桑沟湾养殖海带(Sacharina japonica)碎屑降解速率及影响因素

通过实验室可控条件,以桑沟湾(Sanggou Bay)养殖海带(Sacharina japonica)为研究对象,探讨养殖海带碎屑降解过程中营养盐释放速率及对底质、溶解氧的影响。实验设置2个底质条件(加底泥,无底泥)、2个溶氧条件(好氧,厌氧),各处理组设3个平行,实验持续27 d。结果显示,(1)加入底泥,可以促进海带碎屑的降解。实验结束时,加入底泥组无机氮(DIN)、总氮(TN)、活性磷酸盐(DIP)、总磷(TP)的平均释放速率分别为1.234、1.802、0.028、0.033μmol/(g·d),显著高于未加底泥组的0.039、1.476、0.005、0.010μmol/(g·d)。而未加底泥组的可溶性有机氮(DON)释放速率为1.437μmol/(g·d),显著高于底泥组的0.568μmol/(g·d)。(2)厌氧条件有利于海带碎屑中P的降解释放,释放的TP中以可溶性有机磷(DOP)为主。TP、DIP、DOP的降解速率显著高于非厌氧条件。但是,厌氧条件下无机氮释放速率为0.097μmol/(g·d),仅为好氧条件下无机氮的8%,而总氮为好氧条件下的71%。(3)底泥的加入显著提高了水体的N∶P,达到207.83±301.37,厌氧状态使水体N∶P降低到9.38±6.55,都较大的偏离对照组的16.82±1.26,远远偏离经典Redfield值(16∶1)。整个实验说明养殖海带降解过程受底质、溶氧条件影响,同时,大量海带碎屑腐烂降解,将会对养殖系统的营养盐浓度及结构产生影响。     

光照强度和营养盐对海带幼苗释放溶解有机碳的影响

为了探究光照与营养盐对海带(Saccharina japonica)幼苗释放溶解有机碳(DOC)的影响,测定了不同光强[0、83、165和250 μmol photons/(m2·s)]和不同营养条件下(氮加富、磷加富、氮磷加富和自然海水)海带幼苗DOC的释放速率。结果显示,自然海水条件下,海带幼苗DOC释放速率与光照呈正相关性(P<0.05),光照250 μmol photons/(m2·s)时达到最高,为(24.31±5.84) μmol/(g·h),约为黑暗条件的4倍左右。单一氮加富、磷加富对海带幼苗释放DOC无显著影响,其释放速率分别为(23.04±4.23)和(18.18±4.59) μmol/(g·h)。氮磷共同加富显著提升了海带幼苗DOC释放速率,其释放速率为(37.15±6.77) μmol/(g·h),约为自然海水条件下的3倍。海带幼苗释放DOC很可能同时受“溢出”与“扩散”两种调节机制影响。在寡营养条件下,“溢出”机制占主导,表现为与光照正相关,释放物质相对分子量较高;在富营养条件下,“扩散”机制占主导,表现为受氮、磷营养盐整体水平调节,释放物质相对分子量较低。     

封闭式精养池塘N、P营养盐的自净作用研究

以珠江三角洲的精养池塘为例,通过对一个养殖周期的水质和生产情况调查,计算了N、P营养盐的平衡收支情况,获得了养殖池塘N、P营养盐的净沉积速率,在此基础上分析了浮游植物对N、P吸收、底泥的吸附沉淀和底泥-水界面营养盐的扩散在池塘自净作用中的贡献。结果表明:养殖池塘N营养盐的自净作用主要来自浮游植物的吸收,强度达到0.35 g/(m2.d),扩散作用也是N营养盐的重要的自净机制,其强度与水体-底泥间隙水中的N营养盐浓度梯度相关,在优质鱼养殖池塘,扩散作用强度达到0.42~0.49 g/(m2.d),而在家鱼养殖池塘,呈现出反向的扩散,强度为0.02~0.10 g/(m2.d)。养殖池塘P营养盐的自净作用来自浮游植物的吸收、底泥的吸附沉淀,二者的强度分别达到0.049 g/(m2.d)、0.04~0.12 g/(m2.d),二者之和一般大于养殖鱼类无机P排泄速度0.079 g/(m2.d),底泥的P释放是维持水质稳定的重要过程,在观测的池塘中,P释放强度达到0.019~0.068 g/(m2.d)。     

利用液相氧电极技术研究“海天1号”海带(Saccharina japonica)幼孢子体光合及呼吸速率

“海天1号”海带是南方耐高温品种与北方高产品种杂交后,经过几代选育获得的海带新品系,具有产量高、耐高温、成熟稍早等特点(暂命名为“海天l号”海带).为探究“海天1号”海带幼孢子体在不同环境因子下的生理适应性,设置了温度、光强及营养盐3个单因素实验,利用液相氧电极技术研究其对“海天l号”海带幼孢子体(1-2 cm)表观光合速率(Pn)和呼吸耗氧速率(R)的影响,并测定相对生长速率(Relative growth rate,RGR).结果显示:(1)温度为14℃、光强为80 μmolphotons/(m2.s)、氮营养盐为6 mg/L(N/P=10∶1,下同)环境下,幼孢子体的RGR和Pn均较大.在温度为22℃、光强为1 00 μmol photons/(m2·s)、氮营养盐浓度为10 mg/L条件下,R最强.(2) 22℃组的幼孢子体生长受到抑制,其RGR显著低于14℃组(P＜0.05).20 μmol photons/(m2·s)与80 μmolphotons/(m2·s)光强组的RGR存在显著性差异(P＜0.05).单因素方差分析显示,5个营养盐浓度组之间幼孢子体的RGR无显著性差异(P＞0.05).(3)随着温度、光强、营养盐浓度增加,幼孢子体的Pn呈先上升后下降的趋势,14℃组Pn显著高于其他温度组,氮营养盐浓度4 mg/L和6 mg/L组的Pn显著高于2、8和10 mg/L组(P＜0.05).在本实验条件下,R和Pn呈负相关.(4)光强对幼孢子体P/R(总光合速率/呼吸耗氧速率)的影响较小,温度和营养盐浓度对其影响较大.正交实验结果显示,适宜“海天1号”海带幼孢子体培养的条件为光强50 μmol photons/(m2·s)、温度16℃、氮营养盐浓度5 mg/L.     

冬季苦草分解速率及营养盐释放规律研究

采用分解网袋法研究了冬季苦草腐败分解速率及其氮、磷损失规律。结果表明:苦草腐败释放的磷大部分被底泥吸附,少量进入水体;释放到水体中的氨氮(NH4+-N)、亚硝态氮(NO2--N)和硝态氮(NO3--N)数量也较少;底泥减缓了苦草干重损失速度,而加快了TN和TP损失速率;苦草分解过程中磷的释放速率比氮快;苦草腐败分解具有阶段性,前36d分解迅速,以后分解速率显著下降。     

海带组织降解过程中定殖微型生物群落的特征

运用脂肪酸标志法分析了海带新鲜组织、降解组织及脱落碎屑中定殖微型生物群落的组成特征。研究结果显示,降解组织和脱落碎屑的总脂含量显著提高,单不饱和脂肪酸和多不饱和脂肪酸相对含量降低。降解组织和脱落碎屑中细菌脂肪酸标志18∶1(n-7)和奇数碳及支链脂肪酸含量相比于新鲜叶片有大幅度的提高,表明碎屑中定殖了繁盛的细菌群落;海带碎屑的硅藻脂肪酸标志16∶1(n-7)/16∶0比值最高,降解组织中该比值也显著高于新鲜叶片,表明硅藻类也大量定殖于海带降解组织和碎屑中。鲜海带组织中不含原生动物脂肪酸标志——DHA,而在降解叶片和脱落碎屑中都检测到一定含量的该标志物(0.65%和1.57%),指示了原生动物在海带降解组织和碎屑中的定殖。各种微型生物的定殖与生物降解作用显著改变了降解海带叶片及海带碎屑的有机碳氮特征,新鲜海带叶片组织碳、氮比值高达17.32,而降解组织和海带碎屑有机氮含量有较大幅度的升高,碳、氮比值则分别下降为6.61和6.48。研究结果表明,海带脱落碎屑并非单一成分,而是以海带降解残片为主体,同时混杂有硅藻类、细菌和原生动物群落的混合体。海带碎屑通过各种微型生物的定殖与生物降解作用,其有机氮含量升高,碳、氮比...     

海带对富营养化水体的生物修复效果与固碳能力

选择舟山市桃花岛碳汇渔业示范区作为调研对象,于2013年2-8月对网箱养殖区、海带养殖区、海带养殖区上游(对照点)和海带养殖区下游各站位水质参数以及海带生物量的变化进行了为期7个月的跟踪调研。调查结果显示,海带在减轻海水富营养化方面效果显著,在去除海水无机氮方面尤为明显。与对照点相比,海带养殖区下游无机氮平均浓度降低了15.3%,水体富营养化得以改善,网箱养殖区海水与对照点相比,无机氮平均浓度显著降低(P0.05),海带养殖未使海水中有机质含量升高。在固碳能力方面,该海域海带的年固碳能力为0.234kg/m~2,通过标准化转换,固碳速率最高达403t/(km~2·年),通过海带养殖,该示范区一年总共可吸收碳(C)31 200 kg,吸收氮(N)2130 kg,吸收磷(P)300 kg。本研究说明海带具有一定的生物修复与固碳能力,可为建立鱼藻生态复合养殖系统提供参考。     

厦门大嶝岛海域紫菜、海带养殖容量研究

以海域无机氮(N)和无机磷(P)输入与吸收的平衡原理,通过2000～2001年对厦门大嶝岛海域海水交换、沉积物释放、陆地和江河径流排放、养殖动物和野生海洋动物排泄等项无机氮和无机磷输入量的调查、检测,浮游植物、潮滩微型藻类、野生大型藻类、养殖和野生海洋动物对无机氮和无机磷吸收量的调查和检测,估算可供养殖海带和紫菜的无机氮和无机磷数量,进一步以海带和紫菜有机氮和有机磷的含量,来衡量海带和紫菜的可养殖量。估算结果表明,无机氮平衡法估算大嶝海域紫菜和海带养殖容量(淡干品)分别为5·43×104和32·84×104t,单位面积可养密度分别为7·21和43·61t·hm-2。无机磷平衡法估算大嶝海域紫菜和海带养殖容量分别为1·97×104和12·22×104t,单位面积可养密度分别为2·62和16·23t·hm-2。模型的实用性分析以无机磷供需平衡法为佳。     

草鱼不同混养模式下围隔底泥反硝化、硝化和氨化速率

应用乙炔抑制法测定了草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)不同混养模式围隔底泥的硝化、反硝化和氨化速率,以探究草鱼不同混养模式对池塘底泥－水界面N元素动态变化的影响,并为草鱼养殖模式的优化提供必要的参考依据.混养组合分别为一元组（草鱼）、二元组（草鱼+鲢、草鱼+凡纳滨对虾）、三元组（草鱼+鲢+凡纳滨对虾,设2种放养比例）.结果显示:1）草鱼不同混养模式中底泥的反硝化速率范围为0～734.15 μmol/(m2·d),硝化速范围为0～1 209.20 mmol/(m2·d),化速率范围为0～41.25 mmol/(m2·d).2)草鱼不同混养模式底泥的反硝化速率较高,与很多河口和湖泊数值接近；在养殖中期,底泥的硝化速率很小甚至检测不到；底泥的氨化速率呈逐月递增趋势,以三元混养组最高.3）混养组中凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)的放养密度越大,草鱼的放养密度越小,反硝化作用出现得越早,但反硝化速率很难保持开始的水平；反之,反硝化作用出现得较晚,并会随着养殖周期的推移迅速升高；放养种类越单一,底泥的硝化速率越低,且鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)放养密度越高,硝化速率越高.从养殖模式优化的角度来看,草鱼三元混养组要优于单养和二元混养组,但三元混养组中两种放养密度各有优劣,有待进一步优化以确定最佳放养比例.     

3种载体生物滤器对养殖废水处理效果

采用沙子、活性炭与沸石作为生物滤器载体对牙鲆养殖废水进行处理。牙鲆体长10～15cm,在盐度30,pH8.0～8.1,水温(20±1)℃时的产氨速率为0.248g/(kg·d),产磷速率为0.537g/(kg·d),溶解有机物积累速率为1.406g/(kg·d)。以沙子、活性炭及沸石为载体的生物滤器对其废水处理的平均氨去除率分别为34.79g/(m~3·d)、35.60g/(m~3·d)和36.17g/(m~3·d),有机物平均降解速率分别为 1.760g/(m~3·d)、2.134g/(m~3·d)和2.420g/(m~3·d)。3种生物滤器对养殖废水都有明显的处理效果,其中沸石效果最好。     

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.