I. Martinez et al., Digestive enzyme activity during larval development of the Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis), FISH PHYS B, 21(4), 1999, pp. 317-323
The activities of the main digestive enzymes (proteases, amylase, lipase) a
s well as those of acid and alkaline phosphatases were assessed during the
larval development of the Senegal sole, Solea senegalensis. Important varia
tions in specific activities of all the enzymes were observed during the pe
riod of study and were mostly related to the beginning or the end of metamo
rphosis. Both acid and alkaline protease activities were identified at earl
y stages of development. Acid proteases accounted for only 10% of total pro
tease activity in a 9 days-old larva, but exceeded 75% in a 33 days-old ind
ividual. Maximum lipase activity was related to the development of exocrine
pancreas (days 6 to 10) and to metamorphosis. It is suggested this can be
related to the metabolism of lipid reserves taking place during this morpho
logical change. Activity of alkaline phosphatase decreased from day 5 to da
y 20 but therafter revealed a sharp increase, possibly linked to the develo
pment of enterocytes. The pattern of development of the main digestive enzy
mes found in S. senegalensis is similar to that described in other flatfish
species.