马氏珠母贝(Pinctada fucata martensii)FBP基因的克隆及其对温度胁迫的响应

果糖-1,6-二磷酸酶(FBP)是催化糖异生过程中的限速酶,当动植物处于温度胁迫等不良环境条件时,FBP通过参与糖异生途径以维持机体的糖平衡,在动植物抗逆过程中起着重要作用。本研究通过RACE技术获得了马氏珠母贝(Pinctada fucata martensii) FBP(Pm-FBP)基因c DNA全长,并使用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测了该基因在马氏珠母贝不同组织中的表达量,以及在17℃(低温组)、22℃(对照组)、32℃(高温组)条件下鳃中的时序表达模式。序列分析显示,Pm-FBP全长为1381 bp,具有54 bp的5￠UTR和62 bp的3￠UTR,开放阅读框(ORF)为1020 bp,编码339个氨基酸,预测分子量为37.13 kDa,等电点为6.02。Pm-FBP具有一个Pfam FBPase保守结构域,6个潜在的O-连接糖基化位点(Ser36、Ser56、Ser57、Ser76、Ser80和Thr115),1个潜在的N-糖基化位点,1个金属结合位点(Asp-Pro-Ile/Leu-Asp-Gly/Ser-Thr/Ser)和46个磷酸化位点。多序列比对结果显示,Pm-FBP与长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)FBP的相似性最高,为83%;系统进化树显示,Pm-FBP与长牡蛎等贝类聚为一支,然后再与其他软体动物聚为一大支,节肢动物和脊椎动物分别聚类,进化树总体聚为三大支。实时荧光定量结果显示,Pm-FBP在所检测的闭壳肌、鳃、性腺、肝胰腺、足和外套膜等组织中均有表达,在性腺表达量最高,肝胰腺和鳃中有较高表达;对Pm-FBP时序表达的分析发现,Pm-FBP在低温组和高温组实验时间范围内均出现先上升后下降的趋势,且在72 h时达到最大值,表明Pm-FBP参与了马氏珠母贝对温度胁迫的响应;在120h时,高温组和低温组的Pm-FBP表达量均显著下降,表明Pm-FBP可能主要在短期的温度胁迫中发挥作用。本研究结果为进一步探索马氏珠母贝对温度胁迫的适应性提供了参考资料。     

马氏珠母贝Rab7基因序列特征及其与耐低温性状的关系

Rab蛋白是膜泡运输过程中的重要调节因子,在囊泡运输和水产动物的免疫应答中行使重要功能。本研究鉴定了马氏珠母贝(Pinctada fucata martensii)的Rab7基因(Pm-Rab7),分析了Pm-Rab7在6个组织中及在温度胁迫(低温组17 ℃、对照组22 ℃、高温组32 ℃)下的表达模式,筛选和比较分析了马氏珠母贝耐低温选育系(low temperature resistant line, R) F3和北部湾野生群体(Beibu Gulf wild population, W)的Pm-Rab7外显子区的SNP位点。结果显示,Pm-Rab7序列全长为1 153 bp,5′端、3′端和开放阅读框(ORF)序列长度分别为30、505和618 bp,共编码205个氨基酸;Pm-Rab7具有一个RAB保守结构域,并与太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)相似度最高(92.79%)。系统进化树结果显示,Pm-Rab7与太平洋牡蛎等软体动物聚为一支。Pm-Rab7在所检测的组织都有表达,其中在性腺和鳃中的表达显著高于外套膜和肝胰腺等组织(P<0.05)。Pm-Rab7温度胁迫后时序表达分析发现,在17 ℃低温组,Pm-Rab7的表达量呈先上升再下降的趋势,在6 h~3 d内均显著高于22 ℃对照组(P<0.05),在1 d时达到峰值;在32 ℃高温组,Pm-Rab7表达量总体稳定,仅12 h时显著高于对照组(P<0.05),其他时间点与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05);说明该基因的表达与马氏珠母贝对低温胁迫的响应密切相关。Pm-Rab7基因的外显子区域在马氏珠母贝耐低温选育系和北部湾野生群体中共检测到7个SNP位点,其中3个位点的基因型频率在2个群体间具有显著性差异,说明这些位点可能与其耐低温性状相关。结果表明,Pm-Rab7可能在马氏珠母贝耐低温适应过程中发挥重要作用,研究结果可为深入探讨马氏珠母贝对温度变化的环境适应性研究提供参考资料。     

合浦珠母贝热休克蛋白hsp70基因的克隆与表达分析

采用同源克隆和RT-PCR技术对合浦珠母贝(Pinctada fucata)热休克蛋白hsp70基因进行了克隆和表达分析。获得cDNA全长序列2 365 bp,其中3’非编码区域(UTR)为318 bp,5’UTR为88 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)为1 959 bp,编码652个氨基酸,分子量约为71.39 kD,理论等电点为5.22,并含有3个HSP70家族的签名序列IDLGTTYS、DLGGGTFD和EEVD。同源性分析表明,合浦珠母贝HSP70的氨基酸序列与太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)等双壳贝类的相似性高达86%以上,基于氨基酸序列的聚类分析表明,合浦珠母贝与牡蛎属种类亲缘关系最近。高温、高盐刺激后,半定量RT-PCR检测发现hsp70基因的表达明显增加,高温刺激的表达量高于高盐刺激,高温刺激组不同组织的表达量由大到小依次为鳃、消化腺、外套膜、肌肉、性腺,高盐刺激组不同组织的表达量由大到小依次为鳃、外套膜、肌肉、消化腺、性腺,表明HSP70参与了机体对刺激的应答过程。该基因的克隆为进一步深入研究合浦珠母贝的抗逆机理及其遗传改良奠定了重要基础。     

马氏珠母贝TLR6基因的克隆、序列分析与表达

为了探究TLR6(Toll like receptor 6)在马氏珠母贝免疫反应中的作用,实验采用c DNA末端快速扩增(RACE)技术获得了马氏珠母贝TLR6基因(Pm-TLR6)c DNA全长序列,并且运用实时荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)技术检测了Pm-TLR6在马氏珠母贝各组织中的表达情况、哈维氏弧菌刺激后和植核移植后血淋巴中的表达模式。结果显示:Pm-TLR6c DNA全长2295 bp,其中5′非编码区(UTR)长94 bp,3′UTR长89 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长2112 bp,编码703个氨基酸;多序列比对结果表明物种间TLR6具有较高的保守性;PmTLR6具有跨膜域、富含亮氨酸的重复序列(LRRs)和TIR域,符合TLRs家族特征。q RTPCR数据分析表明,Pm-TLR6在马氏珠母贝肝胰脏、血细胞、鳃、性腺、闭壳肌、外套膜中均有表达,其中肝胰脏中表达量最高;哈维氏弧菌刺激后,Pm-TLR6在2 h表达上调,约为对照组(0 h)的9倍,随后的6 h恢复至正常水平,直至16 h表达水平开始回升并于24 h达到最大表达量,是对照组的29.4倍,具有显著性差异;植核移植实验结果显示PmTLR6在植核后5和10 d表达水平没有显著性变化,15和20 d表达量出现上升趋势,但差异不显著,最后于30 d达到最大值,约为空白对照组(0 d)的5倍,具有显著性差异。研究表明,Pm-TLR6可能在马氏珠母贝免疫防御反应中担任着重要的角色。     

马氏珠母贝鳃组织抗菌活性的研究

用纸片琼脂扩散法和微量测定法对制备的马氏珠母贝鳃组织匀浆物进行抗菌活性分析.结果表明,马氏珠母贝鳃组织匀浆物具有抗革兰氏阴性菌-副溶血弧菌、河流弧菌、嗜水气单胞菌、大肠杆菌、绿脓杆菌活性;对革兰氏阳性菌-金黄葡萄球菌具一定抑制活性,但对枯草芽孢杆菌无抑制活性.利用胰蛋白酶对马氏珠母贝鳃组织匀浆物水解后,其抗菌活性消失,表明其中抗菌成分为蛋白质.将马氏珠母贝鳃组织匀浆物在不同温度(37～95 ℃)和不同pH(2.5～5)保温,发现其抗菌活性成分对热及酸耐受性较强.马氏珠母贝鳃组织匀浆物在低浓度无溶血活性.该抗菌组分在马氏珠母贝的免疫防御中具有一定的作用.     

合浦珠母贝组织蛋白酶L2基因的特征与组织表达分析

为了研究合浦珠母贝(Pincatada fucata)的先天免疫调控机制,利用cDNA文库筛选和重测序技术克隆了1个合浦珠母贝组织蛋白酶L的全长cDNA序列(命名为poCL2).poCL2 cDNA全长1 094bp,5'-非编码区(untranslated region,UTR)长21 bp,3'-UTR长80 bp,开放阅读框(Open reading frame,ORF)为993 bp,编码330个氨基酸组成的多肽链,分子量为37.1 kD,理论等电点为6.9.poCL2蛋白由信号肽(Met1-Ala16)、前体域(Arg17-Asp113)和成熟域(Leu114-Val330)三部分组成,存在-个潜在的糖基化位点(Asn97),6个底物结合位点(Leu182,Met183,Ala249,Leu275,Gly278和Ser324),1个由半胱氨酸(Cys138)、组氨酸(His277)和天冬酰胺(Asn297)残基构成的催化位点和2个组织蛋白酶L签名序列(E42X3RX3WX2NX3IX3N61和G74X1NX1YX1D80).同源性分析表明,poCL2氨基酸序列与其他物种高度保守,相似性在61.5%～73.9%之间,同源性在44.4%～59.8%之间.进化分析显示,poCL2与其他无脊椎动物的组织蛋白酶L聚为一支,和淡水螺(Radix peregra)亲缘关系最近.组织表达分析表明poCL2 mRNA在消化腺、外套膜、性腺、闭壳肌、肠、血淋巴和鳃组织中均表达,外套膜表达量最高.应激实验表明,经溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)或脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharide,LPS)刺激后,poCL2 mRNA在消化腺中的表达量显著上调,说明poCL2参与了合浦珠母贝的先天免疫应答反应,暗示其在合浦珠母贝先天免疫调控中发挥重要作用.     

马氏珠母贝基质金属蛋白酶基因MMP-17的克隆及表达分析

基质金属蛋白酶(matrix metalloproteinases,MMP)是一种能够降解细胞外基质的蛋白水解酶。MMP-17是一种膜型基质金属蛋白酶,通过糖基磷脂酰肌醇连接于细胞表面,参与调控有机体的内环境稳定、宿主防御等多种生理过程。为研究MMP-17在马氏珠母贝免疫反应中的作用,实验运用RACE技术,克隆得到马氏珠母贝MMP-17(Pinctada martensii MMP,Pm-MMP-17)基因cDNA 全长序列,并对其序列特征及功能进行初步分析。结果显示,Pm-MMP-17基因cDNA全长2 794 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)为1 923 bp,编码640个氨基酸,5'UTR长156 bp,3'UTR长715 bp,分子量约为73.11 ku,等电点为8.98;多序列比对和系统进化树分析表明,Pm-MMP-17与其他物种的MMP具有较高的保守性,与长牡蛎的MMP-17相似性高达82%;功能结构域分析表明,Pm-MMP-17有5个高度保守的结构区域:N-末端的信号肽、前导区、催化区、铰链区和C-末端的类血红素结合蛋白区;荧光定量数据分析表明,Pm-MMP-17基因在马氏珠母贝的闭壳肌、珍珠囊、足、外套膜、血淋巴、肝胰腺、性腺、鳃等8个组织中均有表达,在血液中的表达量最高,闭壳肌和鳃次之;脂多糖(LPS)刺激后,Pm-MMP-17基因表达水平上调,12 h后达到最大值,之后又逐渐下调并恢复到正常水平。研究表明,Pm-MMP-17基因可能在马氏珠母贝的免疫反应中起着重要作用。     

马氏珠母贝Bcl-2-like基因克隆及其功能初探

B淋巴细胞瘤-2(B-cell lymphoma, Bcl-2)基因作为一种重要的细胞凋亡调控基因,在内源性细胞凋亡通路中发挥着重要的调控作用。实验利用c DNA末端快速扩增(RACE)技术克隆获得PmBcl-2-like基因cDNA全长序列,并对其序列进行生物信息学分析;利用实时定量PCR(qPCR)技术分析了PmBcl-2-like在马氏珠母贝不同组织、不同发育时期以及不同免疫刺激后的表达水平。结果显示,PmBcl-2-like cDNA全长为2 180 bp,开放阅读框长度为1 650 bp,共编码549个氨基酸,分子量为21.62 ku;结构域预测分析表明PmBcl-2-like含有Bcl-2家族典型的BH1-4结构域;多序列比对以及进化树构建结果表明,PmBcl-2-like与其他物种的相似度较高,保守性较强;荧光定量结果表明PmBcl-2-like在马氏珠母贝8个组织中均有表达,在鳃中表达量最高,其次为性腺,表达量最低为中央膜区;在胚胎期表达量较高,受精卵时期表达量最高。机体受到脂多糖(LPS)刺激后,相对表达量在24 h达到最高,72 h降到最低,最高约为最低的2.5倍;肽聚糖(PGN)刺激后,相对表达量在6 h达到最高,48 h降到最低,最高约为最低的7.28倍;聚肌胞苷酸(Poly:IC)刺激后,相对表达量在3 h达到最高,12 h降到最低,最高约为最低的6.49倍。研究表明,PmBcl-2-like可能在马氏珠母贝发育和免疫防御反应中担任着重要的角色。     

马氏珠母贝PEPCK基因序列特征及其在耐低温品系的选择印记分析

磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶(phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase,PEPCK)是糖异生途径的关键酶,当动植物处于温度胁迫等不良环境条件时,它可通过催化草酰乙酸转化为磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸,继而生成葡萄糖以维持机体的血糖平衡,在抗逆过程中起着重要作用.本研究鉴定了马氏珠母贝(Pinctada fuca...     

溶藻弧菌诱导马氏珠母贝血淋巴cDNA差减文库的构建及分析

为了探讨马氏珠母贝免疫防御机制,筛选免疫防御相关功能基因,以致病性溶藻弧菌人工感染的马氏珠母贝血淋巴为材料,采用抑制性差减杂交(SSH)技术,构建了溶藻弧菌诱导的马氏珠母贝血淋巴cDNA差减文库;以马氏珠母贝管家基因β-actin作为差减指标检测该文库的差减效率;对选取的600个阳性克隆进行测序及生物信息学分析。结果显示,该文库的差减效率可达210倍;PCR阳性检测显示差减片段为100~750 bp,对随机挑取600个克隆的测序结果显示,共获得414个有效EST序列;通过BLAST同源性比对,有167个EST序列(占40.34%)与NCBI数据库中已知功能蛋白质具较高同源性,其中7个EST序列(占1.69%)与免疫防御相关基因同源;此外,204个EST(占49.28%)在数据库中未发现同源序列。研究表明,SSH技术能有效富集马氏珠母贝血淋巴差异表达基因,研究结果为探索马氏珠母贝免疫基因作用机理和调控机制奠定了基础。     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

Nitrogenous waste excretion and accumulation of urea and ammonia inChalcalburnus tarichi (Cyprinidae), endemic to the extremely alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Turkey)

The endemic, anadromous cyprinidChalcalburnus tarichi is the only fish species known to occur in alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). EightC. tarichi were maintained individually in Lake Van water (17 – 19°C; pH 9.8; 153 mEq·I^–1 total alkalinity; 22 total salinity) and tank water samples analyzed for 24 h in 2 to 4 h intervals. At zero time, < 1µM ammonia was present and urea was undetectable in the tank water; at 24 h, total ammonia and urea made up 114±32 and 35±25µM, respectively. Over the experimental period, ammonia-N and urea-N excretion averaged 1041±494 and 607±169moles·kg^–1 fish·h^–1, respectively. The extent of urea excretion was highly variable between specimens. Uric acid excretion was not detectable.Urea was present at high concentrations in all tissues and plasma (25 – 35moles·g^–1·ml^–1) of freshly caughtC. tarichi; total ammonia content of the tissues was by a factor of 1.9 (liver) to 3.0 (brain) lower. High arginase activity (2.4±0.2 U·min^–1·g^–1) was detected in the liver ofC. tarichi but ornithine carbamoylphosphate transferase, a key enzyme of the ornithine-urea-cycle, was absent. Ureagenesis is likely through degradation of arginine and/or uricolysis. High glutamine synthetase activity (11±0.6 U·min^–1·g^–1) and low ammonia content in brain suggest that, like other teleosts,C. tarichi has an efficient ammonia detoxification in the brain, but in no other tissue.Nitrogenous waste excretion at alkaline pH is discussed. The ability ofC. tarichi to excrete high levels of ammonia at extremely alkaline pH is unique among teleosts studied so far. The mechanism of ammonia excretion under Lake Van conditions remains to be elucidated.