Muhammet Enis Yonar

Effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on antioxidant defense and sperm quality in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) under regular stripping conditions.

This study examined the effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels; semen and liver fatty acid compositions; and spermatological values (semen volume and pH, sperm density, percentage and duration of sperm motility) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) under regular stripping conditions. For this purpose, one control and two experimental diets were prepared as isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The control diet did not contain n-3 PUFA. However, the D1 and D2 diets were supplemented with n-3 PUFA concentrated anchovy oil at a 1% and 2% level, respectively. The n-3 PUFA content in the semen and liver, semen volume, initial sperm motility, duration of 50% sperm motility, total duration of sperm motility and sperm density values of the control fish fed the n-3 PUFA-deficient diet were decreased and were accompanied by a reduction of the antioxidant defense (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and GSH) and an elevation of MDA in the blood, gonad, liver and kidney at all of the sampling periods (P<0.01 for each case). However, the effects of the sampling period on the MDA and antioxidant defense values in the blood, gonad, liver and kidney of the control diet fish (with the exception of the GSH and GSH-Px activities) and the D1 and D2 diet fish were not significant (P>0.01). However, supplementation with n-3 PUFA protected the fish from these adverse effects. The modulations were clearly observed in the fish fed the D2 diet because they were under lower oxidative stress, as indicated by MDA. The increased enzyme activity corresponds with the physiological mechanisms combating the elevation of free radicals under oxidative stress. The highest n-3 PUFA levels in the semen and liver and spermatological values were obtained from the fish fed the D2 diet at all of the sampling periods. On the other hand, the effects of the sampling stage on the spermatological values of the fish fed the D1 and D2 diets were not significant (P>0.01). However, the effects of the sampling stage in the fish fed the control diet on these values (with the exception of semen pH) were significant (P<0.01). In conclusion, the addition and balance of n-3 PUFA in the diet of broodstock fish can improve sperm quality and ultimately cause successful reproduction.

Effects of 17β-estradiol injection on the reproductive efficiency of freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823)

ABSTRACT The effects of 17β-estradiol injection (10−7mol/crayfish) in adult female Astacus leptodactylus on the reproductive efficiency (i.e., pleopodal egg and stage 1 juvenile numbers) were investigated. In addition, hepatosomatic index, gonodosomatic index, and 17β-estradiol (E2) levels of crayfish ovary, hepatopancreas, and heamolymph before and after injections were also determined. Results showed that E2 injection to females enhances the reproductive efficiency of A.leptodctylus. E2 injection significantly increased pleopodal egg and stage 1 juvenile numbers, GSI, HSI, and concentrations of E2 in heamolymph, ovary, and hepatopancreas. However, E2 injection did not accelerate time of mating and proportion of pleopodal egg-berried females at the first week of reproduction season in this species. This study highlights that to improve the reproductive efficiency of A.leptodctylus by using hormones to regulate the ovarian cycle, E2 should be used at least 1.5 months before the commencement of the breeding season.

Effects of different methods and times of 17β-estradiol treatment on the feminization success in the narrow-clawed crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823)

Abstract Sex differentiation is a profitable technique in crayfish aquaculture. Most of the studies have focused on sex differentiation in crayfish by ablation or implantation of androgenic glands. There is no research on sex differentiation using hormones in crayfish. In the present study, the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) injections (10−7 mol/crayfish) to females and baths (50 μg 17β-estradiol/L) to pleopodal eggs and stage1, 2, and 3 juveniles on the feminization of freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus were investigated. Results showed that E2 injection to females, bath to pleopodal eggs and bath to stage 1, 2, and 3 juveniles increased feminization rate significantly (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control in A. leptodactylus. Best feminization rate (male to female, 0.25:1) was observed after hormonal injection to the females combined with application of both for their both pleopodal eggs and stage 1, 2, and 3 juveniles. In conclusion, it is possible to obtain 75% females A. leptodactylus by E2 injection to females and bath to pleopodal eggs and stage 1, 2, and 3 juveniles. However, future studies are needed to investigate the mechanism of E2 in crayfish feminization and the sexual development of juveniles obtained from feminization.

Effects of dietary propolis on the number and size of pleopadal egg, oxidative stress and antioxidant status of freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz)

Four different crayfish diets; control, E1, E2 and E3, respectively containing 0, 1, 2 and 4% propolis, were tested to determine the effects of dietary propolis on the number and size of pleopadal egg, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in the freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus). The crayfish were kept at 9.6±5.3°C water temperature and fed three times daily during a six month period The pleopodal egg number (from 7 to 9) produced per gram of the body weight and total pleopodal egg number (from 201 to 263) significantly increased (P<0.05) with the dietary propolis supplemantation. However, an increase in the dietary propolis led to a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the pleopodal egg size (from 3.22mm to 2.76mm). MDA level significantly (P<0.05) decreased in the hepatopancreas (from 4.78 to 3.04 nmol/g protein) and ovarium (from 3.52 to 1.98 nmol/g protein) of the crayfish fed with the increased dietary propolis level. On the other hand, an increase in the dietary propolis led to a significant increase (P<0.05) in SOD activities in hepatopancreas (from 21.8 to 41.1U/g protein) and ovarium (from 16.8 to 26.8U/g protein). However, CAT activities significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the hepatopancreas (from 23.8 to 18.9 nmol/g protein) and ovarium (from 21.8 to 17.5 nmol/g protein) of the crayfish fed with the increased dietary propolis level. Similarly, an increase in the dietary propolis caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in GSH-Px activities in the hepatopancreas (from 21.8 to 41.1U/g protein) and ovarium (from 16.8 to 26.8U/g protein) with the formation of the pleopodal egg. The dietary propolis improves reproductive efficiency in the crayfish and decreases the oxidative stress under controlled hatchery conditions.