Longitudinal analyses of correlated response efficiencies of fillet traits in Nile tilapia.

Recent studies with Nile tilapia have shown divergent results regarding the possibility of selecting on morphometric measurements to promote indirect genetic gains in fillet yield (FY). The use of indirect selection for fillet traits is important as these traits are only measurable after harvesting. Random regression models are a powerful tool in association studies to identify the best time point to measure and select animals. Random regression models can also be applied in a multiple trait approach to analyze indirect response to selection, which would avoid the need to sacrifice candidate fish. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the genetic relationships between several body measurements, weight and fillet traits throughout the growth period and to evaluate the possibility of indirect selection for fillet traits in Nile tilapia. Data were collected from 2042 fish and was divided into two subsets. The first subset was used to estimate genetic parameters, including the permanent environmental effect for BW and body measurements (8758 records for each body measurement, as each fish was individually weighed and measured a maximum of six times). The second subset (2042 records for each trait) was used to estimate genetic correlations and heritabilities, which enabled the calculation of correlated response efficiencies between body measurements and the fillet traits. Heritability estimates across ages ranged from 0.05 to 0.5 for height, 0.02 to 0.48 for corrected length (CL), 0.05 to 0.68 for width, 0.08 to 0.57 for fillet weight (FW) and 0.12 to 0.42 for FY. All genetic correlation estimates between body measurements and FW were positive and strong (0.64 to 0.98). The estimates of genetic correlation between body measurements and FY were positive (except for CL at some ages), but weak to moderate (-0.08 to 0.68). These estimates resulted in strong and favorable correlated response efficiencies for FW and positive, but moderate for FY. These results indicate the possibility of achieving indirect genetic gains for FW and by selecting for morphometric traits, but low efficiency for FY when compared with direct selection.

Modelagem das trajetórias médias do peso vivo e do rendimento de carcaça de tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) por meio de funções B-spline / Modeling the mean trajectories of live body weight and carcass yield of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by B-spline functions

Empregando o método dos quadrados mínimos e polinômios B-spline quadráticos, diferentes modelos estatísticos foram testados para identificar o mais apropriado para modelar as trajetórias médias do peso vivo e do rendimento de carcaça de tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Dados de peso vivo (8.758) e de rendimento de carcaça (2.042) de tilápias com idades entre 106 e 245 dias foram obtidos de 72 famílias provenientes de 36 machos e 72 fêmeas. As variáveis sexo e tanque de criação foram consideradas como classificatórias, e os coeficientes dos polinômios B-spline quadráticos com dois a cinco intervalos de mesmo tamanho foram utilizados como covariáveis. Segundo a maioria dos critérios de ajuste utilizados, os modelos com polinômio B-spline quadrático com cinco intervalos de mesmo tamanho apresentaram os melhores ajustes. O aumento do número de intervalos do polinômio B-spline melhorou o ajuste dos polinômios aos dados. A inclusão dos efeitos classificatórios de sexo, tanque de criação, interação entre esses efeitos e polinômio B-spline quadrático aninhado a essa interação indicou que, com o decorrer do tempo, cada sexo, cultivado em diferente tanque, apresentou trajetória média diferente, sendo necessária a inclusão do aninhamento do tempo na interação sexo x tanque de criação para que, em programas de melhoramento genético da espécie, os valores genéticos dos candidatos à seleção não sejam sub ou superestimados.

Employing the method of least squares and quadratic B-spline polynomials, different statistical models were tested to identify the most appropriate to model the mean trajectories of live weight and carcass yield of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Data of live weight (8,758) and carcass yield (2,042) of tilapias with ages between 106 and 245 days were obtained from 72 families derived from 36 males and 72 females. The sex and tank variables were considered as classificatory and the coefficients of quadratic polynomials B-spline of two to five intervals of the same size were used as covariables. According to most fit criteria used, the models with quadratic B-spline polynomial with five intervals of the same size presented the best adjustments. The increase in number of intervals of B-spline polynomial improved the fit of the polynomials to the data. The inclusion of classificatory effects from sex, tank, the interaction of these effects and the quadratic polynomial B-spline nested in this interaction indicated that, over time, each sex, grown in different tank, presented different mean trajectory, necessitating the inclusion of nesting time in the interaction sex x tank in order to avoid the under or overestimation of breeding values of the selection candidates in breeding programs of this species.

Performance and nutrient utilization in South American juvenile catfish Pseudoplatystoma spp. weighting 89 - 170g, fed at different energy and protein levels / Desempenho e utilização de nutrientes em juvenis de surubim Pseudoplatystoma spp. alimentados com diferentes níveis de energia e proteína

Most studies in nutrition for the South American catfish (surubim) were limited to the initial phase of development. However, it is clear that performance and nutrient utilization can change during the life stages of a fish. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the performance and nutrient utilization in juveniles of surubim fed diets varying in protein and energy levels. Two experiments were performed to test different levels of energy and protein in formulated diets. In the first experiment, surubim juveniles (89.2±4.8g) were fed five diets containing different levels of energy (18.0, 18.8, 19.6, 20.5, 21.3 MJ/kg). In the second experiment, juveniles (170.03±3.35g) were fed five diets containing different levels of protein (360, 400, 440, 480 and 520g/kg). The most favorable energy level for weight gain was 20.3 MJ/kg. The increasing energy levels provided a rise in fat and decrease in protein whole-body composition. The protein amount was between 360 to 400g/kg (383g/kg), which was adequate for performance and nutrient assimilation in surubim juveniles.

A maior parte dos estudos a respeito dos aspectos nutricionais do surubim está limitada às primeiras fases de desenvolvimento. Entretanto, é claro que o desempenho e a utilização dos nutrientes podem mudar durante os diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento destes animais. Assim sendo, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho e a utilização de nutrientes em juvenis de surubim alimentados com dietas contendo níveis variáveis de energia e proteína. Dois experimentos foram realizados para testar os diferentes níveis de proteína e energia. No primeiro experimento, juvenis de surubim (89,2±4,8g) foram alimentados com cinco dietas contendo níveis diferentes de energia (18.0, 18.8, 19.6, 20.5, 21.3MJ/kg). No segundo experimento, os juvenis (170,03±3,35g) foram alimentados com dietas contendo cinco níveis de proteína (360, 400, 440, 480 e 520g/kg). O melhor nível de energia para ganho de peso foi 20,3 MJ/kg. O aumento dos níveis de energia levou a um incremento nos níveis de lipídeo e diminuição da proteína corporal. Níveis de proteína entre 360 a 400g/kg foram os mais adequados para o desempenho e utilização dos nutrientes em juvenis grandes de surubim.

Production of oocytes of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) for in vitro fertilization via hormonal treatments.

Only a few studies have described hormonal treatments for induction of synchronicity and gamete collection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), both important for assortative matings in breeding programmes and essential for polyploidy technologies. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of carp pituitary extract (CPE), Nile tilapia pituitary extract (TPE), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) protocols on the induction of spawning and egg production in Nile tilapia. Among the hormonal treatments analysed, only hCG was effective for producing viable gametes for in vitro fertilization. To verify the viability of this hormonal treatment, hCG was tested using different doses (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 IU/kg) in a large number of females (208 animals) from two Nile tilapia lines. The results indicated that hCG doses between 1000 and 5000 IU/kg could be used to induce final oocyte maturation in Nile tilapia with collection of stripped oocytes. This is the first study to report differential reproductive responses to hormonal treatment between tilapia lines: line 1 was more efficient at producing eggs and post-hatching larvae after hCG induction than line 2. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the hCG protocol may be applied on a large scale to induce final oocyte maturation in Nile tilapia. The development of a protocol for in vitro fertilization in Nile tilapia may aid in breeding programmes and biotechnological assays for the development of genetically modified lines of Nile tilapia.

Produção do híbrido "cachadia" em diferentes densidades de estocagem em sistema de recirculação de água / Production of cachadia hybrid at different densities in a recirculating aquaculture system

Avaliou-se o efeito da densidade de estocagem na produção de "cachadia" (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum x Leiarius marmoratus) em sistema de recirculação de água. Nas duas primeiras fases, com duração de 27 e 40 dias e usando animais com média de peso inicial de 31 e 57g, respectivamente, foram testados 20, 40, 60 e 80 peixes/m³. Na terceira e quarta fase, usando peixes com média de peso de 169 e 399g durante 41 e 99 dias, respectivamente, foram testados 10, 20, 30 e 40 peixes/m³. A taxa de sobrevivência foi acima de 92 por cento, sem diferenças significativas entre tratamentos. Verificou-se redução no ganho de peso diário com redução com o incremento da densidade na segunda e na quarta fase experimental. A biomassa final apresentou relação direta com a densidade em todas as fases. Taxas de conversão alimentar entre 0,8 e 1,3:1 foram registradas. O "cachadia" atingiu 1,1kg em 207 dias de cultivo, mostrando-se promissor para a piscicultura intensiva.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different stocking densities on cachadia production (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum x Leiarius marmoratus) in recirculating aquaculture system. In the two first phases for 27 and 40 days using fish with average weight of 31 and 57g, respectively, densities 20, 40, 60, and 80 fish/m³ were tested. In the third and fourth trial, using fish with an average weight of 169 and 399g during 41 and 99 days, respectively, densities 10, 20, 30, and 40 fish/m³ were tested. Survival rate was higher than 92 percent, without stocking density differences between the treatments. Daily weight gain showed reduction with the increase of the density in the second and fourth trial. However, final biomass presented direct relationship with increase density in all trials. Feed conversion rates ranged 0.8 from 1.3:1 were registered. Cachadia hybrid reached 1.1kg in approximately seven months of rearing indicating promise for intensive production.