Development and distribution of intestinal enzymatic activity inParalabrax maculatofasciatus(Steindachner, 1868) larvae fed with live prey

Abstract

We describe the development and distribution of intestinal aminopeptidase M, dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV, non-speci¢c esterase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase, using enzyme histochemistry techniques, in the spotted sand bass larvae (Paralabrax maculatofasciatus) under culture conditions. All digestive enzymes tested showed a positive reaction from ¢rst feeding (day 2) and throughout the study period (day 30). At ¢rst feeding, the main enzymatic activity was in the mucosa throughout the intestines. Later, enzymatic activity occurred in the liver, kidney and stomach. All enzymatic activities increased from days15 to 20, remaining constant until the end of the study. This enzymatic activity suggests the onset of maturation of the digestive tract. After day 20, a positive reaction was recorded in the pyloric caeca for all tested enzymatic activities. Our study con¢rms the digestive and absorptive functions in the intestines in spotted sand bass larvae from ¢rst feeding. It also brings new insight to establish an early weaning strategy during cultivation of spotted sand bass larvae.

Development and allometric growth patterns during early larval stages of the spotted sand bass <i>Paralabrax maculatofasciatus</i> (Percoidei: Serranidae)

“…In the spotted sand bass, the development of mucosa folds and the coiling of the digestive tract begins during this stage (Peña et al, 2003). These changes along with an increase in enzymatic activity (Alvarez-González, 2003;Peña et al, 2009) enhance the digestive capability. Likewise, the tail segment showed negative allometric growth; however, the positive allometry of the TD and MH contribute to increasing the swimming capabilities, and together with the development of the ML allow the ingestion of bigger prey (Cunha and Planas, 1999).…”

Variations in digestive enzyme activity during larval development of cultured Pacific red snapperLutjanus peru

“…Alkaline and acid phosphatases are hydrolases secreted in cell membranes where active transport of nutrients take place like liver, bones and kidneys (Lojda et al, 1979). In the digestive tract, they are secreted in the brush border of the intestinal enterocytes (Peña et al, 2009) and are involved in the hydrolysis of inorganic phosphate and phosphorylated proteins for energy production and nutrient absorption across the brush border membrane. The increase in alkaline phosphatase activity is considered an indicator of the intensification in the absorptive function in the digestive tract and has also been associated with the intestinal maturation (Segner et al, 1989; Zambonino‐Infante & Cahu, 2001).…”

A method for the histochemical localization of digestive enzymes in whole freeze-substituted larval fish embedded in glycol methacrylate

“…Techniques using freeze drying and infiltration with GMA have been used previously for larval fish species in histopathological studies (Marty, Hinton & Summerfelt 1995), those investigating the development of enzyme activity during larval development (Baglole, Goff & Wright 1998; Santamaría, Marín de Mateo, Traveset, Sala, Grau, Pastor, Sarasquete & Crespo 2004; Bolasina, Pérez & Yamashita 2006; Chen, Qin, Kumar, Hutchinson & Clarke 2006; Kozarić, Kužir, Petrinec, Gjurčević & Opačak 2006) and for the assessment of larval diet quality (Gawlicka, Teh, Hung, Hinton & de la Noue 1995; Kozarić et al 2006; Peña, Dumas & Rodríguez‐Jaramillo, 2009). In particular, the localization of digestive enzymes in whole fish larvae provides important information related to the localization of tissue and cellular activity while maintaining spatial relationships during this critical stage of development.…”