Viscera Index Research Articles

Regulation Effect of a Chinese Herbal Formula on Flora and Mucosal Immune Secretory Immunoglobulin A in Rats.

Flora and mucosal immunity are considered to be the barrier, which is associated with multiple respiratory diseases, including recurrent respiratory tract infection (RRTI). Fei-Xi-Tiao-Zhi-Fang (FTF) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula used in the treatment of RRTI. However, the mechanism is little known. This study aims to identify the function of FTF in flora and mucosal immune secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in the model of RRTI rats. The samples of intestine and lung were collected to detect sIgA, short chain fatty acids (SCFAS), and flora with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), gas chromatography, and 16S rDNA sequencing. The body weight and viscera index were increased dynamically in RRTI rats after the administration of FTF. Furthermore, the types and proportions of aboriginal flora were significantly changed in the model group, whereas the altered flora was rescued in the FTF administration group. Desulfovibrio increased in the intestinal microflora and Ralstonia and Blautia decreased in the pulmonary microflora at the genus level, similar to that in the normal group. In addition, the expressions of sIgA in pulmonary and intestinal tissues were significantly upregulated and the level of SCFAS was increased in FTF group compared to the RRTI model group. Our study suggests that FTF can alleviate the symptoms of RRTI by increasing sIgA and SCFAS, recovering flora, and improving the immunity.

Enhanced efficacy with reduced toxicity of chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil by synergistic treatment with Abnormal Savda Munziq from Uyghur medicine

BackgroundAbnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq) is a traditional prescription in Uyghur Medicine, and its treatment of complex diseases such as tumors and asthma has been proven to be effective in Uyghur medical clinical practice. The efficacy-enhancing and toxicity-reducing properties of ASMq were studied on mice with transplanted cervical cancer (U27) tumors, which were treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in this work.MethodsTo investigate the synergistic effect of ASMq and 5-FU on U27 cells, inhibitory effects on cell proliferation were determined through a MTT assay. 48 Kunming mice which were randomly divided in to 6 groups: control group, model group, 5-FU group, 5-FU combine with ASMq low-dose group, 5-FU combine with ASMq medium-dose group, and 5-FU combine with ASMq high- dose group, the inhibition rate of the tumor, the viscera indexes, and the content of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined. The expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and human papillomavirus type 16 E2 (HPV16 E2) protein were assessed by Western blot. Pathological changes in the liver were observed.ResultThe inhibition rates of tumors, the 5-FU + ASMq.H group(80.64%), 5-FU + ASMq.M group (90.67%), 5-FU + ASMq.L group (72.03%) and 5-FU group (66.89%), clearly indicated that the effects of tumor inhibition. The thymus index and spleen index were increased, and the serum concentration of TNF-α increased while ALT and AST concentrations were decreased, and TNF-α protein expression were increased while TGF-β1 and HPV16 E2 were decreased. ASMq might can improve livers central vein hyperemia and interstitial edema, and preserve the radial structure of the hepatic cords.ConclusionsThe results suggested that ASMq might reduce toxicity and enhance the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of cervical carcinoma.

Improvement of skin condition by oral administration of collagen hydrolysates in chronologically aged mice.

Collagen hydrolysates (CHs) have been demonstrated to have positive effects on skin photoaging by topical application or oral ingestion. However, there has been little research on their influence on skin chronological aging. In this study, 9-month-old female ICR mice were given normal AIN-93M diets containing CHs (2.5, 5 and 10% w/w) from Nile tilapia scale. After 6 months, the collagen content and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) activities increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the survival rate, viscera indices and contents of moisture, fat and non-collagenous protein in skin did not change (P > 0.05). The color, luster and quantity of hair were obviously ameliorated. Moreover, the structure of epidermis and dermis, the density and distribution of collagen fibers and the ratio of type I to type III collagen were improved in a dose-dependent manner as shown by histochemical staining. Oral ingestion of CHs increased the collagen content and antioxidant enzyme activities and improved the appearance and structure of skin. These results suggest the potential of CHs as an anti-skin-aging ingredient in nutraceuticals or functional foods. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) require increased dietary levels of B-vitamins when fed diets with high inclusion of plant based ingredients.

Aiming to re-evaluate current recommendations for nutrient supplementations when Atlantic salmon are fed diets based on plant ingredients, two regression experiments, with parr and post-smolt, were conducted. A control diet was included to evaluate if ingredients supplied sufficient nutrients without any added nutrient package (NP). The nutrient package consisted of vitamins B, C, E, minerals, cholesterol, methionine, taurine and histidine. This paper focus on B-vitamins. In parr, growth, health and welfare parameters responded on NP additions, but this was not observed in the seawater stage. During three months of feeding, parr tripled their weight. Parr given diets added the NP above NRC (2011) showed improved protein retention, and reduced liver and viscera indices. Post-smolt fed the same diets during five months showed a doubling of weight, but did not respond to the variation in NP to the same extent as parr. Significant regressions were obtained in body compartments for several of the B-vitamins in the premix. Whole body biotin concentration was unaffected by micronutrient premix level, and mRNA expression of the enzymes dependent of biotin showed only weak increases with increased biotin. Muscle thiamine plateaued at a diet level similar to NRC (2011) recommendation in freshwater, and showed stable values independent on premix addition in seawater. The mRNA expression of the enzyme G6PDH (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) is sensitive to thiamine availability; results did not indicate any need to add thiamine above levels recommended for fish in general. Niacin showed a steady increase in whole body concentrations as feed niacin increased. Muscle riboflavin peaked at a diet level of 12.4 mg kg−1. Sufficient riboflavin is important to avoid e.g., development of cataract. Cataract was not registered to be any problem, neither in fresh- nor in seawater. Cobalamin (B 12) in muscle and liver was saturated at 0.17 mg kg−1 diet. Muscle pyridoxine showed a dose-dependent level in muscle, and peaked around 10 mg kg −1 diet. White muscle ASAT (asparagine amino transferase) activity steadily increased, with indications of stable values when dietary pyridoxine was around 10–16 mg kg −1 diet. Pantothenic acid increased in gill tissue up to a level of 5.5 mg kg −1 soft gill tissue; at a dietary level of 22 mg kg−1. Improved performance, and coverage of metabolic need for niacin was at a dietary level of 66 mg kg −1, riboflavin 10–12 mg kg−1, pyridoxine 10 mg kg−1 and panthotenic acid 22 mg kg−1. Based on these results, recommended B-vitamin supplementation in plant based diets for Atlantic salmon should be adjusted.

Utilization of metabonomics to identify serum biomarkers in murine H22 hepatocarcinoma and deduce antitumor mechanism of Rhizoma Paridis saponins

Murine H22 hepatocarcinoma model is so popular to be used for the preclinical anticancer candidate’s evaluation. However, the metabolic biomarkers of this model were not identified. Meanwhile, Rhizoma Paridis saponins (RPS) as natural products have been found to show strong antitumor activity, while its anti-cancer mechanism is not clear. To search for potential metabolite biomarkers of this model, serum metabonomics approach was applied to detect the variation of metabolite biomarkers and the related metabolism genes and signaling pathway were used to deduce the antitumor mechanisms of RPS. As a result, ten serum metabolites were identified in twenty-four mice including healthy mice, non-treated cancer mice, RPS-treated cancer mice and RPS-treated healthy mice. RPS significantly decreased tumor weight correlates to down-regulating lactate, acetate, N-acetyl amino acid and glutamine signals (p < 0.05), which were marked metabolites screened according to the very important person (VIP), loading plot and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) tests. For the analysis of metabolic enzyme related genes, RPS reversed the aerobic glycolysis through activating tumor suppressor p53 and PTEN, and suppressed FASN to inhibit lipogenesis. What’s more, RPS repressed Myc and GLS expression and decreased glutamine level. The regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR and HIF-1α/Myc/Ras networks also participated in these metabolic changes. Taken together, RPS suppressed ATP product made the tumor growth slow, which indicated a good anti-cancer effect and new angle for understanding the mechanism of RPS. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the utility of 1H NMR metabolic profiles taken together with tumor weight and viscera index was a promising screening tool for evaluating the antitumor effect of candidates. In addition, RPS was a potent anticancer agent through inhibiting cancer cellular metabolism to suppress proliferation in hepatoma H22 tumor murine, which promoted the application of RPS in the future.

Effects of the Coreopsis tinctoria extracts on anti-agingin the aging model mice

The effects of the Coreopsis tinctoria extracts on anti-aging were observed by investigating the cerebral index and viscera indexes, the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serums, the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the brain tissues and the ones of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver tissues of the aging model mice. The aging model mice were injected subcutaneously with D-galactose in vivo and intragastric administrated with the Coreopsis tinctoria extracts at doses of low (0.5g/kg), medium (1g/ kg) and high (2g/ kg) once daily for 6 weeks. The results showed that all the cerebral index, spleen index, thymus index, liver index and kidney index of the three groups dosed of the Coreopsis tinctoria extracts increased, the activities of GSH-Px in the brain tissues and the ones of CAT and SOD in the liver tissues increased to different degree while the contents of H2O2 and MDA in the serums decreased extremely and significantly (P&lt;0.01) compared with the aging model mice. All of these results suggested that the Coreopsis tinctoria extracts might possess anti-aging effects by improving antioxidant capacity of the mice.

Antiparasitic effects of oxymatrine and matrine against Toxoplasma gondii in vitro and in vivo

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an important pathogen which can causes serious public health problems. Since the current therapeutic drugs for toxoplasmosis present serious host toxicity, research on effective and new substances of relatively low toxicity is urgently needed. This study was carried out to evaluate the anti-parasitic effect of oxymatrine (OM) and matrine (ME) against T. gondii in vitro and in vivo. In our study, the anti-T. gondii activities of ME and OM were evaluated in vitro using cell counting kit-8 assay, morphological observation and trypan blue exclusion assay. In vivo, mice were sacrificed four days post-infection and ascites were drawn out to determine the extent of tachyzoite proliferation. Viscera indexes and liver biochemical parameters, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were examined to evaluate the toxicity of compounds to mice. As a result, OM and ME showed anti-T. gondii activity but low selectivity toxicity to HeLa cells. Both compounds also significantly decreased the number of tachyzoites in peritoneal cavity and recovered the levels of ALT, AST, GSH and MDA in liver. Moreover, the mice treated with OM or ME achieved better results in viscera index and survival rate than that of spiramycin. These results suggest that OM and ME are likely the sources of new drugs for toxoplasmosis, and further studies will be necessary to compare the efficacy of drug combination, as well as identify its action of mechanism.

Immunomodulatory and antioxidative activity of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides in mice

To evaluate the immune activation and reactive oxygen species scavenging activity of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharides (CMP) in vivo, 24 male and 24 female Kunming mice were randomly divided into four groups. The mice in the four experimental groups were administered 0 (normal control), 50, 100, or 200mg/kg/d body weight CMP via gavage. After 30 days, the viscera index, leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count, immunoglobulin (IgG) levels, and biochemical parameters were measured. The effect of CMP on the expression of tumor necrosis (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-1β in the spleens of experimental mice was investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the administration of CMP improved the immune function in mice, significantly increased the spleen and thymus indices, the spleen lymphocyte activity, the total quantity of white blood cells, and IgG function in mice serum. CMP exhibited significant antioxidative activity in mice, and decreased malondialdehyde levels in vivo. CMP upregulated the expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β mRNA in high-dose groups compared to that observed for the control mice. We can thus conclude that CMP effectively improved the immune function through protection against oxidative stress. CMP thus shows potential for development as drugs and health supplements.

Effect of combined treatment with cyclophosphamidum and allicin on neuroblastoma-bearing mice.

To evaluate the efficacy of allicin combined with cyclophosphamide on neuroblastoma (NB)-bearing mice and explore the immunological mechanism in it. A total of 30 NB-bearing mice were equally randomized into model group, cyclophosphamide group and combined therapy group, 10 nudemice were set as normal saline (NS) group. Cyclophosphamide group and combined therapy group were weekly injected with 60 mg/kg cyclophosphamide for four weeks; besides, combined therapy group was given with allicin (10 mg/kg/d) by gastric perfusion for 4 weeks; model group and NS group were given with the same volume of NS. Serum VEGF content was detected by ELISA pre-treating (0 d) and on the 3rd d, 14th d and 28th d; on 29th d, all mice were sacrificed and the tumor, liver, spleen and thymic tissues were weighted. Tumors were made into paraffin section for detecting tumor cell apoptosis and proliferation by TUNEL and BrdU method, respectively. Survival curves were drawn by Kaplan-Meier method. After treatment, both treatment groups relieved on viscera indexes, VEGF level, T cell subsets distribution and tumor growth and each index of combined therapy group was better than cyclophosphamide group (P<0.05 or 0.01); only combined therapy group could significantly increase the lifetime of NB-bearing mice (μ (2)=5.667, P=0.017). Allicin can improve T cell subsets distribution and inhibit VEGF expression through its immunomodulatory activity, thereby improve the efficiency on NB in coordination with cyclophosphamide.

Toxicity of selenium nanoparticles in male Sprague–Dawley rats at supranutritional and nonlethal levels

AimsWe synthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and examined their toxicity in male rats at supranutritional and nonlethal doses. Main methodsThe SeNPs were administered daily by gavage at doses of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 2.0, 4.0, or 8.0mgSe/kg-body weight (bw) in 2mL of 0.9% saline for 14 consecutive days. Body weight, viscera index and blood biochemical parameters were measured. Histopathological examination was performed on selected tissues, and liver tissue was examined for apoptotic cells. Key findingsBody weight decreased considerably in the groups given doses of 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0mgSe/kg-bw, but increased in the groups given doses of 0.2 and 0.4mgSe/kg-bw. The viscera index and some biochemical parameters in the 8.0mgSe/kg-bw group differed from the control group. Lesions in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and thymus, and apoptotic liver cells were observed in the 4.0 and 8.0mgSe/kg-bw groups. SignificanceFrom this study, we conclude that supranutritional levels of SeNPs had no obvious toxic effects in rats, and could be used as potential candidates for cancer chemoprevention, although doses greater than 2.0mgSe/kg-bw induced chronic toxicity.

Suppressive Effects of Dietary High Fluorine on the Intestinal Development in Broilers

Fluoride (F) is a well-recognized hazardous substance. Ingested F initially acts locally on the intestines. The small intestine plays a critical role in the digestion, absorption, and defense. In this study, therefore, we investigated the effects of fluorine on the intestinal development by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and histochemistry. A total of 280 one-day-old avian broilers were randomly divided into four groups and fed on a corn-soybean basal diet as control diet (fluorine, 22.6 mg/kg) or the same basal diet supplemented with 400, 800, and 1,200 mg/kg fluorine (high fluorine groups I, II, and III) in the form of sodium fluoride for 42 days. The results showed that the intestinal gross, histological, and ultrastructural changes were observed in the high fluorine groups II and III. Meanwhile, the intestinal length, weight, viscera index, villus height, crypt depth, villus height to crypt depth ratio, diameter, muscle layer thickness, and goblet cell numbers were significantly lower (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05), and the intestinal diameter to villus height ratio was markedly higher (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) in the high fluorine groups II and III than those in control group. In conclusion, dietary fluorine in the range of 800-1,200 mg/kg obviously altered the aforementioned parameters of the intestines, implying that the intestinal development was suppressed and the intestinal functions, such as digestion, absorption, defense, or osmoregulation were impaired in broilers.

Protective effect of purple sweet potato flavonoids on CCL4-induced acute liver injury in mice

To investigate the protective effect of purple sweet potato flavonoids (PSPF) on CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice. Sixty mice were randomly divided into six groups (n=10 in each): blank group, model group, PSPF groups (400 mg*kg(-1), 200 mg*kg-1 and 100 mg*kg(-1)) and positive control group (DDB 150 mg*kg(-1)). Acute liver injury was induced by administration of peanut oil with 0.1% CCl4 (10 mg*kg(-1)) in mice. The viscera index, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in hepatic tissues were also measured. The pathological changes of liver were observed with microscopy. PSPF significantly decreased serum ALT, AST and LDH levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and MDA content in hepatic tissues (P<0.01), increased the activities of SOD (P<0.01). Purple sweet potato total flavonoids can prevent CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice, which may be related to inhibition of lipid peroxidation and reduction of oxygen free radicals.

Effect of Probiotics on the Growth Performance and Muscle Composition of Crucian Carp

120 crucian carp were divided into 4 groups. Each group included two repeats with each of 15 crucian carp, and was fed with feedstuff mixed probiotics concentrations at 0.0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%. The figure index and viscera index were measured, and the nutrient compositions were analyzed after 32 feeding days. As a result, the best probiotics concentration is 0.4% on the increase of the weight gain and the nutrient compositions.

Effects of astragalus polysaccharide on growth performance, viscera index and pancreatic digestive enzyme activities of broilers

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of astragalus polysaccharide(APS) on growth performance,viscera index,and pancreatic digestive enzyme activities of broilers.256 healthy 1-day-old avian broilers were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups.Group CK,A,B and C received a basal diet supplemented with 0,0.2%,0.4% and 0.6% APS respectively for 14 d.The results showed that ①There were no significant effects of APS on growth performance both in 7-day-old and 14-day-old broilers(P0.05).②There were significant effects of APS on viscera index in 7-day-old broilers(viscera index in group A,B and C was higher than that in the CK,there were significant differences of liver and pancreas index between group B and the CK,there were significant differences of pancreas index between group C and the CK and pancreas index in group B and C were significantly higher than that in group A),but no significant effect on 14-day-old broilers.③Pancreatic lipase and trypsin activity in group A,B and C was higher than that of the CK.For 7-day-old broilers,pancreatic trypsin activity in group C was significantly higher than that in group A,B and the CK;pancreatic lipase activity of group C was significantly higher than that of group A and B.For 14-day-old broilers,pancreatic lipase activity of group A,B and C was higher than that of the CK,and that of group C was significantly higher than that of group A and B.There was no significant effect of APS on pancreatic amylase activity both in 7-day-old and 14-day-old broilers.These results indicated adding of APS had no significant effects on the growth performance of broilers but could increase pancreatic digestive enzyme activities and adding of 6% APS was more suitable to enhance those activities.

Effect of nano-TiO(2) intratracheal instillation on lipid metabolism of AopE gene-knockout mice

To investigate the effect of nano-TiO(2) intratracheal instillation on the progression of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice. The nano-TiO(2) was ultrasound with phosphate-buffered saline solutions (PBS) into its suspension for exposure. A total of 46 specific pathogen free (SPF) level of 11-week-old male apolipoprotein E-knockout mice were randomly divided into groups by their body weights: non-treatment group (8 mice), PBS control group (9 mice), high dose group (1.0 mg/ml, 10 mice), medium dose group (0.5 mg/ml, 10 mice), and low dose group (0.1 mg/ml, 9 mice). Except the non-treatment group, mice from other groups were intratracheally instilled with 0.05 ml each time, twice a week. After exposure of 6 weeks, viscera index, blood TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and organic lipid ratio were assessed as biomarkers. Artery and aortic root issues were assessed by histopathology. After 5 weeks exposure, mice body weights in high dose group ((29.7 ± 1.9) g) started to drop, compared to PBS control ((31.3 ± 1.9) g, t = -1.58, P < 0.05) and low dose group ((31.4 ± 1.4) g, t = -1.17, P < 0.05); after 6 weeks, high dose group ((28.8 ± 1.5) g) was lower than PBS control ((30.4 ± 1.9) g, t = -1.60, P < 0.05), non-treatment group ((30.2 ± 1.3) g, t = -1.43, P < 0.05) and low dose group ((30.6 ± 1.0) g, t = -1.83, P < 0.05). TC levels of non-treatment, PBS control, high dose group, medium dose group and low dose group were (2.92 ± 1.18), (3.12 ± 0.73), (4.19 ± 1.86), (3.46 ± 0.72) and (2.57 ± 0.64) mmol/L, respectively; TG levels were (0.39 ± 0.13), (0.39 ± 0.08), (0.60 ± 0.21), (0.55 ± 0.19) and (0.41 ± 0.11) mmol/L, respectively; HDL-C levels were (1.67 ± 0.45), (1.54 ± 0.67), (0.93 ± 0.50), (1.02 ± 0.48) and (1.31 ± 0.64) mmol/L; TG levels of high dose group were higher than that of non-treatment group (t = 1.27, P = 0.03) and low dose group (t = 1.62, P = 0.01); TG levels of medium dose group was higher than PBS control (t = 0.16, P = 0.04), and TC levels of high dose group were higher than PBS control (t = 0.22, P = 0.01), non-treatment group (t = 0.22, P = 0.04) and low dose group (t = 0.20, P = 0.03), and HDL-C levels of high dose group were lower than PBS control (t = -0.61, P = 0.04) and non-treatment group (t = -0.74, P = 0.04); organic lipid ratio of each group were (2.27 ± 0.51)%, (2.06 ± 0.53)%, (2.90 ± 0.50)%, (2.60 ± 0.23)%, (2.24 ± 0.45)%; high dose group were higher than PBS control (t = 0.85, P = 0.00), non-treatment group (t = 0.64, P = 0.03) and low dose group (t = 0.67, P = 0.01); medium dose group was higher than PBS control (t = 0.54, P = 0.02). The plaque lipid content and calcium content which showed the progression of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture were elevated in medium and high dose groups. Intratracheal instillation of nano-TiO(2) can induce dyslipidemia and accelerate the development of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture in ApoE-/-mice.

EFFECT OF ADDING NEUTRAL PROTEASE TO DIETS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, DIGESTION,AND BODY COMPOSITION OF FINGERLING BLACK CARP (&lt;I&gt;MYLOPHARYNGODON PICEUS&lt;/I&gt;)

A neutral protease product with an activity of 8000 u/g was used in the experiment. A basal diet without exogenous enzyme inclusion and four test diets adding 0.5‰,1‰,2‰ and 3‰ of the enzyme product respectively were prepared to feed five triplicate groups of fish with an initial average body weight of (3.03±0.04) g. The feeding trial was conducted in 15 re circulating tank systems (80L each) at a controlled water temperature of 25±0.5 ℃ and lasted for eight weeks. At the end of eight weeks,the weight gain of fish fed a diet with 0.5‰ of enzyme product showed no significant difference with that of fish fed basal diet (p0.05). When fish fed a diet with 1‰ of enzyme product,the weight gain increased significantly (p0.05) comparing with those of fish fed basal diet and the diet with 0.5‰ of enzyme product,but higher levels of enzyme product inclusion seemed not to improve weight gain further. Fish fed diet with 1‰,2‰ and 3‰ of enzyme product had higher feed ingest and lower feed conversion ratio than those of fish fed basal diet or the diet with 0.5‰ of enzyme product (p0.05). There was no effect of adding the enzyme product in the diets on the apparent digestibility of dry matter,intestine protease activity,intestine and hepato-pancreas amylase activity,body composition,Viscera index,and Hepato-pancreas index (p0.05). However,the apparent digestibility of dietary protein of fish fed four test diets were significantly higher than that of fish fed the basal diet (p0.05). The hepato-pancreas protease activity increased with increasing dietary supplementing the enzyme product up to 1‰,but above this level,it appeared to keep stable. In conclusion,under the condition of this experiment,adding 1‰ — 3‰ neutral protease product to fingerling black carp diet could promote feed ingest and digest capacity of dietary protein,and as a result,improve fish growth and feed conversion.

Physical Indices, Processing Yields, Compositional Parameters and Fatty Acid Profile of Three Species of Cultured Sturgeon (GenusAcipenser)

Cultured Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri), Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) and white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) of market size were examined for condition factor, eviscerated and dressed yields, white flesh yield, viscera-, hepato-somatic- and gonado-somatic indices. Muscle pH, chemical composition, cholesterol content and fatty acid profile of flesh were also determined. Significant differences were noted between species in eviscerated yield and white flesh yield (lowest in A naccarii, highest in A transmontanus), viscera index and gonado-somatic index (lowest in A transmontanus), but not in dressed yield. Muscle lipid content was 77·6, 106·4 and 44·9 g kg-1 wet weight in A baeri, A naccarii and A transmontanus, respectively. Acipenser baeri had the lowest saturated and the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid content, especially of the ω-3 series (as % total fatty acid methyl esters). Given the differences that emerged under uniform feeding regimen and environmental conditions, it would be reasonable to market the three species under their proper names, rather than under the generic term of ‘sturgeon’ as is presently done in Italy. © 1997 SCI.

Body traits in rainbow trout: I. Phenotypic means and standard deviations and sex effects

Data recorded at slaughter on 2–4-kg rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri) from three year-classes were analysed. The following traits were recorded for all fish: ungutted and gutted body weight; body lenght; dressing percentage; condition factor; gonad weight and gonad index; belly thickness, scored and measured; abdominal fat score, viscera weight and viscera index; and meat colour score. The following traits were recorded for a sample of the fish from each year class: body circumference at the pelvic, dorsal and anal fins; area of the cross sections at the pelvic and dorsal fins; two belly thickness traits measured on each cross section; total height, height and width of each cross section; water, fat and protein percentages in the meat of the cross section at the dorsal fin; three body shape traits; and five cross section shape traits. The means and standard deviations for most traits were very similar across year-classes. The phenotypic variation was high for body weight, belly thickness, abdominal fat and percent water and fat in the meat. The variation was also substantial for meat colour score, condition factor and for most of the shape traits. Except for gonad weight, gonad index and viscera weight, sex effects accounted for a small proportion of the total variance, but were significant for most traits and should be taken into account in making a model. The few significant sex-by-year-class interaction effects were negligible. As high selection intensity can be practised in this species, the possibilities for genetic improvement of most of the examined traits are very good, on the assumption that the traits also show genetic variation.