低温胁迫对尼罗罗非鱼水通道蛋白(Aquaporin 1，AQP1)基因(AQP1)表达的影响

以经过连续多代抗寒选育获得的尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)耐寒品系为实验材料, 克隆了尼罗罗非鱼水通道蛋白基因(AQP1)的cDNA序列, 并采用实时荧光定量PCR分析方法探讨了低温胁迫对罗非鱼AQP1基因表达水平的影响。序列分析结果显示, 尼罗罗非鱼AQP1 cDNA长度为1 098 bp, 包含36 bp的5′端非翻译区序列、783 bp开放阅读框(ORF)和279 bp的3′非翻译区序列, 编码261个氨基酸。氨基酸序列比对表明, 各物种间AQP1序列的同源性较高(96%~59%)。聚类分析表明, 尼罗罗非鱼首先与同属鲈形目丽鱼科的斑马拟丽鱼(Maylandia zebra)聚在一起, 再与其他硬骨鱼类聚为一类。实时荧光定量PCR 结果表明: 在水温从30℃逐渐降到10℃过程中, 肌肉和肝组织AQP1基因的表达量从20℃开始均逐渐下调。其中肌肉组织中, 与30℃时的表达量相比, 耐寒品系在20℃时表达量大幅度下调, 当水温为15℃时, 其表达量下调幅度为22.16倍。当水温降到10℃时, 其表达量下调了107.73倍。而对照组AQP1基因的表达量在15℃时, 下调幅度为5.38倍。当水温达到10℃时, 其表达量下调幅度为11.30倍。结果分析显示, 耐寒品系与对照组AQP1基因在低温条件下的表达量存在显著性差异(P<0.05)。而在肝组织中, 当水温降到15℃时, 耐寒品系和对照组的表达量下调幅度分别为3.38倍、1.42倍。水温降到10℃时, 其表达量上调幅度分别为18.85倍、9.01倍。结果分析表明, 低温条件下耐寒品系与对照组AQP1基因在肝组织中的表达差异不显著(P>0.05)。结果表明, AQP1表达对温度敏感, 耐寒品系较高的耐寒能力与其在低温条件下的肌肉组织大幅上调表达有关。由此可见, AQP1基因在罗非鱼低温适应过程中发挥重要作用, 是潜在的研究罗非鱼耐寒机制的候选基因之一, 本研究为进一步研究罗非鱼的耐寒分子机制和开展鱼类抗逆育种提供参考。

     

小肽对星斑川鲽幼鱼消化酶活性、抗氧化能力和生化组成的影响

选用初始体质量(15.30?.03) g的星斑川鲽(Platichthys stellatus)幼鱼, 在其基础饲料中添加不同梯度的小肽(鱼水解肽), 添加水平分别为0 (对照组)、0.25%、0.50%、0.75%、1.0%和1.5%, 每组设3个重复, 每个重复30尾鱼, 实验周期为56 d。结果表明: 1) 除肝胰脏淀粉酶外, 星斑川鲽幼鱼胃、肠和肝胰脏中消化酶活性在各组间均存在显著性差异(P<0.05), 且随着小肽添加水平的上升而呈现先上升后下降的趋势。2) 饲料中添加小肽显著降低了肝胰脏和血清中的丙二醛含量(P<0.05), 并显著提高了1.0%和1.5%小肽添加组血清的总抗氧化能力, 而对肝胰脏超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽还原酶均无显著影响(P>0.05), 同时, 1.0%和1.5%小肽添加组血清超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽氧化物酶活性以及0.75%和1.0%小肽添加组血清谷胱甘肽还原酶活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。3)小肽添加组苯丙氨酸含量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 0.50%~1.5%小肽添加组亮氨酸含量也显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 而其他氨基酸在不同小肽添加组间均无显著性差异(P>0.05); 0.75%和1.0%小肽添加组多不饱和脂肪酸含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 0.5%~1.0 %小肽添加组DHA和EPA含量均显著高于对照组(P <0.05), 而ARA在不同添加组间无显著差异(P>0.05)。综上可知, 饲料中添加适量小肽可有效提高消化酶活性和抗氧化能力, 促进机体生长, 并在一定程度上提高鱼肉品质。

     

小体鲟AR基因克隆、序列分析及其组织mRNA表达

采用RT-PCR 和RACE技术, 克隆了小体鲟(Acipenser ruthenus)雄激素受体(AR)基因cDNA全长序列, 应用real-time qPCR法对雌、雄个体不同组织中AR mRNA 的表达进行检测。序列分析表明, AR基因cDNA全长为2 953 bp, 包括5′端68 bp的非编码区(untranslation region, UTR), 2 528 bp的开放阅读框ORF(open reading frame)和3′端327 bp的非编码区(不包括ploy A 的尾巴)。AR前体蛋白由843个氨基酸组成, 理论分子质量为94.24 kD。同源比较结果表明, 小体鲟AR氨基酸序列与其他鱼类的AR氨基酸序列同源性较高, 与杂交鲟(A. ruthenus × Huso huso)、西伯利亚鲟(A. baerii)、虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)和日本鳗鲡(Anguilla japonica)的雄激素受体同源性分别为99%、98%、83%和83%。real-time qPCR分析小体鲟雌雄个体不同组织中的表达结果显示, AR基因在雌雄个体中相对表达基本相同, 都是在性腺、肌肉和肾中高量表达, 而在其他组织中少量表达。AR基因在小体鲟体内广泛表达, 表明该基因可能对其生长和繁殖有重要作用。

     

应用碳、氮稳定同位素技术分析胶州湾方氏云鳚的摄食习性

根据2011年5月在胶州湾进行的底拖网调查, 应用碳、氮稳定同位素技术对胶州湾方氏云鳚(Enedrias fangi) 的食物组成、营养级和摄食习性的体长变化等方面进行研究。结果表明, 胶州湾方氏云鳚的δ¹⁵N值范围是10.14‰~15.50‰, 跨度为5.36‰, 平均值为(12.83±1.10)‰; δ¹³C值范围是–21.52‰ ~–18.14‰, 跨度为3.38‰, 平均值为(–20.42±0.73)‰。方氏云鳚的饵料生物主要包括鲜明鼓虾(Alpheus distinguendus)、鹰爪虾(Trachypenaeus curvirostris)、海蜇虾(Latreutes anoplonyx)、疣背宽额虾(Latreutes planirostris)、沙蚕、粒径大于900 μm的浮游动物, 其中以海蜇虾和粒径大于900 μm的浮游动物为主, 贡献率分别为47%~66%和35%~40%; 其他饵料生物的重要性由高到低依次为沙蚕、疣背宽额虾、鹰爪虾和鲜明鼓虾, 其贡献率分别为0%~15%、0%~5%、0%~5%、0%~2%。经Pearson相关性检验发现, δ¹⁵N与方氏云鳚的体长无显著相关(P>0.05), 而δ¹³C与方氏云鳚体长呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。以δ¹⁵N计算方氏云鳚各体长组的营养级范围为3.33~3.79, 平均营养级为3.65±0.14, 并不随着鱼体长的增加而升高。与以往的研究相比,方氏云鳚的食物组成和营养级均发生了一定程度的变化,基础饵料生物的波动和分析方法的不同可能是导致变化的主要原因。另外,基线生物、富集度以及样品数量和体长范围的不同也是导致方氏云鳚营养级存在差异的原因之一。本研究旨在深入了解方氏云鳚在胶州湾生态系统中所处的地位和作用,为今后深入研究胶州湾生物群落的营养结构以及食物网的物质循环和能量流动提供基础资料。

     

台湾海峡中部近海虾类数量和优势种分布特征

采用2009年11、2010年4月和8月台湾海峡中部近海海域3个航次的渔业资源调查资料, 结合该海域水文情况, 研究台湾海峡中部近海虾类在春、夏和秋季的资源密度、平面分布和优势种。结果表明: 虾类资源重量密度表现为秋季(135.45 kg/km²)>春季(96.77 kg/km²)>夏季(88.02 kg/km²), 尾数密度表现为夏季(34.55×10³ ind/km²)>秋季(33.65×10³ ind/km²)>春季(18.95×10³ ind/km²)。依据相对重要性指数(IRI), 该海域虾类春秋季的优势种均为哈氏仿对虾(Parapenaeopsis hardwickii)和周氏新对虾(Metapenaeus joyneri), 哈氏仿对虾的IRI值分别为6 733.05和10 552.82, 周氏新对虾IRI值分别为10 536.11和5 981.94, 夏季优势种为须赤虾(Metapenaeopsis barbata) (IRI= 6 242.29)、哈氏仿对虾(IRI=4 236.10)和细巧仿对虾(Parapenaeopsis tenella) (IRI =1 999.67)。通过贡献率β值, 调查海域虾类总密度变化与主要优势种虾类密度变化密切相关, 春季优势种周氏新对虾对总重量和尾数的贡献率β值分别为1.11和0.84, 秋季哈氏仿对虾的贡献率β值分别为0.74和0.78, 各季节虾类总密度主要与优势种密度的平面分布规律一致。这是因为该海域虾类以广温广盐性种类为主, 水团对总密度分布的影响不明显。调查海域夏秋季资源密度高于附近瓯江口海域资源密度。主要的经济种类为哈氏仿对虾、鹰爪虾和中华管鞭虾, 因此台湾海峡中部虾类渔场具有一定的开发利用价值。

     

鲢小清蛋白的cDNA克隆及在大肠杆菌中的原核表达

以鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)肌肉cDNA为模板, 利用小清蛋白特异性引物进行PCR扩增, 克隆得到β小清蛋白两种不同亚型, 即Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型编码区基因。将目的基因片段连接到pET28a (+)表达载体, 并在大肠杆菌[E.coli BL21 (DE3)]中诱导表达。结果表明, 经诱导的小清蛋白重组质粒菌株有特异的蛋白表达。SDS-PAGE分析显示, 目的蛋白的分子量约为13 kD, 与预期大小一致。菌体超声破碎后发现2种亚型的小清蛋白均为可溶表达。利用Ni²⁺亲和层析柱对重组蛋白进行纯化, 得到高纯度的重组小清蛋白PVⅠ和PVⅡ。经Western Blot 鉴定, 重组小清蛋白PVⅠ和PVⅡ均能与抗鲢小清蛋白单克隆抗体反应。本研究为进一步分析小清蛋白的结构与致敏性的关系提供了重要的基础。

     

肌醇对哲罗鲑生长性能、体成分及消化酶活性的影响

为了探讨肌醇对哲罗鲑(Hucho taimen)生长性能、体成分及消化酶活性的影响, 以鱼粉、明胶和酪蛋白为蛋白源配制肌醇含量为99.8(不添加肌醇)、199.8、299.8、499.8、699.8、899.8和5 099.8 mg/kg的7种饲料, 分别投喂7个处理组, 每组3个重复, 每重复30尾鱼, 进行为期56 d的饲养实验。结果表明, 投喂肌醇含量为499.8 mg/kg饲料组的增重率最大, 且与添加量低于299.8 mg/kg的3个饲料组差异显著(P<0.05)。饲料系数在499.8 mg/kg饲料组最低, 在5 099.8 mg/kg饲料组最高, 两组间差异显著(P<0.05)。肌醇含量为499.8~899.8 mg/kg饲料组的特定生长率显著高于99.8~299.8 mg/kg及5 099.8 mg/kg饲料组(P<0.05)。肌肉中水分、粗脂肪和粗蛋白各组间差异不显著(P>0.05), 肝淀粉酶、幽门盲囊脂肪酶活性各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。肠道蛋白酶活性在肌醇含量为199.8~499.8 mg/kg饲料组较高, 显著高于其他组(P<0.05), 脂肪酶活性在299.8~899.8 mg/kg饲料组高于99.8 mg/kg饲料组(P<0.05)。由此得出, 饲料中适量添加肌醇可提高哲罗鲑的生长性能及消化酶活性; 肌醇含量过低时哲罗鲑增重率、消化酶活性均较低; 肌醇含量过高时哲罗鲑特定增长率、消化酶活性较低, 饲料系数较高; 以增重率为指标由折线回归模型分析得出, 肌醇的最适含量为536.6 mg/kg饲料。

     

不同鱼类混养组合与饲喂方式对鱼蚌综合养殖水体浮游植物群落结构的影响

利用三角帆蚌(Hyriopsis cumingii)、草鱼(Ctenoparyngodon idellus)、银鲫(Carassius gibelio)、鲢(Hypopth­almic­hthys molitrix)和鳙(Aristichthys nobilis)构建鱼蚌综合养殖系统, 通过155 d围隔(面积32 m²)实验检验两种鱼类组合(草鱼+鲫+鲢+鳙或鲢+鳙)和两种饲喂方式(投喂或不投喂配合饲料)对浮游植物群落结构的影响。采用2 × 2设计, 设4个处理: GISB-F(草鱼+鲫+鲢+鳙+投喂配合饲料)、GISB-NF(草鱼+鲫+鲢+鳙+不投喂配合饲料)、SB-F(鲢+鳙+投喂配合饲料)和SB-NF(鲢+鳙+不投喂配合饲料)。每个围隔内三角帆蚌、草鱼、鲫、鲢和鳙的放养量分别为20、15、5、5和5 ind。结果表明, 各处理围隔内浮游植物生物量平均值为3.7 × 10⁸~6.0 × 10⁸ cell·L^–1。改变鱼类组合和饲喂方式对浮游植物种类组成、优势种优势度、群落多样性、生物量以及浮游植物生物量中蓝藻的比例无显著影响, 但投喂配合饲料导致叶绿素a增加。浮游植物实验前期主要优势种为十字藻属(Crucigenia)和栅藻属(Scenedesmus)种类, 后期为平裂藻属(Merismopedia)和微囊藻属(Microcyslis)种类, 表明浮游植物群落演变具有明显的季节性特点以及优势种逐渐演化为蓝藻的规律。水温、氨态氮、总氮和高锰酸钾指数对浮游植物群落结构具有显著影响。各处理围隔内氨态氮、总氮和高锰酸钾指数均随时间延长而增加, 说明改变鱼类组合和饲喂方式不会影响围隔内蓝藻水华发生的趋势。

     

饲料中添加浒苔对黄斑蓝子鱼生长性能与生理生化指标的影响

试验用黄斑蓝子鱼(Siganus canaliculatus)幼鱼捕自汕头大学南澳临海试验站附近海域, 在海上网箱中暂养半个月后将其转入室内水族缸(容积200 L)中驯养2周, 饵料为自制配合饲料。新鲜浒苔(Enteromorpha prolifera)从汕头市南澳县盐田采得, 用水清洗后晒干, 经小型粉碎机粉碎, 过60目筛, 制成海藻干粉。选取体质量约23 g黄斑蓝子鱼进行试验。在蛋白水平32%、脂肪水平8%的情况下, 配制6种配合饲料, 其中3种饲料分别添加5%、10%和15%的浒苔干粉, 另2种添加10%、15% 浒苔的饲料中还添加0.2%非淀粉多糖酶(NSP酶), 对照组饲料不添加浒苔。养殖试验周期为8周。结果显示: 与对照组相比, 5%浒苔组鱼的生长性能不受影响(P>0.05), 但10%和15％浒苔组鱼的生长性能显著降低(P<0.05); 然而, 在添加0.2% NSP酶的情况下, 10％和15%浒苔组鱼的生长性能与对照组相比无显著差异(P>0.05)。各饲料组鱼的成活率及全鱼的水分、蛋白、脂肪、灰分含量无显著差异(P>0.05)。与对照组鱼相比, 浒苔饲料组鱼肝和肌肉中的过氧化氢酶及谷胱甘肽过氧物酶的活性增高, 丙二醛含量降低。结果表明, 黄斑蓝子鱼配合饲料中浒苔的添加比例可达5%; 在加入一定量NSP酶的情况下, 其添加比例可达10%～15%。饲料中添加适当比例的浒苔可提高鱼体的抗氧化能力。本研究旨在探讨浒苔作为黄斑蓝子鱼配合饲料原料加以利用的可行性, 为浒苔资源开辟一条有效的利用途径, 并为研发高效、低成本蓝子鱼配合饲料提供指导和依据。

     

浙江南部近岸海域春季蟹类群落结构特征

根据2011年春季(4月、5月和6月)对浙江南部近岸海域进行的共3个航次的底拖网调查数据, 分析了该海域蟹类的种类组成、数量分布、优势种和多样性等特征。结果表明, 春季共捕获蟹类13种, 隶属于1目4科7属; 上述所有种类中, 除3种不确定外, 其余分别为广温广盐种4种、高温广盐种4种与高温高盐种2种; 4月与6月蟹类的质量密度与尾数密度间均存在显著差异(P<0.05); 4月与5月、6月间的多样性指数(H′)差异均显著(P<0.05); 丰富度指数(D)与底盐、水深两者均呈线性正相关(P<0.05), 而多样性指数(H′)、均匀度指数(J′)与质量密度均呈线性负相关(P<0.05)。浙江南部近海春季蟹类群落以中小型非经济种类为主, 结构较简单, 其丰富度(D)随底盐、水深的增加而增加, 而多样性(H′)与均匀度(J′)随质量密度的升高而降低。另外, 双斑蟳(Charybdis bimaculata)为春季的绝对优势种, 且其对质量密度与尾数密度的总贡献率均超过50%, 这可作为渔业生态功能区及重要渔业水域选划的依据之一。

     

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.     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.