Efeito da salinidade, densidade de estocagem e da infecção hipodermal e necrose hematopoiética (IHHN) na imunidade do camarão Litopenaeus vannamei cultivados em fazendas do Rio Grande do Norte

The main problem faced by the shrimp industry are the infectious diseases. The hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis infection (IHHN) is one of the major cause of disease in the cultured shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Environmental changes involving water quality, oxygen concentration, salinity, temperature, stocking density, presence of pathogens, among others, triggering a stressing condition for the cultured shrimp, weakening them and allowing the outbreak of diseases. The stress on the animal leads to a change in the molecules immune response components, which can be used as indicators of shrimp health. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of salinity, stocking density and IHHNV infection on the L. vannamei shrimp. The immune parameters used to check the shrimp health were the total hemocytes counts (THC), the agglutinating activity (AA) and the clotting time (CT) of the serum of shrimp. These parameters were analyzed in healthy and IHHNV-infected shrimp, grown in low (0-0.5 ), medium (19-24 ) and high (> 38 ) salinity, and extensive (7-12 cam.m-2), semi-intensive (15-25 cam.m-2) and intensive (33-45 cam.m -2) stocking density. The IHHNV infection rate was significantly higher in low salinity (P<0.005) and intensive density (P<0.005), both stressful conditions for L. vannamei. Low salinity significantly increased THC (P<0.05) and decreased and CT (P<0.05) in healthy and infected shrimp, but AA (P<0.05) significantly decreased in healthy shrimp at medium salinity. Culture intensification did not affect the THC, AA and CT of healthy and infected shrimp (P>0.05). The IHHNV infection did not affect any immune parameters of shrimp cultured at different salinities and stocking densities. It is necessary to emphasize that this study was conducted in shrimp grown in ponds, where several environmental factors are acting simultaneously. Thus, further studies are needed about the influence of other environmental factors on the immune parameters of shrimp cultured in pond

Biodiversidade e abundância da ictiofauna associada ao cultivo orgânico de Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

The expansion of shrimp farming has caused a series of environmental impacts, often as a result of lack of planning and adequate management. Organic aquaculture has emerged as an alternative to conventional shrimp farming, and differently, aims at the economical, ecological and farming potential of other organisms, such as fishes, oysters and seaweeds. The present study aimed at evaluating the biological diversity and abundance of the ichthyofauna associated to Litopenaeus vannamei organic culture at PRIMAR farm (Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil). The sampling period consisted of four culture cycles (1, 2, 3, and 4) accomplished in four grow-out ponds (V1, V7, V2, and V4) in 2005. The first two culture cycles were carried out during the rainy season, and the last two cycles, during the dry season. Environmental (temperature, salinity, transparency, and rainfall), biodiversity (diversity and uniformity and abundance indexes) of the ichthyofauna, and shrimp productivity data were collected throughout these four culture cycles. The results obtained for the environmental variables showed that both salinity and transparency oscillated in a significant way (p < 0.001) between culture cycles. In relation to the abundance of the ichthyofauna, fifty four species associated to the organic culture of Litopenaeus vannamei were collected and identified at PRIMAR. For the biodiversity criterion, larger species richness (S = 46) and uniformity (E = 0.59 ± 0.16) were observed during cycles 3 and 4 than in cycles 1 and 2 (S = 41 and E = 0.15 ± 0.12). A positive and significant correlation was obtained for the transparency with diversity and uniformity of fish species between cycles 1 and 2 (wet season) and cycles 3 and 4 (dry season) (p < 0.017 - Shannon Index; p < 0.008 - Pielou Index, respectively). A correlation could not be established between shrimp productivity and fish biomass. However, fish biomass decreased from cycles 1 and 2 to cycles 3 and 4, concomitant with an increase in shrimp productivity, most probably due to a higher (from 58.0% to 71.0%) shrimp survival. Regarding the culture potential of the ichthyofauna, three species (Mugil curema, Mugil liza and Chaetodipterus faber) were identified as potential farming alternatives, either singly or in consortium with Litopenaeus vannamei. A fourth species (Centropomus undecimalis) was indicated as an alternative for single culture or in consortium with other fish species. In conclusion, the large diversity of estuarine fishes associated to Litopenaeus vannamei farming observed at PRIMAR clearly indicated the ecological feasibility for organic aquaculture in northeastern Brazil

Potencial terapêutico de um heparinóide isolado do invertebrado marinho Litopenaeus vannamei

The occurrence of bioactive compounds in marine organisms comes awaking the interest of the pharmaceutical industry. Heparin, a sulfated polysaccharide which presence was already identified in several marine invertebrates, is very attractive due its remarkable functional versatility. Besides to intervene in blood coagulation, this molecule has a great anti-inflammatory potential. However, its strong anticoagulant activity difficult the clinical exploitation of its anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the aims of this work were to evaluate the effect of a heparin-like compound (heparinoid), isolated from the cephalotorax of the Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp, on the inflammatory response, hemostasia and synthesis of antithrombotic heparan sulfate by endothelial cells, besides studying some aspects concerning its structure. The purified heparinoid was structurally characterized following an analytical boarding, involving electrophoresis and chromatography. The structural analysis have shown that this compound possess a high content of glucuronic acid residues and disulfated disaccharide units. In contrast to mammalian heparin, the heparinoid was incapable to stimulate the synthesis of heparan sulfate by endothelial cells in the tested concentrations, beyond to show reduced anticoagulant activity and hemorrhagic effect. In a model of acute inflammation, the compound isolated from the shrimp reduced more than 50% of the cellular infiltration. Besides reduce the activity of MMP-9 and proMMP-2 of the peritoneal lavage of inflamed animals, the heparinoid also reduced the activity of MMP-9 secreted by activated human leukocytes. These results demonstrate the potential of heparinoid from L. vannamei to intervene in the inflammatory response. For possessing reduced anticoagulant activity and hemorrhagic effect, this compound can serve as a structural model to direct the development of more specific therapeutical agents to the treatment of inflammatory diseases

Avances en el estudio de la reproducción del langostino

Estudio de desarrollo gonadal y reproducción de especies del género Penaeus. Los muestreos se realizaron en el litoral del departamento de Tumbes, en base a la captura de embarcaciones arrastreras comerciales. Se describe el desarrollo gonadal de P.occidentalis y P.stylirostris y P. vannamei y el seguimiento del desove y proceso larval hasta Protozoea I de P. occidentalis.

Evaluación de la abundancia y distribución de postlarvas de langostinos en el litoral del departamento de Tumbes, durante 1995

Determina la presencia de postlarvas de las especies Penaeus vannamei, P. stylirostris, P. californiensis y P. occidentalis y concluye que las cuatro especies presentan una distribución similar, encontrando los recursos en toda el área de Tumbes y durante todo el período de estudio.

Monitoreo de postlarvas de langostinos en Tumbes, Perú. 1996-2003

Durante 1996-2003 se realizó el monitoreo de postlarvas de langostinos en el litoral y los canales de marea de Tumbes donde se identificaron cinco especies: Litopenaeus vannamei, L. stylirostris, L. occidentalis farfantepenaeus californiensis y F. brevirostris.

Quantify this! Report on a round table discussion on quantitative mass spectrometry in proteomics.

Following the success of the first round table in 2001, the Swiss Proteomic Society has organized two additional specific events during its last two meetings: a proteomic application exercise in 2002 and a round table in 2003. Such events have as their main objective to bring together, around a challenging topic in mass spectrometry, two groups of specialists, those who develop and commercialize mass spectrometry equipment and software, and expert MS users for peptidomics and proteomics studies. The first round table (Geneva, 2001) entitled "Challenges in Mass Spectrometry" was supported by brief oral presentations that stressed critical questions in the field of MS development or applications (Stöcklin and Binz, Proteomics 2002, 2, 825-827). Topics such as (i) direct analysis of complex biological samples, (ii) status and perspectives for MS investigations of noncovalent peptide-ligant interactions; (iii) is it more appropriate to have complementary instruments rather than a universal equipment, (iv) standardization and improvement of the MS signals for protein identification, (v) what would be the new generation of equipment and finally (vi) how to keep hardware and software adapted to MS up-to-date and accessible to all. For the SPS'02 meeting (Lausanne, 2002), a full session alternative event "Proteomic Application Exercise" was proposed. Two different samples were prepared and sent to the different participants: 100 micro g of snake venom (a complex mixture of peptides and proteins) and 10-20 micro g of almost pure recombinant polypeptide derived from the shrimp Penaeus vannamei carrying an heterogeneous post-translational modification (PTM). Among the 15 participants that received the samples blind, eight returned results and most of them were asked to present their results emphasizing the strategy, the manpower and the instrumentation used during the congress (Binz et. al., Proteomics 2003, 3, 1562-1566). It appeared that for the snake venom extract, the quality of the results was not particularly dependant on the strategy used, as all approaches allowed Lication of identification of a certain number of protein families. The genus of the snake was identified in most cases, but the species was ambiguous. Surprisingly, the precise identification of the recombinant almost pure polypeptides appeared to be much more complicated than expected as only one group reported the full sequence. Finally the SPS'03 meeting reported here included a round table on the difficult and challenging task of "Quantification by Mass Spectrometry", a discussion sustained by four selected oral presentations on the use of stable isotopes, electrospray ionization versus matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization approaches to quantify peptides and proteins in biological fluids, the handling of differential two-dimensional liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry data resulting from high throughput experiments, and the quantitative analysis of PTMs. During these three events at the SPS meetings, the impressive quality and quantity of exchanges between the developers and providers of mass spectrometry equipment and software, expert users and the audience, were a key element for the success of these fruitful events and will have definitively paved the way for future round tables and challenging exercises at SPS meetings.

Time-related action of Lactobacillus plantarum in the bacterial microbiota of shrimp digestive tract and its action as immunostimulant

The objective of this work was to assess the time-related action of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum in the bacterial microbiota of the digestive tract of Litopenaeus vannamei, and the relation of total haemocyte count and serum phenol oxidase activity of shrimp challenged with Vibrio harveyi. Shrimps were fed with a probiotic-supplemented diet, for eight days, then shifted to a commercial diet. Shrimps fed only with the commercial diet served as control. Evaluations were made on the 8th day of experiment and repeated two, four, six and eight days later. Total lactic bacteria in the digestive tract was higher until the 4th day of evaluation in the probiotic-supplemented group. Vibrio spp. counts were higher in the control at days zero and two. Until the 4th day of evaluation, the total haemocyte counts in shrimps after challenge with V. harveyi were higher in probiotic-supplemented group than in control group. Significant difference was not observed in phenol oxidase activity. On the 6th day after shifting from supplemented to control diet, all parameters were equal in both groups, suggesting that the time-related action of L. plantarum in shrimp is short.

Método de determinação e avaliação da depleção de oxitetraciclina em camarão marinho

O objetivo deste trabalho foi validar um método para determinação de resíduos de oxitetraciclina (OTC) em camarões, por meio de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, e avaliar, pelo método validado, a depleção de resíduos de OTC em camarões in vivo. Para a validação, foram utilizados camarões isentos de OTC e camarões adicionados de OTC in vitro. Foram estabelecidos: seletividade, tempo de retenção, linearidade (coeficiente de correlação), faixa de trabalho, recuperação relativa, limites de detecção e quantificação do método (LDM e LQM, respectivamente) e repetibilidade. Para o experimento in vivo, rações com 200, 400 e 500 μg g-1 de OTC foram administradas aos camarões durante 14 dias. Foi avaliada a concentração do resíduo desse antibiótico no músculo e na carapaça até 22 dias após a suspensão da droga. O coeficiente de correlação linear foi de 0,9997 para o extrato fortificado da matriz, na faixa de trabalho de 0,02 a 0,4 μg g-1; a recuperação foi de 106±17,1% e os LDM e LQM foram de 0,006 e 0,019 μg g-1, respectivamente. O tempo de residência da droga na carapaça dos animais (de 10 a 13 dias) foi maior em comparação ao tempo de residência no músculo (5 dias).

Cultivo do camarão marinho em água doce em diferentes densidades de estocagem

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da densidade de estocagem no cultivo do camarão marinho Litopenaeus vannamei, em água doce. Foram avaliadas as seguintes densidades de estocagem: 5 (D5), 10 (D10), 15 (D15), 20 (D20), 25 (D25) e 30 (D30) camarões por metro quadrado. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com duas repetições. Foram avaliados o desempenho zootécnico dos camarões e os parâmetros físicos e químicos da água. Os parâmetros zootécnicos de L. vannamei foram estimados por meio de modelos matemáticos. A alcalinidade média da água foi de 36,8±3,06 mg L-1, e a dureza média de 38,21±3,07 mg L-1. Aos 52 dias de cultivo, o tratamento D5 foi o que promoveu os melhores resultados em peso (5,40±0,99 g) e comprimento (9,50±0,20 cm), no entanto, não diferiu significativamente dos tratamentos D10, D15 e D25 em termos de peso. O tratamento D25 teve maior sobrevivência de camarões (72,10±9,3%). Com base nos modelos matemáticos de peso e comprimento em função do tempo de cultivo, concluiu-se que maiores densidades de estocagem proporcionam camarões com menores ganhos de peso e comprimento, em comparação com as menores densidades.

Parâmetros de cultivo e a enfermidade da mancha-branca em fazendas de camarões de Santa Catarina

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a relação entre parâmetros físico-químicos e biológicos do cultivo de camarão com a enfermidade causada pelo vírus da síndrome da mancha-branca (WSSV). Foram avaliadas a mortalidade, as características físicas e químicas da água e do solo, e foram realizados os exames e as análises microscópicas a fresco, presença de víbrios na hemolinfa, além do diagnóstico histopatológico e molecular (PCR) do WSSV, em viveiros de oito fazendas de Santa Catarina, entre 2008 e 2009. O vírus foi detectado em cinco fazendas com registros da enfermidade em ciclos anteriores. A temperatura da água foi semelhante entre as fazendas com e sem WSSV, e a mortalidade ocorreu a intervalos ascendentes entre 24,6 e 29,3ºC. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos parâmetros de análises microscópicas a fresco, tempo de coagulação e presença de víbrios na hemolinfa e sinais clínicos, entre viveiros com e sem WSSV. As concentrações de nitrito, sílica, fenol e alcalinidade na água e pH do solo apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os viveiros afetados ou não por WSSV. Os valores de nitrito, sílica e pH do solo estavam dentro dos limites recomendados para o cultivo de camarões, no entanto, isto não ocorreu com a alcalinidade e a concentração de fenol, o que sugere uma relação dos últimos com a manifestação da enfermidade da mancha-branca.

Selection of shrimp breeders free of white spot syndrome and infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis

The objective of this work was to select surviving breeders of Litopenaeus vannamei from white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) outbreak, adapted to local climatic conditions and negatively diagnosed for WSSV and infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), and to evaluate if this strategy is a viable alternative for production in Santa Catarina, Brazil. A total of 800 males and 800 females were phenotypically selected in a farm pond. Nested-PCR analyses of 487 sexually mature females and 231 sexually mature males showed that 63% of the females and 55% of the males were infected with IHHNV. Animals free of IHHNV were tested for WSSV, and those considered double negative were used for breeding. The post-larvae produced were stocked in nine nursery tanks for analysis. From the 45 samples, with 50 post-larvae each, only two were positive for IHHNV and none for WSSV. Batches of larvae diagnosed free of virus by nested-PCR were sent to six farms. A comparative analysis was carried out in growth ponds, between local post-larvae and post-larvae from Northeast Brazil. Crabs (Chasmagnathus granulata), blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), and sea hares (Aplysia brasiliana), which are possible vectors of these viruses, were also evaluated. The mean survival was 55% for local post-larvae against 23.4% for post-larvae from the Northeast. Sea hares showed prevalence of 50% and crabs of 67% of WSSV.

Substituição da farinha de peixe em dietas para camarões marinhos cultivados em sistema bioflocos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a substituição de dois níveis de inclusão de farinha de peixe por outros ingredientes, nas dietas de Litopenaeus vannamei cultivados em sistema bioflocos. Foram avaliadas dietas sem uso de farinha de peixe (dieta A, 100% de substituição), com inclusão de 12,5% de farinha de peixe (dieta B, 40% de substituição) e direta controle com inclusão de 21% (dieta C, 0% de substituição). Nas dietas A e B, o farelo de soja e as farinhas de carne e vísceras foram os principais substitutos proteicos. Foram analisados os índices de desempenho dos camarões e os parâmetros físicos e químicos da água de cultivo. Os camarões alimentados com a dieta B apresentaram maior peso final (11,63±1,38 g), em comparação aos camarões alimentados com a dieta A (peso final, 9,39±0,31 g) e com a dieta C (peso final, 10,20±1,10 g). Os demais parâmetros de desempenho como produtividade, conversão alimentar e sobrevivência não apresentaram diferenças entre os tratamentos. A redução de até 40,0% da farinha de peixe pode ser feita em cultivos superintensivos de L. vannamei com bioflocos, sem interferir em seu desempenho zootécnico e na qualidade de água do cultivo.

Comportamento do camarão em diferentes substratos nas fases clara e escura do dia

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do tipo de substrato sobre a preferência, o enterramento e a atividade natatória de camarões (Litopenaeus vannamei). Juvenis (0,93±0,29 g) e adultos machos e fêmeas (10,05±1,18 g) foram observados durante 24 horas, por meio do método animal focal, com registros instantâneos. Foram testadas as seguintes granulometrias (tratamentos) dos substratos: I, 100% C; II, 50% C + 50% B; III, 50% A + 50% C; IV, 100% B; V, 50% B + 50% A; e VI, 100% A, em que as letras referemse ao diâmetro médio das partículas, A = 0,25-2,0 mm; B = 0,0625-0,25 mm; e C = <0,0625 mm. Foram aplicados seis tratamentos com 18 repetições para cada categoria: camarões juvenis, machos e fêmeas. Cada indivíduo foi exposto por 24 horas aos seis tipos de substrato, simultaneamente, e o seu comportamento foi observado nas fases clara e escura do dia. A natação ocorreu principalmente na fase escura e o enterramento, na fase clara, no substrato IV. Os camarões juvenis e adultos (machos ou fêmeas) preferem o substrato composto de areia fina e muito fina (0,0625-0,25 mm), tanto para permanência quanto para enterramento.

Densidade de estocagem na engorda de camarão-branco cultivado em sistema de biofloco

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a densidade de estocagem ideal para o cultivo de camarão-branco, em sistema de biofloco sem renovação de água. Foram realizados dois experimentos inteiramente casualizados, com três repetições para cada tratamento. No primeiro, juvenis de camarão-branco, com peso médio inicial de 1,23±0,09 g, foram cultivados a densidades de estocagem de 833, 1.250, 1.667, 2.083 e 2.500 camarões por m³. No segundo experimento, o peso médio inicial foi de 6,32±0,7 g, e as densidades foram de 566, 833, 1.111, 1.388 e 1.667 camarões por m³. Os melhores resultados de produtividade, com médias de 9,92 e 10,77 kg m-3, foram obtidos com 1.667 e 1.111 camarões por m³, respectivamente, no primeiro e segundo experimentos. O aumento da densidade de estocagem afeta o crescimento e a sobrevivência do camarão-branco em sistema de biofloco.