by Liang Yiu-hon. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-117). / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.iii / AMINO ACIDS SHORTHAND --- p.v / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.vi-x / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Discovery of IGFs --- p.1 / Chapter 1.3 --- The Growth Promoting Actions of IGFs --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4 --- Molecular Biology of IGFs in Mammals --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- IGF Genes and Transcripts --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Regulation of IGF Gene Expression --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5 --- IGF Binding Proteins --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Regulation of IGF Action by IGF Binding Proteins --- p.11 / Chapter 1.6 --- The Insulin and IGF Receptors --- p.13 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- IGF-I Receptor --- p.13 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- IGF-II Receptor --- p.13 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Insulin/IGF-I Hybrid Receptor --- p.15 / Chapter 1.7 --- IGF in Mammalian Fetal Growth --- p.17 / Chapter 1.8 --- The Role of IGFs in Fish --- p.19 / Chapter 1.9 --- Aims of the Present Study --- p.26 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- GENERAL METHODOLOGY / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Gene Clean --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.1A --- Gene Clean by Glassmilk Method --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.1B --- Gene Clean by Sephaglas´ёØ BandPrep Kit --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Preparation of Radioactive Nucleic Acid Probes --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Sephadex G-50 Spun-column Chromatography --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Small Scale Alkali Preparation of Plasmid DNA --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Large Scale Preparation of Plasmid DNA 36 - using Wizard Maxiprep Kit (Promega) / Chapter 2.2.6 --- DNA Sequencing using T7 DNA Polymerase Sequencing Kit (Pharmacia) --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Restriction Enzyme Digestion --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Agarose Gel Electrophoresis --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Dephosphorylation of Linearized Plasmid DNA --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Ligation of Foreign DNA with Linearized Plasmid --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.11 --- Transformation of Plasmid Vector into Competent Cell (Heat Shock Method) --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.12 --- Blotting : Transfer of DNA to Nylon Membrane --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.12A --- Capillary Transfer of DNA to Nylon Membrane in 10X SSC --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.12B --- Capillary Transfer of DNA to Nylon Membrane under Alkaline Condition --- p.42 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- SCREENING OF COMMON CARP LIVER cDNA LIBRARY / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Materials --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Methods --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Preparation of the Plating Host --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Phage Titering --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.2.3 --- Primary Screening of Common Carp Liver cDNA Library --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.2.4 --- Purification of the Positive Clone --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.2.5 --- Checking the Insert Size of the Positive Clone --- p.50 / Chapter 2.2.2.6 --- In vivo Excision to Release Phagemid from the Phage vector --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.2.7 --- Plasmid Minipreparation of the Positive Clone --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.2.8 --- Restriction Enzyme Digestion to Release the Insert --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.2.9 --- Large Scale Plasmid Preparation of the Positive Clone --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.2.10 --- DNA Sequencing of the Positive Clone --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.2.11 --- Restriction Mapping of the Positive Clone --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.2.12 --- Subcloning of the Positive Clone into Plasmid Vectors --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.2.13 --- DNA Sequencing of the Subclones --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.55 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- RNA ASSAY USING REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION- POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Materials --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Methods --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- Tissue Preparation --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- Total RNA Extraction --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2.2.3 --- Electrophoresis of RNA in Agarose Gel Containing Formaldehyde --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.2.4 --- First Strand cDNA Synthesis --- p.74 / Chapter 4.2.2.5 --- IGF-I Specific PCR --- p.75 / Chapter 4.2.2.6 --- Preparation of Carp IGF Conserve Region --- p.75 / Chapter 4.2.2.7 --- Southern Hybridization of PCR Products --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.76 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- GENOMIC SOUTHERN ANALYSIS / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.80 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.81 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Materials --- p.81 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Methods --- p.82 / Chapter 5.2.2.1 --- Preparation of Genomic DNA from Carp Testis --- p.82 / Chapter 5.2.2.2 --- Restriction Enzyme Digestion of Genomic DNA --- p.82 / Chapter 5.2.2.3 --- Southern Blotting of the Digested Genomic DNA --- p.83 / Chapter 5.2.2.4 --- Preparation of the Carp IGF-I Specific Probe --- p.83 / Chapter 5.2.2.5 --- Genomic Southern Hybridization --- p.83 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.84 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- THE SEARCH OF OTHER IGF cDNA SUBTYPES IN COMMON CARP / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.88 / Chapter 6.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.89 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Materials --- p.89 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Methods --- p.91 / Chapter 6.2.2.1 --- Screening using a Conserve Region cDNA Probe of Carp IGF-I --- p.91 / Chapter 6.2.2.2 --- PCR using IGF-I Specific Primers --- p.92 / Chapter 6.2.2.3 --- PCR Using T3 and T7 Primers --- p.92 / Chapter 6.2.2.4 --- Southern Blot Analysis of T3 and T7 PCR Products of cDNA Insert --- p.93 / Chapter 6.2.2.5 --- DNA Sequencing of Positive Clones --- p.94 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.94 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- GENERAL DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION --- p.99 / REFERENCES --- p.104-117

Chan Pat Chun. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-177). / Acknowledgments --- p.i / Presentations Derived from the Present thesis Work --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iii / Abbreviations --- p.v / Abbreviation Table for Amino Acids --- p.viii / List of Figures --- p.ix / List of Tables --- p.xi / Contents --- p.xii / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Environmental Pollutants --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Pollutant Inducible Genes (PIGs) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Classification of PIGS --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.1.1 --- Drug Metabolizing Enzymes/Proteins --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.1.2 --- Stress Proteins --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1.3 --- Antioxidant Enzymes --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1.4 --- "Hormones, Growth Factors and Their Receptors" --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1.5 --- Enzymes/Proteins Involved in Bioenergetics --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- PIGs as a Field of Study --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2.1 --- Study of the Mechanism of Detoxification and Toxication --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2.2 --- Biomarker Study --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.2.3 --- Study of Regulation of Gene Expression --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.2.4 --- Study of Evolution --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3 --- Aims and Rational of the Present Study --- p.12 / Chapter 2 --- General Methodology --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Reagents --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- Preparation of Plasmid DNA --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.1.2 --- Preparation of Genomic DNA --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.1.3 --- Purification of Total RNA --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.1.4 --- Restriction Enzyme Digestion --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.1.5 --- Capillary Blotting of DNA (Southern Blotting) --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.1.6 --- Capillary Blotting of Total RNA (Northern Blotting) --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.1.7 --- Hybridization --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.1.8 --- Library Screening --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.1.9 --- Polymerase Chain Reaction --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.1.10 --- Transformation of E. coli Competent Cells --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1.1.11 --- Nucleotide Sequence Determination --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- List of Primers --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Primers used for Nucleotide Sequence Determination --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Primer Used for First Strand cDNA Synthesis --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.2.3 --- Primers for Amplifying Actin cDNA Fragment --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.2.4 --- Common Carp MT Specific Primers --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.2.5 --- Teleost CYP1A Specific Primers --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.2.6 --- Common Carp CYP1A Specific Primers --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.2.7 --- Primers and Cassettes for the Cloning of5' Upstream Regions of MT Genes --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Accession Numbers of Selected P450 and MT Nucleotide and Amino Acid Sequences in the Genebank --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.3.1 --- MTs of Different Teleost Species --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.3.2 --- MTs of Other Vertebrate Species' --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.3.3 --- P450s of Different Teleost Species --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.3.4 --- CYP1s of Different Mammalian Species --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation of Plasmid --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Preparation of Genomic DNA --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Purification of Total RNA --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Restriction Enzyme Digestion --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Capillary Blotting of DNA (Southern Blotting) --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.5.1 --- Semi-dry Capillary Blotting --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.5.2 --- Alkaline Transfer --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.5.3 --- Transfer of Digested Genomic DNA on to Nylon Membrane --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Capillary Blotting of Total RNA (Northern Blotting) --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Radioactive Labeling of Nucleic Acid Probes --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Hybridization --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Library Screening --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.9.1 --- Construction of Liver cDNA Library of Adult Common Carp --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.9.2 --- Preparation of Plating Cells --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.9.3 --- Phage Tittering --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.9.4 --- Primary Screening --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.9.5 --- Secondary Screening / Chapter 2.2.9.6 --- Conversion of Phage DNA to Phagemid by invivo Excision --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- First Strand cDNA Synthesis --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.11 --- Polymerase Chain Reaction --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.12 --- Ligation of DNA with Linearized Plasmid --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.13 --- Transformation of E. coli Competent Cell --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.14 --- Nucleotide Sequence Determination --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.15 --- Densitometric Analysis --- p.31 / Chapter 3 --- "Cloning of Common Carp MT cDNA and Gene, and Induction of MT mRNA Expression" --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Metals in Biological System --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Metallothionein --- p.33 / Chapter 3.1.2.1 --- Functions of MT --- p.26 / Chapter 3.1.2.2 --- Regulation of MT Expression --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Fish MTs --- p.44 / Chapter 3.1.3.1 --- Detection of MT in Teleost --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.3.2 --- MT Studies in Common Carp --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Specific Aims of This Chapter --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2 --- Strategies --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3 --- Specific Methods --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Cloning of MT cDNAs of Common Carp --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Analysis of MT cDNA Sequences --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Southern Blot Analysis of Common Carp Genomic DNA --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Amplification of MT Gene Fragments Using PCR --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Amplification of the 5' Upstream Regions of MT Genes Using PCR --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Endogenous MT mRNA Expression of Juvenile and Adult Common Carp --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- Induction of MT mRNA of Juvenile Common Carp Injected with Cadmium --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.56 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Cloning of Common Carp MT cDNAs --- p.56 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Analysis of the MT cDNA Sequences --- p.57 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Southern Blot Analysis of the Common Carp Genomic DNA --- p.59 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Amplification of the MT Gene Fragments of Common Carp Using PCR --- p.62 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Amplification of the 5' Upstream Regions of MT Genes using PCR --- p.65 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- Endogenous MT mRNA Expression of Juvenile and Adult Common Carp --- p.67 / Chapter 3.4.7 --- Induction of MT mRNA of Juvenile Common Carp Injected with Cadmium --- p.68 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.72 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- MT cDNAs of Common Carp --- p.72 / Chapter 3.5.1.1 --- Coding Region --- p.72 / Chapter 3.5.1.2 --- The 3' Untranslated Region --- p.75 / Chapter 3.5.1.3 --- The 5' Untranslated Region --- p.76 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- MT Genes of Common Carp --- p.77 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- MT mRNA Expression of Common Carp --- p.82 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Normalization of the Signals of Northern Blot Analysis --- p.85 / Chapter 3.5.5 --- Common Carp MT mRNA as Biomarker of Heavy Metal Exposure? --- p.87 / Chapter 3.6 --- Conclusion --- p.89 / Chapter 4 --- Cloning of Common Carp CYP1A cDNAs and Induction of CYP1A mRNA Expression --- p.90 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.90 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Cytochrome P450s --- p.90 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Cytochrome P450 1 (CYP1) --- p.93 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- AhR Mediated CYP1A1 Gene Induction --- p.94 / Chapter 4.1.3.1 --- Anthropogenic Sources of AhR Ligands --- p.95 / Chapter 4.1.3.2 --- Natural Sources of AhR Ligands --- p.97 / Chapter 4.1.3.3 --- Potency of Inducibility --- p.97 / Chapter 4.1.3.4 --- Induction of CYP1A1 Gene Transcription by AhR --- p.98 / Chapter 4.1.3.5 --- Non-AhR Mediated CYP1A1 Gene Transcription? --- p.105 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- CYP1A Studies in Teleost Species --- p.107 / Chapter 4.1.4.1 --- Regulation of CYP1A in Teleost --- p.109 / Chapter 4.1.4.2 --- Detection of CYP1A in Teleost --- p.111 / Chapter 4.1.4.3 --- CYP1A Studies of Common Carp --- p.113 / Chapter 4.1.5 --- Specific Aims of This Chapter --- p.114 / Chapter 4.2 --- Strategies --- p.115 / Chapter 4.3 --- Specific Methods --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- RT-PCR of CYP1A cDNAs of Common Carp --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Determination of the Nucleotide Sequences of the CYP1A cDNAs of Common Carp --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Library Screening --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Analysis of the CYP1A Genes of Common Carp --- p.121 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Induction of CYP1A mRNA of Common Carp Injected with 3-MC --- p.122 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.123 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- RT-PCR of CYP1A cDNAs of Common Carp --- p.123 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Determination of the Nucleotide Sequences of the CYP1A cDNAs of Common Carp --- p.124 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Library Screening --- p.124 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Analysis of the CYP1A Genes of Common Carp --- p.128 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Induction of CYP1A mRNA of Common Carp Injected with 3-MC --- p.131 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.134 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- On the Use of Rainbow Trout CYP1A1 cDNA Probe --- p.134 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- CYP1A cDNAs of Common Carp --- p.134 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- CYP1A Genes of Common Carp --- p.138 / Chapter 4.5.4 --- CYP1A Expression in Uninduced and Induced Tissues --- p.142 / Chapter 4.5.5 --- The Use of CYP1A cDNAs As Biomarkers --- p.146 / Chapter 4.6 --- Conclusion --- p.148 / Chapter 5 --- General Conclusion --- p.149 / Chapter 6 --- References --- p.153

by Vong Puinga Queenie Maria. / "August 2002." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 176-194). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Koi Herpesvirus (KHV), a species-specific DNA virus of the family Herpesviridae, is responsible for mass mortalities of common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio L.) throughout the world. KHV’s broad geographical distribution and relatively high mortality rate among infected fish, creates significant disposal issues when die-offs occur, especially taking into account the body burden of contaminants in the fish. In locales where adequate disposal facilities are unavailable, or are unable to accommodate additional loadings of contaminated fish carcasses, concerns regarding human and environmental health are raised. During the summer of 2008, residents of the Lake Simcoe Region of southern Ontario, Canada, were faced with a massive die-off of carp, infected with KHV. Carp within the Great Lakes and much of the world are known to bioaccumulate (and biomagnify) contaminants, such as, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides (e.g., dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, DDT, and toxic metals (e.g., mercury). These contaminants have been associated with numerous adverse effects on both human and environmental health, and are thus of important considerations when planning for large-scale carcass disposal, following fish die-offs. Although suites of microbiological tests and water quality assessments are frequently conducted to identify causative factors during extensive fish-kills - assessments of relative contaminant burdens in the carcasses, which should dictate the most appropriate method of carcass disposal - are rarely performed. A case study on Snake Island, Lake Simcoe, Ontario was conducted to further examine the implications of this policy. Soil samples from two known disposal sites and three presumed control locations were sampled on Snake Island and sent to the Analytical Services Unit of Queen’s University for chemical analysis. Although none of the soil samples exceeded any legal guidelines in the present study, there is still concern as future die-offs of other fish species or piscivorous birds and the disposal of large numbers of carcasses may be an issue.

Nuisance aquatic vegetation (mainly Hydrilla Verticillata ) has become problematic in Lake Conroe, TX. Consequently, triploid grass carp (Ctenopharynogodon idella) were stocked at densities sufficient to completely denude the reservoir of all vegetation (invasive and native plants) within one year. As a result, an assessment was designed to investigate the changes (before and after carp stocking) in the plant assemblage among sampling stations, changes in water quality parameters, length frequency and condition changes of Centrachid species, largemouth diet changes, and changes in the fish assemblages among randomly selected sampling stations between early fall 2007, when grass carp were stocked, and one year later in early fall of 2008. The areas for sampling were based upon aquatic vegetation surveys by Texas Parks and Wildlife during 2007 and 2008, thirteen sampling stations were randomly selected using ArcGIS software and the percentage of water surface covered by vegetation was recorded at each station. Within each station, fish were collected by electrofishing the entire station for five minutes; water samples were also collected. Largemouth bass diet did significantly change for mature (<200 mm-TL) bass as indicated by a chi-square test. Largemouth bass from the samples were shown to consume less sunfish and more shad by the second (post-carp) sample. This is consistent with expected results due to the removal of vegetation consequently eliminating small sunfish habitat. In similar fashion, significant length-frequency changes were seen in the second year as there were fewer smaller (juvenile) Centrachid species found in the sampling sites. Contrary to the Centrachids, length-frequency of gizzard shad significantly decreased in size by the second sampling year. Based upon the aquatic vegetation surveys within the sampling sites of 2007 and 2008, there was an almost complete elimination of all aquatic plants following carp introduction. This result was consistent with what was expected from the carp introductions. Changes in water quality parameters (phosphorous, nitrate, nitrites, orthophosphate, chlorophyll (a)), were generally inconclusive, with the exception of nitrate which significantly increased by the second year. The water quality parameters along with other measured habitat parameters were used in the multivariate analysis.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-112). Also available in print.

published_or_final_version / Biological Sciences / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Zoology / Master / Master of Philosophy

Aspects of the resting respiration rate, specific dynamic action (SDA) and components of the total energy budget of 55 - 80g common carp were studied in the laboratory. The resting respiratory rate was monitored in computer operated metabolic chambers under different photoperiods. Common carp showed a crepuscular respiratory rhythm with peaks at dawn and dusk during a 12L : 12D photoperiod, with a mean oxygen consumption of 152 mg/kg/h. When acclimated to longer or shorter photoperiods respiration was also cyclic but with a lower mean respiratory rate. In continuous light or darkness respiratory rhythm was suppressed with no significant peakings. In carp fed with three diets containing 20,35 and 50% protein at a ration level of 0.40 to 1.00% body weight per day, SDA coefficient varied from 8.99 to 15.94% and was dependent on dietary protein but not on ration levels. SDA magnitude and post-feeding peak oxygen consumption varied significantly with both dietary protein content and total daily ration level. SDA duration was only related to ration size. The pattern of food energy allocation between the major components of the energy budget varied with dietary protein content and ration levels. The energy lost as heat of metabolism was found to increase with dietary protein level and total ration. Energy lost as faeces 'F' varied from 19 - 24% of 'C' and did not appear to be related to either protein content or ration levels. Nitrogenous excretion increased with an increase of dietary protein but decreased with an increase of ration level in the diet. Regression equations were developed from the data to allow prediction of respiratory energy loss 'R', faecal energy loss 'F' and energy lost through excretion 'U' from the food ingested V. Complete energy budget models compiled from experiments conducted over a 17 days period and using different diets did not successfully predict the actual growth. The energy budget balance was between 66.04% and 81.96%. Observed growth was less than predicted growth in every trial and it is suggested that this difference might have been due to short-term cyclic growth regulation and other minor experimental features. The data presented form the basis for the first reported study of total energy budgets in Cyprinus carpio.

The thesis is concerned with the strategic analysis of carp culture development in Iran, based on an assessment of the supply potential from various forms of carp farming, and on the potential demand, market features and price determinants for carp and carp products. Based on a sample of 188 farms from the three main carp farming provinces plus two case studies, all farmers in all locations and categories made a profit, with feed and fertiliser dominating variable costs. Considerable variation in production costs and profitability was observed. Where some degree of investment and support services have been provided, major increases in output have occurred. The culture of carp is technically possible in a variety of conditions within the country, though, expanding large scale farming mainly depends on reducing the cost of feed and fertiliser. Future targets could be to integrate with other agricultural activities, intensify smaller farms in the Caspian area, and consider developing larger scale commercial production in Khuzestan. A market and consumer survey was conducted, including a sample of 357 consumers in Tehran and Karaj, and 96 sellers in 11 main cities from 6 provinces. Younger consumers had the strongest preferences for ready meals product, while to increase consumption, a rise in income and decline in price will have a greater effect on older groups, larger sized families and educated people. The growing willingness to buy new product forms, particularly by younger consumers, educated groups, inland urban dwellers and high-middle income groups might be expected to increase demand. A range of supply/demand scenarios has been presented, offering projections for the year 2010, suggested target levels of 284,000-348,000t. In broad terms a policy for carp production was described to meet these targets. As in developing markets elsewhere, the traditional wholesale sector may lose its position as multiple retailers and supermarket chains become increasingly important outlets for carp and its products, and opportunities may arise for adding value in a range of ways. Within rural areas, and smaller cities, consumers may also increase their ability to buy fresh fish at the farm gate or at local outlets.