The e¡ect of dietary inclusion of whole grain white lupin (Lupinus albus) on growth performance, histology, muscle fatty acid composition and nutrient digestibility was investigated in an 11-week growth and a 4-week digestibility trial with rainbow trout (initial body weight of 54.0 AE 6.2 and 181.9 AE 3.4 g respectively). Four experimental extruded diets were formulated to contain 0%, 30%, 40% and 50% of whole grain lupin and fed to triplicate groups of ¢sh twice a day until apparent satiation. Faeces were collected daily from each digestibility tank by decantation. No signi¢cant trends were observed with respect to growth, feed utilization, apparent digestibility coe⁄cients or whole-body composition (P40.05). Conversely, increasing levels of dietary lupin led to signi¢cant decreases in the Hepatosomatic index (R 2 50.75, Po0.05) and slight lipid in¢ltration into hepatocytes and enterocytes. Muscle fatty acid compositions were slightly a¡ected by the dietary treatment. Polynomial regression of dietary inclusion of lupin and muscle fatty acid concentrations showed an increase in C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 and a decrease in C20:5n-3 with increasing dietary lupin level. These results demonstrated that whole grain lupin can be included up to 50% in commercial rainbow trout diets without negative e¡ects.

Galaxias maculatus eggs and larvae obtained from broodfish captured either in an estuarine or a freshwater environment, as well as from cultured broodstock were analysed to compare their lipid and fatty acid profiles. Results showed a lower lipid content in embryos and larvae from estuarine populations than those from fresh water, denoting the influence of environmental conditions. The n-3:n-6 ratio was higher in eggs from estuarine and cultured populations, being in the range of marine fishes, whereas for eggs from freshwater fish was lower and typical of freshwater fishes. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), were higher in eggs and larvae of broodstock coming from culture or estuarine environments than in those from fresh water. Moreover, these fatty acids markedly increased after hatching in larvae coming from estuarine populations, suggesting the effect of the environment on fatty acid profiles to physiologically prepare the larvae to adapt to higher salinity conditions. Linoleic acid (18:2n-6) content was higher in fresh water fish and its reduction during embryo and larval development was accompanied by a significant increase of arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), which was not observed in embryos or larvae from broodstock fish from estuary or aquaculture origin. Both environment and diet of broodstock fish affected lipid and fatty acid composition of G. maculatus embryo and larvae as well as their changes during development.

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The effect of dietary inclusion of a mixture of microalgae meal (Schizochytrium limacinum and Nannochloropsis oceanica) (1:1 ratio) on growth performance, gene expression, histology and muscle fatty acid composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared in saltwater was investigated. Three experimental extruded diets containing 0%, 9% and 17% of a mixture of microalgae meal were evaluated in triplicate groups during 10‐week bioassay. The results showed that growth performance and feed conversion ratio were significantly reduced by increasing the dietary inclusion of a mixture of microalgae meal. No significant trends were observed with respect to feed intake and relative gene expression of hsp70, scarb1, IL‐12 and myod. Conversely, increasing dietary levels of a mixture of microalgae meal led to a decrease in vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes. A reduction of 23% on the amount of 20:5n−3 fatty acid in the muscle was found between the fish fed control and the highest level of the microalgae meal blend diets. Nevertheless, 22:6n−3 fatty acid content did not vary among dietary treatments. These results demonstrate that a mixture of microalgae meal has a potential to be included up to 90 g kg−1 within diets for rainbow trout as a sustainable replacement for fish oil.

This study evaluated the effects of sparteine, a lupin alkaloid, on growth and organ histology in rainbow trout. Eight diets with increasing concentrations of sparteine (0, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, 2500 and 5000 mg kg )1 ) were fed to triplicate groups of 61-g fish for 62 days. Survival was not affected by the dietary treatments. Weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and feed intake decreased in a quadratic manner for sparteine levels above 100 mg kg )1 . No effects were observed at inclusion levels £100 mg kg )1 . Whole-body lipid and dry matter was depleted in a quadratic manner, while protein and ash were not affected. No tissue alteration attributable to sparteine alkaloid intake was found in liver, kidney, spleen or mid and distal intestines. At sparteine levels above 1000 mg kg )1 of diet, the weight of the intestines and the liver relative to body weight decreased, whereas the weight of the spleen increased. These effects were likely associated with low feed intake and starvation. These results indicate that dietary sparteine alkaloid primarily reduced palatability, but did not impair the health of the fish. The level of sparteine should be kept below 100 mg kg )1 in trout diets to ensure rapid growth.

Whole lupin seed meal was evaluated as partial replacement for fishmeal in extruded diets for rainbow trout, with particular emphasis on the effect on growth performance and apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of protein, lipids, carbohydrates, and energy. Effect on muscle fatty acid composition was also evaluated. All diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic and to contain approximately 45% crude protein and 5.5 kcal energy g/diet. Diets were formulated to include whole lupin seed meal at 0, 10, 15, and 20%. Triplicate groups of fish weighing 65.9 ± 15.1 g on average were fed twice a day until apparent satiation during 12 wk. Growth, feed intake, hepatosomatic index, hepatic histology, proximate composition of whole body, and muscular fatty acid profile were determined. Growth and feed utilization were similar in all treatments and whole-body composition did not vary among treatments. Polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-6 and n-3 series remained constant in muscle as the amount of lupin in diets increased. Furthermore, the ADCs were similar among all diets. These results suggest that inclusion of whole lupin seed meal up to 20% in extruded diets for rainbow trout do not have any negative effect on growth, feed performance, or flesh quality.

A detailed study of gametes development and characterization of plasma sex steroid hormones during the maturation cycle was performed for the first time in the southern hake (Merluccius australis). Fish were caught in the inland waters of the Reloncaví Sound, Interior Sea of Chiloé, Chile. Samples of gonads and blood were collected for histology and sex steroid hormone (17 β-estradiol, 11-ketotestosterone and 17,20 βdihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one) analysis, respectively. Sex steroid hormone quantification was performed using enzyme-immunoassay (ELISA). Results showed that M. australis males and females have asynchronous development of testicles and ovaries, in all stages of maturation. Most spawning fish were found during the spring months. Regarding the sex steroid hormones, serological fluctuations of 17 β-estradiol and 11- ketotestosterone were found during gonadal maturation of M. australis. These hormones are the main hormones responsible for vitelogenesis and spermatogenesis processes, respectively. Conversely, 17,20 β-dihydroxy-4- pregnen-3-one did not show any serological fluctuation in females and males. Further studies involving gonadotropins, 17,20 β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and vitellogenin quantification are required in order to obtain a more complete description of the reproductive physiology of wild and farmed M. australis.

Background: The inferior turbinate is probably the most important anatomical structure within the nasal airway. However, relatively little is known concerning its 3D anatomy. Complete removal of the IT may lead to severe functional disorders and reconstruction is often necessary. Methods: We performed an anatomical study using modern 3D reconstruction tools (Amira 5.4.2 software). The study was conducted on 200 inferior turbinates obtained from CT-scanned images. Metric and morphological analyses were performed. Our aim was to assess 3D polymorphism of the inferior turbinate in humans, and to evaluate gender dimorphism and age-related differences. Results: Anatomical characteristics of the inferior turbinate were poorly heterogeneous. Metric analyses revealed no gender dimorphism or age-related differences, except in the elderly, where the inferior turbinate was usually less curved. Morphological analyses defined that the mean shape was related to age and gender. Differences were limited and are summarized in this manuscript. Conclusions: This very reproducible methodology may have clinical applications regarding, e.g., sinonasal cancer or empty-nose syndrome.