桑沟湾筏式养殖鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)的生长特性

2014年4–6月在桑沟湾海区进行鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)海上筏式养殖实验,分析了鼠尾藻在桑沟湾的生长特性,调查了藻体上的附着生物。结果显示,(1)鼠尾藻在桑沟湾海域生长迅速,水温为10–17℃时特定生长率最高,可达6.10%/d;根据特定生长率与水温的关系,获得了鼠尾藻的最佳生长温度为14.9℃;(2)5月10日开始有生殖托形成,水温达到20.4℃时,鼠尾藻生殖托大量成熟,并有放散;(3)养殖期间,鼠尾藻最大长度达187.05 cm,均长可达112.31 cm;干湿比由0.147(4月)上升至0.189(6月);每公顷产量可达43.95 t(湿重),相当于干重为8.25 t;(4)藻体上有大型附着生物16种,主要优势种为尖嘴扁颌针鱼鱼卵、玻璃海鞘和海绵;附着生物的生物量随着水温升高而增加。研究表明,海区的附着生物对鼠尾藻的生长影响不大,在桑沟湾大规模养殖鼠尾藻是可行的。     

鼠尾藻池塘秋冬季栽培生态观察

2010年10月～2011年3月对鼠尾藻池塘秋冬季栽培的生长情况进行了观察与分析。选择池塘水温、光强、盐度和pH,研究其对鼠尾藻1年苗、两年苗在不同水层的养殖效果。结果表明,1)40～60cm水层鼠尾藻生长最好;其次是80～100cm水层;0～20cm水层生长最慢;2)1年苗、2年苗在整个试验期间均未发现生殖托。其中部分两年苗藻体生长出1～2cm左右次生分枝,而1年苗均未发现次生分枝;1年苗于11月中旬开始生长出气囊,两年苗于试验开始时就有气囊,12月中旬鼠尾藻气囊开始腐烂脱落,至翌年1月上旬池塘水温降至0℃以下,池塘水体表层出现结冰现象,此时鼠尾藻气囊已大部分脱落,同时有腐烂脱落现象,藻体缩短、变瘦,湿重降低,体色呈黑褐色。2月下旬随着水温的逐渐回升,鼠尾藻又有生长现象,体长及湿重均有增长,至3月上旬发现气囊。3)鼠尾藻两年苗生长情况比1年苗略好,其同一时期测量的藻体平均体长和单株藻体平均湿重均比1年苗大,鼠尾藻两年苗S值(S=单株藻体平均湿重(g)/藻体平均体长(cm))大于1年苗。     

烟台芦洋湾鼠尾藻种群生物量结构的季节变化

2005年2月至2006年1月对烟台芦洋湾鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)的生长情况进行了生态学调查。实验设立固定样方观测了鼠尾藻种群结构的季节变化,采用逐步回归分析法分析了生境因子对鼠尾藻生物量的影响。结果表明,(1)鼠尾藻分布在低潮线以上50～125cm的中潮带和低潮带之间;(2)生物量消长和平均藻体长度消长的季节变化趋势一致,呈双峰曲线(7月份和12月份达到峰值,9月份达到最低值);(3)生活周期可以划分为4个时期:休止期、生长期、繁殖期和衰退期,6月中旬到7月下旬为有性生殖期;(4)营养生殖贯穿全年,并呈现一定的季节变化;(5)快速生长期内(5-7月),其大小级层次明显,近似正态分布;(6)水温为影响其生长的主要因素,其次为浪冲击度和人为干扰,干露对鼠尾藻的生长影响不显著。总之,本调查区域的鼠尾藻种群呈现明显的季节变化,并与其他海区种群差异显著,生长地区的环境因素是导致差异的根本原因。     

工厂化循环水养殖条件下大口黑鲈生长特点分析

在水温17.3～28.0℃下,将体质量(4.60±0.30) g的大口黑鲈饲养在4口60 m~3工厂化循环水养殖池中,放养密度67尾/m~3,投喂大口黑鲈专用浮性颗粒配合饲料,研究大口黑鲈在工厂化循环水养殖条件下的生长规律。试验结果显示,养殖195 d后,大口黑鲈平均体质量为(303.14±73.17) g、平均体长为(26.76±3.13) cm;体质量(m)与日龄(t)间呈指数关系:m=0.0651t~(1.6147),r~2=0.9974,平均体质量特定生长率为0.46%,平均体质量日增加量为(1.82±0.57) g;体长(L)与日龄间呈线性关系:L=0.0961t+9.1442,r~2=0.9766,平均体长特定生长率为0.15%,平均体长日增长量为(0.10±0.04) cm;体质量与体长符合幂函数:m=0.0132L~(3.0455),r~2=0.9828。在工厂化循环水养殖条件下大口黑鲈的相对增加量、特定生长率趋势基本一致,水温20℃以下明显影响其生长。     

桑沟湾海带标准化养殖模式的优势探析

针对桑沟湾养殖海区海带(Laminaria japonica)的超容量养殖现象，研究了该海区中标准化养殖模式和传统养殖模式的海带生长差异。结果显示，在标准化养殖模式下，海带长、宽、平均厚度、湿重、投影面积和特定生长率均高于传统养殖模式，单棵海带重量显著提高，且海带的碳、氮和蛋白质含量明显高于传统养殖模式，海带品质大大提升。养殖后期，标准化养殖海区养殖海带垂直投影面积之和与对应养殖海区面积之比为6.33，而传统养殖模式的比值为9.15；标准化养殖海区海带所处水层下方的光照强度显著高于传统养殖区，海带所处水层的海流流速也高于传统养殖区。研究表明，桑沟湾海带标准化养殖模式使海带养殖密度降低，海带生长速度和品质均得以提高；在标准化养殖模式下，海带重叠较小，接受的光照比传统养殖模式充足；较快的海流使标准化养殖海区营养盐更新速度更快，这两方面可能是导致2种养殖模式下海带生长和品质产生差异的原因。     

鼠尾藻人工苗种保苗及海上养殖技术研究

为了完善鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)人工苗种培育及海上养殖技术,在大连旅顺海区及刺参池塘进行了鼠尾藻人工苗种保苗及养殖试验。试验结果表明,鼠尾藻人工苗种在室内培养20 d左右,株高2 mm以上,假根15根以上时,下海保苗为宜。鼠尾藻幼苗保苗、人工养殖方式为表层平养。保苗海区选择风浪不大的海湾。在刺参池塘保苗要求选择水深2 m以上的池塘,养殖位置在进水口附近。保苗3个月后海上鼠尾藻平均株高4.26 cm,刺参池塘鼠尾藻平均株高1.98 cm。将6 cm以上的幼苗夹直径1.5 cm的聚乙烯绳上进行海上养殖试验。养殖8~9个月后,鼠尾藻长至平均株高61 cm。     

鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)对刺参生长及水环境的影响

研究了在一定养殖空间内刺参–鼠尾藻适宜的养殖容量和养殖密度。将不同密度的平均体重为(16.7±0.95)g的刺参和鼠尾藻混养在1 m3水体的塑料桶内,实验分为12组,每组设3个重复,对刺参、鼠尾藻的生长及养殖水环境因子的变化情况进行了研究与分析。结果显示,1)刺参、鼠尾藻平均日增重率(Mdwg)和特定生长率(SGR)受刺参密度和鼠尾藻密度影响显著(P<0.05)。作为对照,无鼠尾藻、刺参密度为750、500、250 g/m3时,其生长均相对较差;刺参密度为250 g/m3、鼠尾藻密度为1000、1500 g/m3时,刺参生长相对最好。刺参密度为750 g/m3、鼠尾藻密度为500 g/m3时,鼠尾藻特定生长率(SGR)最大;刺参密度为250 g/m3、鼠尾藻密度为1500 g/m3时,鼠尾藻特定生长率(SGR)最小;2)NH4+-N、NO2–-N、NO3–-N和PO4–-P含量变化受刺参和鼠尾藻养殖量的影响显著(P<0.05)。无鼠尾藻,刺参密度为750、500、250 g/m3时,实验组NH4+-N、NO2–-N、NO3–-N和PO4–-P含量相对较高,其中,刺参为750 g/m3实验组含量最高;刺参密度为250 g/m3、鼠尾藻密度为1000、1500 g/m3时,实验组NH4+-N、NO2–-N、NO3–-N和PO4–-P含量相对较低。研究结果显示,鼠尾藻密度的大小对促进刺参的生长有非常显著的影响,同时对养殖水体中的营养因子具有较强的吸收能力。本研究条件下,刺参密度为250 g/m3、鼠尾藻密度为1000、1500 g/m3模式参藻搭配比例较合适,其生态互利效果最好。     

光、温对鼠尾藻卵子排放和幼孢子体生长的影响

以成熟的鼠尾藻生殖托为材料,研究了不同温度(13～23℃)、光照度(3000～12000lx)和光照周期(15L∶9D,12L∶12D,9L∶16D)对鼠尾藻排卵及幼孢子体生长的影响。结果显示,温度在20～23℃范围,有利于鼠尾藻卵子的排放;在3000～12000lx范围内,光照度越高,越有利于鼠尾藻卵子的排放;光周期不是影响卵子排放的主要因素,光照度是鼠尾藻幼孢子体生长的重要因子;温度是制约鼠尾藻幼孢子体生长的关键因子,水温低于16℃时不利于幼孢子体的快速生长。     

鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)对刺参生长及水环境的影响

研究了在一定养殖空间内刺参–鼠尾藻适宜的养殖容量和养殖密度。将不同密度的平均体重为(16.7±0.95)g的刺参和鼠尾藻混养在1 m3水体的塑料桶内,实验分为12组,每组设3个重复,对刺参、鼠尾藻的生长及养殖水环境因子的变化情况进行了研究与分析。结果显示,1)刺参、鼠尾藻平均日增重率(Mdwg)和特定生长率(SGR)受刺参密度和鼠尾藻密度影响显著(P0.05)。作为对照,无鼠尾藻、刺参密度为750、500、250 g/m3时,其生长均相对较差;刺参密度为250 g/m3、鼠尾藻密度为1000、1500 g/m3时,刺参生长相对最好。刺参密度为750 g/m3、鼠尾藻密度为500 g/m3时,鼠尾藻特定生长率(SGR)最大;刺参密度为250 g/m3、鼠尾藻密度为1500 g/m3时,鼠尾藻特定生长率(SGR)最小;2)NH4+-N、NO2–-N、NO3–-N和PO4–-P含量变化受刺参和鼠尾藻养殖量的影响显著(P0.05)。无鼠尾藻,刺参密度为750、500、250 g/m3时,实验组NH4+-N、NO2–-N、NO3–-N和PO4–-P含量相对较高,其中,刺参为750 g/m3实验组含量最高;刺参密度为250 g/m3、鼠尾藻密度为1000、1500 g/m3时,实验组NH4+-N、NO2–-N、NO3–-N和PO4–-P含量相对较低。研究结果显示,鼠尾藻密度的大小对促进刺参的生长有非常显著的影响,同时对养殖水体中的营养因子具有较强的吸收能力。本研究条件下,刺参密度为250 g/m3、鼠尾藻密度为1000、1500 g/m3模式参藻搭配比例较合适,其生态互利效果最好。     

长牡蛎夏季死亡与养殖环境及自身体质关系的初步研究

选取桑沟湾和爱连湾两个典型牡蛎养殖区为研究对象,调查了两个海区高温季节牡蛎的死亡情况,监测了不同养殖区的水温、盐度、pH和DO等环境指标,并测定了牡蛎体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和生长指标的差异,初步探讨了桑沟湾养殖长牡蛎夏季高温死亡的原因。结果表明,实验期间(5～10月)桑沟湾崖头养殖海区(E122.498,N37.151)长牡蛎夏季累积死亡率为37%,最高死亡率出现在8月17日,高达51%,而爱连湾养殖海区(E122.582,N37.179)的累积死亡率仅为2.5%,最高死亡率出现在9月28日,为4.5%。单因子方差分析(ANOVA)表明死亡率与水温具有很强的正相关(R=0.804,P0.01),与溶氧呈明显负相关(R=-0.377,P0.01);死亡率与体重、软体湿重、性腺湿重等生长状况指标呈明显的负相关(R分别为-0.690、-0.498、-0.358),与SOD活性呈正相关(R=0.21,P0.05)。     

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.