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Weaning experiments with turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): Electron microscopic study of liver

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Abstract

Weaning, i.e. the change from live to dry food, is a critical stage in the rearing of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). In order to obtain a more detailed understanding of the associated functional processes, an electron microscopical study of liver morphological alterations before, during and after the weaning process was conducted. Three days before the start of weaning, slight malnutrition of fish was suggested by histological features such as nuclear glycogen deposition, mitochondrial swelling, together with a low level of glycogen and lipid stores. Lipid material was repeatedly located within cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum. Intra-cisternal lipid deposition (steatosis) in the liver was dramatically increased 3 d after the start of weaning. At the end of the weaning period, steatosis disappeared while cytoplasmic lipid deposition was enhanced. Although the weaning process dramatically increased hepatocellular steatosis, this phenomenon is obviously not caused by weaning — since it was already present during the pre-weaning period. As a speculation, steatosis in the liver of larval turbot may be the result of ontogenetic changes in intermediary metabolism, with the magnitude of this process being controlled by nutritional factors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoologie II, Universität Karlsruhe, Kaiserstraße 12, D-7500, Karlsruhe, FRG

    H. Segner

  2. Butt, Gesellschaft für marine Fischzucht, Bülker Huk, D-2307, Strande, FRG

    U. Witt

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  1. H. Segner
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  2. U. Witt
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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

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Segner, H., Witt, U. Weaning experiments with turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): Electron microscopic study of liver. Mar. Biol. 105, 353–361 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01316306

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