白斑综合征病毒感染对凡纳滨对虾热休克蛋白60和90表达的影响

采用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)感染凡纳滨对虾不同时段鳃、肠、肝胰腺、肌肉、类淋巴和血细胞组织中热休克蛋白(HSP)60和90基因mRNA转录水平的变化。结果显示,HSP60和HSP90在这6个组织中都有表达,WSSV感染影响各组织中HSP60和HSP90 mRNA转录水平的表达,WSSV感染抑制HSP60在鳃、肠、肌肉和血细胞的表达,促进HSP90在鳃、肠、肝胰腺、肌肉、血细胞和类淋巴的表达,表明HSP60和HSP90参与WSSV感染免疫反应。     

干露时间对凡纳滨对虾抗氧化功能的影响

将体长(8.32±1.43) cm健康有活力的凡纳滨对虾置于室温25℃的封闭实验台上,0、5、15、30 min后分别活体采样,测定肌肉、心脏、胃、肠道、肝胰腺和血淋巴的抗氧化相关指标,研究干露对凡纳滨对虾抗氧化功能的影响。试验结果表明,干露15 min组凡纳滨对虾胃、血清、肝胰腺丙二醛含量显著高于对照组(P0.05);随着暴露时间延长,干露组凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺组织总抗氧化能力呈下降趋势,各组与对照组相比显著降低(P0.05);肠道、心脏和胃总抗氧化能力水平呈先升后降的趋势;随着暴露时间的延长,凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺和肌肉中总超氧化物歧化酶以及肝胰腺中γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶活性呈下降趋势,肌肉与肠道中的γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶活性无显著性变化(P0.05)。短时间(5 min)干露对凡纳滨对虾组织抗氧化功能破坏较小,而长时间(30 min)干露可明显降低组织的抗氧化能力;干露对凡纳滨对虾对抗氧化功能的影响具有组织特异性。通过检测凡纳滨对虾抗氧化代谢指标,进而探索缺氧不同时间段凡纳滨对虾抗氧化酶活性的变化规律,总结对虾机体抗氧化剂和抗氧化能力的时空图谱,为养殖过程中缺氧现象提供基础资料,为凡纳滨对虾无水运输技术的开发提供参考数据。     

虾肝肠胞虫(Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei)实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立及对虾样品的检测

根据GenBank中公布的虾肝肠胞虫(Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei) (EHP) SSU rDNA序列设计1对特异性引物,建立并优化了EHP的SYBR Green Ⅰ实时荧光定量PCR (qPCR)检测方法.结果显示,该方法在60℃的退火温度时扩增效果最好,产物的熔解曲线为1个单峰,构建的方法对8.3×101-8.3×108 copies/μ1的EHP SSU rDNA片段的检测响应具有良好的线性关系,扩增产物阈值循环数(Ct)与模板起始量的对数[log(Sq)]的关系为Ct=-3.369 log(Sq)+39.364 (R2=0.992),扩增效率为98.1％,检测灵敏度下限为8.3× 10(1) copies/μ1,在线性范围内具有良好的组内和组间重复性.对实际样品的检测表明该方法比已报道的套式PCR的检测灵敏度约高4倍.利用本方法对采集自江苏、海南和山东的3批凡纳滨对虾样品的肝胰腺组织DNA (HpDNA)中的EHP SSU rDNA进行了qPCR检测,结果显示,EHP的载量指数与对虾生长速率呈负相关关系,肝胰腺中EHP载量在103 copies/(ng HpDNA)时代表了较高的风险水平.本研究建立的qPCR方法具有特异、灵敏、快速、定量的优点,所建立的方法及检测数据可为EHP的防控提供技术参考.     

亚硝态氮胁迫下凡纳滨对虾体内亚硝态氮的积累与能量代谢响应

为探究亚硝态氮胁迫下凡纳滨对虾[体长为(6.8±0.3) cm,体质量为(4.0±0.6) g]体内亚硝态氮的时空分布与能量代谢相关酶活性的响应,实验设置0(对照组)、0.8、4.0和8.0 mmol/L 4个处理组,进行持续96 h的亚硝态氮胁迫实验和12 h的恢复实验。结果显示,凡纳滨对虾死亡率与胁迫浓度呈现显著的正相关性。胁迫6 h内,亚硝态氮在凡纳滨对虾鳃、血淋巴、肠道、肝胰腺和肌肉组织中明显积累,且积累量与胁迫浓度呈现正相关。相同胁迫浓度组,亚硝态氮在对虾鳃中积累最多,肌肉中最少,鳃中的积累量约为肌肉的3倍。Na~+-K~+-ATP酶活性在0.8和4.0 mmol/L组对虾肝胰腺和肌肉中显著升高,而在8.0 mmol/L组的肌肉中显著降低。胁迫各组对虾肝胰腺AMPK活性显著上升,且与胁迫浓度呈现正相关性。恢复期间,除血淋巴(8.0 mmol/L组)外,各组织中亚硝态氮1 h恢复效率均超过50%,且肝胰腺和鳃的恢复效率最高,达到74%以上。血淋巴、鳃、肠道中亚硝态氮恢复到对照组水平的时间最短,均在6 h以内,而水体中亚硝态氮含量显著升高。以上研究表明,胁迫下亚硝态氮会在对虾组织中迅速积累,并引起能量代谢进程的加快;胁迫解除后,积累在体内的亚硝态氮能够迅速排出体外,以减轻毒性影响。本研究结果将为缓解亚硝态氮对养殖对虾毒性效应的研究提供参考。     

虾肝肠胞虫(Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei)实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立及对虾样品的检测

根据Gen Bank中公布的虾肝肠胞虫(Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei)(EHP)SSU r DNA序列设计1对特异性引物,建立并优化了EHP的SYBR Green I实时荧光定量PCR(q PCR)检测方法。结果显示,该方法在60℃的退火温度时扩增效果最好,产物的熔解曲线为1个单峰,构建的方法对8.3×101–8.3×108 copies/μl的EHP SSU r DNA片段的检测响应具有良好的线性关系,扩增产物阈值循环数(Ct)与模板起始量的对数[log(Sq)]的关系为Ct=–3.369 log(Sq)+39.364(R2=0.992),扩增效率为98.1%,检测灵敏度下限为8.3×101 copies/μl,在线性范围内具有良好的组内和组间重复性。对实际样品的检测表明该方法比已报道的套式PCR的检测灵敏度约高4倍。利用本方法对采集自江苏、海南和山东的3批凡纳滨对虾样品的肝胰腺组织DNA(Hp DNA)中的EHP SSU r DNA进行了q PCR检测,结果显示,EHP的载量指数与对虾生长速率呈负相关关系,肝胰腺中EHP载量在103 copies/(ng Hp DNA)时代表了较高的风险水平。本研究建立的q PCR方法具有特异、灵敏、快速、定量的优点,所建立的方法及检测数据可为EHP的防控提供技术参考。     

恩诺沙星对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei) CYP2基因表达及氨基比林-N-脱甲基酶活性的影响

以凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)为研究对象,运用RT-PCR方法测定CYP2基因在凡纳滨对虾组织中的表达分布,并分析不同剂量恩诺沙星对凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺中CYP2基因表达和氨基比林-N-脱甲基酶(APND)活性的影响.结果显示,CYP2在肝胰腺、鳃、血淋巴、肌肉、甲壳、肠、胃、心脏和眼柄中均有分布,在肝胰腺中表达量最高,胃次之,血淋巴中表达量最低.口服低(15 mg/kg)、中(30 mg/kg)、高(60 mg/kg)3个剂量恩诺沙星药饵后,凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺中CYP2基因表达和APND活性较对照组均呈现下降趋势;药物浓度越高,基因表达量和酶活性越低,表明恩诺沙星可抑制CYP2在凡纳滨对虾体内的表达.在生产实践中联合用药时,应考虑到因恩诺沙星对CYP2的抑制作用而导致经其代谢的药物在生物体内的蓄积和毒性增强.     

恩诺沙星对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)CYP2基因表达及氨基比林-N-脱甲基酶活性的影响

以凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)为研究对象,运用RT-PCR方法测定CYP2基因在凡纳滨对虾组织中的表达分布,并分析不同剂量恩诺沙星对凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺中CYP2基因表达和氨基比林-N-脱甲基酶(APND)活性的影响。结果显示,CYP2在肝胰腺、鳃、血淋巴、肌肉、甲壳、肠、胃、心脏和眼柄中均有分布,在肝胰腺中表达量最高,胃次之,血淋巴中表达量最低。口服低(15 mg/kg)、中(30 mg/kg)、高(60 mg/kg)3个剂量恩诺沙星药饵后,凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺中CYP2基因表达和APND活性较对照组均呈现下降趋势;药物浓度越高,基因表达量和酶活性越低,表明恩诺沙星可抑制CYP2在凡纳滨对虾体内的表达。在生产实践中联合用药时,应考虑到因恩诺沙星对CYP2的抑制作用而导致经其代谢的药物在生物体内的蓄积和毒性增强。     

舟山地区大棚凡纳滨对虾生长缓慢病因的调查分析

2013年以来,浙江省舟山地区大棚养殖的凡纳滨对虾(Penaeus vannamei)普遍出现生长缓慢、养殖成功率低的现象。为了查明该原因,本研究采用分子生物学和组织病理学等方法对引起对虾生长缓慢的病因开展了调查分析。结果显示,采集的270份病虾样本中,对虾肝肠胞虫(Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei,EHP)PCR阳性检出率高达85.19%,传染性皮下及造血器官坏死病毒(infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus,IHHNV)检出率为0;所有采集的病虾样本中也未分离到常见的致病菌;54份正常的对虾样本中EHP和IHHNV均未检出。将病虾PCR扩增产物进行序列测定和比对分析,结果获得的序列片段与Gen Bank中已有EHP相关序列相似性高达99.55%;病虾的肝胰腺组织病理切片观察显示,在虾肝胰腺组织中可观察到处于各个生长发育阶段的EHP。通过上述研究,初步认为EHP是引起舟山地区大棚养殖对虾生长缓慢的一个重要病原。     

饲料中黄曲霉毒素B1对凡纳滨对虾生长、肝胰腺和血淋巴生化指标及肝胰腺显微结构的影响

实验设置黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)为0、400、800、1200,1600、2000μg/kg6组饲料,饲养初始体质量为(0.3±0.02)g的凡纳滨对虾,经过8周的生长实验观察饲料中AFB1对凡纳滨对虾生长、体营养成分组成、肝胰腺显微结构以及血淋巴和肝胰腺生化指标的影响。实验结果表明:随着饲料中AFB1的增加,各组全虾粗蛋白量无显著性差异,1600μg/kg组和2000μg/kg组的全虾粗脂肪量高于其他组。AFB1为1200μg/kg时对虾增重率最低(304.67%),2000μg/kg时增重率显著高于其他组,但成活率最低(58.33%)。随着饲料中AFB1的升高酶活性普遍呈下降趋势。2000μg/kg组肝胰腺中总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)显著下降(P<0.05),1600μg/kg组肝胰腺中谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST)、超微量ATP酶和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)酶活力最低,但血淋巴中GST显著高于其他各组(P<0.05)。从凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺的组织切片可观察到,饲料中含有的AFB1越高,肝胰腺被破坏程度越高。随着饲料中AFB1含量增加,对虾肝胰腺中AFB1残留量逐渐增加,2000μg/kg组对虾肝胰腺中AFB1含量最高(95.49μg/kg),各实验组肌肉中无AFB1残留。     

凡纳滨对虾感染致急性肝胰腺坏死病副溶血弧菌(Vp_(AHPND))的定量分析

对虾急性肝胰腺坏死病(Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease,AHPND)是由致AHPND副溶血弧菌(AHPND-causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus,VpAHPND)携带的pVA1-like质粒所表达的PirA~(Vp)和PirB~(Vp)毒力蛋白对对虾肝胰腺的急性毒性所致。本研究用2.19×10~5 CFU/ml VpAHPND分离株20130629002S01对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)进行浸泡感染,于感染后2~9 d采集对虾的肝胰腺、鳃、肠道、肌肉组织,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法,检测各组织中的pir AVp拷贝数。结果显示,感染后凡纳滨对虾各组织均能检测到pirA~(Vp),其中,肝胰腺在感染后第4天达到峰值,为8.71×10~4 copies/mg,而鳃、肌肉、肠道分别在第3、4、5天达到峰值,分别为9.08×10~3、2.59×10~4、5.76×10~4 copies/mg。早期感染鳃组织中先出现Vp_(AHPND)的富集,在高死亡发生期,Vp_(AHPND)数量在肝胰腺和肠道出现高峰,在死亡数量逐渐下降的后期,各组织的Vp_(AHPND)均快速下降,肠道、肝胰腺和肌肉中的Vp_(AHPND)水平趋于接近。对虾肝胰腺组织病理切片显示,同一时间有临床症状的病虾和濒死对虾相比,濒死对虾表现出更严重的AHPND病理特征,且二者的组织病理特征均随着感染时间的延长变得更为严重,但检测到的Vp_(AHPND)数量呈下降趋势。研究表明,在Vp_(AHPND)感染过程中,组织中的pirA~(Vp)基因数量不能代表对虾的发病程度,发病程度及组织病理严重的AHPND样品中Vp_(AHPND)的数量不一定处于高水平状态。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

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.