فهرست مطالب
Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences
Volume:24 Issue: 4, Jul 2025
- تاریخ انتشار: 1404/04/10
- تعداد عناوین: 18
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Pages 705-715
Yellowstrip barracuda, Sphyraena chrysotaenia (Klunzinger, 1884) is exploited by gillnets along the Gulf of Aqaba coast, Red Sea, Egypt. Although barracuda species were caught in considerable amounts in the Gulf, there are no separate records for their catch. The population parameters of S. chrysotaenia were investigated in the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt to cover the gap in the knowledge about the life history of the species in this area. A total of 590 individuals were examined by bi-monthly sampling from January 2021 to June 2023. The total length distribution of S. chrysotaenia ranged from 16.0 to 35.3 cm and the weight distribution from 25.0 to 240.0 g. Length- weight investigation showed that females were slightly heavier than males of the same size and both sexes showed negative allometric growth. The maximum ages resultant from otolith readings were six years for females and males. Growth parameters, L∞, K and t0 were estimated as 39.87 cm TL, 0.296/year and -0.52 year, respectively. Natural mortality of the stock was 0.64/year, and total mortality was 1.67/year, while fishing mortality was 1.03/year. Accordingly, the exploitation ratio was calculated as 0.62, indicating that the resource is currently under high fishing pressure, and any further increase in effort impact the fishery. Emax and E0.5 were 1.0 and 0.41, respectively and therefore, it is recommended to decrease the fishing effort to attain E0.5 or to keep it at its current level. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first time to evaluate the age, growth and mortality rates of this species in the Gulf of Aqaba, and the findings of this study will be valuable for fishery managers and for sustainable exploitation.
Keywords: Gulf Of Aqaba, Sphyraena Chrysotaenia, Population Parameters, Critical Lengths, Management -
Pages 717-734
The objective of the study is to describe the length-frequency distribution, (2) to estimate the growth parameters by counting growth bands deposited on whole otolith (3) to determine the white grouper natural mortality. White grouper (Epinephelus aeneus) sampled from Soumbédioune, Mbour, and Joal along the southwestern coast of Senegal in 2020 (n = 973) were aged by counting opaque bands on whole sagittal otoliths. Total length (TL) ranged from 179.0 to 948.0 mm with an average of 422.48±133.79 mm. Analysis of otolith edge type (opaque or translucent) revealed that annuli formed in July-January with a peak in November. White grouper was aged up to 8 years, and the largest fish measured 948 mm in total length (TL). The von Bertalanffy function provided the following parameters: L∞=1042 mm, K=0.13 year-1 and t0= -1.48 year. Natural mortality (M) estimated by Hewitt & Hoenig’s longevity-based method which integrates all ages was 0.50. Because this is a species with a low growth rate, the population of E. aeneus in Senegalese coast requires prudent management. Furthermore, fishery managers need to consider as part of any harvest strategy for these fish the preservation of significant levels of the spawning stock by reducing the numbers of juvenile fish captured in the shrimp trawls and for sale in the market.
Keywords: Epinephelus Aeneus, Otolith, Age, Growth, Mortality, Senegal Coast -
Pages 735-745
Viral infections pose a significant challenge to modern aquaculture. Among these, koi herpesvirus disease (KHVD) causes significant economic losses in carp aquaculture. KHVD is a highly contagious and emerging disease that causes significant mortality in common carp and koi. It is caused by Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3), commonly known as “koi herpesvirus.” The World Organization for Animal Health has classified KHVD as a notifiable infectious disease since 2007, emphasizing the need for early detection and reporting to facilitate effective disease management. This study aimed to detect KHVD at the molecular level and conduct a histopathological examination of suspected carp farm mortalities in the Susangerd region (Khuzestan, Iran). Gill tissue samples were collected from infected fish at affected farms, followed by molecular assays and pathological analyses to identify CyHV-3. This study represents the first confirmed detection of KHV in carp farm mortalities in the region using clinical, histopathological, and molecular investigations. Clinically, infected fish exhibited lethargy, erratic swimming, congregation on the surface of the water, movement along the pond’s perimeter, frequent gasping for air, occasional excessive mucus production on the skin, and sunken eyes before death. The histopathological analysis revealed gill tissue abnormalities, including hyperplasia, congestion, and intranuclear inclusions with chromatin margination. Additionally, the sequence analysis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product confirmed CyHV-3 as the causative agent of these mortalities. The sequenced viral product was submitted to GenBank under accession number PQ120584.
Keywords: Viral Infection, Carp, Koi Herpesvirus Disease, Cyprinid Herpesvirus 3 -
Pages 747-756
In this study, 300 juvenile Siberian sturgeon with an average weight of 100.25±3.17 g were distributed in 12 fiberglass tanks (300 liters each) with a density of 25 fish per tank. Over 56 days, they were fed diets containing fermented poultry waste derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 0% (control), 20% (T1), 30% (T2), and 40% (T3) as a replacement for fishmeal. The growth results showed that the final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate increased significantly in T2 treatment compared to other treatments, especially the control group (p<0.05). The lowest and highest feed conversion ratio was observed in T2 treatment (1.2±0.11) and the control (1.5±0.23) respectively (p<0.05). The fish fed with T2 treatment showed the highest crude protein content (18.4±1.26) and the lowest crude fat content (1.35±0.29). However, there was no significant difference in the moisture and fat content between the different experimental treatments. The results indicate a significant difference in the levels of immunoglobulin IgM, respiratory activity (production of oxygen radicals), and serum lysozyme activity in the fish fed diet containing 30% treatment compared to other treatments, especially the control (p<0.05). Overall, the addition of 30% fermented poultry waste from S. cerevisiae instead of fishmeal is recommended to maximize growth performance and improve the immune system.
Keywords: Carcass Composition, Growth Performances, Immune Indices, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Siberian Sturgeon -
Pages 757-779
The viscera of narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) fish contains abundant alkaline and acidic proteases that can be isolated using various methods. We purified pepsinogen from S. commerson viscera using ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-50 gel filtration, and DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography. Two peaks corresponding to pepsinogen were observed during gel filtration and further purified using ion-exchange chromatography. Additionally, we investigated the effects of polyethylene glycol graphene oxide (GO-PEG) at a concentration of 3 mg/mL on enzyme activity and stability. Results demonstrated a significant enhancement in enzyme activity and increased stability at higher temperatures compared to the control group. These findings suggest that GO-PEG can improve enzyme production and stability. However, purified pepsin was found to be inactive in the presence of 0.1 M pepstatin A. In conclusion, S. commerson viscera offers a valuable source for pepsin purification. The purification process involving ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and ion-exchange chromatography successfully obtained purified pepsinogen. The use of GO-PEG exhibited promising potential in enhancing enzyme activity and stability, highlighting the role of nanosheets in improving enzyme thermal stability.
Keywords: Fish Viscera, Graphene Oxide, Pepsin Purification, Thermal Stability, Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel -
Pages 781-793
To phenotypically and biologically characterize the population of pike perch Sander lucioperca and to detect any potential variability between sexes, this study focused on analyzing sexual dimorphism and morphological differences based on morphometric and meristic characters, along with examining the length-weight relationships and condition factor. The growth type reveals positive allometry in both sexes. The Fulton’s condition factor (KF) value exceeded 1 for both males and females, suggesting that the fish were in good conditions. No sexual dimorphism was found in the meristic characters of either sex. However, morphometric characteristics show that male individuals are distinguished by deeper bodies and extended pectoral and pelvic fins in comparison to females. The results of this study highlight six morphological differences between male and female Sander lucioperca, showing pronounced sexual dimorphism. These findings play a crucial role in the successful management and preservation of this species' population in Morocco, particularly in the Al Massira Dam Lake.
Keywords: Sander Lucioperca, Length-Weight Relationships, Condition Factor, Sexual Dimorphism, Al Massira Dam Lake -
Pages 795-818
The present study investigated the effects of water temperature and culture duration on Silurus asotus or Anguilla japonica growth performance and bacterial community in a biofloc technology (BFT)-based system. A temperature-dependent higher growth performance was observed in S. asotus or A. japonica with the highest growth rate at 30℃ culture temperature. In 25℃-BFT tanks, the bacterial diversity achieved the highest value before rearing the fish, while the highest bacterial diversity was observed in 30℃-BFT tanks after rearing eel or catfish. The bacterial communities were differentially clustered depending on the temperature, culture duration, and fish species. Proteobacteria and bacteroidetes were the most dominant phyla and 45 predominant genera were identified. Among the predominant genera, Cetobacterium was the most abundant which accounts for 16-38% in the BFT tanks of catfish with different water temperatures. Nannocystis (22.3%), Cetobacterium (10.2%), and Bacillus (13.3%) were observed the most abundant in the 20℃, 25℃, or 30℃ maintained BFT tanks of eel, respectively. Notably, the correlation analysis demonstrated Devosia abundance could affect catfish growth positively, while the Flavobacterium abundance could affect eel growth negatively. Additionally, Exiguobacterium acetylicum SK4913 exhibited the most probiotic potential among the 27 isolates from all the BFT tanks considering its multi-enzymatic activities. In summary, the culture temperature at the biofloc-preparation stage and fish growth stage should be maintained at 20℃ and 25-30℃, respectively.
Keywords: Biofloc, Microbiota, Next-Generation Sequencing, Probiotic, BFT -
Pages 819-835
The sea urchin Echinometra sp. is a native species of the Persian Gulf. Despite its great ecological value, the reproductive biology of this animal has not been studied in the Persian Gulf. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe the annual reproductive cycle of this species from the Persian Gulf via gonadal tissue indicators. In the present study, approximately 120 males and females were collected monthly (approximately 10 samples/month) between February 2023 and January 2024 from the tidal zone of the Bushehr coast of the Northern Persian Gulf. The sex of the samples, different stages of sexual maturity, mean gonadal index, gonad coverage area, frequency of oocytes in different stages, and diameter of the oocytes were determined via gonadal tissue sections. Six stages of sexual maturity, including the repair, growth, premature, mature, spawning, and reabsorption stages, were detected in the gonads of the males and females. Only one annual reproductive cycle was identified for this species. In females, this cycle included a period of gametogenic activity (from December to June) and a spawning period of several months (from June to August), followed by a long period of recovery and sexual rest (from August to the end of December). In males, gametogenesis starts in October and lasts until the end of May. This period was followed by the spawning period from June to August and then a short period of recovery and sexual rest (September). It seems that a decrease in seawater temperature stimulates the start of the gametogenic cycle and high seawater temperatures stimulate the release of gametes of Echinometra sp. in Bushehr. In general, Echinometra sp. has a specific spawning season from late spring to early summer and is not able to spawn throughout the year.
Keywords: Sea Urchin, Echinoderms, Reproductive Biology, Persian Gulf, Echinometra Sp -
Pages 837-852
A study on the feeding and reproductive habits of the Caspian roach (Rutilus caspicus) in Iranian waters was conducted from April 2016 to March 2017. The stomach contents of 330 specimens were analyzed and 104 specimens were chosen for detailed investigation. Of these, 47 had empty stomachs, and 57 contained food. The stomach emptiness index peaked in winter (73%) and was lowest in spring (11%). Gastropods were identified as the primary food source, alongside crabs, bivalves, and plant fragments. Reproductive analysis showed the largest mean ovum diameter (1.501±0.1 mm) at age 4 and the smallest (0.76±0.15 mm) at age 2. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) in females ranged from 0.05 to 0.10, with spawning beginning in March and lasting until mid-spring. The mean absolute fecundity was 19,469 eggs, with 50% of females reaching maturity at 138 mm and males at 125 mm. A significant linear relationship was observed between fork length, weight, and absolute fecundity (p<0.05). This research provides valuable insights into the seasonal diet, reproductive biology, and ecological behavior of R. caspicus. The findings are crucial for understanding the species’ role in the Caspian Sea ecosystem and informing its management and conservation.
Keywords: Rutilus Caspicus, Feeding Habits, Nutrition, Fecundity, Caspian Sea -
Pages 853-862
Improving feed quality and efficiency is crucial for sustainable aquaculture practices, particularly for giant gourami (Osphronemus gourami) cultivation. One of the useful strategies is the inclusion of kombucha tea in the diet. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of kombucha tea supplementation on the intestinal histomorphology and growth performance of giant gourami. A completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments and four replications was used. The treatments consist of a control diet (T0) and diets supplemented with 10 ml (T10), 15 ml (T15), 20 ml (T20), and 25 ml (T25) of kombucha tea per kg of feed. The fish were fed three times daily to satiation for 40 days. The result showed that kombucha tea considerably increased the villi length (p<0.05), enhancing nutrient absorption and fish growth performance (p<0.05). The highest specific growth rate (2.21±0.12 %.day-1) and feed conversion ratio (1.42±0.09) were observed in T25 group, while statistically similar to T20 (p>0.05). These findings suggest that supplementing kombucha tea on a diet improves intestinal morphology, promoting better feed utilization and growth performance. This strategy offers a sustainable approach to enhancing feed efficiency and productivity in giant gourami aquaculture.
Keywords: Growth, Intestine, Kombucha Tea, Productivity, Sustainable Aquaculture -
Pages 863-885
Co-infection with Streptococcus iniae and Vibrio harveyi is the major health challenge in Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer) farms. Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing these diseases, therefore, this study presents an efficacious bivalent vaccine against S. iniae and Vibrio harveyi infections in Asian sea bass. 420 juvenile sea bass (weighing 20.35 ± 0.37 g) were separated into seven equal groups in triplicates: group A: received Phosphate-buffered saline as a control group, groups B and E: immunized with S. iniae vaccine via injection (S.i-Inj) and immersion (S.i-Im) routes, groups C and D: immunized with V. harveyi vaccine via immersion (V.h-Im) and injection (V.h-Inj) routes, and groups F and G: immunized with bivalent S. iniae+V. harveyi vaccine via immersion (Bi-im) and injection (Bi-inj) routes. The blood, serum, and gene samples were taken on 0, 30, and 60 days of the experiment and to measure specific and non-specific immune parameters, hematological and immune-related gene expression. The bacterial challenge test was used as a protective immunity measure at the end of the experiment. The results showed that the injection bivalent vaccine (S. iniae+V. harveyi) route was more effective than monovalent vaccines in enhancing the specific (antibody titer) and non-specific (lysozyme and complement activity, Nitro Blue Tetrazolium (NBT) reduction, protein, and globulin level) immune responses. Meanwhile, the vaccine efficacy and expression of IL-10 and GM-CFC genes in the bivalent vaccine were significantly higher (P<0.05) than monovalent vaccines. These results indicate that the high immunogenicity and protective immunity provided by the bivalent vaccine (S. iniae+V. harveyi) strongly support its use as a general preventive measure against streptococosis and vibriosis in Asian sea bass farms.
Keywords: Asian Sea Bass, Lates Calcarifer, Bivalent Vaccine, Streptococcus Iniae, Vibrio Harveyi, Immunogenicity -
Pages 887-912
This study investigated the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Chlorella vulgaris nanoparticles (ChVNPs) on growth, oxidant stress, bioenergetics, muscle amino acids, and profitability in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under hypoxia and cold stress. We divided 180 fingerlings (10.03± 0.5 g) into four equal groups with three replicates (15 fish /replicate). Nile tilapia received basal diet (control), basal diet with ChVNPs (5g/kg diet), basal diet with AgNPs (0.02 mg/kg diet), or basal diet with both ChVNPs and AgNPs (mixed group). Each group was subdivided into three subgroups with stress exposure (hypoxia or cold) or without stress (control). After 45 days, growth performance and feed utilization of fish exposed to AgNPs showed significant improvement. The mixed treatment significantly (p˂0.05) reduced the stress-induced elevation of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and cortisol. Hypoxia and cold stresses induced oxidant stress marked by significant reduction (p˂0.05) in SOD, CAT, and GSH levels and significantly increased in MDA, NO, and GSSG. Basal diet with both ChVNPs and AgNPs (mixed group) significantly altered the oxidant-antioxidant status. The hypoxia and cold stress modulated the muscle amino acid profile by reducing ISO, LEU, METH, and TAU and increasing LYS. In basal diet with both ChVNPs and AgNPs (mixed group), muscle ARG, HIS, LYS, PHEN, VAL and ASP were significantly decreased (p˂ 0.05) in compared with other treated groups, whereas; ISO, LEU, METH, TUA, SER, GLY, ALA, and PRO were significantly increased (p˂0.05) in compared with other treated groups. Stress significantly decreased (p˂0.05) muscle ATP and increased ADP and AMP that were modified by the basal diet with both ChVNPs and AgNPs (mixed group). The fish diet supplemented with AgNPs achieved the highest economic profits compared to other treatments. However, basal diet with both ChVNPs and AgNPs (mixed group) is recommended to alleviate adverse stressors effect.
Keywords: Antioxidant Capacity, Amino Acid Profile, Cold, Hypoxia Stress, Agnps, Muscle ATP -
Pages 913-951
This study investigates the transformative potential of smart tools and artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing quality assurance and safety within the agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture sectors. A structured analytical framework is used to evaluate key AI algorithms—Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machines (SVM), Deep Learning, Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Fuzzy Logic, and Random Forests—emphasizing their mathematical foundations and practical integration into intelligent systems. The convergence of AI with advanced technologies such as computer vision (CV), the Internet of Things (IoT), and sensor-based monitoring is identified as a catalyst for real-time decision-making, robust quality control, and improved operational efficiency across the food supply chain. In agriculture, AI-powered tools enable precision farming, early pest and disease detection, and data-driven crop health monitoring. In fisheries and aquaculture, intelligent systems support automated feeding, disease prediction, and sustainable resource utilization. This study applies a structured literature-based analysis combined with performance benchmarking from empirical studies, showcasing validated use cases and quantitative accuracy metrics across various AI applications. The integration of AI technologies significantly improves traceability, reduces post-harvest losses, and enhances food safety in complex supply networks. Reported outcomes indicate high performance, with accuracy rates exceeding 80% in areas such as pathogen prediction, food recognition, microplastic detection, aquaculture optimization, and species classification. Specific applications show notable precision in microalgae classification (97.67–97.86%), seaweed identification (93.5%), and fish freshness assessment (up to 100%). Despite these advancements, the study acknowledges ongoing challenges related to data standardization, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. The findings highlight the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and continuous innovation. Ultimately, the strategic adoption of AI and smart tools is essential for building resilient, secure, and sustainable food systems and also offers significant indicators for future research.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Smart Tools, Intelligent Manufacturing, Enhanced Processing Traceability -
Pages 953-968
Coral reefs are considered among the most important marine ecosystems and host a wide range of species, but in most habitats, including the Persian Gulf, they are under serious threat due to several factors such as human activities and climate change. The formation of coral reefs is due to the symbiosis of a type of symbiotic microalgae that plays an important role in providing organic matter and calcium carbonate sediments for corals. This study investigates and molecularly identifies symbiotic microalgae associated with 17 species of reef-building corals collected from Shidvar Island: Porites lobata, Dipsatrea pallida, Porites compressa, Dipsatrea matthaii, Acropora downingi, Platygyra daedalea, Plesiastrea versipora, Cyphastrea serailia, Cyphastrea microphthalma, Leptastrea transversa, Platygyra sinensis, Porites sp., Pavona decussata, Psammocora stellata, Favites pentagona, Anomastrea irregularis, and Acropora arabensis. DNA was extracted using the Chloroform-CTAB method and the target gene ITS2 was amplified with a zooxanthellae-specific primer. Then, the PCR product was sequenced and a Bayesian phylogenetic tree and maximum likelihood were constructed using MrBayes and Mega5 software. Phylogenetic results showed the dominance of the heat-resistant clade D, especially subclade D1a, followed by clade C1, and the presence of clade A in Leptastrea transversa. The dominance of clade D, which seems natural due to its high resistance to thermal stresses, highlights the adaptation and resistance of the Persian Gulf corals to high temperatures, salinity fluctuations, and other stressors.
Keywords: Coral Reefs, Persian Gulf, Shidvar Island, ITS2 Sequencing, Phylogenetic Tree, Symbiodiniaceae -
Pages 969-981
Chlorella, a green microalga, is valued in food and medicine for its high nutritional and functional properties. Reactive oxygen species can cause oxidation reactions linked to cardiovascular diseases, degenerative conditions, and cancer. However, bioactive compounds and carotenoids in microalgae can help to alleviate certain disease symptoms by protecting tissues. Polysaccharides from C. vulgaris were extracted using a hot water method and their antioxidant activity was evaluated through the DPPH radical scavenging method and reducing power. The impact on the death rate of mouse colon cancer cells (CT-26) was also assessed using the 2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The analysis showed that C. vulgaris contained 19.08±0.09 w/v % polysaccharides and yielded about 5% of its dry weight. The extracted polysaccharides demonstrated antioxidant activity with the highest DPPH inhibition and reducing power, measuring 91.15% and 0.781% at 6 mg/mL, respectively. BHA at 0.031 mg/mL exhibited DPPH scavenging (39.78%) and reduced the power (3.65%). The polysaccharides also showed cytotoxic effects, specifically against CT-26 cells with an IC50 value of 481.53μg/mL after 48 h. These findings suggest that polysaccharides from C. vulgaris may possess potential cytotoxic properties against tumor cell lines.
Keywords: Cytotoxicity, Polysaccharides, Chlorella Vulgaris, Biochemical Compounds -
Pages 983-999
The increasing demand for sustainable protein resources in aquaculture has prompted the exploration of alternative feed ingredients, such as mealworm (MW; Tenebrio molitor). This study evaluates the effects of MW inclusion on the fatty acid composition and proximate analysis of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) during a 60-day feeding trial involving juvenile shrimp, which were assigned to five experimental diets with varying MW inclusion levels: T0 (0% MW), T15 (15% MW), T30 (30% MW), T60 (60% MW), and T100 (100% MW), all formulated to maintain a protein content of approximately 37%. Proximate analysis indicated that fishmeal (FM) contained a crude protein level of 56.31%, while MW had a comparable content of 53.10% (p>0.05). However, FM demonstrated significantly higher levels of digestible protein, ash, and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) compared to MW, which was characterized by higher lipid and fiber contents. The analysis of shrimp muscle composition revealed that increased MW inclusion (T30-T100) significantly enhanced crude protein levels (p<0.05), while T0 showed the highest crude lipid content (p<0.05). FA profiling indicated that FM was abundant in essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 8.54%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 13.57%). Conversely, MW lacked these essential FAs, leading to a decrease in EPA and DHA levels in shrimp muscle as MW inclusion increased. The predominant FAs in shrimp muscle shifted towards oleic acid (C18:1c), particularly in the T100 treatment. The findings of this study indicate that increased inclusion of MW significantly enhances the crude protein levels in Pacific white shrimp while concurrently leading to a decrease in essential fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. This highlights the necessity for dietary supplementation with alternative lipid sources to meet the essential fatty acid requirements of L. vannamei.
Keywords: Mealworm, Shrimp, Fishmeal, Fatty Acid, Nutrition, Feed Formulation, Insect Meal, Sustainable Aquaculture -
Pages 1001-1013
In the present study, we detected changes in immune parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and reproductive gene expression in adult female zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to different concentrations of 17-ethinylestradiol (EE2). A total of 300 healthy adult females were divided into 15 aquaria, which were allocated to five treatments with three replicates. The zebrafish were exposed to varying concentrations of EE2 including 0.5 (T0.5), 5 (T5), 50 (T50), and 500 (T500) ng L⁻¹, along with an unexposed control group (ultrapure water, T0) for 21 days. After 21 days, lysozyme activity, total immunoglobulin, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde (MDA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and reproductive gene expression were evaluated. The results showed that exposure to EE2 caused a significant decrease in lysozyme activity, and total immunoglobulin levels, but had no significant effect (p>0.05) on the SOD activity. The MDA level was significantly higher in the high-dose hormone treatments than in the control group (p<0.05). Different EE2 concentrations had a significant impact on ALP and ALT activities and they increased in fish exposed to EE2 compared to the control (p<0.05). The expression levels of gnrh2, gnrh3, gnrhr2, gnrhr3, lhβ, and fshβ genes significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the females. In contrast, the expression of the hsd3b gene significantly decreased (p>0.05). Significant decreases (p<0.05) were also observed in the expression of lhcgr and fshr genes in the female zebrafish. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that different concentrations of EE2 can disrupt steroidogenesis by interfering with the expression of genes related to sex steroid levels in the female broodstock of zebrafish.
Keywords: Zebrafish, Endocrine Disrupter, 17-Α-Ethinylestradiol, Genes Expression -
Pages 1015-1040
A 10-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with encapsulated Nano-selenium (NanoSe) and vitamins C and E at varying dosages (Control: free from the supplementations; T1: 0.1, 30, and 100 mg/kg; T2: 0.2, 60, and 200 mg/kg; T3: 0.3, 90, and 300 mg/kg, respectively) on the growth performance, hematology, immunity and antioxidant indices of juvenile Huso huso. The fish, with an average initial weight of 78.54±0.90 g, were stocked in 12 fiberglass tanks and fed with the respective diets for 10 weeks. The fish fed with diets T1 and T2 exhibited significantly higher final weight, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio compared to the fish fed with T3 and the control diets (p<0.05). Additionally, the white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and neutrophil levels increased in the fish fed with T1 and T2 diets compared to the control group (p<0.05). The alternate complement activity (ACH50) was higher in T2 and T3 groups compared to the control group (p>0.05). The serum lysozyme activity showed no significant difference across groups T1, T2, and T3 (p>0.05). The result showed that IgM levels in the fish fed with the supplemented diets (T1-T3) showed no significant difference compared to the control group (p>0.05). The total lipids and albumin in T1 and T2, total protein in T2, and cholesterol in all treated-groups were increased compared to the control group (p>0.05). The fish fed with supplemented diets had significantly lower levels of serum cortisol and glucose compared to the control group (p<0.05). Supplementation resulted in improved antioxidant status, as demonstrated by increased superoxide dismutase levels in the T2 group and decreased malondialdehyde levels in all supplemented groups (T1, T2, and T3) compared to the control group (p<0.05). This study suggests that dietary supplementation with a moderate mixture of NanoSe (0.2 mg/kg) and vitamins C (60 mg/kg) and E (200 mg/kg) positively promotes growth, improves some blood indices, stimulates the immune system, and reduces oxidative stress in juvenile Huso huso.
Keywords: Nano-Selenium, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Huso Huso, Growth, Blood Parameters, Immune Function