection in juvenile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary administration of probiotic with Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth, innate immune response, Hemato-immunological parameters and disease resistance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Animals were distributed in three equal groups, each of five replicates and received one of the following experimental diets for four weeks: Control, non-supplemented diet; 5 g kg(-1) probiotic mixture (B. subtilis 1.5 × 10(9) CFU g(-1), S. cerevisiae 10(9) CFU g(-1) and A. oryzae 2 × 10(9) CFU g(-1)); and 10 g kg(-1) probiotic mixture (B. subtilis 3.0 × 10(9) CFU g(-1), S. cerevisiae 2.0 × 10(9) CFU g(-1) and A. oryzae 4.0 × 10(9) CFU g(-1)). The respiratory burst activity, white blood cells and hematological parameters were evaluated after four, five and six weeks of feeding. At the end of the growth trial, fish were sampled for intestinal microbiology and challenged by intraperitoneal injection of LD50 concentration of Aeromonas hydrophila and Streptococcus iniae. Mortality was recorded for the following 3 weeks. Results showed that administration of the probiotic had no significant effect on the growth rates of Nile tilapias, although the fish fed probiotics had better feed conversion. Respiratory burst activity, erythrocyte fragility and levels of white blood cells were significantly improved in tilapias fed diet supplemented with probiotic levels (P < 0.05), which may exhibit up-regulating effects on tilapia immune parameters. The cumulative mortality after A. hydrophila and S. iniae challenge decreased in tilapias fed with probiotic (P < 0.05). The present study demonstrated the potential of B. subtilis, S. cerevisiae and A. oryzae combined as beneficial dietary probiotic in juvenile O. niloticus.

Changes in hematological parameters of Cichlasoma dimerus (Teleostei, Perciformes) exposed to sublethal concentrations of 4-tert-octylphenol

Stress response involves various physiological changes, including alteration in hematological parameters closely related to the response of fish to the environment. 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) is one of the worldwide-used surfactants and can pollute the aquatic environment, both marine and freshwater. Previous studies have already shown estrogenic effects of this compound in various wildlife species, e.g., it can disrupt the reproductive system of males organisms including fish. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects caused by sublethal concentrations of OP on hematological parameters as biomarkers to assess environmental stress. Adult males and females of Cichlasoma dimerus were exposed to waterborne OP during 60 days under semistatic conditions. Experimental groups consisted of control (ethanol 0.005 %), OP 150, and OP 300 μg/L. OP caused hemodynamic stress in C. dimerus, which lead to normochromic and normocytic anemia, as well as erythrocytic pathologies such as a significant increase in erythroblasts and amitotic erythrocytes. All of the studied parameters can be used as biomarkers for the presence of xenobiotics in water.

Effect of dietary supplementation of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, survival, lactobacillus bacterial population and hemato-immunological parameters of stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) juvenile

The dietary supplementation of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) in stellate sturgeon juvenile, Acipenser stellatus (with mean initial body weight of 30.16 ± 0.14 g) was evaluated for the effect on growth, autochthonous intestinal microbiata and hemato-immunological parameters for 11 weeks. FOS was added at a level of 0, 1% and 2% to the commercial pellet diet (BioMar). At the end of the experiment, growth parameters, survival rate, lactobacillus bacterial population, hematological and immunological parameters were determined. The fish fed on 1% FOS significantly showed higher final weight, WG%, SGR and PER and lower FCR compared to those of the control group (P < 0.05). Survival rate did not significantly differ between the treatments (P > 0.05). However, FOS administration resulted in lower survival. The serum lysozyme activity was significantly affected by dietary 1% FOS (P < 0.05), while respiratory burst activity was not significantly affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). In fish fed on the diet with 1% FOS showed a significant increase of total heterotrophic autochthonous bacterial and presumptive LAB levels (P < 0.05) compared with those fed on the diets supplemented with prebiotics. In addition to increase in WBC, RBC, MCV, hematocrit, hemoglobin and lymphocyte levels were observed in this group. These results indicated that dietary supplementation of FOS at a dose of 1% improved growth performance, beneficial intestinal microbiata and stimulate immune response of stellate sturgeon juvenile.

The effect of ploidy and temporal changes in the biochemical profile of gibel carp (Carassius gibelio): a cyprinid fish species with dual reproductive strategies

The basic biochemical profile of gibel carp (Carassius gibelio), diploid-triploid cyprinid species complex with dual reproduction modes, was investigated. The aim of the study was to test for the effect of fish group (which combines the effects of ploidy and sex) and temporal changes on indicators of the biochemical profile of blood in gibel carp. We showed that the basic biochemical profile of blood is significantly influenced by season and fish group. Triploid gynogenetic females had a better condition measured by total protein concentration than sexual diploids. The higher concentrations of triacylglycerols and cholesterol in triploid females when compared to diploids indicate a higher metabolic rate and higher energy intake during the whole year, which may represent a disadvantage for triploids. Differences in the concentrations of blood biochemical analytes between triploid females and diploids suggest a potential difference in the regulation of a wide range of physiological and biochemical processes in which these analytes participate. The biochemical profiles of two forms of C. gibelio could at least partially explain the changes of character of its naturally occurring populations.

The effect of triploidy and vaccination on neutrophils and B-cells in the peripheral blood and head kidney of 0+ and 1+ Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) post-smolts

Sterile triploid fish are being used in aquaculture to prevent early unwanted sexual maturation and the genetic interaction between wild and cultured fish; however, triploid fish are typically considered to be more susceptible to disease than diploid counterparts. Proportions of leucocytes from the head kidney and peripheral blood were identified using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry in triploid and diploid, vaccinated and unvaccinated, out-of-season (0+) and 1+ Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) three weeks post seawater transfer. Triploid 1+ fish were significantly (P<0.05) heavier than diploid fish at the time of sampling, whereas triploid 0+ had a significantly lower condition factor than diploids. Ploidy had a significant effect on the proportion of B-cells in the blood of both 0+ and 1+ fish, and the head kidney of 1+ fish, with triploids having lower proportions of B-cells to diploids in both smolt groups. In addition, a significant ploidy×vaccination interaction effect was observed in the response of neutrophils in the blood (vaccinated diploids had a higher mean proportion than diploid unvaccinated) and B-cells in the head kidney (in vaccinated fish, triploids had a lower mean proportion than diploids) in 0+ smolts. Vaccination was found to significantly increase the proportion of B-cells in the head kidney of 1+ smolts in both ploidy. Size (fish weight) was positively correlated with neutrophil proportions in 1+ fish. Our findings are discussed in relation to the physiological differences related to ploidy. The results suggest that ploidy as well as smelting regime influences the immune system of Atlantic salmon post-smolts.

Amitosis-like nuclear division in erythrocytes of triploid rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

This work shows that the atypical erythrocytes in triploid rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were morphologically similar to those of toads. The nuclei of the cells can be bell-shaped, constricted or irregular. It is presumed that such nuclear division is probably amitosis.

Coronary vascular volume remodelling in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

The 34% increase in relative ventricular mass (Mrv) resulting from chronic anaemia (induced by an intraperitoneal injection of phenylhydrazine hydrochloride) was accompanied by a 117% increase in coronary vascular volume of diploid rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Coronary vascular volume of normocythemic triploid fish was similar to that of normocythemic diploid fish despite a larger Mrv. These observations, in combination with previous studies, suggest that the vascularity of compact myocardium in O. mykiss can vary independently of Mrv.