Juvenile Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon Idella Research Articles

Effects of acclimation temperature on growth, physiology and thermal tolerance of the juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella

Aquatic ichthyofauna are facing unfavourable temperature fluctuations due to the anthropogenic activities and global climate change. Effects of temperature in aquatic environments need to be explored for revealing its potential effects on the aquatic organisms. In present study, the effects of different acclimation temperatures on the oxidative stress, metabolism, thermal tolerance and growth of the grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella were studied. Grass carp fingerlings (10.40 ± 0.37 g) were reared for 60 days under different acclimation temperatures, i.e., 22 °C, 26 °C, 30 °C, 34 °C and 38 °C respectively. Significantly higher growth rate (weight gain and specific growth rate) and improved FCR of fish reared at 30 °C were observed, while under higher or lower acclimation temperatures, fish showed slow growth rate and high FCR. Growth rate in term of % weight gain and specific growth rate showed positive correlation with pyruvate kinase activity. Moreover, antioxidant parameters catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione contents (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) in different tissues (liver, brain, gills, muscles and intestine) of fish showed decreasing trend from 22 °C towards 30 °C acclimation temperatures. However, beyond 30 °C, i.e., from 34 °C to 38 °C fish showed oxidative stress response, indicated by increasing trend in antioxidant parameter levels. Moreover, thermal tolerance data revealed that fingerlings of C. idella reared at highest acclimation temperature (38 °C) showed highest CTMax and CTMin values, while those reared at lowest acclimation temperature (22 °C) showed lowest CTMax and CTMin values. Our present study provides new insights regarding the thermal tolerance of fish and can be practically implemented in aquaculture sector.

Field evaluation of electrofishing response thresholds for adult Grass Carp

AbstractObjectiveOptimal electrofishing waveforms and parameters have been established for juvenile Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella in controlled laboratory trials, but effective settings for adult Grass Carp in riverine systems remain to be determined. This work builds upon existing research by making opportunistic use of data collected in the Cuyahoga River, Ohio, to refine power standards for boat electrofishing that is used to target adult Grass Carp.MethodsOver 12 days of boat electrofishing surveys, we used a gradient of voltage settings at various ambient water conductivities to generate an electrofishing goal table for adult Grass Carp.ResultOur target power was 3550 W (1447–6507 W) higher, on average, than the target power recommended in previous studies for coolwater and warmwater fish species with 60 Hz. Results also show that a 40‐A control box is inadequate in locations where ambient water conductivities exceed 576 μS/cm and when power is limited.ConclusionRefining power standards for boat electrofishing that targets Grass Carp may increase catch rates to levels needed to suppress populations in the Great Lakes region and North America.

Lotic Environment Affects Morphological Characteristics and Energy Metabolism of Juvenile Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella

This study investigated the effect of a lotic environment on morphological characteristics and energy metabolism in juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella. The fish were stocked in the lotic environment and forced to swim for 12 h per day for 4 weeks at three water current velocities of 0.5, 2, and 4 body length s−1 (Bl s−1). The control fish were stocked in the lentic environment with water current velocities of 0 Bl s−1. The results showed that lotic environment significantly increased body weight, body length, and condition factor of grass carp. The first principal component (PC1) characterized by measured overall body size suggested that fish in a lotic environment had body stoutness and wider tail stalk. Standard metabolic rate (SMR), maximum metabolic rate (MMR), and aerobic swimming performance (Ucrit) were elevated with the increased water flow and positively correlated with PC1. The 4 Bl s−1 group showed significantly decreased contents of serum glucose and muscular glycogen, and a significantly increased level of serum lactic acid. The mRNA expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase-phosphorylate PPAR γ coactivator 1 α-nuclear respiratory factor 1 (AMPK-PGC1α-NRF1) pathway-related genes were significantly upregulated in red muscle of grass carp in the lotic environment. Water flow environment at 4 Bl s−1 significantly increased ratios of metabolic enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase/citrate synthase) and cytochrome c oxidase/citrate synthase) in the muscle. The relationship between morphological characteristics and metabolic capacity suggested that the body size of grass carp in a lotic environment was shaped to promote energy metabolism. The study identified the evidence of the mechanism and relationship of the trade-off between energy and morphology in grass carp.

Effects of dietary selenium on growth performance and oxidative stress in juvenile grass carpCtenopharyngodon idellus

Effects of dietary selenium on growth performance and oxidative stress in juvenile grass carp<i>Ctenopharyngodon idellus</i>

Effect of Tributyltin, Cadmium, and Their Combination on Physiological Responses in Juvenile Grass Carp.

Tributyltin (TBT) and cadmium (Cd) are two common pollutants in aquatic environments. This study was designed to examine the physiological responses of juvenile Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella to TBT, Cd, and their combination. Fish were apportioned into a control group, a TBT group (7.5 μg/L), a Cd group (2.97 mg/L), and a TBT-Cd group (7.5 μg/L TBT, 2.97 mg/L Cd(2+)) for 7 d. The following activities were measured: Na(+),K(+)-ATPase in gill tissues; nitric oxide synthase (NOS), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) in brain tissues; and lipid peroxidation (LPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC), and glutathione (GSH) in liver tissues. Cadmium-induced stress was suggested by alterations in antioxidant responses (MDA, LPO, and T-AOC) and neurological parameters (AChE, MAO, and NOS). Cadmium also induced Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and GSH activity. Compared with the responses among the Cd group, the combination of TBT and Cd not only decreased the level of GSH and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase but also increased the levels of MDA, LPO, AChE, MAO, and NOS. These results suggest that a combination of TBT and Cd could reduce the adverse effects of Cd on Grass Carp. However, the exact mechanisms for the combined effects TBT and Cd on these biomarkers require further investigation. Received September 28, 2015; accepted April 17, 2016.

Effects of graded levels of histidine on growth performance, digested enzymes activities, erythrocyte osmotic fragility and hypoxia-tolerance of juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella

A 10-week experiment was conducted to estimate the effects of graded levels of histidine on growth performance, digested enzymes activities, erythrocyte osmotic fragility and hypoxia-tolerance of juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella. Six isonitrogenous (38%) and isoenergetic semi-purified diets containing casein and gelatin with graded levels of histidine (0.45, 0.72, 1.02, 1.28, 1.55, 1.78g100g−1DM) were formulated. Each diet was assigned to triplicate groups of 30 fish (3.68±0.01) for each tank. The highest weight gain (WG, %), final body weight (FBW, g) and specific growth rate (SGR) were recorded when histidine level was 1.02% of the diet. Whole body protein and muscle protein were not significantly affected by the histidine level (P>0.05). Muscle histidine content was linearly increased along with the dietary histidine increasing (P<0.05). Fish fed histidine deficient diet (0.45g100g−1) exhibited highest erythrocyte osmotic fragility (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the shortest survival time and lowest catalase (CAT) activity and total antioxidant capacity were also recorded in fish fed histidine deficient diet (P<0.05). Second-degree polynomial regression analysis of final body weight data indicated that the minimum recommended dietary histidine requirement for grass carp was 1.21% of the diet, corresponding to 3.2% of dietary protein. Statement of relevanceThe present study determined optimum dietary histidine requirement for juvenile grass carp and the data goes to 1.21% of the diet, corresponding to 3.2% of dietary protein. We also found that juvenile grass carp fed with histidine deficiency diet not only limited their growth performance, but also exhibited higher erythrocyte osmotic fragility, lower hypoxia-tolerance and antioxidant enzyme activities. Digested enzyme activities were also significantly affected by the dietary histidine levels. Thus, it is important to meet histidine requirement when commercial diets are formulated for this species.

Experimental evaluation of calcein and alizarin red S for immersion marking grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus

Calcein (CAL) and alizarin red S (ARS) at concentrations of 50–200 and 150–300 mg/l, respectively, were used for immersion marking juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus. With the exception of non-lateral line scales from the 150 mg/l ARS treatment and lateral line scales from the 150, 200 mg/l ARS treatments, immersion for 24 h produced detectable marks in sagittae, lateral line and non-lateral line scales, and fin rays (dorsal, pectoral, ventral, anal, and caudal) at 100 days post-marking. Detectable fluorescent marks in sagittae were readily observed at concentrations of 150–200 mg/l CAL or 200–300 mg/l ARS. Marks were poorly visible in all non-lateral line and lateral line scales from ARS-treated groups. Fluorescent marks were readily detected in non-lateral line and lateral line scales at 150–200 mg/l CAL, and in fin rays at 100–200 mg/l CAL or 150–300 mg/l ARS. In particular, optimal marks were observed at comparatively high concentrations investigated in sagittae (300 mg/l ARS) and fin rays (100–200 mg/l CAL or 250–300 mg/l ARS). There was no significant difference on the survival or growth of marked fish compared to controls throughout the experiment (P > 0.05).

Total aromatic amino acid requirement of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

This experiment was conducted to investigate total aromatic amino acid requirement of juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic semipurified diets containing casein and gelatin with graded level of phenylalanine (7.8, 11.1, 14.4, 17.6, 21.7, 24.9 g kg−1 DM) were formulated. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate group of 30 fish (3.58 ± 0.002 g, mean ± SEM) each tank for 8 weeks. The highest weight gain (WG, %), final body weight (g) and specific growth rate were recorded when phenylalanine level was 17.6 g kg−1 of the diet. Fish muscle protein content, protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed conversion ratio and alanine aminotransferase were significantly affected by dietary phenylalanine level. The polynomial regression calculated using WG and PER indicated that the optimal dietary total aromatic amino acid (phenylalanine + tyrosine) requirement for juvenile grass carp was 24.4 g kg−1 of the diet, corresponding to 65.9 g kg−1 of dietary protein.

Dietary arginine requirement of juvenile grass carpCtenopharyngodon idella(Valenciennes in Cuvier &amp; Valenciennes, 1844)

This experiment was conducted to estimate the optimum requirement of arginine for juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella. Six isonitrogenous (38%) and isoenergetics (16 MJ kg−1) semi-purified diets containing casein and gelatine with graded level of arginine (0.93, 1.20, 1.51, 1.84, 2.10 and 2.41 g 100 g−1 DM) were formulated. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 25 fish each tank (initial weight: 3.84 ± 0.01) for 10 weeks. The highest weight gain (WG, %) was recorded when arginine level was 2.10% of the diet. Dietary arginine level higher than 1.84% significantly increased the protein contents of whole body. Whole body amino acid composition of juvenile grass carp was not significantly affected by the dietary arginine level. Plasma-free arginine level was increased linearly with increasing of arginine level in the diets, and the plasma-free ornithine level was significantly higher when the dietary arginine level was 2.41% compared with other groups. Quadratic model analysis of SGR data indicated that the minimum recommended dietary arginine requirement for grass carp was 2.17% of the diet, corresponding to 5.71% of dietary protein.

Effects of graded levels of threonine on growth performance, biochemical parameters and intestine morphology of juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of threonine on growth performance, biochemical parameters and intestine morphology of juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic semi-purified diets containing casein and gelatin with graded level of threonine (0.73, 1.03, 1.33, 1.63, 1.93, 2.23 g 100 g− 1 DM) were formulated. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 fishes (4.02 ± 0.004 g, mean ± S.E.M.) each tank for 10 weeks. The highest weight gain (WG, %), final body weight (FBW, g) and specific growth rate (SGR) were recorded when threonine level was 1.33% of the diet. Second-degree polynomial regression analysis of SGR data indicated that the optimum requirement of threonine is to be at 1.37%, corresponding to 3.61% of dietary protein. Whole body protein, muscle protein, aspartate aminotransferase and cholesterol were significantly affected by the threonine level (P < 0.05). Threonine retention was significantly affected by dietary threonine level (P < 0.05). Fish fed threonine deficiency diets (0.73%, 1.03%) exhibited intestinal villus exfoliation, twist, severely fusion, lower anterior intestinal villus height and serosa thickness. The present results indicated that dietary threonine level not only affected grass carp growth, feed intake and body protein synthesis, but also influenced anterior intestinal development and integrity.

Dietary taurine can improve the hypoxia-tolerance but not the growth performance in juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary taurine, as a feed additive, on the hypoxia-tolerance and growth performance of the juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus, one of the most important and intensively cultured freshwater fish, with the largest production in China. Graded levels of taurine (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 g kg(-1) dry diet) were fed to grass carp juveniles (mean weight: 5.26 ± 0.03 g) for 8 weeks. The survival time during acute hypoxia increased as dietary levels of taurine increased, with the highest dose of taurine resulting in the best acute hypoxia-tolerance. The erythrocyte osmotic fragility in grass carp was significantly improved when dietary taurine level was at least 1.5 g kg(-1) diet and can be improved much more when dietary taurine level was up to 2.5 g kg(-1) diet. A significant correlation between hemolysis rate of the erythrocyte osmotic fragility test and the survival time of acute hypoxia (r = -0.873, P = 0.023 < 0.05) strongly suggested that the biomembrane stabilization function of taurine may contribute to its role of enhancing acute hypoxia-tolerance in grass carp. Dietary taurine cannot improve growth performance of grass carp, but it can increase the value of mesenteric fat index, indicating that dietary taurine influences the lipid metabolism. This study provides valuable information to improve hypoxia-tolerance of grass carp.

Utilization of Glucose and Cornstarch by Juvenile Grass Carp

AbstractAn experiment was conducted in a recirculation system to study the carbohydrate utilization of juvenile grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella (11.3 ± 0.1 g) fed a 30% glucose or cornstarch diet for 70 d and maintained at 28.9 ± 0.5°C. While weight gain, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, carcass‐to‐body weight ratio, and whole‐body moisture were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05), the viscera‐to‐body weight ratio, mesenteric fat index, and whole‐body and tissue lipid levels were lower in the glucose than in the cornstarch group. These results showed that carbohydrate utilization by juvenile grass carp was affected by the complexity of the carbohydrates, which, in turn, resulted in different degrees of enlarged hepatopancreas and viscera as well as increased body and tissue lipid depositions.

Scope for Growth of Juvenile Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella Exposed to Nitrite

The toxic effect of waterborne nitrite on the energy budget of juvenile grass carp was measured. In grass carp exposed to nitrite, the ingestion rates were unaffected, whereas assimilation efficiency and assimilation were reduced. The respiratory rate decreased with the nitrite exposure, most probably attributed to metahemoglobin formation in fish blood and to decreased swimming activity. The nitrogen excretion rate increased in fish exposed to nitrite. This could be a result of an increase in protein catabolism and may be an important physiological adaptation to offset the effects of nitrite toxicity. Nitrite exposure reduced energy channelized to somatic growth, the gross growth efficiency and survival in carp exposed to the highest nitrite concentrations.