Esterification and modification of [1-14C] n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larvae reared under linoleic or α-linolenic acid-based diets and variable environmental salinities.

To elucidate the in vivo endogenous ability of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larvae to deacylate and reacylate phospholipids and to elongate and desaturate PUFAs, 20 days post hatch (DPH) fish were incubated with either [1-14C]20:4n-6 bound to PC and PE, or with free [1-14C]-labelled fatty acids (18:2n-6, 18:3n-3, 20:4n-6, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3). The modulation capacity of both low LC-PUFAs but high 18C PUFAs precursors dietary supply and increasing salinity on larval fatty acid metabolic pathways was also investigated. [1-14C]DHA was incorporated into larval tissues to a lower extent than [1-14C]ARA or [1-14C] EPA. [1-14C]ARA was significantly less abundant in larval tissues when provided bound to PE than when esterified into PC, indicating that PC is a better phospholipid source to provide LC-PUFA to pikeperch larvae. Radioactivity was mainly recovered into phospholipids, especially that of the three LC-PUFAs ARA, EPA and DHA. All substrates were primarily incorporated into PC except [1-14C]ARA which significantly did into PI. Both [1-14C]EPA and [1-14C]DHA showed a similar esterification pattern into lipid classes: PC > PE > PI > TAG, with [1-14C]DHA presenting the highest esterification into PE of all radiolabelled compounds (26.3% vs 3.6-14.2%). Although higher rearing salinities tended to increase ∆6 desaturase activity, no radioactivity from [1-14C]18:2n-6 or [1-14C]18:3n-3 was detected in ARA or EPA, proving a deficiency of Δ5 activity and the inability of pikeperch to biosynthesize DHA. This work provides novel information on the lipid metabolism of pikeperch at early development necessary for the design of live prey enrichment protocols and dietary formulations adapted to larval metabolic capabilities.

Biometria e parâmetros hematológicos em tartarugas da Amazônia de um criatório comercial de Rio Branco/AC / Biometric and haematological indices in turtles from the Amazon farm in Rio Branco/AC

Com o objetivo de definir os valores biométricos e quantificar parâmetros hematológicos como hematócrito, concentração de proteínas plasmáticas totais e leucócitos totais de tartarugas da espécie Podocnemis expansa, coletou-se um mililitro de sangue da veia femoral de 60 exemplares aparentemente saudáveis. Os animais obtidos do criatório particular, Estância Terra, localizado no estado do Acre, foram classificados em seis grupos de pesos diferentes. Durante a biometria, foram tomadas medidas de peso, comprimento e largura da carapaça e do plastrão, para as análises da correlação dos parâmetros de tamanho e massa corporal entre os indivíduos do mesmo grupo. Os valores observados indicaram que o grupo 06, que inclui os animais com massa acima de 26 kg, apresentou melhor correlação entre as massas individuais de cada animal (r = 0,97) Enquanto que, o grupo 02 (massa entre 21 e 25 kg) apresentou a pior correlação entre as massas (r = 0,34). O resultado da média total de hematócrito de todos os animais deste experimento foi de 10,56%. A concentração das proteínas plasmáticas totais foi de 3,69g dL-1, e a média de leucócitos totais foi de 51466,66µL. Estes parâmetros são considerados fora do padrão quando comparados com os valores encontrados em animais saudáveis da mesma espécie. Assim, este trabalho pode contribuir com informações sobre os dados biométricos e parâmetros hematológicos de P. expansa de cativeiro e demonstra a importância do monitoramento da sanidade dos animais em cativeiro, prevenindo manifestação de enfermidades que poderão pôr em risco a saúde de todo o plantel.(AU)

The aim of this study was defined the biometric values and quantify hematological parameters such as hematocrit, concentration of total plasma proteins and total leukocytes for Podocnemis expansa, we collect one milliliter of blood from the femoral vein of 60 specimens apparently healthy. The animals were collected from a private farm, Estancia Terra, located in Rio Branco in the state of Acre, and were classified into six groups of different weights. During the collection of biometric data, weight measurements were taken, and length and width of the carapace and plastron, for the analysis of correlation between the size parameters and body mass between individuals of the same group. The values observed indicate that the group 06, which includes animals with mass above 26kg, showed the best correlation between the individual masses of each animal (R = 0.97), while the group 02 (weight 21 to 25kg) showed the worst correlation between the mass (r = 0.34). The result of the overall average hematocrit of all animals of this experiment was 10.56%. The concentration of total plasma proteins was 3,69g DL-1 and the average total number of leukocytes was 51466,66µL. These parameters are considered abnormal when compared to the values found in healthy animals of the same species. This work contributes with information about biometric data and hematological parameters of P. expansa captivity and demonstrates the importance of monitoring health, preventing diseases that may endanger the health of all animals in the farm.(AU)