Embryo Transfer Strategies for Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure During the Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer Cycles:Sequential Embryo Transfer or Double-blastocyst Transfer?

Objective Both sequential embryo transfer(SeET)and double-blastocyst transfer(DBT)can serve as embryo transfer strategies for women with recurrent implantation failure(RIF).This study aims to compare the effects of SeET and DBT on pregnancy outcomes.Methods Totally,261 frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles of 243 RIF women were included in this multicenter retrospective analysis.According to different embryo quality and transfer strategies,they were divided into four groups:group A,good-quality SeET(GQ-SeET,n=38 cycles);group B,poor-quality or mixed-quality SeET(PQ/MQ-SeET,n=31 cycles);group C,good-quality DBT(GQ-DBT,n=121 cycles);and group D,poor-quality or mixed-quality DBT(PQ/MQ-DBT,n=71 cycles).The main outcome,clinical pregnancy rate,was compared,and the generalized estimating equation(GEE)model was used to correct potential confounders that might impact pregnancy outcomes.Results GQ-DBT achieved a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate(aOR 2.588,95%CI 1.267–5.284,P=0.009)and live birth rate(aOR 3.082,95%CI 1.482–6.412,P=0.003)than PQ/MQ-DBT.Similarly,the clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in GQ-SeET than in PQ/MQ-SeET(aOR 4.047,95%CI 1.218–13.450,P=0.023).The pregnancy outcomes of GQ-SeET were not significantly different from those of GQ-DBT,and the same results were found between PQ/MQ-SeET and PQ/MQ-DBT.Conclusion SeET relative to DBT did not seem to improve pregnancy outcomes for RIF patients if the embryo quality was comparable between the two groups.Better clinical pregnancy outcomes could be obtained by transferring good-quality embryos,no matter whether in SeET or DBT.Embryo quality plays a more important role in pregnancy outcomes for RIF patients.

Artificial Cycle with or without a Depot Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Agonist for Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer： An Assessment of Infertility Type that Is Most Suitable

The clinical outcomes of five groups of infertility patients receiving frozen- thawed, cleavage-stage embryo transfers with exogenous hormone protocols with or without a depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH） agonist were assessed. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on 1003 cycles undergoing frozen-thawed, cleavage-stage embryo transfers from January 1, 2012 to June 31, 2015 in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Region. Based on the infertility etiologies of the patients, the 1003 cycles were divided into five groups： tubal infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）, endometriosis, male infertility, and unexplained infertility. The main outcome was the live birth rate. Two groups were set up based on the intervention： group A was given a GnRH agonist with exogenous estrogen and progesterone, and group B （control group） was given exogenous estrogen and progesterone only. The results showed that the baseline serum hormone levels and basic characteristics of the patients were not significantly different between groups A and B. The live birth rates in groups A and B were 41.67% and 29.29%, respectively （P〈0.05）. The live birth rates in patients with PCOS in groups A and B were 56.25% and 30.61%, respectively （P〈0.05）. The clinical pregnancy, implantation and on-going pregnancy rates showed the same trends as the live birth rates between groups A and B. The ectopic pregnancy rate was significantly lower in group A than in group B. We concluded that the live birth rate was higher and other clinical outcomes were more satisfactory with GnRH agonist co- treatment than without GnRH agonist co-treatment for frozen-thawed embryo transfer. The GnRH agonist combined with exogenous estrogen and progesterone worked for all types of infertility tested, especially for women with PCOS.

High-quality Cleavage Embryo versus Low-quality Blastocyst in Frozen-thawed Cycles:Comparison of Clinical Outcomes

This study compared the clinical outcomes of the frozen-thawed cycles of high-quality cleavage embryos with low-quality blastocysts to provide a reference for the choice of frozen-thawed embryo transfer schemes and to improve clinical pregnancy rates.A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from 2016 to 2017.In total,845 cases were divided into a high-quality cleavage embryo group(group A)and a low-quality blastocyst group(group B).Each group was further divided into subgroups based on the number of transplants.Group A was categorized into two subgroups comprising of 94 cases in subgroup Al(1 high-quality 8-cell group)and 201 cases in subgroup A2(2 high-quality 8-cell group).Group B was divided into four subgroups consisting of 73 cases in subgroup B I(D53BC group),65 cases in subgroup B2(D54BC group),110 cases in subgroup B3(D63BC group),and 282 cases in subgroup B4(D64BC group).The pregnancy outcomes and neonatal outcomes between the groups were compared.The clinical pregnancy rates(56.72%and 60.00%)and live birth rates(47.76%and 46.15%)in subgroups A2 and B2 showed no significant differences,but these rates were significantly higher in subgroups A2 and B2 than in the rest subgroups(P<0.05).The multiple birth rate(26.32%)in the subgroup A2 was significantly higher than that in the rest subgroups(P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the abortion rates among all groups(P>0.05).In terms of neonatal outcomes,there were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of premature births,sex ratios,and birth defects among the low-weight and gigantic infants(P>0.05).Transplanting two high-quality cleavage embryos during the frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles could significantly increase clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates,but at the same time,it also increased the risks of multiple births and complications to mothers and infants.The D54BC subgroup had the most significant advantages among all groups(P<0.05).The rest low-quality blastocysts had clinical outcomes similar to the single high-quality cleavage embryo group.

Pregnancy Outcomes for Day 5 Versus Day 6 Single Frozen-thawed Blastocyst Transfer with Different Qualities of Embryos: A Large Matched-cohort Study

Objective This study aimed to determine whether the day of blastocyst expansion affects pregnancy outcomes in frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer(FBT)cycles.Methods A retrospective match-cohort study was conducted.Patients who underwent blastocyst transfer in frozen-thawed cycles at day 5 or 6 were matched for potential confounding factors.A total of 2207 matched pairs of FBT cycles were included from January 2016 to December 2019 in our Reproductive Medicine Center.Results The clinical pregnancy rate(CPR)and live birth rate(LBR)were significantly increased in day 5 blastocyst transfers when compared to day 6 blastocyst transfers,in terms of the same embryo quality.For FBT cycles with good-quality embryo,the CPR at day 5 and 6 was 61.30%and 57.56%,respectively(P=0.045),and the LBR was 44.79%and 36.16%,respectively(P<0.001).For FBT cycles with poor-quality embryo,the CPR at day 5 and 6 was 48.61%and 40.89%,respectively(P=0.006),and the LBR was 31.71%and 25.74%,respectively(P=0.019).The CPR for FBT cycles with good-quality embryo was statistically higher at day 6 than that at day 5 with poor-quality embryo transferred(57.56%vs.48.61%,P=0.001).Maternal age,anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH),endometrial thickness,embryo quality,and the day of blastocyst expansion were independently correlated with the CPR and LBR.The FBT cycles at day 5 had significantly higher CPR(adjusted odds ratio[OR]=1.246,95%confidence intervals[CI]:1.097–1.415,P=0.001)and LBR(adjusted OR=1.435,95%CI:1.258–1.637,P<0.001)than those at day 6.Conclusion The embryo quality is the primary indicator for FBT cycles.Day 5 blastocysts should be preferred when the quality of embryo at day 5 is the same as that at day 6.

Study of the Multidrug Resistance of Enterobacteria Isolated from Waters and Tilapia Fishes from Fish Farms in the Sud-Comoé Region, Côte d’Ivoire

Microbial resistance to antibiotics is a global problem that threatens the lives of millions of people and affects several sectors, including aquaculture. The aim of the present study is to contribute to the monitoring of multi-resistant enterobacterial strains circulating in fish ponds in the Sud-Comoé region of south-eastern Côte d’Ivoire, more specifically in the Aboisso and Tiapoum departments. To this end, 20 samples of Tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) and 60 samples of farm water were collected from 5 fish farms in the Sud-Comoé region. Microbiological analyses were based on the isolation and identification of enterobacteria on Mac Conkey + Ceftazidime medium. These analyses resulted in the isolation of 73 strains of enterobacteria, including 58 from fish and 15 from fish pond water samples. Antibiotic sensitivity tests carried out on enterobacteria isolated from water and fish samples showed high levels of resistance (100%) to the beta-lactam family (Amoxicilin + clavulanic acid, Ceftazidime). Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter spp. showed resistance to Ciprofloxacins (100%) and (25%) respectively. The study also showed that strains of Enterobacteriaceae were resistant to all 3 families of antibiotics, notably Beta-lactams, Fluoro-quinolones and Aminosides. The presence of multi-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in fish and pond water samples represents a public health risk.

Investigating the molecular mechanisms of oocyte maturation and ovulation in Nile tilapia:A focus on the steroidogenic enzyme Cyp17a2

Previous research has highlighted the significant role of progestins and glucocorticoids in fish oocyte maturation and ovulation.To clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes,comprehensive investigations were conducted using a cyp17a2 mutant Nile tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus) model.Analysis revealed pronounced Cyp17a2 expression in ovarian somatic cells of the tilapia.Female cyp17a2-deficient mutants exhibited markedly reduced levels of 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one(DHP) and cortisol/cortisone,leading to delayed meiotic initiation and impaired oocyte maturation and spawning.Notably,supplementation with human chorionic gonadotrophin(hCG),DHP,and cortisol effectively induced germinal vesicle breakdown(GVBD) and facilitated oocyte release with follicular cell layers in cyp17a2^(-/-)females.Additionally,cyp17a2-/-and rescued cyp17a2-/-females showed elevated transcription of steroidogenic enzymes involved in 17β-estradiol(E2)production compared to spawning wild-type females.Moreover,the reduction in Akt phosphorylation observed in cyp17a2-deficient females and upon inhibitor treatment impaired hCG-induced oocyte maturation.Conversely,activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K-Akt) signaling pathway partially rescued the oocyte maturation impairment caused by cyp17a2mutation.Overall,these findings provide functional evidence supporting the critical role of Cyp17a2 in DHP and cortisol biosynthesis,which,in turn,facilitates oocyte maturation and ovulation through activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in fish.

Tilapia Head Glycolipid Alleviates Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer via Regulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Through COX/PGE2 Signaling Pathway in Adult Rats

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the ameliorative effect and molecular mechanism of tilapia head glycolipid(TH-GL)on indomethacin(IDM)-induced gastric ulcer in male Sprague Dawley(SD)rats.The gastric ulcer model was established by oral administration of 30mgkg^(-1) IDM after 7 days of TH-GL or omeprazole(OME)administration in rats.Then the macroscopic gastric injury symptoms,gastric mucosa protective factor cyclooxygenase 1(COX-1),cyclooxygenase 2(COX-2),prostaglandin E_(2)(PGE_(2)),the levels of oxidative stress,and inflammatory cytokine expression levels in the rats were analyzed.The experimental results showed that multiple ulcers appeared on the gastric surface of the rats in the model group.Compared to the model group,TH-GL significantly alleviated gastric ulcers and reduced the gastric damage index in rats.In addition,TH-GL significantly promoted the expression of constitutive enzyme COX-1 while inhibited the expression of inducible enzyme COX-2,and make PGE2 maintain at normal levels.TH-GL also inhibited oxidative stress and inflammatory responses,increased superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and glutathione(GSH)content,decreased the level of malondialdehyde(MDA)and the content of pro-inflammatory factor.In conclusion,these results suggested that TH-GL could maintain the expression levels of COX-1 and PGE2 while inhibit the expression of COX-2 in the gastric of rat and then prevent IDM-induced gastric ulcer,which may be related to the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.Therefore,TH-GL might be a new option for the prevention of gastric diseases induced by IDM.

Serum β-hCG level on day 7 of frozen-thawed embryo transfer: association with the clinical pregnancy outcomes in artificial cycles

Objective:The relationship between serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin(β-hCG)levels of patients(7 days after the transplantation of frozen-thawed embryos)and the pregnancy outcomes was investigated.Methods:This study was designed as a retrospective clinical trial of 366 women who underwent frozen-thawed embryo transfers(FETs)in artificial cycles.Patients were divided into three groups:clinical pregnancy group,biochemical pregnancy group,and non-pregnant group according to their pregnancy outcomes.Serumβ-hCG levels were tested on day 4,7,9,11 and 14 after FET.Results:In the clinical pregnancy group,the serumβ-hCG levels after 7-day post-transplantation were significantly elevated(16.20 IU/L vs.3.07 vs.0.1 IU/L;P<0.05)compared with the other two groups.Furthermore,it was found that Area Under Curve(AUC=0.96)was significant with cut-off value higher than 4.26 IU/L(sensitivity=92.3%,specificity=90.2%)to predict the clinical pregnancy outcomes in the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis ofβ-hCG concentrations on day 7 of post-transplantation.Conclusion:Our results suggested that the elevated serumβ-hCG levels on day 7 of post-transplantation could predict the positive clinical pregnancy outcomes in artificial FET cycles.

RAPD-SCAR Markers for Genetically Improved NEW GIFT Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus niloticus L.) and Their Application in Strain Identification

The NEW GIFT Nile tilapia （Oreochromis niloticus niloticus L.） is a nationally certificated new strain selected over 14 years and 9 generations from the base strain of GIFT Nile tilapia, introduced in 1994. This new variety has been extended in most of areas of China. The management of genetically improved strains, including the genetic markers for identification is needed urgently. RAPD analysis was conducted and their conversion to SCAR markers was developed. From NEW GIFT Nile tilapia, two strain-specific RAPD bands, S304624 bp and S36568 bp were identified. The strain-specific RAPD bands were gel-purified, cloned, and sequenced. Locus-specific primers were then designed to amplify the strain-specific bands. PCR amplification was conducted to test the variations in allele frequencies of two converted SCAR markers among the NEW GIFT Nile tilapia and its base strains, as well as 7 additional farmed strains worldwide. The frequency of SCAR marker Ⅰ （553 bp） was 85.7% in NEW GIFT Nile tilapia, but 16.7% in the base strain. The frequency of SCAR marker Ⅱ （558 bp） was 91.4% in NEW GIFT Nile tilapia, but 0% 70% in the 7 other strains. In order to confirm the utility of these two markers, an examination was conducted for a wild population from Egypt, resulted the frequency of SCAR Ⅰ and Ⅱ was 10% and 70%, respectively, much lower than that of New GIFT strain. The increase in allele frequency of these two SCAR markers suggests that these markers might be genetically linked to the quantitative trait loci （QTL） underlining the performance traits by long term selection, and indicate the bright potential of SCAR marker technology for tracking generations during selection progress and for distinguishing among genetically improved strain and other strains.

RAPD Analysis of Micropterus salmoides and Tilapia nilotica

The intra-population phylogenetic relationship between Micropterus salmoides and Tilapia nilotica was analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA （ RAPD） technique. The results showed that the similar coefficient of bands between M. salmoides and T. nilotica was 0.236, and the genetic distance was 0. 764, which indicated that M. salmoides had a distant relationship with T. nilotica.

尼罗罗非鲫(Tilapia nilotia)仔鱼前期器官发育与分化的组织学观察

本文报道了尼罗罗非鲫发育到仔鱼前期器官发育与分化的研究结果。其中,消化管、肝脏、胰脏、胆囊、鳔、眼和鳃等的发育已达到最后阶段的造型,分化程度较高。胸腺、甲状腺、肾脏仍属器官原基,分化水平较低。口中孵化的方式对眼的分化有一定影响。直到仔鱼前期末,消化管和消化腺没有实质性变化。但胃,肠内出现许多大的卵黄颗粒。在这一阶段,性腺增大十分明显,且被毛细血管及血岛将组织分成许多小叶。性腺的迅速发育与卵黄快速吸收和利用可能有一定的对应关系。

罗非鱼(Tilapia nilotica)简达气单胞菌病的病原分离鉴定及药敏试验

从患病罗非鱼(Tilapia nilotica)体内分离得到细菌NL05,通过回归感染试验确定NL05为致病菌,并测出NL05对罗非鱼的半致死量(LD50)为1×103 CFU/g。结合细菌形态学特征、生理生化指标和16S r RNA基因同源分析,鉴定NL05为简达气单胞菌(Aeromonas jandaei)。形态学观察发现,NL05为革兰氏阴性、短杆状;生理生化试验中麦芽糖、甘露醇、葡萄糖、水杨素、硫化氢等13种指标为阳性,蔗糖、阿拉伯糖、木糖、肌醇、卫矛醇等10种指标为阴性。药敏试验显示,NL05对奥复星、丙氟哌酸、丁胺卡那霉素、多粘菌素B、氟哌酸、利福平、洁霉素等13种抗生素敏感,对阿奇霉素、菌必治、卡那霉素、链霉素、美满霉素5种抗生素中介,对氨苄青霉素、阿莫西林、恩诺沙星、复方新诺明、甲氧苄啶等13种抗生素耐药。

罗非鱼(Tilapia)鱼皮提取明胶的工艺优化

以罗非鱼(Tilapia)鱼皮为原料,分别用碱法、酸法、酶法进行前处理,对3种方法的提取效果进行比较,筛选出最佳水解方法为酶法。优化了酶法处理后的漂白、熬胶工艺,获得鱼皮提取明胶的最佳工艺。结果显示,前处理采用0.2%的混合酶,调p H值至3.5,于40℃水浴中酶水解鱼皮1 h,用6%高锰酸钾溶液进行氧化漂白3 h,再用1.5%草酸溶液进行还原漂白45 min。控制p H值为5?6,分3次熬胶,每次分别将水浴加热升温至60℃、65℃、70℃,各加热2 h,过滤后将3次胶液合并,在真空度不低于500 mm Hg,温度不超过60℃的情况下浓缩至20%左右。然后在60℃的鼓风干燥箱干燥至明胶含水量14%以下,经粉碎机粉碎,即可得成品明胶。该工艺产品得率19.93%(湿基)、粘度13.1 m Pa·s、凝胶强度1034.3 g/cm2。

真空热处理与谷蛋白添加对罗非鱼肌原纤维蛋白凝胶性能的影响

为探索真空热处理与谷蛋白对肌原纤维蛋白(Myofibrillar Protein,MP)凝胶性能的影响,实验以罗非鱼MP为原料,以质构、持水、分子间作用力等为指标研究了真空热处理与谷蛋白添加对罗非鱼MP凝胶的影响。结果表明,在水浴条件下,加入0.7%的谷蛋白显著提高了MP的硬度、凝胶强度。微观结构结果表明谷蛋白使MP凝胶网络趋于平整,孔洞减小,有利于凝胶的形成。与水浴加热相比,经过一段式真空热处理1 h后,MP凝胶的内聚性、弹性、凝胶强度显著提高,真空热处理2 h后,MP凝胶的内聚性与凝胶强度进一步提高。另外,真空热处理和谷蛋白添加改善了MP凝胶的水分状态,T22固定水的含量下降,同时T22固定水与T23自由水的迁移受到限制,使凝胶内水分趋于稳定。分子间作用力结果显示,离子键与疏水相互作用增强,促进了MP的凝胶化。综上所述,真空加工和谷蛋白添加促使MP结构伸展,形成更加致密的三维凝胶网络。

Effects of Salinity on Growth of Tilapia nilotica and Tilapia mossambica

Tilapia has wide-range tolerance to salinity, and most Tilapia species can survive in both fresh water and seawater. In this study, the survival rates, absolute growth rates and instantaneous growth rates of Tilapia nilotica and Tilapia mossambica in waters with four different salinities（0‰, 10‰, 20‰, 30‰） were investigated.The results showed that the growth of T. mossambica was trended to be increased with the increased salinity, and it is suitable to be farmed in seawater; however, the growth of T. nilotica was trended to be decreased with the increased salinity, and it is suitable to be farmed in fresh water.

Changing Rule of Physical and Chemical Indicators of Sediment in Tilapia Aquaculture Ponds

To provide basic information for studying balancing mechanism of nutrition environment in aquaculture ponds, sediment samples were collected periodically during the breeding process of tilapia in ponds. Then various types of nutrient content of the samples were detected and the changing rule was summarized. The results showed that dry weight of the sediment and content of TP, TN and TOC generally presented a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The main production period of each nutrient was from July to September and the production percentage was close to 80% of the total production. The content of NH4^＋-N increased gradually and reached a peak in early August, then maintained at the peak level. NO2^--N content of the sediment in each pond was basically the same in the earlier aquaculture stage and decreased in middle stage with a big difference, then rose again in the later stage.

仿生态条件下星洲红鱼(Singapore red tilapia)和奥尼罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长和肌肉营养特性的比较研究

为比较星洲红鱼(Singapore red tilapia)和奥尼罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)的生长和肌肉营养特性,实验利用两种鱼的不同体色将其混养在同一池塘中,在相同的环境条件和养殖管理下研究其生长特性,并分析肌肉营养成分。结果表明:两种罗非鱼生长在前60 d无差异,60 d后星洲红鱼的体长、体质量日增长和特定生长率均大于奥尼罗非鱼,且差异显著(P<0.05)。据此得到了星洲红鱼和奥尼罗非鱼的体长(L)、体质量(W)生长与养殖天数(d)的回归方程。星洲红鱼含肉率高于奥尼罗非鱼9.65%(P<0.05),肌肉水分高于奥尼罗非鱼,蛋白质、粗脂肪和灰分含量均低于奥尼罗非鱼,其中脂肪含量差异显著(P<0.05),其他不显著。两种罗非鱼肌肉的氨基酸组成全面,氨基酸组成均符合FAO/WHO的理想模式,除精氨酸含量有差异外,其他氨基酸含量稍有差异但不显著。星洲红鱼和奥尼罗非鱼肌肉EAA/TAA、EAA/NEAA、DAA/TAA和EAAI分别为41.04%和40.95%,70.00%和69.34%,40.71%和39.08%,67.46%和67.08%,差异不显著。星洲红鱼、奥尼罗非鱼肌肉∑SFA和∑UFA分别为28.03%和28.60%,63.87%和61.38%,各脂肪酸含量除C14:0和C18:2外,其他含量差异不显著。研究表明,星洲红鱼和奥尼罗非鱼生长快、营养丰富、食用价值高,是优质淡水鱼类养殖品种,其中星洲红鱼含肉率高,生长快,养殖效益明显。

尼罗罗非鱼(Tilapia nilotica)不同月龄数量性状遗传力估计

采用不平衡巢式配对的技术,构建尼罗罗非鱼(Tilapia nilotica)半同胞家系30个,估计尼罗罗非鱼数量性状的遗传力。分别对3、4、5月龄的所有家系的家系个体的体重、全长、体长、头长、躯干长、体高、尾柄长、尾柄高及体宽共9个数量性状进行测量,运用半同胞组内相关法估计尼罗罗非鱼3、4、5月龄数量性状的遗传力。结果表明,3月龄尼罗罗非鱼数量性状遗传力的估计值较大为0.73—0.21,4月龄尼罗罗非鱼数量性状遗传力的估计值为0.21—0.06,5月龄尼罗罗非鱼数量性状遗传力的估计值为0.25—0.05,尼罗罗非鱼各性状的遗传力随着月龄增长而减小,遗传力在3月龄最高,4月龄和5月龄较低并接近。本研究结果为进一步开展尼罗罗非鱼选择育种研究奠定基础。

Comparative Study on the Antioxidant Activity of Peptides from Pearl Oyster(Pinctada martensii) Mantle Type V Collagen and Tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus) Scale Type Ⅰ Collagen

In this study, Pearl oyster mantle type V collagen(POMC) and tilapia scale type I collagen(TSC) were extracted and hydrolyzed by various proteases in order to obtain peptides. The antioxidant activity of the peptides was investigated by DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging experiments and a dynamic digestion model in vitro. The results show that there are significant differences in amino acid composition between POMC and TSC. The collagen peptides obtained from pearl oyster mantle(POMCP) by treating with alkaline protease exhibited higher antioxidant activity than that from tilapia scale(TSCP) treated with papaya protease, and both of them showed greater DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity than other peptides. After being separated via Sephadex G-25 chromatography, the M1 fraction isolated from POMCP, and the S1 fraction from TSCP with which both had higher molecular weights showed the strongest antioxidant activity than other fractions, and the M1 fraction exhibited stronger antioxidant activity than the S1 fraction in scavenging free-radicals and protecting cells from the oxidation damage. Furthermore, after treating the dynamic digestion system model in vitro, the DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of the M1 fraction increased slightly. These results suggest that POMCP exhibits stronger antioxidant activity than TSCP, which means that PMOP may be a good candidate to be a potential natural antioxidant in the food-processing industry.

Behavioral response of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to acute ammonia stress monitored by computer vision

The behavioral responses of a tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) school to low (0.13 mg/L), moderate (0.79 mg/L) and high (2.65 mg/L) levels of unionized ammonia (UIA) concentration were monitored using a computer vision system. The swimming activity and geometrical parameters such as location of the gravity center and distribution of the fish school were calculated continuously. These behavioral parameters of tilapia school responded sensitively to moderate and high UIA concen-tration. Under high UIA concentration the fish activity showed a significant increase (P<0.05), exhibiting an avoidance reaction to high ammonia condition, and then decreased gradually. Under moderate and high UIA concentration the school’s vertical location had significantly large fluctuation (P<0.05) with the school moving up to the water surface then down to the bottom of the aquarium alternately and tending to crowd together. After several hours’ exposure to high UIA level, the school finally stayed at the aquarium bottom. These observations indicate that alterations in fish behavior under acute stress can provide important in-formation useful in predicting the stress.