投喂中草药对大黄鱼几种免疫酶活性的影响

以不同中草药配制的药物饵料投喂大黄鱼,比较大黄鱼的白细胞吞噬活性、血清溶菌酶、超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶等非特异性免疫指标及对致病性假单胞菌人工感染抵抗力的差异。试验结果表明,投喂不同中草药饲料28 d内,血清溶菌酶、超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶均随饲料投喂时间的延长而升高;投喂28 d后,各试验组血清溶菌酶活性、超氧化物歧化酶活性、过氧化氢酶活性均显著高于对照组（P＜0．05）,其中党参组大黄鱼超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性显著高于其他组（P＜0．05）;在假单胞菌人工感染中,黄芩组、黄芪组和党参组表现出一定水平的保护力,其他中药组没有明显保护效果。本研究提示,饲料中添加黄芪、黄芩和党参能有效提高大黄鱼非特异性免疫功能,但不足以保护免于特异性的感染。     

微生物制剂对中华鲟生长、消化酶及非特异性免疫酶活性的影响

在水温15．8～18．6℃下,研究了EM菌液对体质量（13．85±1．44）g中华鲟（Acipenser sinensis）生长、消化酶和非特异性免疫酶活性的影响。实验鱼随机分为对照组和试验组,每组3个重复,每个重复20尾,饲养在室内直径1m、高0．7m的圆形玻纤缸中,分别投喂基础饲料和含EM菌（5．0×10^9 CFU·kg-1饲料）的试验饲料。90d的饲养表明,试验组中华鲟的生长指标均大于对照组,其中增重率及特定增重率显著大于对照组（P〈0．05）;试验组鱼淀粉酶、脂肪酶及胃蛋白酶活性均大于对照组,其中试验组肝、胃中淀粉酶活性比对照组高46％和79％、脂肪酶活性高52％和246％,肠、胃中蛋白酶活性比对照组高54％和48％,均呈显著差异（P〈0．05）。试验组鱼肝中过氧化物酶（POD）、超氧物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性均显著大于对照组（P〈0．05）,分别提高了29％、33％和34％,脾中除POD外,其他酶活性与肝中相同,但试验组鱼肝、脾中MDA含量比对照组分别小了47％和44％,呈显著性差异（P〈0．05）,溶菌酶活性无明显变化（P〉0．05）。由此得出,在饲料中添加EM菌液可提高子中华鲟的消化酶及非特异性免疫酶的活性,促进生长。     

复合益生菌对中华鳖生长及血液生化指标的影响

为了探究饲料中添加复合益生菌对中华鳖（Trionys sinensis）生长及血液生化指标的影响,在体重为（227．47±14．42）g 的中华鳖基础饲料中分别添加复合益生菌0 mg／kg（对照组Ⅰ）、500 mg／kg（试验组Ⅱ）、1000 mg／kg （试验组Ⅲ）和2000 mg／kg（试验组Ⅳ）;试验共分4组,每组3个重复,在（30±2）℃温室中进行,投喂140 d。结果表明,各试验组均能显著提高中华鳖增重率、特定生长率和存活率（P ＜0．05）,降低饵料系数（P ＜0．05）,且Ⅲ组增重率、特定生长率和存活率最高,饵料系数最低,增重率比Ⅰ组提高了29．25％;各试验组均能显著提高中华鳖脂肪酶、淀粉酶和胰蛋白酶活力（P ＜0．05）,当添加量为2000 mg／kg 时,淀粉酶活力有所下降（P ＜0．05）;与对照组相比,各试验组均能显著降低血清中总胆固醇、尿素氮水平和谷丙转氨酶活力（P ＜0．05）,提高甘油三酯含量（P ＜0．05）,而血清中总蛋白、球蛋白、白蛋白、血糖、丙二醛含量和谷草转氨酶活力差异不显著（P ＞0．05）;各试验组均能显著提高血清中溶菌酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶和超氧化物歧化酶活力（P ＜0．05）,但过量添加（2000 mg／kg）会降低其活力（P ＞0．05）。在基础饲料中适量添加复合益生菌能促进中华鳖的生长、降低饵料系数、提高肠道消化酶活性,同时还具有提高非特异性免疫和抗氧化功能,最适添加量为 1000～2000 mg／kg。     

饲料中添加半乳低聚糖对军曹鱼生长、部分血清免疫和生化因子的影响

以添加0、0．2％、0．4％、0．8％和1．6％半乳低聚糖（GOS）的饲料投喂军曹鱼（Rachycentron canadum）8周，研究GOS对军曹鱼生长、部分血清免疫和生化因子的影响。当饲料中GOS的添加水平低于0．4％时能促进军曹鱼生长，但影响不显著（P〉0．05）。在饲料中添加适当水平的GOS对军曹鱼血清溶菌酶和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性有显著的促进作用，而对过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性有显著的抑制作用。GOS对军曹鱼血清生化因子如总蛋白、白蛋白、球蛋白、总胆红素和直接胆红素的浓度有显著影响，对间接胆红素的影响不显著；只有GOS为0．2％的试验组血清总胆固醇浓度显著高于对照组，而0．4％的试验组血清天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）浓度显著低于对照组；当添加量低于0．8％时，碱性磷酸酶（AKP）活性随饲料中GOS含量增加而降低。结果表明，在饲料中添加适当水平的GOS有利于军曹鱼的生长，并且能够改善军曹鱼的免疫功能和健康状况，其最佳添加量为0．2％～0．4％。     

金丝桃素、绿原酸和硬葡聚糖对草鱼幼鱼生长及免疫功能的影响

在水温（25±2）℃下，分别在基础饲料中添加不同剂量的硬葡聚糖（0．2％，G1组；0．4％，G2组）绿原酸（0．04％，G3组；0．08％，G4组）和金丝桃素（0．066％，G5组；0．132％，G6组），连续投喂放在1．0m×0．5m×1．0m网箱内、体质量110±5g的草鱼（Ctenopharyngodon idellus）幼鱼35d，以未添加者为对照组，探讨三种添加剂对草鱼幼鱼生长和免疫功能的影响。结果表明，三种添加济对草鱼幼鱼增重率和特定生长率均影响不显著，当饲料中添加0．08％的绿原酸时，草鱼幼鱼末体质量和肝体比显著增加（P〈0．05）；三种添加剂都可显著提高碱性磷酸酶活性，其中以添加0．08％的绿原酸效果最好，添加剂各组间碱性磷酸酶活性差异不显著（P〉0．05）；0．132％金丝桃素组的草鱼血清超氧化物歧化酶活性显著高于对照组，其它试验组与对照组差异不显著；饲料中添加0．2％硬葡聚糖可显著提高草鱼幼鱼血清溶菌酶含量（P〈0．05）；三种添加剂对草鱼幼鱼血清中丙二醛的含量影响不显著（P〉0．05）。     

限制饲养对肉鸭生产性能和屠体品质的影响

选用1日龄樱桃谷肉鸭200只，随机分为两组，1个试验组，1个对照组，每组2个重复，每个重复50只。对照组1～6周自由采食，试验组1～3周自由采食，4～6周采用限制饲养（限量）。试验结果表明：6周龄时，试验组的饲料转化率比对照组提高了12．9％，差异显著（P＜0．05），但日增重降低了9．13％，差异不显著（P＞0．05）；腹脂率降低34．2％，差异极显著（P＜0．01）；皮脂率降低15．1％，差异显著（P＜0．05）；瘦肉率提高了11．9％，差异不显著（P＞0．05）。     

低聚木糖对凡纳滨对虾生长、体组成和非特异免疫的影响

采用单因子试验设计在凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)基础日粮中添加不同浓度的低聚木糖,分别为0(对照组)、0.01%、0.03%、0.05%,共4个处理,每个处理3个重复,饲养56 d,研究了低聚木糖对凡纳滨对虾生长性能、体组成和非特异免疫的影响。结果显示:低聚木糖对对虾末重、增重率和特定生长率均无显著影响(P>0.05),但试验组对虾末重、增重率和特定生长率均高于对照组,试验组饵料系数均较对照组下降,其中0.03%组饵料系数显著低于对照组(P<0.05),试验组饲料效率较对照组均有提高,其中0.03%组获得显著提高(P<0.05);血清免疫指标过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、溶菌酶(LSZ)和酚氧化酶(PO)活力试验组均较对照组有所增加,分别提高了1.27%~5.16%(P>0.05)、0.17%~8.93%(P>0.05)、9.24%~12.61%(P>0.05)和4.17%~66.67%(P<0.05),血清蛋白含量增加了9.72%~39.64%(P<0.05);试验组体蛋白含量较对照组升高,其中0.01%组虾体蛋白质含量最高,且显著高于空白组(P<0.05)。在凡纳滨对虾料中添加低聚木糖有促进生长、降低饵料系数和提高饲料效率的趋势,并提高对虾非特异免疫力的趋势,对对虾体组成除蛋白质外没有显著影响。     

中药复方Ⅱ对鲤鱼生长和免疫功能的影响

研究中药复方Ⅱ对鲤鱼生长和免疫功能的影响.选用体格健康的鲤鱼80尾,平均分成4组,每组20尾.设4个处理组,即基础饲料组(对照组)和3个基础饲料加中药组(实验组).3个实验组设了3个中药添加量.用以上4种饲料对实验鱼进行了120 d的饲养后,测定鲤鱼的生长性能、白细胞吞噬功能、溶菌酶活性和超氧化物岐化酶活性.与对照组相比,实验组饲料系数(FCR)、饲料转化率(FUE)、相对增重率(RWG)、瞬时增重率(SGR)、白细胞吞噬百分比(PP)、吞噬指数(PI)、溶菌酶和超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)活力均明显增高.但低剂量组与对照组相比,差异不显著(P＞0.05).说明在饲料中添加中药复方Ⅱ能明显增强鲤鱼的生长性能和免疫功能.     

低聚木糖对奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼生长、体成分和消化酶活力的影响

研究了在(27.0±1)℃条件下,饲料中添加不同水平的低聚木糖(0.015%、0.030%、0.045%、0.060%)对初始体重为(6.29±0.94)g的奥尼罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus×O.aureus)幼鱼生长、饲料转化率、体成分和消化酶活性的影响。共设5个试验组,每组设3个重复,每个水族箱内随机放幼鱼12尾,投喂率为6%,自然光周期,循环过滤水系统饲养8周。结果显示:添加0.030%低聚木糖组的特定生长率显著高于对照组(P<0.05);0.030%和0.045%低聚木糖组的饲料转化率显著高于对照组(P<0.05),两组之间差异不显著。奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼全鱼的水分、灰分、粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量在试验组间差异不显著(P>0.05);各组样本中的肝胰脏蛋白酶和肠蛋白酶活力均呈先上升后下降的趋势,0.030%组的最高,添加低聚木糖组与对照组之间差异显著(P<0.05);肠淀粉酶和脂肪酶活力在分别在0.030%与0.045%组最高,各组之间差异显著(P<0.05);肝胰脏淀粉酶和脂肪酶活力在各组之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。低聚木糖添加量(x)与特定生长率(y)之间存在关系:y=-256.34x2+16.716x+3.6479(R2=0.9266),低聚木糖添加量在0.033%左右时,可以提高幼鱼的消化酶活力和饲料转化率,从而较好促进奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼的生长,对鱼体的营养成分则没有影响。     

花生秧部分替代马尾藻对仿刺参生长、消化的影响

利用花生秧粉替代配合饲料中的马尾藻粉,研究不同比例花生秧替代马尾藻的配合饲料对仿刺参幼参的生长和消化的影响。试验设6组,替代比例分别为0％（对照组）、8％、16％、24％、32％和40％,每组3个重复,试验进行60 d。试验结果表明,各组仿刺参存活率均超过95％,且组间差异不显著（P ＞0．05）;24％替代组仿刺参特定生长率最大（0．58％／d）,高于对照组28．9％,8％替代组和16％替代组生长稍慢于对照组,但差异不显著（ P ＞0．05）,而32％替代组和40％替代组仿刺参生长明显慢于对照组（P ＜0．05）;各替代组水体化学需氧量、氨氮和亚硝酸盐氮含量与对照组差异不显著（P ＞0．05）;各替代组幼参对饲料消化率随替代比例变大而降低;试验前30 d肠道内蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性均高于后30 d ,淀粉酶活性对照组表现最大,并有随花生秧粉替代比例变大含量下降的趋势;5个替代组仿刺参体腔超氧化物歧化酶和碱性磷酸酶活力与对照组差异不显著（P ＞0．05）。     

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.