Plastic pollution is causing worldwide concern, especially after evidence that the various types of plastic degrade into particles of smaller sizes; known as micro- and nanoplastics. The origin of the plastics in the environment is related to human actions. The objective of this review is to describe the main routes of microplastic input in the Amazonian rivers and how local environmental characteristics can affect the transformation of plastics into microplastics until their absorption by aquatic organisms. The current situation regarding the presence of microplastic particles in freshwater is analyzed considering the environmental dynamics of the region, and focuses on rivers, estuaries and sediments, their effects on organisms, especially on fish, followed by the transportation of microplastic particles to the sea. Amapá, Amazonas, Pará and Mato-Grosso are the states of the Brazilian Amazon with scientific reports on the characterization of microplastic particles in sediment, water, and fish. These studies are local and descriptive and most of them highlight the characterization of microplastics. There is a need for field research in the various microregions of the Amazon, as well as actions to mitigate the damage, including to riverine populations, that is caused by these pollutants in the region. concern sizes micro nanoplastics organisms region sediments fish sea Amapá Amazonas MatoGrosso Mato Grosso sediment water damage populations

This article reports on an easy-to-follow methodology for fish lipids analysis, including the biological sample collection, lipid extraction, sample preparation, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analysis and statistical data analysis, with details on parameters used for the NMR analysis and the care needed in each step execution. As an example of the biological matrix of lipids, for the entire procedure, we have used two Amazonian fish samples. Phenotype factor was taken into account when lipid contents of the Amazonian fish samples were evaluated, such as fish-eating habits in distinct Amazon seasonal periods, the flood and the drought. Results demonstrated the applicability of NMR as a powerful and useful tool for fish oil analysis. The omnivorous (T. elongatus) and the piscivorous (C. monoculus) Amazonian fish differ in composition and distribution of lipids, which show differences not only because of the different eating habits between the two species, but also by the availability and quantity of food along the year, i.e., during the flood and drought Amazon periods.

RESUMO Avaliou-se o efeito anestésico dos óleos essenciais de Aloysia triphylla e de Lippia alba no peixe amazônico Serrasalmus eigenmanni. Os peixes foram colocados em aquários contendo OEs de A. triphylla ou L. alba (25 a 200 µL L-1). Após, foram transferidos para aquários com água sem anestésicos para avaliar o tempo de recuperação. Em outro experimento, peixes foram transferidos para aquários contendo OEs de A. triphylla ou L. alba (3 a 10 µL L-1) e o comportamento natatório foi analisado até 240 min de exposição. Foram coletadas amostras de água em 0 e 240 min e de sangue em 240 min. As concentrações testadas induziram todos estágios de anestesia, exceto 25 µL L-1 OE de A. triphylla e 50 µL L-1 OE de L. alba, que causaram somente sedação. Exposição prolongada a ambos OEs reduziu o tempo de natação comparado ao controle. Peixes expostos a 3 µL L-1 OE de A. triphylla apresentaram menor efluxo de K+ comparado aos expostos ao etanol e nos expostos a 5 µL L-1 a excreção de amônia reduziu. Parâmetros sanguíneos não diferiram entre tratamentos. Conclui-se que ambos OEs podem ser utilizados como anestésicos e no transporte de S. eigenmanni.

ABSTRACT Anesthetic effect of Aloysia triphylla and Lippia alba essential oils (EOs) in the Amazonian fish Serrasalmus eigenmanni was evaluated. The fish were placed in aquaria containing A. triphylla or L. alba EOs (25 to 200 µL L-1). Then, fish were transferred to aquaria containing EO-free water to evaluate their recovery time. In another experiment, fish were transferred to aquaria containing A. triphylla or L. alba EOs (3 to 10 µL L-1) and swimming behavior was analyzed for up to 240 min of exposure. Water samples were collected at 0 and 240 min and blood samples were collected at 240 min. Tested concentrations induced all stages of anesthesia, except 25 µL L-1 A. triphylla EO and 50 µL L-1 L. alba EO, which only induced sedation. Prolonged exposure to both EOs reduced swimming time compared to the control at all evaluated times. The fish exposed to 3 µL L-1 A. triphylla EO showed a lower net K+ efflux compared to ethanol-exposed fish; in those exposed to 5 µL L-1, ammonia excretion was reduced. The blood parameters did not show significant differences between treatments. In conclusion, both EOs can be used as anesthetics and sedatives for transport of S. eigenmanni.

Abstract: The Amazon basin houses a particular group of freshwater organisms, whose study tells the geological history of the region, how biological diversity was shaped, how it is maintained, and what it hides. The fish of the Amazon is represented by more than 3,000 known species distributed from the basal groups up to the more specialized ones. This species richness hides a diversity of adaptations that are dispersed at all levels of the biological organization. In this summary of the conference delivered at the Brazil-France Bilateral Symposium, held in Manaus in 2018, we describe two aspects of the hidden world of adaptive diversity: adaptations to changes in dissolved oxygen and the abilities of the Rio Negro fish to face acidic and ion-poor waters of their habitats. Also, we present the vulnerability of Amazonian fish to ongoing climate changes. Then, very briefly, we call attention to the many hidden biological processes that allow these fish species to survive their environments, much of which is unknown. Indeed, however, they are intricately related to men, either by responding to environmental disturbances that we have caused, or by containing information that contributes to improving the quality of the environment in which we live.

RESUMO O tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, é o peixe nativo mais cultivado no Brasil. No entanto, avanços tecnológicos são necessários para incrementar as taxas de produção. Fatores de crescimento moduladores, como o hormônio do crescimento, podem estar associados a uma melhoria na taxa de crescimento e eficiência alimentar. O uso de hormônio exógeno para a criação de peixes é proibido por lei no Brasil, porém, o uso experimental do hormônio bovino pode ser útil em pesquisas que visam determinar mecanismos de estímulo dos hormônios de crescimento endógenos em peixes. Portanto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo estrito a compreensão dos efeitos do hormônio de crescimento sobre a fisiologia e os parâmetros zootécnicos de C. macropomum em condições experimentais . Os animais foram injetados intraperitonealmente a cada quinze dias com 1, 10 e 100 μg g-1 de bGH, utilizando solução salina a 0,9% de NaCl como diluente. Observou-se que as concentrações 10 e 100 μg g-1 tiveram um efeito positivo sobre os índices de desempenho de C. macropomum em ganho de massa (g), crescimento em comprimento (cm), ganho de massa diário (g), conversão alimentar e taxa de crescimento específico (% por dia). O bGH promoveu ganho maior em comprimento do que em massa, o que causou diminuição do fator de condição nos indivíduos que receberam 10 e 100 μg g-1. Além disso, o bGH não causou alterações nos níveis de glicose, cortisol, parâmetros hematológicos, níveis plasmáticos de Na+ e K+ e na atividade de H+-ATPase e Na+, K+-ATPase nas brânquias durante o período experimental.

ABSTRACT Colossoma macropomum, known locally as tambaqui, is the native fish most farmed in Brazil, however, technological advances are needed to reach efficient production rates. Modulating growth factors, such as growth hormone, may be associated with improved growth rate and feed efficiency. The use of exogenous hormone for fish rearing is prohibited in Brazil, yet the experimental use of bovine hormone can be useful in research aimed at understanding how to stimulate endogenous growth hormones in fish. Therefore, the present study had the strict objective of understanding the effects of growth hormone on the physiology and zootechnical parameters of C. macropomum under experimental conditions. The animals were intraperitoneally injected every fifteen days with 1, 10 and 100 μg g-1 of bGH using 0.9% NaCl saline as diluent. The 10 and 100 μg g-1 bolus had a positive effect on the performance indexes of C. macropomum: weight gain (g), growing length (cm), daily weight gain (g), feed conversion and specific growth rate (% per day). The bGH promoted a greater increase in length than in mass, which caused a reduction in condition factor of the individuals receiving a bolus of 10 and 100 μg g-1. Furthermore, bGH caused no changes in glucose levels, cortisol, hematological parameters, plasma levels of Na+ and K+, and activity of gill’s H+-ATPase and Na+, K+-ATPase, at least during the experimental period considered in the present study.

Abstract Two Amazonian closely related tetras – cardinal Paracheirodon axelrodi and green neon P. simulans – were artificially acclimatized to environmental chambers mimicking future climate change scenarios (mild, moderate and extreme), using a microcosm facility. P. simulans survived (100%) to all scenarios after 30 days exposure, while P. axelrodi presented decreasing survival percentages according to environmental severity. These differences may be the reflection of distinct natural acclimatization to microhabitats between the species, which differ in thermal conditions. Survival responses might be related to differences in relative gene expression of lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh), suggesting that P. axelrodi anaerobic potential is lower or non-existent compared to P. simulans, not tolerating long-term thermal challenges. Accordingly, increases in temperature and in CO2 levels caused increases in energy demand and resulted in activation of the anaerobic pathway, as demonstrated by the higher enzyme levels measured in head and tail portions of both species. Sustained anaerobic glycolysis is possible when fish live in challenging environments (low oxygen or high temperature). Our results clearly show that P. simulans has a larger scope for survival to higher energy demands due to its increased anaerobic potential compared to P. axelrodi.

Nos últimos anos foram registrados muitas extinções e declínios de populações de anuros. Eles estavam relacionados com a poluição do ambiente, a mudanças no uso da terra e ao surgimento de doenças. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a sensibilidade dos anuros amazônicos ao cobre. Os girinos de Scinax ruber e Rhinella granulosa no estadio 25 e os ovos de Scinax ruber foram expostos por 96 horas a concentrações de cobre entre 15 µg Cu L-1 a 94 µg Cu L-1. A CL50 -96 h dos girinos de Rhinella granulosa, dos girinos de Scinax ruber e dos ovos de Scinax ruber em águas pretas da Amazônia foram 23,48; 36,37 e 50,02 µg Cu L-1, respectivamente. O modelo do ligante biótico foi usado para prever os valores de CL50 para essas duas espécies e pode ser considerado uma ferramenta promissora para essas espécies tropicais e para essas condições de água. A Toxicidade de cobre depende da composição físico-química da água e do estagio larval dos girinos. O estadio 19-21 de Gosner (relacionados ao aparecimento das brânquias externas) são os mais vulnerável e o estagio de ovo é o mais resistente. Em caso de contaminação por cobre, os igarapés naturais devem ter uma atenção especial, uma vez que o cobre é mais biodisponível nesse ambiente.

In the last years many populations of anurans have declined and extinctions have been recorded. They were related to environmental pollution, changes of land use and emerging diseases. The main objective of this study was to determine copper sensitivity of the anuran of the Amazon Rhinella granulosa and Scinax ruber tadpoles at stage 25 and Scinax ruber eggs exposed for 96 h to copper concentrations ranging from 15 µg Cu L-1 to 94 µg Cu L-1. LC50 at 96 h of Rhinella granulosa Gosner 25, Scinax ruber Gosner 25 and Scinax ruber eggs in black water of the Amazon were 23.48, 36.37 and 50.02 µg Cu L-1, respectively. The Biotic Ligand Model was used to predict the LC50 values for these species and it can be considered a promising tool for these tropical species and water conditions. Copper toxicity depends on water physical-chemical composition and on the larval stage of the tadpoles. The Gosner stage 19-21 (related to the appearance of external gills) is the most vulnerable and the egg stage is the most resistant. In case of contamination by copper, the natural streams must have special attention, since copper is more bioavailable.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a interação entre os efeitos do treinamento físico e da quantidade de proteína na dieta sobre a hematologia; a composição corpórea de proteínas, lipídeos e cinzas; o consumo alimentar, o ganho de massa e fator de conversão; o desempenho natatório e a resistência ao estresse causado pela hipóxia em exemplares de matrinchã. Os resultados indicam que a hematologia e o desempenho natatório não são alterados pelo treinamento físico ou pela concentração de proteína na dieta, porém, a resistência à hipóxia é aumentada pelo treinamento, como indicado por menores elevações dos níveis de glicose. O aumento da quantidade de proteína na dieta e o treinamento melhoram a conversão alimentar e o ganho de massa dos animais, enquanto que o aumento na ingestão de ração é causado apenas pelo treinamento. A aplicação concomitante dos dois fatores, embora cause efeito aditivo nos índices de ganho de massa e conversão alimentar, gera também os maiores acúmulos de gorduras no filé, o que sugere uma avaliação do tipo de gordura acumulada e da aceitação desta carne no mercado.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of physical training and the dietary protein level on the hematological parameters, body proteins, lipids and ash content, food intake, conversion efficiency and growth ratio together with the swimming performance and the resistance to hypoxic stress in specimens of matrinchã. The results indicate that the swimming performance and hematology are not altered by physical training or by the diet protein content; moreover, the resistance to hypoxia is increased by the exercise, as indicated by the lower levels of plasma glucose. Increased amount of protein in the diet and training improve feed conversion and mass gain in the animals, while enhanced food intake is related to training. The simultaneous application of those two factors causes a combined and improved effect on the mass gain and the conversion rates. Due to higher fat accumulation in the fillet, future assessment of stored fat type is suggested, as well as evaluation of market acceptance of the fish product.

A inevitável manipulação de peixes vivos em piscicultura causa uma série de reações fisiológicas adversas, o que exige o uso de anestésicos. O objetivo foi avaliar a eficiência do óleo de cravo como anestésico para juvenis avançados (aproximadamente 55 g e 13 cm) de tilápia do Nilo durante o manejo. No primeiro experimento, os peixes foram expostos a banhos anestésicos em seis diferentes concentrações (80; 100; 150; 200; 250 e 300 mg L-1) e foi avaliado o tempo de indução aos diferentes estágios de anestesia. No segundo experimento, avaliaram-se os diferentes tempos de exposição à anestesia, sendo verificada a margem de segurança do anestésico. Por último, avaliaram-se as respostas de estresse após a anestesia em 250 mg L-1. Os parâmetros avaliados foram cortisol, glicose, hematócrito, hemoglobina e níveis plasmáticos de sódio e potássio. A concentração 250 mg L-1 de óleo de cravo foi a mais adequada para indução de anestesia cirúrgica. Para a anestesia voltada para biometria e breve manejo, a concentração mais adequada foi 150 mg L-1. A exposição à concentração ideal de óleo de cravo por 10 min., não causou estresse severo, ocorrendo alterações após a anestesia somente nos níveis de glicose e hematócrito.

Handling of live fish is inevitable in fish farms and causes a number of adverse physiological reactions, thus requiring the use of anesthetics. The main goal of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency of clove oil as an anesthetic for juvenile tilapia (approximately 55 g and 13 cm) during handling. In the first experiment, fishes were exposed to an anesthetic bath at six concentrations (80, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mg L-1). Subsequently, the induction time was assessed for different stages of anesthesia. In the second experiment, different times of exposure to anesthesia were tested, aiming to assess the safety margin of the anesthetic. Finally, we evaluated the responses to stress after exposure to 250 mg L-1 anesthesia. The following parameters were tested: cortisol, glucose, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and plasma sodium and potassium levels. The concentration of 250 mg L-1 of clove oil is the most appropriate to induce surgical anesthesia, and 150 mg L-1 for biometrics and brief handling. Anesthesia at the ideal concentration for 10 minutes did not result in severe stress. Only blood glucose and hematocrit were affected after anesthesia.

Adaptation or acclimation to hypoxia occurs via the modulation of physiologically relevant genes, such as erythropoietin, transferrin, vascular endothelial growth factor, phosphofructokinase and lactate dehydrogenase A. In the present study, we have cloned, sequenced and examined the modulation of the LDH-A gene after an Amazonian fish species, Astronotus crassipinis (the Oscar), was exposed to hypoxia and anoxia. In earlier studies, we have discovered that adults of this species are extremely tolerant to hypoxia and anoxia, while the juveniles are less tolerant. Exposure of juveniles to acute hypoxia and anoxia resulted in increased LDH-A gene expression in skeletal and cardiac muscles. When exposed to graded hypoxia juveniles show decreased LDH-A expression. In adults, the levels of LDH-A mRNA did not increase in hypoxic or anoxic conditions. Our results demonstrate that, when given time for acclimation, fish at different life-stages are able to respond differently to survive hypoxic episodes.

A primeira resposta ao estresse é a fuga, que depende do desempenho natatório e de ajustes fisiológicos. Este estudo investigou a velocidade crítica de natação (Ucrit) de matrinxã após exposição à hipoxia. Para isso, os peixes foram expostos à hipoxia, sendo uma parte do grupo analisada antes e outra após natação forçada, por meio da Ucrit. A hipoxia resultou no aumento de lactato, glicose, cortisol e hematócrito. Mudanças nos níveis de sódio e potássio, bem como os valores de Ucrit não foram observadas. Sugere-se que o matrinxã seja sensível à hipoxia, mas os ajustes fisiológicos são suficientes para manter seu desempenho natatório.

Escape is the first response of fish to stress, that depends on the swimming performance and the physiological adjustments. This study has investigated the critical swimming speed (Ucrit) of matrinxã after exposure to hypoxia. To achieve that, the fishes were exposed to hypoxia and analyzed before and after forced swimming, using Ucrit. The hypoxia caused an increase of lactate, glucose, cortisol and hematocrit. No changes of plasma sodium and potassium levels, as well as the Ucrit, were observed. We suggest that matrinxã is sensitive to hypoxia, but the physiological adjustments are sufficient to keep its swimming performance.

Investigou-se o uso de diferentes fotos períodos (iluminação) durante o crescimento de juvenis de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) em cativeiro. As intensidades testadas foram: escuro contínuo (24hs sem luz), simulação do foto período natural (10hs de luz e 14hs sem luz) e iluminação contínua (24hs de luz). Não houve mortalidade nos diferentes tratamentos. Diferença significativa entre as médias do peso foi observada após 50 dias de experimento, a exposição ao escuro contínuo apresentou o melhor índice de crescimento específico (6,02%) em relação ao controle (foto período natural, com 3,67%). O menor índice de crescimento médio foi observado na exposição à iluminação contínua (2,04%). Assim, pode-se melhorar o desempenho de ganho de peso para juvenis de tambaqui quando mantidos no escuro contínuo.

The use of different photoperiods (light) were investigated during tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) juvenile growth under captivity. Light intensity tested was: continuous dark (24hrs without light), natural photoperiod simulation (10hrs of light and 14hrs without light) and continuous light (24 with light). No mortality was recorded among treatments. Significant differences was observed after 50 days of experiment among mean fish weight, fish kept under a continuous darkness showed a better specific growth rate (6.02%) when compared to control fish (natural photo period, 3.67%). Fish exposed to continuous light presented the lowest mean specific growth rate (2.04%). It is possible to improve tambaqui juvenile weight gain performance when kept under continuous darkness.

Este trabalho teve a finalidade de determinar o índice de rigor-mortis e sua relação com a taxa de degradação dos nucleotídeos do tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) cultivado e conservado em gelo. O início da rigidez (IR) muscular para o pescado ocorreu 20 minutos (IR=80,1%) após a morte por asfixia entre camadas de gelo. A contração total ocorreu aos 30 minutos (IR=99,4%) e a resolução total do rigor cerca de 360 horas (15 dias). A concentração de ATP diminuiu cerca de 50% aos 20 minutos. Aos 30 minutos após a morte, ainda restavam aproximadamente 30% da quantidade inicial de ATP. Somente após duas horas, o teor de ATP se aproximou de zero, indicando que os exemplares submetidos ao resfriamento com gelo apresentaram o fenômeno de "cold shock " e não rigor-mortis. O valor k mostrou pequenas variações até cerca de 2 horas após a morte e, em seguida, um aumento progressivo, variando de 0,7%, a 11,5% no 9º dia de estocagem.

This study examined the rigor index and its relation with rate decrease nucleotides of a cultivated Amazonian fish, Colossoma macropomum, stored in ice. The rigor index was detected 20 minutes (IR=80.1%) after death in ice. Total muscle contraction occurred after 30 minutes (IR=99.4%) and total resolution of rigor after 15 days in ice. ATP concentrations decreased after 20 min to about half, 50%; after 30 minutes residual ATP was 30% and after 2 hours practically disappeared. This suggests that the C. macropomum specimens stored in ice presented the cold shock phenomenon rather than rigor-mortis. The K value varied little up to 2 hours after death and then increased progressively up to 11.5% on the 9th day of storage.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação dietária com ácido L-ascórbico (vitamina C) no ganho de peso e em parâmetros hematológicos de juvenis de tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum. Após dez semanas, em que foram alimentados com dietas contendo 0, 100 e 500 mg de ácido L-ascórbico por kg de ração, os peixes foram capturados e imediatamente anestesiados para a coleta de sangue da veia caudal e determinação dos parâmetros hematológicos. Animais alimentados com maiores níveis de ascorbato mostraram pesos corpóreos maiores, melhores taxas de conversão alimentar e sobrevivência. A asência de ácido L-ascórbico na ração, além de causar redução nos valores de hematócrito e no número de eritrócitos, que caracteriza anemia, provocou aumento no volume corpuscular médio, na hemoglobina corpuscular média e na concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média. Esses resultados revelam a importância do ácido L-ascórbico na dieta dos juvenis de tambaqui. O nível de 100 mg de ácido L-ascórbico/kg de ração é adequado, garantindo bom ganho de peso e manutenção da homeostase do organismo.

The objective of this work was to estimate the effect of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) dietary supplementation on the body weight and on the hematology of juveniles tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum. After ten weeks receiving diets containing 0, 100 and 500 mg of L-ascorbic acid per kg of food, the fish were netted from the tanks, immediately anesthetized and blood was withdrawn from caudal vein for analysis of hematological parameters. Animals fed on higher ascorbate levels showed higher final body weight, better feed conversion rate and survival. Also, the L-ascorbic acid free-diet resulted in reduction of hematocrit and red blood cell count, characterizing anemia, and an increase of mean cell volume, mean cellular hemoglobin and mean cellular hemoglobin concentration. These results show the importance of L-ascorbic acid supplementation in the diet of juveniles tambaqui. The level of 100 mg of L-ascorbic acid/kg diet is adequate, guaranteeing better body weight gain and maintenance of organic homeostasis.