The roles of bone and muscle as phosphorus reservoirs during the sexual maturation of female Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica Temminck and Schlegel (Anguilliformes)

We sought to determine the organs that function as phosphorus (P) reservoirs for supplying this mineral to the ovary during the sexual maturation of the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica (Anguilliformes). The P content of the ovary increased markedly during sexual maturation despite the lack of an extrinsic P supply (e.g., diet). This phenomenon suggests that the P that accumulated in the ovary was derived from other parts of the eel. In addition, the P content of bone dramatically decreased during maturation, as did the total bone weight. This result suggests that resorption of bone occurred during the sexual maturation of the eel. Whereas the P content and mass of muscle markedly decreased during maturation, the Ca and P contents of the skin (which was scaled) did not. The total (whole-fish) P content was constant throughout maturation. Together, our results suggest that almost all of the P lost from bone and muscle is incorporated in the ovary and that bone and muscle function as P reservoirs during the sexual maturation of the Japanese eel. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth patterns and plasma levels of testoterone, 11-ketotestosterone, and IGF-1 in male Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) from juvenile stages throughout sexual development

This study was initiated to establish basal data on growth patterns, as well as hormonal regulation of growth and maturation in male Atlantic halibut. Weight increase was approximately linear until one year before first sexual maturation, when growth rates decreased. In spawning fish, somatic growth was arrested or slightly negative. Plasma androgen levels reflected sexual maturation. A slight elevation of androgen levels was apparent one year before first maturation. Plasma IGF-1 levels fluctuated throughout the study and were correlated with body weight during the winter/spring of 1995, 1996, and 1997.     

Positive feedback control by the gonads on gonadotropin (GTH) and gonadoliberin (GnRH) levels in experimentally matured female silver eels,Anguilla anguilla

Treatment of sham-operated female silver eels with carp pituitary extract stimulated ovarian development and induced increases in pituitary gonadotropin (GTH) and gonadoliberin (GnRH) contents. Both effects of carp pituitary extract were abolished in ovariectomized eels, indicating the involvement of the gonads. Endogenous sexual steroids, the secretion of which was increased during sexual maturation, should be responsible for the stimulation of GTH and GnRH levels. Ovariectomy itself had no significant effect on pituitary GTH and GnRH contents, reflecting the fact that, at the silver stage, sexual steroid levels are too low to exert any significant effect on pituitary GTH and GnRH. The positive feedback control exerted by the gonads on GTH and GnRH levels during sexual maturation, in the eel as well as in some other teleosts, would produce an amplification of the pubertal stimulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis.     

Regulation of LH synthesis and release by GnRH and gonadal steroids in masu salmon

The roles of salmon GnRH (sGnRH) and gonadal steroid hormones in regulation of LH synthesis and release were examined in primary pituitary cell cultures of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou). Pituitaries were taken from fish at four reproductive stages: in March (initiation of sexual maturation); May (early maturation); July (pre-spawning); and September (spawning period). Amounts of LHβ subunit mRNA in the pituitary cells were determined by real-time PCR, and LH levels in the medium were determined by RIA. sGnRH and gonadal steroids including estradiol-17β (E2), testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) were added to the cultures to examine their direct effects on LH response. sGnRH had no significant effect on LHβ mRNA levels at any stages, although a stimulatory trend was noted in March. In contrast, E2 and T considerably increased LHβ subunit mRNA levels in March and May during initial stages of maturation, and the effects were less pronounced in July and September. On the other hand, sGnRH stimulated LH release at all stages in the males and the effects were most prominent in July and September. E2 and T also stimulated LH release in July and September, but their effects were weaker than that of sGnRH. The present results indicate that sGnRH and gonadal steroids directly regulate LH synthesis and release in masu salmon pituitary cells: sGnRH mainly stimulates LH release in the late stage of sexual maturation; whereas, E2 and T are effective in stimulating LH synthesis at earlier stages of maturation.     

Sexual dimorphism of fast muscle fibre recruitment in farmed Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)

Commercially farmed Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) were reared at the Aga Marin's facility located on Dønna (Norway) under ambient environmental conditions in duplicate 15 × 15 × 8 m netpens (May 2004 to May 2005). Twenty fish were sampled five times over a twelve month production period during which time the average body weight increased from 1.26 to 2.08 kg (n = 100 fish). Body mass, fork length (L_F), and the number and size distributions of fast muscle fibres were determined in male and female fish. All males matured during the autumn whereas no maturation was observed in females. From the point of maturation females had superior growth performance to males and body mass and the total cross-sectional area of muscle were 1.4-fold (P < 0.05) and 1.3-fold higher (P < 0.01) respectively by May 2005. The total number of fast muscle fibres per trunk cross-section at 0.55 L_F was 24.5% higher in females (7.58 × 10⁵) than males (5.80 × 10⁵) prior to sexual maturation. In females, muscle fibre recruitment slowed with short days and low water temperatures (< 6.5 °C), but had increased to 1.01 × 10⁶ by May 2005 (P < 0.001). In contrast, there was no growth and no increase in muscle fibre number in males following the onset of maturation. The distribution of muscle fibre diameters prior to maturation in males was also significantly different between male and female fish matched for L_F. The results illustrate a sexual dimorphism of muscle fibre recruitment patterns in Atlantic halibut and highlight the adverse affects of sexual maturation in males on muscle growth.     

Estimation of gonadal status of Japanese female eel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla japonica</Emphasis> by a single injection of salmon pituitary extract

ABSTRACT:   Cultivated eels often either lack a part of the ovary (abnormal) or do not have any gonadal tissue (completely sterile). These abnormalities may cause a failure of induction of sexual maturation of female eels. In order to effectively induce sexual maturation and obtain good quality eggs, female eels having normal ovaries should be selected before induction of maturation. The present study examined effects of injection of salmon pituitary extract (SPE) on serum estradiol-17β levels to estimate gonadal status of sexually immature Japanese eels. At the initial stage (just prior to SPE injection), serum estradiol-17β levels were low and no significant difference was observed among eels possessing the different gonad types (normal, abnormal, and sterile), suggesting that gonadal status cannot be estimated by the measurement of serum estradiol-17β levels. A single injection of SPE significantly increased serum estradiol-17β levels in eels possessing normal and abnormal ovaries, but not in sterile eels. Serum estradiol-17β levels significantly increased from 24 h and were high on day 3. These data indicate that eels possessing ovaries can be distinguished from sterile eels by measurement of serum estradiol-17β between 1 and 3 days after a single injection of SPE.     

A note on the significance of the olfactory sense upon sexual maturation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

The significance of the olfactory sense upon sexual maturation in Atlantic salmon was studied. Eighty-one salmon in the salt-water stage were rendered anosmic by cauterizing the olfactory mucosa, a further 81 fishes served as a reference group. All fishes were raised in the same floating net cage. The olfactory mucosa was destroyed once more during the experimental period in the already anosmicized group in order to avoid regeneration. After 5 months, the sexual maturation in both groups was determined by visual inspection of the gonads, and ranged on a six-step scale. The results indicate that the olfactory sense is not mandatory to late development of sexual maturity. No difference was found between the two groups with regard to growth during the experimental period. This finding indicates that the olfactory sense is of little importance to salmonids in the competition for food in a fish-farming environment.     

Growth and reproductive performance of triploid and diploid blacklip abalone, Haliotis rubra (Leach, 1814)

Growth and reproduction of triploid and diploid blacklip abalone Haliotis rubra (Leach, 1814) were compared in a 30-month study. Triploidy was induced by inhibition of the second polar body formation using 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) or cytochalasin B (CB). There were no significant differences in growth and survivorship between triploid and diploid abalone. However, triploid abalone had a more elongated shell and greater foot muscles than diploid abalone. A slightly curvilinear growth in shell length was conformed to all treatments. While diploid abalone had reached sexual maturity and spawned during the study, gonadal development and gamete maturation were abnormal in triploids. Female triploids lacked an apparent gonad at the macroscopic level but microscopic examination revealed that they had a thin layer of oogonia development. In contrast, male triploids were able to form similar-sized gonads to diploids during most of the reproductive period, but with brown-yellow discolouration and stalled gametogenesis at spermatocyte formation. Sex ratio of triploid abalone did not deviate from 1:1. With the onset of sexual maturation, growth and gonadal maturation occurred concurrently in diploid abalone, and there was no indication that growth of (diploid) abalone was reduced.     

Attempts on artificial induction of sexual maturation of sterlet ( Acipenser ruthenus ) and identification of late spermatogenesis stage in hermaphroditic fish

Most of the 27 species of sturgeons are endangered or close to extinction which is connected to habitat degradation, water pollution and overfishing. Conservation programmes are facing the problem of late maturation which can be reached between 5 and 11 years depending on the species and gender. The aim of our study was to investigate the possibility of shortening the sexual maturation using hormonal administration, and measure the blood serum hormone content to distinguish different genders and maturation stages. There was no effect of a 20-week-long hormonal treatment (10 mg carp pituitary/bodyweight kg/week) on the sexual maturation. The number of females was relatively high (67.6% n = 23) and the number of males was relatively low (11.8%, n = 4). Moreover, the number of hermaphroditic fish was surprisingly high (20.6%, n = 7) and appeared independently from hormone administration. Hermaphroditic fish had fully developed spermatozoa and could be distinguished by the increased level of testosterone hormone in blood serum.     

Reduction of early sexual maturation in male S0 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) by dietary supplementation of tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA)

Effects of dietary tetradecylthioacetic fatty acid (TTA) on muscle fat, development of gonads and early sexual maturation in S0 Atlantic salmon during the first year in sea were investigated. TTA (0.5% w/w) was added to the feeds for 8 weeks in the spring. In May, at the end of the TTA‐feeding period, the fish in the TTA group had significantly (P < 0.05) less fat (10.1%) stored in muscle compared with the control group (10.8%). In September, mean male gonadosomatic index (GSI) in maturing fish in the TTA group was found to be lower compared with the maturing fish in the control group (P = 0.05). On the basis of GSI values, male sexual maturation in September was 10.0% vs. 14.4% for the TTA and the control group respectively. Thus, relative to the control group, the incidence of male sexual maturation in the TTA group was reduced by about 1/3 (P = 0.002). Production data was not affected by dietary supplementation of TTA. This study reveals that TTA significantly reduces the incidence of male sexual maturation in S0 Atlantic salmon. A significant elimination model of TTA in fish muscle that takes into account, the growth rate of the fish was further developed in this study.     

Reproductive periodicity of a Penaeus esculentus population near Low Islets,Queensland, Australia

Since a major expense in the aquaculture of prawns is the location of gravid females, an investigation into the spawning habits of a north Queensland population of P. esculentus was begun as part of a wider survey of the East coast penaeid populations. This 31-month survey revealed a period of high reproductive potential limited to the autumn for both the new season prawns just reaching sexual maturity and the remnants of the last season's prawn population. The autumn sexual maturation was followed by a quiescent period through early spring when maturation again proceeded to the spawning period in the following autumn. In fact, the new season prawns' rapid sexual and somatic growth in the autumn was repeated by both generations in the summer and early autumn during the 3-year study. The temporal coincidence of both sea temperature and rainfall patterns with both somatic and gonad growth was investigated.     

Growth in adult gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L) as a result of interference in sexual maturation by different photoperiod regimes

Gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L) pass through the period of sexual maturation while being intensively reared for commercial purposes. This process affects growth and food conversion efficiency. In an attempt to reduce this problem several lighting regimes have been utilized which impede gonad development by increasing the length of the day. A four hour increase in natural day length three months before reaching sexual maturation in fish of 390 g, improves growth in comparison to the control by about 15% (means SD of 606.2 ± 10.6 and 526.5 ± 12.7 g, respectively) towards the end of the natural reproductive season. However, these differences are subsequently compensated since the sexual maturation process is only delayed (rather than being permanently halted). The manipulated groups reached maturity and then stopped growing between three and four months after the control groups. For this reason, it would appear advantageous to manipulate sexual maturation through photoperiod alteration in those groups which go to market either during or towards the end of the reproductive season since greater fish weights will be achieved in addition to an improved food efficiency.     

Changes in neurosteroid biosynthesis during sexual maturation of lacustrine sockeye salmon

It was demonstrated that pregnenolone (P5) and 17α-hydroxypregnenolone (17α-OH-P5) were identified as cholesterol metabolites in the brain and pituitary gland of lacustrine sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) during sexual maturation. Moreover, 17α-OH-P5 was determined as the major cholesterol metabolite. The conversion of P5 to 17α-OH-P5 in the brain and pituitary gland showed a clear regional difference, and their productivity were dramatically changed during sexual maturation. From these data, it was suggested that steroid converting enzyme in the brain and pituitary gland of lacustrine sockeye salmon might be involved in brain region-dependent roles on sexual maturation.     

Progress Toward Year-round Spawning of Southern Flounder Broodstock by Manipulation of Photoperiod and Temperature

Reliable methods have been developed for controlled spawning of captive southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, broodstock during their natural winter (December–February) spawning season. From 1999 to 2004, we evaluated the effects of manipulation of photoperiod and temperature on both advance and delay spawning to produce viable embryos throughout the year. Wild‐caught adult broodstock were held in 4.8‐ to 7.0‐m³ controlled‐environment tanks at a sex ratio of approximately 12 females to 4 males. Broodstock were subjected to different artificial photothermal conditioning regimes: extended winter (EW), accelerated (A‐10‐, A‐6‐, A‐4.5‐, and A‐3.8‐mo regimes), and delayed (D‐16‐ and D‐14‐mo regimes), with gradual and abrupt transitions, respectively, from long to short daylengths. Under an EW cycle, fish were exposed to constant short daylengths (10 L: 14 D) after the winter solstice in January. Eighty‐seven natural spawnings from December to April produced 18.3 × 10⁶ eggs, with 20.9% hatching successfully (i.e., overall egg viability). Under an A‐10‐mo cycle, rate of decrease in daylength was accelerated after the summer solstice in July, to reach winter conditions in October. Seven induced spawning trials from October to November produced 897 × 10³ eggs, with 40.4% viability. Under an A‐6‐mo cycle, rate of change of photoperiod was accelerated after the winter solstice in January, to reach winter conditions in July. Three induced spawning trials in July produced 550 × 10³ eggs, with 14.7% viability. Under an A‐4.5‐mo cycle, broodstock exposed to EW from January through April were exposed to an accelerated cycle to reach winter conditions by October. Four induced spawning trials from September to November produced 729 × 10³ eggs, with 28.7% viability. Under an A‐3.8‐mo cycle, broodstock exposed to EW conditions from January through April were exposed to an accelerated cycle to reach winter conditions by September. Five induced spawning trials from September to November produced 510 × 10³ eggs, with 45.9% viability. Under a D‐16‐mo cycle, fish were exposed to a decelerated decline in photoperiod after the summer solstice in July, to reach winter conditions in May, when atretic females were observed. Under a D‐14‐mo cycle, fish were exposed to constant summer conditions from December through mid‐June and then to an abrupt decline in photoperiod to winter conditions in late June. Six induced spawning trials from September to November produced 763 × 10³ eggs, with 13.0% viability. Production of viable embryos was greatest during the extended winter because of abundant natural spawnings. While successful natural spawnings were rare during the fall or summer, viable embryos were produced through induced spawnings during all seasons of the year, with no significant (P > 0.05) differences in egg viability. Extended winter conditions prolonged spawning from 3 to 5 mo. Accelerated (3.8–10 mo) regimes were effective in producing viable embryos from summer through fall, but a minimum of 5 mo was required to complete gonadal recrudescence. While constant long daylengths after the summer solstice delayed gonadal recrudescence, with spawning obtained 2.5 mo after an abrupt reduction to short daylengths, a decelerated decline in photoperiod did not. Artificial control of daylength enabled precise control of gonadal recrudescence and year‐round spawning in southern flounder without adverse effects on the quality of eggs and larvae and will improve availability of seedstock for commercial aquaculturists.     

A non-lethal method for establishing sexual maturation in mussels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">galloprovincialis</Emphasis> (Lamarck, 1819)) during broodstock conditioning in hatcheries

The concentration of the sex steroids 17β-estradiol, testosterone and progesterone was determined by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in the hemolymph of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and related to its sexual maturation. A non-lethal hemolymph sampling procedure was used in mussels matured in controlled conditions of a hatchery. To our knowledge, this is the first study on sexual steroid hormones of a bivalve species using the same specimens in consecutive samplings. Histological data showed that nearly 90 % of the mussels ripened during the experiment. Steroid analyses revealed that 17β-estradiol and testosterone were closely related to the onset of gamete development, while progesterone would have an important role at the end of gonadal maturity. This method can be used to assess sexual maturation in bivalves when conditioning in hatcheries, without killing them.     

Temporal progression in migratory status and sexual maturation in European silver eels during downstream migration

The onset of downstream migration of European eels is accompanied by a cessation of feeding and the start of sexual maturation which stresses the link between metabolism and sexual maturation, also suggesting an important role for exercise. Exercise has been tested with eels in swim tunnels and was found to stimulate the onset of sexual maturation. In this study, we have investigated the interplay between migration and maturation in the field during the downstream migration of female silver eels. Temporal changes in migratory status and sexual maturation among silver eels of the upstream Rhine River system over 3 months of the migration season (August, September and October) were determined in biometrical parameters, plasma 17β-estradiol and calcium levels, oocyte histology and gonadal fat levels. Furthermore, the ecological relevant parameters age as determined by otolithometry and health aspects indicated by haematocrit, haemoglobin and swim-bladder parasite load were measured. Silver eels were estimated to be 14 years old. A strong temporal progression in migratory stage was shown over the months of downstream migration. Catches probably represented a mix of reproductive migrants and feeding migrants of which the ratio increased over time. Furthermore, this study confirmed our hypothesis linking the migratory stage to early maturation as indicated by enlargement of the eyes, oocyte growth and fat deposition in the oocytes, exactly the same changes as found induced by exercise but not ruling out environmental influences. Migrants show extensive fat uptake by the oocytes, probably stimulated by the swimming exercise. In addition, at least 83% of the silver eels in this spawning run may have suffered from negative effects of swim-bladder parasites on their swimming performance.     

Seasonal changes in the immune activities of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Various endocrinological and immunological parameters involved with the seasonal changes of immunocompetence in common carp, Cyprinus carpio reared under natural conditions were investigated. Plasma concentrations of steroid hormones, IgM levels, IgM-secreting cell (IgMSC) numbers, and water temperature were considered as major parameters. Testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone in males and estradiol-17β in females detected by RIA, increased simultaneously with gonadal maturation, but no significant correlation was found with IgM production measured by ELISA. IgM levels were very high during the spawning season, but did not fluctuate much during the other seasons even at high water temperatures. These changes of IgM are certainly related to sexual maturation. In addition, IgMSC numbers were also high during the spawning season. This positive interaction between endocrine and immune parameters could contribute to the immune systems of common carp being more effective during spawning season. Interestingly, cortisol levels increased with the water temperature and were high during the spawning season, but had no suppressive effect on the IgM levels and IgMSC numbers.     

利用低盐度养殖的凡纳滨对虾培育亲虾初探

以在盐度2~3条件下养殖至9月龄的凡纳滨对虾( Litopenaeus vannamei )成虾为材料, 研究低盐度养殖对虾在不同盐度驯养条件下的繁殖性能, 以期为利用低盐度养殖对虾培育亲虾提供科学依据。实验盐度梯度设置为1、8、15、23和30。雌虾经剪切单侧眼柄后进行促熟培育, 促熟期间的雄虾养殖水温控制在(27±0.5)℃, 雌虾水温控制在(28±0.5)℃。定期检查雌虾卵巢和雄虾精荚的发育情况, 采用精荚人工移植技术对不同盐度条件下培育的亲虾进行组合交配, 统计受精率和孵化率, 组织切片观察卵巢发育, 综合评价各实验组合的繁殖性能。结果表明, 在实验盐度梯度范围内, 雌虾卵巢都可发育成熟; 盐度1组雌虾成熟比例仅10%, 且全部死亡; 盐度8和15下发育成熟的雌虾达70%, 可正常产卵, 但产出的卵子受精率较低, 不能孵化出无节幼体; 盐度23和30下发育成熟的雌虾超过76%, 可正常产卵、孵化, 但孵化率较低。组织切片观察, 盐度8~30范围内各组雌虾卵巢发育无明显差异。在盐度8~30范围内, 凡纳滨对虾雄虾精巢都能够正常发育成熟, 但盐度30和23实验组的雄虾精巢发育速度明显快于盐度15和8组; 随着盐度的降低, 精荚发育成熟所需要的时间明显延长; 所有盐度实验组的精荚被移植后都可与卵子受精并孵化出无节幼体。

     

东太平洋赤道海域茎柔鱼体征生长及生殖投入

现生头足类的性腺发育滞后于个体生长,研究其生殖投入方式对于掌握它们的生长发育过程有着重要的意义。为此,本实验利用形态学和残差指标分析方法,对东太平洋赤道海域茎柔鱼的体征生长及其生殖投入进行了分析。结果显示,雌、雄个体均为匀速生长,雌性个体性腺成熟的最小胴长和最小体质量分别为270 mm和766 g,雄性个体性腺成熟的最小胴长和最小体质量分别为270 mm和479 g。雌、雄个体的空胃率低,摄食等级以1～2级为主;随着月份推移,个体的体征质量逐步趋好,在性腺发育阶段最差。雌性成熟个体的性腺指数平均值为2.26%±1.33%,缠卵腺指数平均值为34.34%±18.62%;雄性成熟个体的性腺指数平均值为1.31%±0.35%。雌、雄个体二者的体征指标与生殖投入指标均呈显著的正相关关系;随着性腺发育,体征指标和生殖投入指标呈下降趋势;随着胃饱满度等级增加,体征指标呈下降趋势,生殖投入指标则呈上升趋势。研究表明,茎柔鱼在性腺发育过程中持续摄食生长,生殖投入倾向于外源性,肌肉组织存储能量部分转化以满足生殖发育所需。     

Effects of partial or total fish meal replacement by agricultural by-product diets on gonad maturation, sex steroids and vitellogenin dynamics of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

The establishment of the first sexual maturation was characterized in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in order to study the efficiency of replacement of fish meal (FM) by diets composed of local vegetable ingredients. Four diets were formulated containing decreasing levels of FM (50-0% for diet 1 to diet 4) and increasing proportions of vegetable ingredients (50-100%). Gonadosomatic index (GSI), diameter and percentages of developmental stages of oocytes, plasma sex steroids and vitellogenin dynamics were investigated from February to June using one-year-old fish. Fish were individually tagged, and 12 individuals from each diet were investigated monthly. Replacement of FM with plant ingredients did not affect the GSI neither in males, nor in females. All males were spermiating, and no abnormal gonads were found. In females, GSI and percentages of advanced stages of oocytes decreased during the dry season, indicating seasonal changes in gonad development. Moreover, oocytes were in late exogenous vitellogenesis, but no final maturation stages were observed, whatever the diet. Higher plasma levels of E2 in females and of androgens (T and 11-KT) in both sexes were observed in fish fed diet 4 than in those receiving diet 1 depending on the season. Levels of plasma E2 and ALP (indicator for vitellogenin) in males did not differ among treatments and seasons suggesting no phytoestrogenic activity. The results showed that total replacement of FM by vegetable diets composed of groundnut oilcakes, bean and sunflower meals has no deleterious effect on the onset of sexual maturation in African catfish but, may stimulate the sex steroid production and in turns may potentially exert some positive actions on reproductive success.