Ammonia Nitrogen Excretion Rates Research Articles

Effects of Glyphosate Herbicide on Physiological Parameters of Koi Carp, Cyprinus Carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) Fingerlings

Background: Sub-lethal toxicity bioassay experiments were conducted to determine the toxicity of glyphosate herbicide on Koi carp, Cyprinus carpio fingerlings. Koi carp fingerlings with mean length 8.06 ± 0.99 cm were obtained from a freshwater fish seed hatchery of the university.Methods: The fishes were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations i.e. 1/10th (3.6 mgL-1) and 1/5th (6.6 mgL-1) of glyphosate. Oxygen consumption rate, Ammonia-Nitrogen excretion rate, Oxygen:Nitrogen ratio and food consumption rate were recorded after every 7 days for a period of 28 days.Result: Results indicated significant decrease (P less than 0.05) in oxygen consumption in 1/10th and 1/5th of LC50 concentrations. Ammonia-Nitrogen significcantly increased in exposed fishes. Oxygen : Nitrogen ratio and food consumption rate also significantly decreased (P greater than 0.05) in treated fishes. The results indicated that glyphosate had impacts on exposed fish, hence, the need of regulation of its usage to protect non-targeted species and the environment.

Dietary glycerol inclusion decreases growth performance and nitrogen retention efficiency in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Glycerol is an inexpensive source of dietary energy, although its inclusion in compound feeds has been barely investigated in fish. The effects of dietary refined glycerol inclusion on growth performance, nitrogen and energy balance, as well as its digestibility and intestinal digestive enzyme activities was studied in rainbow trout. Fish (initial BW 20.2 ± 0.1 g, mean ± SE) were divided into nine tanks (1.66 kg m−3), each one assigned to the experimental diets, in triplicates. Fish were fed twice a day to apparent satiation for 60 days three diets including 0, 25, or 50 g kg−1 of refined glycerol (G0, G25, and G50, respectively) with similar digestible protein to energy ratios (22 mg kJ−1). A digestibility trial was conducted in parallel to the growth trial by using a Choubert System to collect feces, in triplicates. Refined glycerol was well digested (ADCglycerol > 99.7%) when included up to 50 g kg−1. Specific growth rate (SGR) decreased as glycerol inclusion levels increased in the diet (P = 0.029). Feed intake was enhanced with increasing dietary inclusion levels of glycerol (P = 0.013). The feed efficiency decreased linearly as the glycerol inclusion levels increased in the diet, reflected in a higher FCR ratio, particularly in the G50 group compared to the G0 or G25 groups (1.04 ± 0.02, 0.90 ± 0.02 and 0.91 ± 0.02, respectively). Total ammonia nitrogen excretion rate (TANER) was measured in trout at the end of the growth trial, displaying increased values with higher dietary glycerol inclusion levels (P < 0.001). As a result, trout fed G25 or G50 diets displayed an increased energy intake, which was not reflected in a reduction of the nitrogen excretion rate. Contrary to expected, glycerol had a negative effect on nitrogen efficiency, indicating that dietary inclusion of this compound does not spare the use of proteins as a metabolic fuel. In addition, amylase, but not proteases and lipase, was altered in the intestine of trout by refined glycerol inclusion, as this digestive enzyme activity increased 6 h post-feeding in trout fed G25 and G50 diets. In conclusion, dietary refined glycerol inclusion on rainbow trout was not reflected in beneficial effects on fish performance or in the quantity of nitrogen waste products excreted to the environment by this carnivorous species.

Effects of feed fat level on growth performance, body composition and serum biochemical indices of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus polyphekadion)

The growth of teleost fish can be enhanced by several means. A fat-enriched feed provides substantial energy for fish in aquaculture. However, fat is an expensive feed component and one of the highest cost components of the feed for cultured species in the aquaculture industry. Therefore, in recent years, nutritionists increasingly focus on improving the fat efficacy of feed components utilized in commercial feeds. To achieve this, precise, comprehensive, and homogeneous analytical procedures are required to quantify fat in feed components. This study assessed the influence of the feed fat level on growth performance, body composition, and serum biochemical indices of the 8 weeks old juvenile hybrid grouper (8 cm) with average body weight of 7.2 g. The results show that the level of feed fat has no substantial effect on the survival rate of the hybrid grouper, which indicates that hybrid grouper juveniles can tolerate high feed fat levels. In addition, the results also show that increasing the level of feed fat can increase the growth rate of fish and feed efficiency, while decreasing their ammonia nitrogen excretion rate. The suitable dietary fat level of hybrid grouper was identified to be 9.72–10.28%. This offers valuable insight into the effects of the feed fat level on the growth performance of the hybrid grouper, which can inform the culture of other species in aquaculture.

Effects of dietary protein levels on growth, feed utilization, body composition and ammonia–nitrogen excretion in juvenile Nibea diacanthus

Juvenile Nibea diacanthus were fed various dietary protein levels, and their growth performance, feed utilization, carcass proximate composition and 24-h postprandial ammonia–nitrogen excretion were investigated. Five isoenergetic and isolipidic experimental diets, containing various protein levels ranging from 36 to 52 % by a 4 % increment, were formulated. Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate groups of 25 juvenile N. diacanthus (initial weight 62.85 ± 0.32 g) for 8 weeks. Highest weight gain, specific growth rate, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and protein retention were obtained at 48 % dietary protein levels (P < 0.05). As dietary protein levels increased, feed intake, hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index declined significantly. Similarly, the ammonia–nitrogen excretion rate was largely inversely correlated with dietary protein levels, with the lowest value appearing in the 48 % group (P < 0.05). High-protein diets resulted in higher whole-body and muscle protein contents and produced a significant effect on muscle amino acid profile. Also, total essential amino acid pattern of the muscle was significantly correlated to those of dietary proteins. Analysis of specific growth rate and weight gain by broken-line regression indicated that the estimated optimal dietary levels of protein for juvenile N. diacanthus were 48.66–48.94 %.

Diurnal ammonia and urea excretion rates in European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax fed diets containing mixtures of canola and cotton seed oil at two different ambient temperature

The knowledge about the combined effects of higher temperature and dietary nutrient quality on the diurnal nitrogenous excretion rates is very limited in farmed fish species including European sea bass. Therefore this study investigated the combined effects of increasing levels (30 vs. 60 %) of dietary fish oil replacement by equal mixture of cotton seed oil (CSO) and canola oils (CO) and two different ambient temperature (24 vs. 30°C) on diurnal total ammonia and Urea–N excretion rates in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Experimental diets were fed to fish three times (08:30–13:30–18:30h) at a fixed rate of 3 % BW.d−1. The daily consumed nitrogen and energy intake of fish were similar during the investigation in different dietary treatments. However, the daily excretion rates of TAN, total nitrogen (TAN+Urea–N) and total nitrogen expressed as a proportion of consumed nitrogen by the European sea bass maintained at 30°C were found to be significantly (P<0.001) higher (40 to 50%) than fish maintained at 24°C in all the dietary treatments suggesting higher rates of deamination of ingested amino acids with increased temperature. Daily urea–nitrogen excretion of fish accounted for between 20–30 % of total ammonia–nitrogen excretion rates for each dietary treatment at 24 and 30°C and appeared to be slightly increased by the temperature but neither the temperature nor the amount of plant oil mixture inclusion in diets or the interaction of these two factors had a significant effect on the urea nitrogen excretion rates of fish in different dietary treatments. However, Urea–N excretion rates in fish fed fish oil only (FO) diet were significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to that of fish fed diets containing increasing amount of plant oil mixture (VOM30 and VOM 60) during the light-on phase of the sampling period at 24°C indicating periodic enhancement of permeability for urea at excretion sites. Further research is needed in order to elucidate the mechanism of nitrogenous excretion in European sea bass fed plant oil containing diets under extreme summer time temperatures employing total dietary fish oil replacement to reveal the possible effects of alteration in cell membrane phospholipid composition on enzymes responsible for nitrogenous excretion and/or detoxification.

温度和体重对克氏双锯鱼仔鱼代谢率的影响

The clownfishes,or sea anemonefishes,of the genus Amphiprion and Premnas with approximately 30 species,belong to the Subfamily Amphiprioninae,the Family Pomacentridae.Many clownfishes are popular in the tropical marine ornamental fish trade.In recent years,the clownfishes remain the Ranking One in the trade based on the estimated annual amount of individuals sold.Hatchery-based larviculture and grow-out of clownfishes have been developed in several countries.In China,at least six species can be hatchery-produced and grown up to marketable sizes of 3—5 cm total length,including Yellowtail clownfish A.clarkii,Tomato clownfish A.frenatus,Orange clownfish A.percula,Pink Skunk Clownfish A.perideraion,Saddleback clownfish A.polymnus and Maroon Clownfish P.biaculeatus. Metabolic rate indicates the efficiency of food and energy intake,conversion and allocation,and is influenced by fish body condition and environmental factors.Respiration and excretion are the two main components of metabolism.Respiration rate can be calculated through the measurement of total oxygen consumption,and excretion rate can be calculated through the measurement of total ammonia nitrogen excretion.Based on the oxygen/nitrogen ratio,the energy sources that fish utilized mainly for somatic growth can be determined. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of water temperature and body weight on respiration and excretion of Yellowtail clownfish Amphiprion clarkii during its larval development from newly-hatched to the complement of metamorphosis.Larvae were reared at three water temperatures of 23,26 and 29℃ in captivity.Individual respiration rate(RR,μg O2 ind-1 h-1) and individual total ammonia nitrogen excretion rate(ER,μg N ind-1 h-1) of A.clarkii were measured,respectively.The results showed that RR and ER increased with body weight(W,mg) as a power function of R = aWb at all three water temperatures.The b-values were 0.8873,0.9033 and 0.9323 for RR,and 0.7625,0.8012 and 0.8278 for ER,at 23,26 and 29℃,respectively.RR and ER at 29℃ were significantly higher than those at 23 and 26℃(P0.01).Multiple regression analyses showed the variability in the integrated effects of temperature(T,℃) and W on RR and ER: RR= 0.042W0.889×e0.122T and ER = 0.002W0.797×e0.115T.At the same water temperature,both respiration rate per body weight(RR′,μg O2 mg-1 h-1) and total ammonia nitrogen excretion rate per body weight(ER′,μg N mg-1 h-1) in larvae of A.clarkii decreased with the increase of W.With the increase of water temperature,RR′ and ER′ increased.RR′ and ER′ at 29℃ were significantly higher than those at 23 and 26℃(P0.05).The oxygen/nitrogen ratios(O/N) in larvae of A.clarkii were around 52-57 at all three water temperatures,and showed no difference(P0.05),indicating that the main energy sources for larval development are protein,fat and carbohydrate.High temperature effects(Q10) for both respiration and excretion were found over the water temperature range of 23—26℃,with 3.70 and 4.01,respectively.Low Q10 for respiration was found at 26—29℃ with a value of 2.40,and low Q10 for excretion was found at 23—29℃ with a value of 2.5.This study reveals that the optimal water temperature for larval development of A.clarkii lies between 26 and 29℃.

Effects of Supplementation of Dietary Bamboo Charcoal on Growth Performance and Body Composition of Juvenile Japanese Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

A 50‐d feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of dietary bamboo charcoal (BC) on growth performance, body composition, and ammonia nitrogen excretion of juvenile Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Six levels of BC (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4%) were supplemented to the basal diet composition and fed to fish (initial body weight [BW], 3 ± 0.1 g). At the end of the trial, fish were used for the determination of apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein, and cumulative ammonia nitrogen excretion rates. Weight gain, specific growth rate, feed efficiency ratio, and protein efficiency ratios of fish fed 0.5% BC diet were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher than those of fish fed the control diet (without BC). Moreover, apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein of fish fed BC diets were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher than those of fish fed the control diet. Cumulative ammonia nitrogen excretion over a subsequent 12‐h period decreased with increasing dietary BC. In conclusion, the diet supplemented with 0.5% BC was found to have a suitable level to fulfill the maximum growth performance and to decrease the ammonia nitrogen excretion of flounder, under the conditions applied in this study.

Elevated oxygen uptake and high rates of nitrogen excretion in early life stages of the cobia Rachycentron canadum (L.), a fast‐growing subtropical fish

Physiological energetics of cobia Rachycentron canadum were quantified for 18 to 82 days post‐hatch (dph) hatchery‐reared juveniles to better understand energy transformation and its implications in growth and survival. Mean oxygen consumption rates (; mg O2 h−1) of fish fed ad libitum and fish that were starved significantly increased with increasing wet mass (M; g), = 1·4291M0·8119 and = 1·1784M0·7833, respectively, with a significant reduction in mean metabolic rates of starved fish (19 to 27% specific dynamic action; SDA). Total ammonia nitrogen excretion rates (AMM, μmol h−1) also scaled with M and significantly decreased after starvation. Mean mass‐specific AMM and urea excretion rates are the highest reported in the literature, with urea accounting for approximately half the total nitrogen excretion measured in both fed and starved fish. Relatively high energetic rates may allow cobia to develop rapidly into pre‐juveniles and be less susceptible to predation and starvation at a comparatively early age.

Physiological Responses of the Ark Shell Scapharca broughtonii (Bivalvia: Arcidae) to Decreases in Salinity

The ark shell (or 'blood clam') Scapharca broughtonii is a filter-feeding bivalve that has red blood and inhabits waters approximately 10m in depth off the southern coast of South Korea. This study was part of a larger research project investigating the causes of death and restoration of shellfish resources, which are important aquaculture products in South Korea. We examined physiological responses related to survival, respiration, excretion, and amino acid changes as a result of changes in salinity. The 9-day median lethal salinity (<TEX>$LS_{50}$</TEX>) was 16.5 psu with confidence limits of 14.9-18.1 psu. At <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX>, the oxygen consumption and ammonia-nitrogen excretion rates were increased with decreases in salinity. Although the osmolality of individuals was acclimated within 2 h at 26.4 psu and 12 h at 19.8 psu, it took more than 5 days at a salinity of 13.2 psu, whereas no individuals acclimated and all died at a salinity of 6.6 psu. Of the amino acids present in the blood, taurine and alanine increased in response to decreased salinity. Tissues of the gill and the mid-gut gland were affected by decreasing salinity. These data will provide important fundamental information for examining the causes of mass mortality of shellfish in the summer.

Fish meal replacement by plant and animal by-products in diets for the Australian short-finned eel, Anguilla australis australis (Richardson)

In this experiment, 23% of fish meal protein was replaced with protein from Australian soybean meal (SBM), lupin meal (LM), corn gluten meal (CGM) and meat meal (MM) in nutritionally balanced experimental diets. Growth and growth efficiencies of juvenile Australian short-finned eel Anguilla australis australis (Richardson) elvers (2.23 ± 0.4-g average wet weight) were compared Elvers were fed twice a day to a total of 5% body weight per day for 63 days. Total weight gain (g), specific growth rate (% day-1), protein efficiency ratio (%) and productive protein value (%) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for elvers fed the MM diet than for those fed the LM diet. There were no differences in diurnal ammonia-nitrogen excretion rates. However, diurnal urea-nitrogen excretion rates were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by diet and rates were two to three times higher for all diets, except CGM, 4 h following the afternoon feed. Diet significantly affected apparent digestibility (AD); ADs of protein for SBM and LM were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than for control diet, CGM and MM; AD of energy for LM was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than for all the other diets. Fish meal protein was replaced by CGM, SBM and MM without compromising growth rates of the Australian short-finned eel. However, whole lupin seed meal (LM) depressed growth and growth efficiencies most likely because of the high indigestible carbohydrate content. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Nitrogen excretion patterns and postprandial ammonia profiles in Black Sea turbot under Controlled conditions

Measurements of the rate of nitrogenous excretion were carried out in two batches of young Black Sea turbot (small 42 g, large 72 g) at 12±1°C under natural light conditions (10 h light:14 h dark and 13 h light:11 h dark, respectively). The ammonia nitrogen excretion rates of fish starved for 48 hours were 0.20±0.05 mg-N for the small fish and 0.18±0.09 mg-N/100g fish/h for the large. Fish were then fed a pellet diet containing 8.3% nitrogen at average rations of 0.67% and 0.59% of the body weight, respectively, for four days. On the fourth day, ammonia nitrogen excretion rates were evaluated. In both batches, the rates were 2-3 times higher immediately after feeding than in the starved fish, reaching a peak 3-6 hours after feeding and declining after- wards. For the small and large fish, respectively, 21% and 20% of the consumed nitrogen was excreted as ammonia nitrogen, 6% and 7% as urea nitrogen, and 8% and 4% as feces nitrogen within 24 hours after feeding.

Ammonia Nitrogen Excretion Rate - An Index For Evaluating Protein Quality Of Three Feed Fishes For The Black Sea Turbot

Total ammonia nitrogen excretion rates were measured in young Black Sea turbot (74.79 g avg wt) reared in brackish water (17 ppt salinity) at 11±0.3°C. Duplicate groups of turbot were fed a fixed quantity of teleosts, either anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), goby (Gobius sp.) or whiting (Merlangius merlangus). Feeds were offered to the turbot as wet feed. Cumulative ammonia-N excretion over a 6-hour period was significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in fish fed goby (3.64±0.27 mg- N/100 g fish) and whiting (3.83±0.13 mg-N/100 g fish) than that in fish fed anchovy (4.48±0.06 mg-N/100 g fish). The ammonia-N excretion rate in all groups peaked two hours after feeding, but the peak value in the group fed anchovy was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) than in the other two groups. No differences were observed among diets in samples taken 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours after feeding. Significantly lower excretion levels in the goby and whiting groups could be relat- ed to the protein quality of these species which may be higher than that of the anchovy for tur- bot nutrition.

Northern quahog, Mercenariamercenaria, seed clam waste characterization study: precursor to a recirculating culture system design

The high demand and price of the northern quahog, Mercenaria mercenaria, enable this species to be an excellent commercial aquaculture candidate for coastal Georgia. The most economical method to grow clams is in the natural environment at controlled densities. Commercial nurseries grow small seed from the hatchery (1–2 mm) to a size suitable for planting in the field (8–10 mm). The pivotal role of the nursery phase to the success of bivalve mariculture has prompted research into improving nursery culture systems. Utilizing recirculation technology can contribute to the development and success of land-based nursery systems that offer higher survival and faster growth than field-based systems. This paper presents baseline excretion data that can be useful in the design of a recirculating system for culturing bivalve Mercenaria seed clams in a land-based system. The total ammonia nitrogen excretion rate based on a 24-h isolation period ranged from 20.0 to 89.4 μg NH 4N g clam −1 day −1 for Mercenaria seed clams with a shell length ranging from 3.0 to 12.6 mm. The low ammonia production rate combined with the high ammonia tolerance limits of bivalves minimizes the need for a biofilter unit. The BOD 5 loading rate was highly variable and ranged from 0.05 to 0.32 mg l −1-O 2 g clam −1 day −1. For the seed clams that were less than 8 mm in shell length, the effluent total suspended solids concentration was three times greater than the larger size clams (10–12 mm shell length). Results indicated the importance of a solids removal mechanism to decrease the BOD 5 loading rate and reduce potential psuedofaeces production.

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Waste Characterization Study: Precursor to a Recirculating Holding System Design

AbstractThe decreasing population of the endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi) has necessitated research into more cost effective captive nurseries. Captive nurseries are an attempt to increase the survival of the Kemp's ridley past the first year of life. Presently, Kemp's ridleys are reared in captivity at the Headstart rearing facility in Galveston, Texas. This facility consists of a labor intensive, flow‐through system. Alternatively, recirculating systems permit development of inshore facilities with decreased labor and operating costs. This paper presents baseline excretion data necessary for designing filtration units required for water quality maintenance in recirculating holding systems. The total ammonia nitrogen excretion rate based on a 24 hour isolation period (fed) was fairly constant at 0.19 mg N/g‐turtle‐day, while the BOD5 loading rate was highly variable, averaging nearly 0.50 mg O2/g‐turt1e‐day. In addition, comparisons of filtered versus nonfiltered samples suggest that a suspended solids removal mechanism prior to the filtration unit would dramatically decrease BOD5 and, thus, improve filter efficiency and increase its capacity.

Ammonia-nitrogen excretion in Daphnia pulex

Ammonia-nitrogen excretion rates were measured in natural summer and cultured populations of Daphnia pulex from Silver Lake, Clay County, Minnesota, USA during 1973. The mean rate of ammonia-nitrogen excretion for the summer populations was 0.20 µg N animal−1 day−1 or 5.11 µg N mg−1 dry body weight day−1 (N = 80) measured at 15°, 20°, and 25°C. These rates appear to be temperature and weight dependent, but they are probably affected by factors other than temperature and dry body weight. Ammonia-nitrogen excretion rates of Daphnia pulex cultured on Chlamydomonas reinhardi yielded the following relationship with temperature: Log10E = (0.061) T 1.773, where E is µg N animal−1 day−1 and T is temperature °C. The ammonia-nitrogen excretion on a mg−1 dry body weight day−1 basis was related to temperature according to the following similar expression Log10E = (0.043) T + 0.153, where E is µg N mg−1 dry body weight day−1, and T is temperature °C. The length-weight relationship of Daphnia pulex for the summer populations (N = 1583) was log10W = (0.526) Log10L + 1.357, where W is weight in µg and L is length in mm.