Gonadosomatic index and some hematological parameters in African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) as affected by feed type and temperature level

ABSTRACT The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of different feeds/nutrients and temperature on the gonadal development of Clarias gariepinus. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) and blood parameters including red blood cell count (RBCs), white blood cell count (WBCs), hemoglobin (Hgb) level, hematocrit (HCT), platelets (PLT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were investigated. Four types of fish feed of 36% protein content [D1(fish meal), D2 (soybean meal), D3 (peameal) and D4 (commercial tilapia feed)] and 3 different levels of temperature (T1(24℃), T2(28℃) and T3(32℃) were tried in this study for a duration of 4 months. The mean values were as follows: female GSI (14.68 ± 4.86), male GSI (0.70 ± 0.32), RBCs x 106(2.45± 0.64), WBCs x 103(9.28 ± 2.34), Hgb (12.42± 2.21g/dl), HCT (29.06 ± 3.54%), PLT (90.75 ± 9.18/mm3), and MCV (118.08 ± 10.3 g/l). Fish meal diet revealed the most significant (p<0.05) increase in weight gain, female GSI, and also exerted significant increases on most of the blood parameters. This study revealed that animal-based protein diet and temperature around 28℃ were the critical requirements for the physiological performance and relative gonadal weight of C. gariepinus. GSI and blood parameters were useful indicators of stress exerted by nutrition and temperature on fish, and their study is critical for fish health and mass production of viable seeds for aquaculture enterprise.

Biochemical studies on bilharzial and nonbilharzial hyperoxaluria: effect of pyridoxine and allopurinol treatment.

The urinary excretion levels of oxalic acid, calcium, kynurenic, and xanthurenic acids and serum pyridoxal and pyridoxal phosphate concentrations were determined for nonbilharzial and bilharzial hyperoxaluric patients with or without urinary stones. The effects of pyridoxine and allopurinol treatment were also studied. The different groups studied showed elevated levels of urinary oxalic acid, calcium, kynurenic, and xanthurenic acids as well as decreases in serum pyridoxal and pyridoxal phosphate concentrations. These data indicate that nonbilharzial hyperoxaluric patients suffer from dietary B6 deficiency, whereas bilharzial hyperoxaluric patients may suffer from impaired pyridoxine phosphokinase activity. Pyridoxine supplementation is recommended for the treatment of nonbilharzial hyperoxaluric patients. Allopurinol may be the proper drug in the treatment of oxaluria and stone formation or of bilharzial patients.

Studies on the effectiveness of liver and bacterial beta-glucuronidase enzymes in the hydrolysis of urinary beta-glucosiduronides of some tryptophan metabolites.

The effectiveness of Escherichia coli and bovine liver beta-glucuronidases in the hydrolysis of the urinary beta-glucosiduronides of tryptophan metabolites was studied. Moreover, the effect of the prolonged contact of these conjugates to the urinary enzyme was investigated in the first and second voiding urine samples. It is found that both enzymes have no important role in releasing the free carcinogens from their glucosiduronides. The presence of free carcinogens could be attributed to the spontaneous hydrolysis of some labile conjugates. However, the prolonged contact of the freely active substances during the sleeping hours with the epithelium of the bladder may enhance the process of bladder carcinogenicity. The increased accumulation of these metabolites in the first voiding urine could be interpreted in terms of their rate of excretion rather than by the enzymatic hydrolysis of their conjugates.