Effect of chicken gonadotropin-releasing hormone (cGnRH-II) on plasma steroid hormone, maturation and ovulation in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Nowadays, many studies on the effects of native GnRHs and various agonists have been evaluated on the spawning of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. For the current study, three experiments have beenconducted to determine the effectiveness of chicken gonadotropin-releasing hormone II (cGnRH-II) in stimulation of maturation and ovulation of African catfish. The first experiment concerned the gradeddosage treatment; the second experiment was designed specifically to determine the response of dopamine inhibitor to accelerate the maturation process. Finally the third experiment was carried out to compare the effectiveness of cGnRH-II against leutinising hormone releasing-hormone analogue (LHRHa) and salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (sGnRHa) in inducing maturation and ovulation. Plasma steroid levels (17ß-estradiol (E2) and testosterone) were determined and germinalvesicle (GV) was observed prior to hormone administration at (0), 6, 12 and 24 h post injection. From the first experiment, cGnRH-II 200 g/kg was found to be effective to induce ovulation in African catfish.100% ovulation was also observed for the fish treated with cGnRH-II 200 g/kg with the combination of pimozide based on the second experiment. Finally in the third experiment, sGnRHa was proven to be more efficient compared to cGnRH-II, only 20 g/kg was administered intramuscularly in single injection. For the group that showed ovulation, that is cGnRH 200 g/kg alone and with the combination of pimozide and also sGnRHa, plasma level of E2 and T increased significantly with the association ofgerminal vesicle migration and ultimately ovulation. The concentration reached the peaked after 12 h, then decreased dramatically at 24 h post treatment. In contrast to the non-ovulated group that is cGnRH-II 2 and 20 g/kg, the plasma level showed small increased after the injection and throughout the experiment. The present study indicates that  administration of cGnRH-II is effective for sexual maturation and ovulation in African catfish

Effects of stocking density on growth performance and survival of three male morphotypes in all-male culture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man)

A study was conducted to appraise the effect of different stocking densities on three male morphotypes named blue claw (BC), orange claw (OC) and small male (SM) at harvest in all-male culture and to assess the growth performance of BC, OC and SM in each isolated culture. Trials involving three stocking densities of all-male prawn viz., 20, 30 and 40 juvenile m^-2 were carried out in replicates. After 4 months of culture, BC, OC and SM were sorted from all tanks and restocked at 5 m^-2 in treatments BC, OC and SM respectively for 80 days. A difference in prawn density significantly (p<0.05) affected adversely on morphotypes. The highest survival rate combined with good yield performance was from 20 juvenile m^-2 stocking density with 21% BC, 62.5% OC and 16.5% SM, respectively. In isolation culture, the average specific growth rate of the SM population (1.22) was significantly higher than that of the OC (1.01) and the BC (0.43) population. The survival of the SM population was 100% while for others it was 72%. Absolute weight of prawn was significantly greater in the male OC (23.87 g) than the SM (19.57 g) and the BC males (6.31 g). Impacts of isolated culture on population structure were much more pronounced in the SM population than others

Feeding characteristics of Neogobius caspius in the south west coastline of the Caspian Sea (Gilan Province)

Neogobius caspius is an endemic species of the Caspian Sea which plays an important role in food chain as a predatory fish. The main aim of this study was to investigate selected feeding characteristics of Neogobius caspius in the south west coasts of the Caspian Sea. Monthly sampling was carried out using a bottom trawler at three stations (Astara, Anzali and Chabuksar) in three depths (0-5, 5-10 and 10-15m) on a monthly basis from October 2004 to September 2005. Relative gut length (RLG) was less than one suggesting that this species is carnivorous. RLG was significantly lower in older fish but gut length was longer (P<0.05). Intensity of fullness was below the favorite degree (IF<400) from October to March, however, it was higher (400<IF<900) from April to October at all stations, indicating that feeding conditions for this species is suitable in the study area. Study showed that N. caspius mainly fed on molluscs (Food preference, FP=100%), worms (FP=89%) and crustaceans (FP=74%), hence, this species is considered as euryphagus species

A putative probiotic isolated from hatchery reared juvenile Penaeus monodon

Probiotic is considered as a remedy to solve disease problem in shrimp aquaculture. Shrimp body and environment bacterial flora are recommended as reliable source for extracting of beneficial bacteria. Therefore, 5000 pieces of post larvae of Penaeus monodon were distributed equally in 4 tanks in probiotic and antibiotic free condition up to juvenile. Then microbiological samples from digestive system, muscles, body surface, rearing water and tank sediment were inoculated onto the selective media plates. Incident of total bacteria, Vibrio, Pseudomonas and Entrobacteriaceae were evaluated in different body parts and rearing environment of shrimp. The highest bacteria count for total bacteria, Vibrio, Pseudomonas was occurred in sediment followed by digestive system. No Entrobacteriaceae was observed from all samples. Isolated bacteria were identified and placed in 7 genera consisted of Vibrio, Shewanella, Burkholderia, Clavibacter, Staphylococcus, Brevibacterium, Corynebacterium, while one genus remained unidentified. Genus Shewanella exhibited highest frequent bacteria in digestive system of P. monodon which may be indicated its ability to colonization in digestive system. Shewanella algae was selected from whole isolated bacteria as candidate probiotic via well plate diffusion technique and cross streak antagonistic test against Vibrio harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus. It was able to digest lipid and protein in tributyrin agar and skim milk agar

Breeding and life cycle of Neocaridina denticulata sinensis (Kemp, 1918).

Neocaridina denticulata sinensis (Kemp, 1918) or also known as red cherry shrimp (RCS) became popular in aquarium industry since its first introduction in 2003 until now. Little is known of this particular species since documented report is very scarce. Thus, this study was conducted to gather some information on its breeding behavior and life cycle until first maturity in laboratory condition. Fertilized eggs were found to be oval in shape with color varies from greenish to yellowish. The egg size was comparatively large, with an average diameter of 1.19 mm. Embryonic development of N. d. sinensis lasted for 15 days at 27°C. Newly hatched larvae look like a miniature version of the adult with an average total length of 2.3 mm. A female can produced about 21-51 larvae per hatching. Larger females produced more larvae. It takes 60 days for larvae to reach juvenile stage, where male and female were still undifferentiated. Juveniles become adults 15 days later. Females were obvious with the presence of orange colored ovary at the cephalothorax region. Within one to three days, these males and females are ready to spawn. During this study, N. d. sinensis cultured in freshwater were found to be susceptible to clitellate annelid (Holtodrilus sp.). Culture of this species in slightly saline condition between 5-10 ppt was an effective treatment for this annelid

Evaluation of in vitro Vibrio static activity of Shewanella algae isolated from healthy Penaeus monodon

To conquer disease problem in shrimp industries, probiotic biocontrol is a well known remedy now. The antagonistic ability of separated isolates from different parts of juvenile Penaeus monodon werescreened against shrimp Vibrio pathogens; Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus. The most antagonistic effect was observed for an isolate that was primarily identified as Shewanella algae usingconventional methods followed by Biolog microlog software. Since production of antagonistic agents rely on cultural conditions, antagonistic ability of candidate probioic against the mentioned Vibrios was assessed using Response Surface Methodology, with central composite design in which four independents variables were assumed: temperature (10 - 50°C), pH (6 -10), NaCl concentration (0 - 50%)and time (12 – 60 h). The coefficients of multiple determinations (R2), for the responses of antagonistic effect of S. algae against V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus values were 0.807 and 0.805,respectively. Concentration of the NaCl exhibited least influence on the antibacterial effect of candidate probiotic while the other independent variables exhibited different degree of affect. The candidateprobiotic revealed a reasonable antibacterial response in quite a wide range of temperature and pH in which the maximum levels were in the same range of optimum shrimp culture

KUAT TEKAN BETON NORMAL DAN MORTAR YANG MENGGUNAKAN AGREGAT HALUS DAN AGREGAT KASAR SUNGAI FATUBENAO

Beton dan mortar merupakan bahan yang paling sering digunakan dalam struktur bangunan modern saat ini. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui nilai kuat tekan beton dan mortar yang menggunakan agregat Sungai Fatubenao yang berada di Kelurahan Fatubenao Kecamatan Kota Atambua Kabupaten Belu, serta untuk mengetahui nilai perbandingannya terhadap beton dan mortar yang menggunakan agregat Sungai Takari. Benda uji beton berbentuk silinder dengan ukuran diameter 15 cm dan tinggi 30 cm. Nilai kuat tekan yang direncanakan sebesar 15 MPa dan 25 MPa. Benda uji mortar berbentuk kubus berukuran 5x5x5 cm dengan komposisi campuran untuk mortar 1 PCC: 4 Psr, 1 PCC: 6 Psr, 1 PCC: 8 Psr dan 1 PCC:10 Psr. Waktu perawatan benda uji beton dan mortar adalah 28 hari. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan nilai kuat tekan beton dan mortar yang menggunakan agregat Sungai Fatubenao hari lebih rendah dari beton dan mortar yang menggunakan agregat Sungai Takari.Concrete is one of the construction materia that is often used in current modern building structure. The purpose of this research is to find out the concrete and mortar strength value that use aggregate from Fatubenao village Atambua City sub-district Belu District, also to know their comparison value on concrete and mortar that use aggregate from Takari. The concrete test sample that use cylindrical with a diameter of 15 cm and height is 30 cm with a total of sample tests are 18 pieces. Plan compressive strength values are 15 MPa and 25 MPa. In mortal test sample that use cuboid with a measure is 5x5x5 cm with mortar compositions are 1Pcc:4Psr, 1Pcc:6Psr, 1Pcc:8Psr, 1Pcc:10Psr and the total of sample tests are 36 pieces. The time of concrete and mortal sample test maintenance is 28 days. The result of this researcg shows that the concrete and mortar compressive strength value that use aggregates from Fatubenao is lower than the concrete and mortar that use aggregates from Takari

Effect of using various amounts of patin (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fish oil on physical and chemical properties of moisturizing hand cream

Hand cream is used for rehydrating and improving skin properties. The skin is the first point of contact with the environment. Thus having healthy skin with proper barrier properties is quite important. The beneficial effects of fish oil on skin make it a favorable ingredient to be used in hand care products. In the present study, the efficacy and stability of various hand cream formulations using 0, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0% of fish oil were investigated and compared. The appearance, odor, texture, and pH of formulations containing 1 and 2.5% of fish oil remained stable in very good qualities during the storage, whereas the related values to the appearance and texture of formulation containing 5.0% of fish oil at the end of 6 months of storage at 45°C were significantly (p<0.05) lower than other formulations and previous evaluations of this formulation. Weight loss was not observed in all formulations under study

Reproductive characteristics of Neogobius caspius from the southwest coasts of the Caspian Sea, Guilan Province of Iran

Neogobius caspius is an endemic fish species in the Caspian Sea belonging to the family Gobiidae that ecologically play important role as a predator fish in the food chain .The main objective of this research was determination of some reproductive properties of N. caspius in the southwest coasts of the Caspian Sea. Sampling was carried out with a bottom trawler in three stations (Astara, Anzali and Chabuksar) from October 2004 until September 2005. The species was identified based on meristic parameters. The maximum gonadosomatic index (GSI) was recorded at 7.52% for male and 100.12% for female fish in June. A sharp decrease in GSI value from June to the end of September in both sexes was observed and we found that the spawning of the species takes place several times each year. Hence, the species is considered a late spawner. Female to male sex ratio was 1.47:1. Absolute fecundity was in the range 212-1234 eggs and the relative fecundity fluctuated between 18.73 and 29.89 eggs per each gram of the body weight. The correlation between absolute and relative fecundity with age was positive and with total length and full weight was negative. Egg diameter was in the range 0.06 to 0.23mm. The correlation between egg diameter, age and total length was positive