Final Total Length Research Articles

Combined effect of weaning time and co-feeding duration on growth and survival of peled Coregonus peled (Gmelin) larvae

The study investigated the combined effect of weaning from live feed to a commercial dry pellet at 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 days posthatching (dph) and co-feeding for 1, 3 or 6 days on survival and growth of Coregonus peled larvae. Additional groups fed only live Artemia sp. nauplii (ART), and only Biomar LARVIVA ProWean 100 (DRY) were included. A final survival rate of 66.4%–85.5% was observed in groups weaned after 20 dph. Final body weight (BW) and total length (TL) were significantly lower in groups weaned at 10 and 15 dph, regardless of the duration of co-feeding. Larvae reached 29–37 mg BW and TL of 17.7–19.0 mm in groups weaned at 20, 25 and 30 dph. The recommended minimum duration of feeding with live food, based on these results, is 20 days. Based on the significantly higher yield of larvae weaned after 20 dph irrespective of co-feeding duration, it can be concluded that abrupt weaning to dry food after 20 days of feeding with live prey can provide adequate production while reducing the effort and costs associated with live feed.

Maraena whitefish (Coregonus maraena) larvae reveal enhanced growth during first feeding with live Artemia nauplii

Abstract Newly hatched Coregonus maraena (Bloch) larvae reared in aquaria were observed during two trials in 2014 and 2015 for 42 and 34 days after hatching in order to determine the on-feeding effects of different feeding strategies on growth and survival. Feeds of commercial dry feed, live Artemia nauplii, frozen rotifers, and mixtures of these were compared. Larval whitefish were fed brine shrimp for up to 13 days beginning 4 days post hatch (dph). Whitefish larvae fed live Artemia for 8-9 h per day over a period of 10-12 days grew considerably larger (mean value of final total length (TL) 27.3-33.0 mm)) and were heavier (mean value of final body weight (BW) 112-165 mg)) than those fed dry feed, frozen rotifers, or Artemia for 3-6 days (TL= 22.6-30.2 mm; BW= 50-102 mg). The growth of larvae fed for 24 h solely on dry food was comparable (BW= 101 mg, TL= 26.6 mm) at 42 dph. Survival differed among groups (31-63%) and was highest for larvae fed dry food exclusively. Our results can improve the first feeding of Maraena whitefish larvae in small-scale fish farms.

Comparative Studies on Growth Performance of Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809) in Different Culture Facilities

Total catches of fish from the wild reached a plateau in the early 1990s. Capture fishery production for both food and non-food utilization has levelled off. There is need for aquaculture expansion and improved output. The aim of this study was to determine the most productive facility for production of Heterobranchus bidorsalis. H. bidorsalis is the most important species from the genus Heterobranchus. It is endemic to Africa. Seven hundred H. bidorsalis fingerlings were acclimatized for 7 days, 200 fingerlings were randomly selected and stocked in: Earthen ponds, Concrete tanks, and Plastic tanks labelled as T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Each treatment had two replicates, 100 fingerlings in each. The culture facilities were constructed to have water volume which was not significantly different. The earthen ponds, concrete and plastic tanks water volume was maintained at 2,320 litres, 2,304 litres, and 2,331 litres respectively. Fingerlings were fed with 2mm Coppens of 45% crude protein at 5% biomass. Feeding was carried out at 9:00 and 16:00 hours for 56 days. All treatments were given equal care. Final Standard Length, Final Total Length, Total Length Gain, Final weight Gain and Weight Gain recorded were: 13.04±0.57, 13.44±0.75, 32±0.96, 4.45±1.34, 30.36±1.13 and 23.34±2.4 respectively. Growth was significantly higher in T1. In concrete and plastic tanks, observed growth parameters recorded had the following values: 11.75±0.82 and 11.21±0.83, 12.31±0.85 and 11.95±0.89, 3.2±0.96 and 2.84±0.85, 22.24±2.78 and 21.24±5.84, and 14.85±1.7 and 14.99±1.02 for Final Standard Length, Final Total Length, Total Length Gain, Final Weight and Weight Gain respectively. There was no significance difference in growth between T2 and T3. The study did not discourage the use of concrete tanks and plastic tanks for H. bidorsalis culture, but considered earthen ponds as most ideal culture facility for yields optimization in H. bidorsalis.

Individual growth of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) and blue shrimp L. stylirostris (Stimpson, 1874) (Crustacea: Penaeidae) by multi-model approach

Individual growth of two shrimp species of the family Penaeidae, the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and blue shrimp L. stylirostris were analyzed. The hypothesis was that both species would have an asymptotic growth type with sigmoid shape. The data comes from shrimp farming in earthen ponds of an aquaculture farm located in the Gulf of California, density was 25 post-larvae m-2 in ponds of 1.8 ha. Three asymptotic models were applied to averaged length at age data: von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, and logistic. The model’s parameters were computed by maximum likelihood criterion. Best model was selected according to the Akaike information criterion. The final total length of white shrimp was 128.8 mm and the estimated asymptotic length was 130 mm, after 140 rearing days. The blue shrimp final size was 142.2 mm, and the asymptotic length was 174 mm, after 158 rearing days. For both species, the model which better described the growth was the Gompertz model; consequently the conclusion was that the growth of both species must be sigmoid shape.

Granulometria do milho em rações para juvenis de tambaqui

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar diferentes granulometrias do milho (GM) em rações para juvenis de tambaqui sobre o desempenho zootécnico, composição da carcaça e viabilidade econômica. Foram distribuídos 160 peixes (3,86±0,03 g) em 20 aquários (40 L), em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de rações com diferentes GM: 150, 300, 500, 710 e 850 µm. Como parâmetros de desempenho zootécnico foram avaliados: consumo de ração (CR), ganho de peso (GP), conversão alimentar (CA), comprimento total final (CTF), comprimento padrão final (CPF), altura final (ALT), taxa de crescimento específico (TCE), taxa de desenvolvimento específico (TDE) e sobrevivência (SOB). Para composição de carcaça foram avaliados umidade, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo e matéria mineral. Na análise econômica das rações, foram analisados o custo médio com ração por quilograma de peso vivo ganho (CMR), o custo total de produção (CTP) e o índice de eficiência econômica (IEE). Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância em nível de 5% de probabilidade e regressão polinomial. Verificou-se comportamento quadrático para as variáveis CR, GP, CA, TCE, TDE, CTF, CPF e ALT, obtendo-se os melhores resultados, respectivamente, para GM estimadas em 530,22; 555,40; 597,47; 566,75; 562,07; 557,48; 562,70 e 555,68 µm. Não houve influência das GM sobre a composição da carcaça. Verificou-se comportamento quadrático para as variáveis CTP e CMR, com valores mais altos para GM estimadas em, respectivamente, 600,44 e 602,11 µm. Conclui-se que granulometria do milho de 500 µm é indicada zootecnicamente e economicamente para rações de juvenis de tambaqui.

Extrato aquoso de canela como promotor de crescimento para larvas do peixe ornamental amazônico pyrrhulina brevis

Phytotherapy has been used in fish farming to promote stability in the rearing environment and for the prophylaxis of diseases, improving animal well-being. Among phytotherapeutic agents, cinnamon ( Cinnamon zeylanicum ) exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiparasitic activity, in addition to immunostimulatory effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an aqueous cinnamon extract on the productive performance of larvae of the ornamental Amazon fish Pyrrhulina brevis . Five concentrations of the aqueous extract (0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 g/L) were evaluated in four replicates over a period of 20 days. The use of 1.0 g/L of C. zeylanicum extract favored larval performance, improving final total length and the specific growth rate in length and promoting 100% survival of the batch (P<0.05). This is the first study demonstrating the efficacy of the use of aqueous cinnamon extract as a growth promoter in fish larviculture.

Preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of visible implant elastomer and coded wire tags for tagging young-of-the-year Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the retention rates of visible implant elastomer (VIE) and coded wire tags (CWT) and the impact tagging had on the growth of Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus Mitchill, during an eight-week rearing period under laboratory conditions. Two size groups of young-of-the-year (YOY) sturgeon were used in the study. The tagging was not found to have a significant impact on the final total length or body weight or the condition coefficient of the sturgeon from either size group. Sturgeon survival in the different groups ranged from 90.6 to 100%. Mortality was not noted until two (CWT) and four (VIE) weeks following tagging and was probably not linked to tagging. The retention rate for VIE tags implanted in the rostrum in both size groups was 100%, while for tags implanted at the base of the pectoral fin was 93.5%. The retention of CWT in the smaller fish was 90%, and in the larger sturgeon it was 100%. Tagging small sturgeon with CWT and VIE is minimally invasive, and it did not impact the growth or condition of the tagged fish.

TOXICITY AND BIOACCUMULATION OF CADMIUM CHLORIDE IN NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS) AND THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF QUICK LIME (CALCIUM OXIDE)

The present study was carried out to investigate the toxic effects of waterborne cadmium chloride (CdCl2.H2O) on Oreochromis niloticus and the possible protective role of quick lime (CaO) against Cd toxicity. Fish weighing 44.55±2.96 g were exposed to 1 and 2 mg CdCl2 L-1 individually and in mixture with quick lime 60 mg CaO L-1 for 30 days followed by 15 days recovery. Although, the results revealed a slight decrease in final weight (W) and total length (TL) of Oreochromis niloticus exposed to sublethal concentrations of cadmium (1 and 2 mg CdCl2 L-1) individually and in mixture with quick lime (60 mg CaO L-1) for 30 days in comparison with the control groups, a non-significant differences were recorded in fish condition factor (K) of the different studied treatments. However, there was a significant (p gills>muscles. Moreover, quick lime play a role as a protective agent in eliminating residual Cd from the studied vital organs and improve fish growth indices to levels more or less similar to control groups.

Low pH affects survival, growth, size distribution, and carapace quality of the postlarvae and early juveniles of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man

Acidification of rain water caused by air pollutants is now recognized as a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. We examined the effects of low pH (control pH 7.5, pH 6, pH 5, pH 4) on the survival, growth, and shell quality of Macrobrachium rosenbergii postlarvae and early juveniles in the laboratory. Hatcheryproduced postlarvae (PL 5) were stocked at 250 PL per aquarium, acclimated over 7 d to experimental pH adjusted with hydrochloric acid, and reared for 30 d. Dead specimens were removed and counted twice a day. After 27 d rearing, all specimens were measured for total length and body weight. Carapace quality was assessed by spectrophotometry. Survival of juveniles was highest at pH 6 (binomial 95% confidence interval 79 - 89%) followed by control pH 7.5 (56 - 68%) and pH 5 (50 - 60%) and was lowest for unmetamorphosed postlarvae and juveniles at pH 4 (43 - 49%). The final median total length and body weight of juveniles were similar at control pH 7.5 (18.2 TL, 50.2 mg BW) and pH 6 (17.7 mm TL, 45.0 mg BW) but significantly less at pH 5 (16.7 mm TL, 38.2 mg BW); at pH 4, the postlarvae did not metamorphose and measured only 9.8 mm TL, 29.3 mg BW. Length frequency distribution showed homogeneous growth at pH 6, positive skew at control pH 7.5 and pH 5, and extreme heterogeneity at pH 4. The carapace showed different transmittance spectra and lower total transmittance (i.e. thicker carapace) in juveniles at pH 7.5, pH 6, and pH 5 than in unmetamorphosed postlarvae and juveniles with thinner carapace at pH 4. Thus, survival, growth, size distribution, and carapace quality of M. rosenbergii postlarvae and early juveniles were negatively affected by pH 5 and especially pH 4. The thinner carapace of the survivors at pH 4 was mostly due to their small size and failure to metamorphose. Natural waters affected by acid rain could decimate M. rosenbergii populations in the wild.

Greenwater, Marine Bacillus subtilis HS1 Probiotic and Synbiotic Enriched Artemia and Rotifers Improved European Seabass Dicentrarchus labrax Larvae Early Weaning Length Growth, Survival, Water and Bacteriology quality

The present study conducted in Fish Reproduction & Spawning Lab., NIOF, Alexandria, Egypt. European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax newly hatched larvae from 8 dph to the 40 dph was reared according to (Suzer et al., 2011). The 6 tanks was green water with N. salina Algal count not less than 300000 cell/ml. The experimental treatments using green water using N. salina as positive control (G), green water plus marine probiotic bacteria (G+MP) and green water plus synbiotic (G+S).4 hours enriched rotifers Brachionus plicatilis started from the 7th dph until the 14th dph, the beginning of cofeeding on 6 hours enriched Artemia fransiscana (GSL) nauplii started and rotifers reduction started in the 18th dph and stopped from the 20th dph and artemia napulii fed alone until the 25th dph, 25dph larvae started feeding on artemia metanauplii and cofeeding with Orange® P 1/2 Small microdiets with 100-200 micron to 35dph. From the 35th dph artemia metanapulii stopped and larvae fed only on O.range® until the end of the experiment (the 40th dph). The treatments were green water using Nanochlorapsis salina algae (G), greenwater plus marine Bacillus subtilis HS1 Probiotic bacteria (G+MP) and greenwater plus synbiotic (G+S) in 30 l tanks in duplicates. Microbiological measurements were performed in water samples in every larvae critical stage (7, 14, 21, 25, 35 and 40dph) for colony forming unit (CFU) of total bacterial count, Vibrio, Staphylococus, Aeromonas and Bacillus. Also water quality measurements were performed in the beginning of the experiment in 2 pm and in the same time in the 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 40 dph newly hatched larvae tanks. Finally, the results of the 40dph early weaned larvae showed significantly (p<0.05) higher final total length achieved by (G+MP) followed by (G+S) and the lower significant (p<0.05) recorded by (G) treatment. The bacterial counts of the Aeromonas not detected in all treatments, the other bacterial counts showed promising results of (G+MP) and (G+S) than (G) treatments in both inhibiting potentially pathogenic bacteria counts and also in improving the potentially useful bacterial counts.

Farinha de minhoca em dietas para juvenis de jundiá

Uma das demandas, na nutrição de peixes nativos, é a avaliação de fontes proteicas alternativas, que possam ser utilizadas em dietas. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o crescimento e a composição corporal de juvenis de jundiá submetidos a dietas com diferentes níveis de farinha de minhoca. Um total de 300 exemplares, com massa inicial média de 15,6 ± 5,65 g, foram distribuídos em 15 tanques de polipropileno (250 L), durante 30 dias. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, composto por cinco tratamentos (10%, 20%, 30% e 40% de inclusão de farinha de minhoca e uma dieta controle) e três repetições, com 20 peixes por unidade experimental. Os peixes foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia, recebendo 5% do seu peso vivo em ração dia-1. Ao final do período experimental, foram avaliados a massa final, comprimento total e padrão, taxa de crescimento específico, fator de condição e ganho em massa relativo. Também foi realizada análise de composição corporal, sendo determinadas a umidade, cinzas e gordura e proteína corporal, além da glicose sanguínea. Para a massa e comprimento total e padrão, não houve influência da adição de farinha de minhoca na dieta. Os níveis de inclusão de farinha de minhoca influenciaram a taxa de crescimento específico, ganho em massa relativo e o fator de condição dos peixes. A farinha de minhoca pode ser incluída em até 30%, na dieta de juvenis de jundiá, sem comprometer o crescimento dos peixes.

&lt;b&gt;Cryopreservation of semen of Thailand tilapia (&lt;i&gt;Oreochromis&lt;/i&gt; spp.) fed diet with different oil sources

This study evaluated the quality of sperm cryopreserved with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or methanol, of Thailand tilapia ( Oreochromis spp) fed diet with different oilsources. Methods: For this, 80 Thailand breeding tilapia fed diets with four sources of oil (T1: linseed oil, T2: soybean oil, T3: fish oil, T4: corn oil). No significant difference was found for the final weight, total length, rate and duration of motility of fresh sperm in the different treatments. Significant differences were observed in fish, corn and linseed oil treatment on the rate of motility relative to other different oil sources with the cryoprotectant DMSO prior to freezing. After thawing, fish subjected to a diet supplemented with fish oil presented a significantly higher rate and duration of sperm motility. Nevertheless, for better reproductive parameters after freezing, it is recommended the use of fish oil associated with cryoprotectant methanol.

Growth performance and stress responses of larval Mississippi Paddlefish Polyodon spathula to hypoxia under different diet treatments.

A growth trial was conducted to detect the effects of different diets on the growth performance and hypoxia adaptation capacity of Mississippi Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) larvae. The larvae were fed with live food, formulated diets, and 1/2 live food with 1/2 formulated diets. After a 15-d growth trial, final body weight and total body length were measured, and five larvae from each dietary group were subjected to 1 h of hypoxia treatment. Serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Final body weight and weight gain of the fish fed live food were significantly higher than the values for the other two groups. Total body length of the fish fed live food and 1/2 live food with 1/2 formulated diets exhibited no significant difference. After hypoxia treatment, serum T-AOC and SOD activities of the fish fed formulated diets were significantly lower than those of the other two groups. Liver MDA content of the fish fed with live food was significantly higher than that of the other two groups. In conclusion, larval paddlefish fed with an appropriate proportion of live food and formulated diets exhibit improved adaptive capacity to hypoxia.

External fluorescence retention of calcein‐marked juvenile brown trout Salmo trutta raised in natural and artificial environments

The fluorescence retention and intensity of juvenile brown trout Salmo trutta marked during their first summer were monitored in a hatchery and in four natural streams. A handheld detector was used for direct examination. In the hatchery, three marking treatments (T) were compared: 3·5 min in a 0·5% calcein solution (T0·5-3·5), 7 min in a 0·5% calcein solution (T0·5-7) and 3·5 min in a 1% calcein solution (T1-3·5). The fish were raised indoors for 11 months and then outdoors until 18 months. The fluorescence retention rate was 100% in all treatments at 11 months, although T1-3·5 showed the highest mean fluorescence intensity, followed by T0·5-7 and T0·5-3·5. The fluorescence intensity was not correlated with the final total length (L(T)) of the fish in two treatments, although it significantly decreased with increasing L(T) in T1-3·5. At 18 months, <30% of the fish were still slightly fluorescent, suggesting a negative effect of sunlight exposure. In stream studies, the fluorescence intensity did not significantly differ according to final L(T); an overall mean ± s.d. retention rate of 70·7 ± 26·6% was measured at 12 months with a decrease to 48·6 ± 24·6% at 24 months. Significant differences amongst streams and within reaches of the same stream were observed. Because of a significant positive effect of the shading index on the fluorescence intensity, the use of calcein should be restricted to streams unexposed to direct sunlight. Consequently, the marking method would be reliable for 1 year monitoring studies in shaded streams.

Hipervitaminose induzida pela suplementação de vitamina A em rações para pós-larvas de tilápia do Nilo

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the hypervitaminosis by supplementation of vitamin A in balanced ration, on the performance of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) during sex reversal phase. The experiment was carried out during 30 days in a randomized experimental design with six treatments and five repetitions. Was considered an experimental unit an aquarium of 50L contends 70 post larvae. The first treatment was consisted by a ration where was added only commercial premix how a vitamin A (30 KUI) source. The others had been supplemented with 1.030, 2.030, 3.030, 4.030 e 5.030 KUI of vitamin A. At the end, the final average weight (FAW), the standard (SL) and total length (TL), the weight gain (WG), the biomass gain (BG), the apparent feed conversion (FA), the condition factor (CF) and the survival (SU) were assessed. The results of FAW, SL, WG and BG showed a negative linear effect (P<0,05) by the increase of the vitamin A in the ration. The hipervitaminosis of vitamin A above of 30 KUI damaged the post larvae Nile tilapia growth.

Complexo enzimático na dieta de alevinos de kinguio (Carassius auratus)

Aimi ng to evaluate th e enzymatic complex supplementation in diets for goldfish fingerlings (Carassius auratus), 240 fish weighing initially 1,36 ± 0,02g, randomly distributed in 20 tanks with 150L, in four treatments and five replications, with twelve fish in each experimental unit were used. The fish were fed at 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. with diets containing different inclusion levels (0; 0,033; 0,066 e 0,099%) of enzymatic complex (amilase, protease, celulase, lipase, ?-glucanase and phytase), and formulated with 32,36% of digestible protein and 3.023kcal of digestible energy kg-1. There were no differences observed (P>0,05) in the mean final weight, weight gain, total length, standard length, survival and carcass composition. However, the fish apparent feed conversion was impaired by the supplementation of enzymatic complex with 0,099% in diet. The use of enzymatic complex does not provides benefits in the productive performance for goldfish fingerlings.

Growth of Juvenile Scup Fed Two Commercial Diets

AbstractJuvenile Scup Stenotomus chrysops 0.35–0.95 g were fed two different commercial diets for 9 weeks to determine growth rates. Diets were hand‐distributed to four replicate groups of 45 fish, four times a day. Survival among all treatments was high (90.0–92.5%), and both diets supported good growth. After five weeks, Scup fed diet 1 were significantly greater in length and weight than fish fed diet 2. These differences remained significant throughout the rest of the study. Specific growth rate (SGR) values were 5.8%/d for fish fed diet 1 and 5.5%/d for diet 2, while feed conversion ratios (FCR) were 1.22 for diet 1 and 1.25 for diet 2. Relative growth rate (RGR) values were diet 1 = 3,689% and diet 2 = 3,077%, and daily weight gain (DWG) values were diet 1 = 0.38 g/d and diet 2 = 0.31 g/d. Scup fed diet 1 had significantly greater final live weight, total length, weight gain, SGR, RGR, and DWG measurements than did fish fed diet 2. Juvenile Scup exhibited high growth rates and low feed conversion ratios when fed the two commercial diets, identifying them as a strong candidate species for commercial aquaculture.

Salinity and Stocking Density Effect on Growth and Survival of Barbodes gonionotus (Bleeker, 1850) Fry

The effect of salinity and stocking density on the growth and survival of Barbodes gonionotus fry were studied. Experiments were carried out at the Aquaculture Research Station Puchong, Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor. Parameters measured once a week were total length (cm), weight (g) and survival (%). Water quality such as dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, ammonia, nitrite and temperature were monitored once in two days prior to the water change. During the study period, fry were fed ad libitum with commercial pellets (Star Feed with 42% Crude protein), two times daily at 09:00 and 17:00 h. In the first experiment, 2 cm B. gonionotus fry were used and place in 6 glass aquarium (58x38x38 cm). Fry were cultured at three stocking densities, 3, 5 and 8 fry L-1. At the end of culture period, it was found that B. gonionotus fry stocked at 3 fry L-1 showed significantly higher (p<0.05) final weight and total length. However, stocking density of 5 fry L-1 resulted the highest percentage of survival at the end of the experimental period. In the second experiment, B. gonionotus fry were cultured in water with four different salinities, 0, 5, 10 and 15 ppt. Similarly, 2 cm fry were used and placed in 6 glass aquariums (58x38x38 cm) with 40 L water. Treatment with 15 and 20 ppt were terminated due to mass mortality between 3-7 days of exposure. As for the rest of the treatments, it was found that B. gonionotus fry cultured at 0 ppt showed significantly higher (p<0.05) final body weight and total length as compared to 5 and 10 ppt. However, by the end of the experimental period, the percentage of survival was significantly the highest at 10 ppt. This study showed that B. gonionotus fry can be stocked at 3 fry L-1 without adverse effect on its growth and survival and survive well at 10 ppt.

Optimum soybean lecithin contents in microdiets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae

The aim of the present study was to determine the optimum dietary levels of soybean lecithin (SBL) for seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae, and its influence on production performance and digestive enzymes activity. Larvae were fed five formulated microdiets with five levels of SBL. Complete replacement of live preys with the experimental microdiets for seabream larvae at 16 dph produced over 55% survival rates, particularly in fish fed with the highest levels of SBL. Moreover, increase in dietary SBL up to 80 g kg−1 significantly improved larval growth, leading to high final total length and body weight. An increase in alkaline phosphatase activity with the elevation up to 80 g kg−1 SBL was also found denoting a better maturation of the digestive system. Besides, there was a stimulatory effect of dietary SBL on PLA2 activity. Finally, increasing dietary SBL lead to better utilization of dietary highly unsaturated fatty acid, as it was reflected in their higher content in both neutral and polar lipid of the larvae. In summary, elevation of dietary SBL up to 80 g kg−1 in microdiets for seabream significantly improved digestive enzymes activities, enterocyte maturation, utilization and deposition of dietary essential fatty acids and larval growth, as a consequence of a better digestion, absorption, transport and deposition of dietary nutrients.

Endoscopic Single-Port Lumbar Sympathectomy: Preliminary Experience

Introduction: Retroperitoneoscopic lumbar sympathectomy was first described in 1973.1 For its minimal invasiveness, the technique was then widely accepted for various conditions like plantar hyperhydrosis, nonreconstructive peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.2–4 The novel technique endoscopic single-port surgery (laparoendoscopic single-site surgery [LESS]) has been performed in various operations that aim at performing laparoscopic surgery by consolidating all ports within a single skin incision. The most obvious advantage of LESS is its cosmetic outcome compared with conventional laparoscopic procedure (one port vs. at least three ports). To date, the feasibility and safety of LESS lumbar sympathectomy have not been reported in the literature. Here, we report our preliminary experience in LESS lumbar sympathectomy. Materials and Methods: Between March 2010 and July 2010, four consecutive LESS lumbar sympathectomies were performed in two cases. Surgical indications were refractory nonreconstructable PVD and plantar hyperhidrosis. LESS lumbar sympathectomy was performed with a homemade single port created using an Alexis wound retractor through a 2-cm incision beneath the tip of 12th rib.5 Standard 5-mm 30° laparoscope and straight laparoscopic instruments were used for subsequent manipulation. The video includes a brief review of a patient with refractory nonreconstructable PVD that operated with the same technique. Results and Conclusions: The procedure was completed without multiport laparoscopic or open conversion. The mean operative time was 67 minutes (range 55–110). The histological analysis of the resected ganglions revealed ganglion cells and nerve tissues. The skin temperature of the sole of the foot increased immediately after ganglion resection. The case of hyperhidrosis had anhidrosis of both feet at 1 month of follow-up and the case of PVD had significant relive of pain postoperatively. The mean hospital stay was 2.5 days. There was no operation-related complication. The potential benefit of single-port surgery that could only be concluded in this study is its cosmetic effect. According to our unpublished randomized study, the average final scar length of three 5-mm trocars is 3 cm for a standard laparoscopic surgery. Thus, the cosmetic advantages of single-port surgery are not only reduced number of incisions but also the reduced final total scar length. However, further prospective study is warranted to provide the evidence concerning the clinical benefits of single-port surgery other than cosmetic effect. In conclusion, our preliminary experience revealed that endoscopic single-port lumbar sympathectomy is a safe, feasible, and reproducible procedure. Shiu-Dong Chung, M.D., Tin-Chou Li, M.D., and Ta-Chung Shen, M.D., contributed equally to this work. No competing financial interests exist for any of the authors. Runtime of video: 7 mins 8 secs