池塘养殖牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)无眼侧体色黑化消褪机理

针对池塘养殖牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)无眼侧体色黑化消褪的现象,本研究从形态、血清和mRNA水平上对其生理学机制进行了研究。光镜观察显示,无眼侧消褪区域的黑色素细胞数量显著少于有眼侧和无眼侧黑化区域(P0.05),电镜观察发现,无眼侧消褪区域皮肤中黑色素颗粒模糊,黑色素细胞中色素体存在凋亡现象。无眼侧黑化区域消褪过程中,鳞片类型经历了由栉鳞—弱栉鳞—圆鳞转变的过程,栉鳞上硬棘数量也随之减少。无眼侧黑化消褪的牙鲆血清中的黑色素聚集激素(MCH)肽含量显著高于无眼侧正常和无眼侧黑化的牙鲆(P0.05),但无眼侧体色黑化的牙鲆血清中的黑色素细胞刺激激素(MSH)肽含量显著高于其他2种类型的牙鲆(P0.05)。基因表达分析显示,无眼侧黑化消褪鱼垂体MCH mRNA表达水平显著高于无眼侧黑化鱼(P0.05),而垂体POMC1 mRNA表达水平显著低于无眼侧黑化鱼(P0.05),但都与无眼侧正常鱼无显著差异。研究结果可为阐释池塘养殖牙鲆无眼侧体色黑化调控机制提供理论支持。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)黑色素富集激素基因的克隆和表达

为研究黑色素富集激素基因(MCH)表达调控与半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)无眼侧黑化性状的关系,通过分子克隆获得了半滑舌鳎pMCH2,通过NCBI获得了pMCH1 cDNA序列,分析了pMCH mRNA的组织表达特性,探索了脑垂体和皮肤中的pMCH mRNA表达与无眼侧黑化程度的关系.结果显示,pMCHl cDNA序列长476 bp,编码134个氨基酸,与鲽形目、鲤形目和鲈形目鱼类的pMCH1氨基酸聚为1个进化分支.pMCH2 cDNA序列全长为626 bp,编码147个氨基酸,与鲽形目和鲍形目鱼类的pMCH2氨基酸聚为1个进化分支.2种MCH mRNA在垂体中表达量最高,同时,MCH1 mRNA在除肌肉外的其他组织中均可检测到表达;MCH2 mRNA在脑、有眼侧皮肤、无眼侧正常皮肤、性腺和鳃组织中也可检测到较高表达.MCH mRNA表达与无眼侧黑化程度的关系分析显示,脑垂体和皮肤中MCH1 mRNA表现出相似的表达变化趋势,都是10％黑化组的表达量最高,而后随黑化程度加大显著降低.对于MCH2而言,无眼侧正常鱼和无眼侧50％黑化鱼的脑垂体中都具有较高的MCH2 mRNA表达水平,但在无眼侧10％黑化组和无眼侧80％黑化组,其表达水平显著降低.皮肤中MCH2表现出随黑化程度加大而显著升高的趋势.本研究结果可为认识MCH基因与半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化性状的表达调控关系提供基础资料.     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)黑色素富集激素基因的克隆和表达

为研究黑色素富集激素基因(MCH)表达调控与半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)无眼侧黑化性状的关系,通过分子克隆获得了半滑舌鳎pMCH2,通过NCBI获得了pMCH1 cDNA序列,分析了pMCH mRNA的组织表达特性,探索了脑垂体和皮肤中的p MCH mRNA表达与无眼侧黑化程度的关系。结果显示,pMCH1 cDNA序列长476 bp,编码134个氨基酸,与鲽形目、鲤形目和鲈形目鱼类的pMCH1氨基酸聚为1个进化分支。pMCH2 cDNA序列全长为626 bp,编码147个氨基酸,与鲽形目和鲀形目鱼类的pMCH2氨基酸聚为1个进化分支。2种MCH mRNA在垂体中表达量最高,同时,MCH1 mRNA在除肌肉外的其他组织中均可检测到表达;MCH2 mRNA在脑、有眼侧皮肤、无眼侧正常皮肤、性腺和鳃组织中也可检测到较高表达。MCH mRNA表达与无眼侧黑化程度的关系分析显示,脑垂体和皮肤中MCH1 mRNA表现出相似的表达变化趋势,都是10%黑化组的表达量最高,而后随黑化程度加大显著降低。对于MCH2而言,无眼侧正常鱼和无眼侧50%黑化鱼的脑垂体中都具有较高的MCH2 mRNA表达水平,但在无眼侧10%黑化组和无眼侧80%黑化组,其表达水平显著降低。皮肤中MCH2表现出随黑化程度加大而显著升高的趋势。本研究结果可为认识MCH基因与半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化性状的表达调控关系提供基础资料。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)黑色素聚集素受体(MCHR)表达特性及其与无眼侧黑化的关系

利用cDNA末端快速克隆技术(RACE)获得了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)2种黑色素聚集素受体(MCHR1和MCHR2)的cDNA全长序列,并采用定量PCR技术分析了MCHR mRNA的组织表达特性,研究了其与无眼侧黑化程度的关系.结果显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR1 cDNA序列全长为1685 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长为1080 bp,编码359个氨基酸,与牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)同源性高达83.3％.系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR1与鲋形目、鲽形目和鲈形目鱼类聚为1个小分支.MCHR2 cDNA序列全长为1626bp,ORF长为1044bp,编码347个氨基酸,与鲽形目同源性最高达到90％以上.系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR2与鲽形目、鲈形目鱼类聚为1个小分支.MCHR1 mRNA在鳃中表达量最高,而MCHR2 mRNA在有眼侧皮肤中表达量最高,性腺次之.另外,MCHR1和MCHR2 mRNA在其他组织中均检测到表达,这表明半滑舌鳎黑色素聚集素(MCH)可能通过内分泌方式和各组织中的MCHR介导参与生理调控.不同黑化面积表达分析显示,在无眼侧黑化发生早期,脑垂体中MCHR1 mRNA显著升高,在无眼侧50％黑化组达到峰值,皮肤中MCHR1 mRNA在无眼侧10％黑化组显著升高,其后保持较高水平;脑垂体和皮肤中MCHR2mRNA表达表现出一致的变化趋势,在无眼侧黑化发生早期都达到峰值,其后逐渐下降至相对较低水平.表明MCHR可能直接或通过其他信号通路参与了半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化性状的调控过程.     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)黑色素聚集素受体(MCHR)表达特性及其与无眼侧黑化的关系

利用cDNA末端快速克隆技术(RACE)获得了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)2种黑色素聚集素受体(MCHR1和MCHR2)的cDNA全长序列,并采用定量PCR技术分析了MCHR mRNA的组织表达特性,研究了其与无眼侧黑化程度的关系。结果显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR1 cDNA序列全长为1685 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长为1080 bp,编码359个氨基酸,与牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)同源性高达83.3%。系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR1与鳉形目、鲽形目和鲈形目鱼类聚为1个小分支。MCHR2 cDNA序列全长为1626 bp,ORF长为1044 bp,编码347个氨基酸,与鲽形目同源性最高达到90%以上。系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR2与鲽形目、鲈形目鱼类聚为1个小分支。MCHR1 mRNA在鳃中表达量最高,而MCHR2 mRNA在有眼侧皮肤中表达量最高,性腺次之。另外,MCHR1和MCHR2 mRNA在其他组织中均检测到表达,这表明半滑舌鳎黑色素聚集素(MCH)可能通过内分泌方式和各组织中的MCHR介导参与生理调控。不同黑化面积表达分析显示,在无眼侧黑化发生早期,脑垂体中MCHR1 mRNA显著升高,在无眼侧50%黑化组达到峰值,皮肤中MCHR1 mRNA在无眼侧10%黑化组显著升高,其后保持较高水平;脑垂体和皮肤中MCHR2 mRNA表达表现出一致的变化趋势,在无眼侧黑化发生早期都达到峰值,其后逐渐下降至相对较低水平。表明MCHR可能直接或通过其他信号通路参与了半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化性状的调控过程。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)体表色素细胞观察及POMC表达特性分析

为认识养殖半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化的细胞学特性,利用显微观察方法研究了其皮肤黑色素细胞、黄色素细胞和虹彩细胞的形态特征,比较了3种色素细胞在有眼侧皮肤、无眼侧正常和黑化皮肤中的数量分布特征.为进一步揭示无眼侧黑化的分子机制,克隆了半滑舌鳎POMC基因的cDNA序列.结果显示,黑色素细胞较大,含黑色和棕色的色素颗粒,有树突状分枝不明显和延伸成放射状两种形态;黄色素细胞较小,含黄色素颗粒;虹彩细胞最小,含鸟粪素颗粒.半滑舌鳎 POMC基因的cDNA序列长910 bp,包括一个114 bp的5'非翻译区和一个154 bp的3'非翻译区,开放阅读框长度为642 bp,共编码213个氨基酸,包含ACTH、α-MSH、β-MSH、γ-LPH、β-内啡肽5个多肽序列,但缺失γ-MSH和大部分连接区.半滑舌鳎POMC基因的氨基酸序列与其他鱼类的同源性为30%-64%.定量PCR分析显示,POMC mRNA主要在垂体中表达,其次是脑、性腺和无眼侧黑化皮肤.正常与黑化皮肤中的差异表达结果显示,无眼侧黑化皮肤中POMC mRNA表达量最高,并与有眼侧皮肤和无眼侧正常皮肤中的POMC mRNA表达量差异显著,揭示了POMC的表达与无眼侧黑化性状密切相关.     

半滑舌鳎黑色素聚集激素重组制备与生物活性分析

根据半滑舌鳎黑色素聚集激素(MCH1)的c DNA序列设计特异性引物扩增成熟肽片段,利用原核表达载体p ET-32a成功构建了重组MCH1/p ET32a质粒,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)后经IPTG诱导可产生N端含6个组氨酸的重组蛋白。半滑舌鳎MCH1重组蛋白大小为29.9 ku,32°C条件下以0.2 mmol/L IPTG诱导6 h时目的蛋白表达量最高,占菌体总蛋白的49.8%。Western blotting免疫印迹表明,MCH1重组蛋白可被6×His抗体特异性识别。经Ni2+-NTA亲和柱纯化,可获得高纯度的MCH1重组蛋白。采用垂体离体孵育方法测试蛋白活性,MCH1重组蛋白可有效刺激或抑制垂体MCH和MSH肽的分泌,MCH肽水平先上升后下降,在100 nmol/L达到峰值,MSH肽水平显著升高。随着外源MCH1重组蛋白浓度的增加,垂体MCH1和MCH2 m RNA表达都呈现先上升后下降的趋势,POMCa和PACAP m RNA表达都呈现明显下降趋势,而POMC-b、MCHR1、MCHR2、MITF基本没有变化,表明获得的半滑舌鳎MCH1重组蛋白具有调节垂体激素分泌和基因表达的生理功能。本研究可为研制半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化调控的专用生物制剂提供理论与技术依据。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)体表色素细胞观察及POMC表达特性分析

为认识养殖半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化的细胞学特性,利用显微观察方法研究了其皮肤黑色素细胞、黄色素细胞和虹彩细胞的形态特征,比较了3种色素细胞在有眼侧皮肤、无眼侧正常和黑化皮肤中的数量分布特征。为进一步揭示无眼侧黑化的分子机制,克隆了半滑舌鳎POMC基因的cDNA序列。结果显示,黑色素细胞较大,含黑色和棕色的色素颗粒,有树突状分枝不明显和延伸成放射状两种形态;黄色素细胞较小,含黄色素颗粒;虹彩细胞最小,含鸟粪素颗粒。半滑舌鳎POMC基因的cDNA序列长910 bp,包括一个114 bp的5?非翻译区和一个154 bp的3?非翻译区,开放阅读框长度为642 bp,共编码213个氨基酸,包含ACTH、α-MSH、β-MSH、γ-LPH、β-内啡肽5个多肽序列,但缺失γ-MSH和大部分连接区。半滑舌鳎POMC基因的氨基酸序列与其他鱼类的同源性为30%?64%。定量PCR分析显示,POMC mRNA主要在垂体中表达,其次是脑、性腺和无眼侧黑化皮肤。正常与黑化皮肤中的差异表达结果显示,无眼侧黑化皮肤中POMC mRNA表达量最高,并与有眼侧皮肤和无眼侧正常皮肤中的POMC mRNA表达量差异显著,揭示了POMC的表达与无眼侧黑化性状密切相关。     

饲料中不同半胱胺添加水平对牙鲆生长性能及血液生化指标的影响

以牙鲆实用饲料为基础试验料,分别按0、300、600、900、1200、1500mg/kg的剂量添加半胱胺,制备6组不同半胱胺含量的试验料,对牙鲆幼鱼进行为期60d的饲养试验.以饱食方式饲喂牙鲆,日投喂饲料3次,采用自然光照,持续充气.结果表明,饲料添加半胱胺均不同程度地提高了牙鲆的生长性能,但与对照组比较差异不明显(P＞0.05).在0～900mg/kg范围内牙鲆血清GH呈逐渐升高趋势,在1200～1500mg/kg范围内呈下降趋势,但差异不显著(P＞0.05).牙鲆血清T3水平各剂量组之间无显著差异(P＞0.05).1500mg/kg组牙鲆血清T4水平显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),其他各试验组与对照组差异不明显.血清GLU变化趋势与GH类似(P＞0.05).血清BUN水平和GOT活力各组间差异不明显(P＞0.05).除300mg/kg组牙鲆血清GPT活力显著低于对照组外(P＜0.05),其余各组与对照组差异不明显(P＞0.05).分析认为牙鲆饲料中半胱胺的适宜剂量为600～900mg/kg.     

两种养殖条件下牙鲆的血液生理生化指标比较分析

对池塘和室内水泥池养殖牙鲆的血液生理生化指标进行了比较研究,每种养殖条件下分别选取两种不同体重规格的牙鲆,即池塘小规格牙鲆（PSJF）、池塘大规格牙鲆（PBJF）、室内小规格牙鲆（ISJF）和室内大规格牙鲆（IBJF）作为研究对象.对全部试验鱼5项血液生理指标和13项血清生化成分进行了测定分析,结果显示,PSJF和PBJF的红细胞数量（RBC）均显著低于ISJF和IBJF（P＜0.05）,且前者红细胞沉降率（ESR）、红细胞脆性（EOF）、白细胞数量（WBC）及白细胞中淋巴细胞所占比例均显著高于后者（P＜0.05）.PSJF和PBJF的血清葡萄糖（GLU）、总蛋白（TP）、白蛋白（ALB）、球蛋白（GLO）、肌酐（CREA）、总胆固醇（CHOL）、甘油三酯（TG）浓度及碱性磷酸酶（AKP）活性均显著高于ISJF和IBJF（P＜0.05）,仅PSJF的乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性低于ISJF和IBJF（P＜0.05）.血清氯离子（Cl-）、钙离子（Ca2＋）浓度及谷草转氨酶（AST）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）活性在各个试验组间均无显著差异（P＞0.05）.血液生理和生化指标的差异表明,池塘养殖牙鲆可能在呼吸代谢要求上低于室内水泥池养殖牙鲆,而在免疫水平和营养物质代谢水平上高于室内水泥池养殖牙鲆.     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) 2种视黄酸受体RARα和RARγ克隆及组织表达特性

利用RT-PCR和RACE方法获得了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) 2种视黄酸受体RARα和RARγ的cDNA全长序列,并采用定量PCR技术分析了其组织表达特性。半滑舌鳎RARα cDNA序列全长为1823 bp,编码443个氨基酸;RARγ cDNA序列全长为1959 bp,编码489个氨基酸。同源性分析显示,半滑舌鳎RARα和RARγ同源性高达60.8%,与牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)同源性高达97.0%,具有较强的进化保守性。系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎RARα和RARγ分别归属于单独的分支,且与其他鱼类聚合成簇。组织表达分析显示,RARα mRNA在肾中表达量最高,而RARγ mRNA在脾中表达量最高,RARα和RARγ mRNA在其他组织中均有表达,表明半滑舌鳎2种RAR都可能参与多种生理过程调控。半滑舌鳎2种RAR mRNA在有眼侧皮肤、无眼侧黑化皮肤和无眼侧正常皮肤中的表达量依次升高,且发现RARα在正常有眼侧皮肤的表达高于RARγ,而RARγ在无眼侧正常皮肤中的表达显著高于RARα,无眼侧黑化皮肤中RARα表达高于RARγ。RAR基因在有眼侧和无眼侧皮肤组织中的差异表达可能和RA/RAR系统调节体色有关。     

Importance of bottom type and background color for growth and blind-side hypermelanosis of the olive flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus

When flatfishes are cultured at high-density in an artificial facility, the bright background color and the carpeted bottom substratum (sand or gravel) help significantly to enhance growth and prevent blind-side hypermelanosis. However, how the bright background and carpeted gravel enhance growth and prevent the hypermelanosis is unknown. Thus, we performed three experiments using the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. In the first, the acupressure of gravel to blind skin and the burrowing behavior of flounder were assessed to determine which eventually suppressed hypermelanosis. In the second experiment, we assessed whether the color of the carpeted gravel affected flounder hypermelanosis and growth. In the final experiment, we assessed whether hypermelanosis of flounder reared on a gravel bottom was continuously inhibited after removal of the gravel substratum, and whether tank color affected the hypermelanosis and fish growth. The results showed that the burrowing of flounder into gravel was more important than the stimulus of rough gravel on blind-skin to prevent blind-side hypermelanosis. The color of the gravel and tanks did not affect hypermelanosis. Removal of the gravel substratum resulted in enhancement of blind-side hypermelanosis. However, fish growth was enhanced by a bright-colored tank but not a bright-colored bottom substratum. In conclusion, these results confirm that the absence of shelter in which flounder can burrow or hide induces blind-side hypermelanosis, and that flounder consistently burrow beneath the substratum to prevent malpigmentation. Additionally, our results show that a bright-colored tank resulted in increased growth, indicating that flounder should be reared in a bright-background to enhance growth.     

Formation process of staining-type hypermelanosis in Japanese flounder juveniles revealed by examination of chromatophores and scales

Staining-type hypermelanosis, defined as blind-side melanosis occurring after completion of metamorphosis, reduces commercial value in hatchery-produced flatfishes. Detailed characterization was performed on the stained area of juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus to physiologically understand this phenomenon. From 80 to 120 days after hatching, juveniles were reared in sandy and sandless tanks. By classifying the staining degree into 7 levels, about 2 times higher occurrence of middle-level staining was reconfirmed in sandless tank (about 80 %) than in sandy tank (about 40 %). In the stained area, we found 3 types of chromatophores (melanophore, xanthophore, and iridophore) and ctenoid scales, which would be typically observed on the normal ocular side. Detailed examination on the melanophores revealed further similarity between the stained area and the normal ocular side, in terms of the distribution at 2 layers (shallower and deeper than scale), and the densities in both layers (about 1000 cells/mm² above scale and 200 cells/mm² beneath scale). These results strongly suggest that the staining is a status change in the body surface conditions from the blind side to that on the ocular side, and not a simple darkening caused by disordered proliferation of melanophores on the blind side.     

Transplantation of pigmented and non-pigmented scales into the ocular and blind sides of the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus,suggesting the presence of ocular-side characteristic inducer in pigmented scales

After metamorphosis, both eyes of the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus are located on its left side, with only the ocular side becoming pigmented. Staining, or hypermelanosis, occurs on the blind side at 2–3 months after metamorphosis, thereby lowering the market price of the fish. To understand the pigmentation expansion process, we performed scale transplantation between the blind and ocular sides of an individual. About 40 % of transplanted scales were successfully engrafted, regardless of donor or recipient site. When blind-side scales were transplanted to the ocular side, they became pigmented after 2 weeks, while no change was observed when the scales were transplanted to the blind side. Ocular-side scales did not lose pigment, regardless of the recipient site. However, after removal of transplanted ocular-side scales, pigmented scales regenerated after 3 weeks, even at blind-side sites. Identical results were obtained when the stained area on the blind side was used as the recipient location. When an ocular-side scale with skin tissue was inserted under blind-side scales, the scales immediately above the transplanted area became pigmented, whereas ocular-side scales stripped of tissue did not induce pigmentation. These results strongly suggest the presence of an ocular-side characteristic inducer in pigmented scale tissues.     

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone facilitates hypermelanosis on the non-eyed side of the barfin flounder, a pleuronectiform fish

A pleuronectiform fish, the barfin flounder, Verasper moseri, is promising for aquaculture and resource enhancement in Northern Japan due to its high commercial value. Hypermelanosis of its non-eyed side, which frequently occurs under culture conditions, diminishes its commercial value. Two peptide hormones, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), having opposing actions, are associated with the color changes of fish. We have previously reported the positive effect of MCH in preventing hypermelanosis. Here, we examined the effects of MSH on the occurrence of hypermelanosis. A single injection of Des-Ac--MSH [0.01 nmol/g–10 nmol/g (0.016 μg–16 μg/g)] did not change the eyed-side body color, while a single injection of MCH [0.1 nmol/g (0.21 μg/g)] made the eyed-side color paler. No difference was observed in eyed-side lightness between fish injected with MCH (0.1 nmol/g) and those receiving MCH (0.1 nmol/g) and an increased amount of Des-Ac--MSH (0.01 nmol/g–10 nmol/g) simultaneously. These results indicate that MSH does not suppress the in vivo body color-paling effects of MCH in barfin flounders. On the other hand, implantation of a cholesterol pellet containing Des-Ac--MSH (280 μg, twice at 29-day interval) increased hypermelanosis of the non-eyed side of barfin flounders compared to control fish. Eyed-side bodies of MSH-treated fish were darker than control fish; thus, MSH is involved in morphological color change including ectopic melanin synthesis in non-eyed-side skin.     

Effect of artemia nauplii enriched with vitamin A palmitate on hypermelanosis on the blind side in juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

ABSTRACT:   The effect of Artemia nauplii enriched with different level of vitamin A (VA) palmitate (1 µg = 1 IU) on the occurrence of hypermelanosis on the blind side of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus was determined. Artemia were enriched with 0, 1, 2, 5 or 10 mg VA palmitate/L (control group, and 1-, 2-, 5-, and 10-mg groups). The enriched Artemia were fed to the larvae from 27 to 31 days post hatching (dph) corresponding to the F–G stage. VA palmitate, retinol and retinoic acid (RA) contents of Artemia were correlatively elevated with increasing VA palmitate in the culture medium. RA was detected in Artemia enriched with 5 mg and 10 mg, and a significantly high frequency of hypermelanosis on the blind side was observed in these groups at 65 dph ( P  < 0.05). These results suggest that RA synthesized from VA palmitate in Artemia could induce hypermelanosis on blind side of flounder when Artemia are enriched with more than 5 mg VA palmitate/L.     

Progression of staining-type hypermelanosis on the blind side in normally metamorphosed juveniles and pigmentation progression in pseudoalbino juveniles of the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus using individual identification

Abnormal flounder coloration frequently occurs in flounder hatcheries and diminishes the commercial value of the fish. To understand hypermelanosis, the progression of staining-type hypermelanosis in normally metamorphosed juveniles and ocular-side pigmentation in pseudoalbino juveniles were examined in the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Sixty-five days post hatching, juveniles (total length, 6 cm) were individually identified by color-marker implantation, and the darkened area of the body surface was examined for 10 weeks by image analysis of digital photographs of the fish taken from above or below the transparent tank. Staining was observed to mainly begin at the upper and lower bases of the tail fin, expanded anteriorly along the peripheral part of the trunk, and ceased after 2 months. The individuals in which staining occurred earlier expressed severe staining and small body size by the end of the experiment. Further, pigmentation of the ocular side in pseudoalbino juveniles ceased after 2 months, but the order of pigmentation was different from that on the blind side. In this case, darkening began from the posterior, but expanded from the center to the periphery of the trunk. Even at the end of the experiment, ctenoid scales were exclusively found within the darkened area, together with cycloid scales.     

Influence of density and background color to stress response, appetite, growth, and blind-side hypermelanosis of flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

To study the relevance of density and background color to stress response, appetite, and growth in olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, we reared two duplicate groups of juveniles (total length 4.46 ± 0.06 cm, body weight 0.77 ± 0.03 g) in flat-bottom aquaria with dark-green (control) and white backgrounds for 120 days. We measured cortisol and glucose levels in blood and calculated the daily food intake, food conversion efficiency, survival rate, and growth rate. To study the relevance of density and background color to malpigmentation (hypermelanosis) on the blind side, we also compared malpigmented ratios and prepro-melanin-concentrating hormone mRNA activities in the brain between the dark-green and white background groups, as well as between a relatively lower density (60 days) and higher density (120 days). Although we measured relatively higher levels of cortisol and glucose in the white background group and over 200 % of coverage area [PCA]), the bright background failed to induce an acute stress response of more than 20 ng/ml cortisol and 40 mg/dl glucose both in 60 days and 120 days, but did enhance appetite and growth. Also, a bright background color delayed hyperpigmentation only at a low density below 200 % PCA, but did not inhibit malpigmentation at a high density of more than 200 % PCA. In addition, below 200 % PCA, expression of MCH mRNA was significantly higher in the white group, but the level was reversed and was lower in the white group at more than 200 % PCA. In conclusion, although did not induce a high stress response over 200 % PCA, the bright background color resulted in a moderate increasing of cortisol level in blood below 20 ng/ml and enhanced appetite and growth. Moreover, at a density below 200 % PCA, the bright color inhibited hypermelanosis with high MCH mRNA activity, but at more than 200 % PCA did not inhibit malpigmentation, and the fish showed low MCH mRNA activity, indicating that the inhibitory effect of a bright background color on hypermelanosis is density dependent.