复合养殖系统中浮游植物群落结构及其与水环境因子的关系

本研究以主养团头鲂搭配少量鲢鳙鱼的人工湿地-池塘复合养殖系统为研究对象,在人工湿地运行期间调查了该复合养殖系统池塘中浮游植物的生态特征,并分析了浮游植物的群落结构与水环境因子间的关系。结果表明：复合养殖池塘中共鉴定出浮游植物8门91种,其中绿藻种类最多,而蓝藻在数量上占据了绝对的优势。人工湿地运行期间养殖池塘中浮游植物的种类、数量、生物量无显著变化,数量和生物量的平均值分别为3.04×108cells/L,7.14×106mg/L,主要优势种有双对栅藻、四足十字藻、苇氏藻、微小平裂藻、点形粘球藻、泥污颤藻、优美平裂藻、微小色球藻、为首螺旋藻、不定微囊藻;池塘的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数为2.77~3.27,Margalef多样性指数为2.75~3.18,Pielou均匀性指数为0.45~0.55。同时将浮游植物种类丰度与水环境因子进行冗余分析(RDA),结果表明：池塘中绿藻主要受温度、溶氧、pH的影响,而蓝藻主要受pH和氨氮的影响。     

浙江诸暨三角帆蚌养殖池塘浮游植物群落结构和理化环境

2011年8月29日—9月1日采样分析了浙江省诸暨市枫桥镇10口三角帆蚌(Hyriopsis cumingii)养殖池塘中的浮游植物种类组成、生物量和理化环境因子。结果显示,三角帆蚌养殖池塘内共观察到浮游植物51属(种),优势种为平裂藻、微囊藻、腔球藻和栅藻;浮游植物生物量为0.71~8.01×108cell/L,71%~97%为蓝藻。池塘内的透明度(SD)平均值为33 cm、溶氧(DO)为4~12 mg/L、总氮(TN)为1.933~4.062 mg/L、总磷(TP)为0.154~1.010 mg/L、高锰酸钾指数(CODMn)为6.49~10.06 mg/L,说明三角帆蚌养殖池塘具有DO较高,SD、TN、TP、CODMn和TN/TP较低的特点。RDA分析显示水温是影响池塘中浮游植物常见种类生物量的主要环境因子,说明相近池塘的浮游植物群落接近。鉴于所调查的池塘内TN、TP、CODMn和TN/TP较低,建议适当增加杂食性鱼类放养密度和配合饲料投喂量并降低鸭粪施肥量。     

池塘循环流水养殖模式中浮游植物群落结构的空间变化研究

基于集约化生产的池塘循环流水养殖系统(In-pond raceway system, IPRS)是一种新兴的养殖模式,为进一步了解该系统水体循环过程中的生态结构动态,揭示系统内净水区水质的变化特点,文章研究了养殖草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)的池塘循环流水系统中生长季浮游植物群落结构的空间变化特征,并通过冗余分析研究了浮游植物群落结构变化与环境因子的关系。该系统在生长季共鉴定出浮游植物7门99种,主要由蓝藻门、绿藻门、硅藻门、裸藻门、隐藻门、甲藻门和金藻门组成。其中绿藻门种类数最多(54种),其次为蓝藻门(18种)。系统中不同区域的浮游植物群落结构不同,净化区中段浮游植物的密度及生物量最高,净化区蓝藻门的密度及生物量较养殖区有所增加。池塘不同区域的蓝藻门相对密度均远高于绿藻门及硅藻门。从净化区前端至后端,蓝藻门的相对密度逐渐增加,绿藻及硅藻的相对密度逐渐下降。冗余分析结果显示,影响循环系统中浮游植物群落结构变化的主要环境因子是温度和氮、磷营养盐。     

包头南海湖非冰封期浮游植物的时空动态特征

为了解包头南海湖浮游植物群落非冰封期的时空动态特征,2017年5-10月,在南海湖设置了12个监测站位,监测浮游植物时空变化,并同步监测水环境因子。结果表明,南海湖12个站位共鉴定出浮游植物146种(含变种);其中,绿藻门(Chlorophyta)59种,蓝藻门(Cyanophyta)31种,硅藻门(Bacillariophyta)37种,裸藻门(Euglenophyta)9种,金藻门(Chrysophyta)5种,黄藻门(Xanthophyta)3种,隐藻门(Cryptophyta)2种。浮游植物密度为23.35×10~6～115.59×10~6个/L;优势度分析表明,5-6月主要以绿藻占优势,优势种为四尾栅藻(Scenedesmus quadricauda)和螺旋弓形藻(Schroederia spiralis);7-9月主要以蓝藻占优势,优势种为微小平裂藻(Merismopedia tenuissima)和水花束丝藻(Aphanizomenon flosaquae);10月以绿藻和硅藻占优势,优势种为四尾栅藻和近缘针杆藻(Synedra affinis)。空间上呈现出沿进水口向湖心区逐渐递增的趋势,湖心区整体密度较高,而排污口和芦苇区处密度相对较低;冗余分析(RDA)表明,氨氮、化学需氧量、pH、叶绿素-a以及水温是影响浮游植物分布的主要水环境因子,绿藻与总氮关系密切,蓝藻主要受总磷的影响,硅藻受pH影响较大。     

春季不同营养类型池塘浮游植物群落结构特征的研究

为了积累池塘浮游植物群落结构的数据,以利于有效调控池塘藻相,2013年春季研究了3口不同富营养池塘的浮游植物和氮、磷营养盐：室外池I、室外池II以及大棚池。结果表明,根据氮、磷营养盐水平,室外池I和大棚池均属超富营养水体,而室外池II属于富营养水体。室外池I的浮游植物种类最多,优势种类是绿藻门和硅藻门,蓝藻门种类和数量均很少,比较适合养殖。而室外池II只有蓝藻门,且种类非常少,仅2种,以蓝藻门隐球藻属（Aphanocapsa）占绝对优势,已经明显形成了隐球藻属水华。大棚池藻类种类比室外池II多,但是也以蓝藻门的隐球藻属为优势。室外池II和大棚池的浮游植物多样性评价等级均为I级,多样性差,而室外池I为II级,多样性一般。本研究表明,春季不同富营养程度的池塘出现不同的浮游植物群落结构,富营养池塘在低温的春季可以形成蓝藻门优势;建立氮磷营养水平与池塘藻相之间的可靠关系需要更多的数据资料支撑。     

新疆大泉沟水库浮游植物群落特征及其与环境因子的关系

为了探究大泉沟水库浮游植物群落结构的动态变化特征及综合水质状况,为库区水资源保护和渔业可持续发展提供参考依据,于2015年10月(枯水期)、2016年4月(丰水期)和7月(平水期),对库区内4个采样点进行了浮游植物群落与水质调查。结果表明,本次调查共鉴定出浮游植物8门161种,其中绿藻67种、硅藻48种、蓝藻26种、裸藻6种、隐藻6种、黄藻6种、金藻1种、甲藻1种,浮游植物群落结构组成属于绿藻-硅藻型;浮游植物主要优势种为小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)、尖针杆藻(Synedra acus)、拟气球藻(Botrydiopsis intercedens)、四尾栅藻(Scenedesmus quadricauda)、细小平裂藻(Merismopedia minima)等;浮游植物密度为0.86×106~5.54×106个/L、平均值为2.13×106个/L;浮游植物的Shannon-Wiener指数(H)、Margalef指数(Dm)及Pielou均匀度指数(J)变化范围分别为1.97~2.56、1.83~3.01和0.68~0.77。研究显示,大泉沟水库目前处于中污染状态;相关分析表明,水温、总磷、透明度和溶解氧是大泉沟水库浮游植物群落结构变化的主要影响因子,大泉沟水库属中营养至中度富营养水库。     

生物絮团对鲤鱼养殖池塘浮游植物群落结构的影响

为了解生物絮团技术在净化池塘水质的同时对池塘初级生产力的影响,干2015年9月10月对陕西团头鲂良种场鲤鱼池塘的浮游植物群落结构进行了调查研究。结果显示:生物絮团池塘共出现浮游植物6门28种,其中绿藻门有17种,占总种类数的65.4%,硅藻门有5种,占总种类数的19.2%,浮游植物群落结构类型属绿藻硅藻型。浮游植物生物密度变化范围为1 372.82×10~4~3 093.71×10~4 ind./L,平均值为2 217.07×10~4 ind./L;生物量变化范围为3.5 3~12.87 mg/L,平均值为7.88 mg/L。浮游植物生物密度和生物量均在9月15日出现峰值,峰值期以后浮游植物密度和生物量在时间和空间上差异性显著(P0.05)。研究表明,生物絮团技术对池塘浮游植物群落结构影响较大,随着絮团的逐渐形成浮游植物群落结构出现明显变化,池塘藻相演替速度加快。     

虾蟹混养池塘浮游植物群落结构的变化特征

为摸清锯缘青蟹(Scylla serrata)与斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)混养池塘浮游植物种群结构的变化特征,于2018年3-11月对广州市番禺区十六涌3个养殖池塘中的浮游植物开展了逐月调查,并通过冗余分析(RDA)探讨了浮游植物与环境因子的相关性。结果表明,养殖池塘中共鉴定出浮游植物29种,主要由硅藻、蓝藻、甲藻、绿藻和裸藻5大门类组成,其中硅藻种类最多(19种),占浮游植物种类数的65.5%;其次是蓝藻,共5种,占浮游植物种类数17.2%;甲藻3种,绿藻和裸藻各1种。共出现优势种16种,主要为直舟形藻(Navicula directa)、奇异菱形藻(Nitzschia paradoxa)、柔弱菱形藻(Nitzschia delicatissima)、尖布纹藻(Gyrosigma acuminatum)、大角角藻(Ceratium macroceros)和小颤藻(Oscillatoria tenuis)等。浮游植物细胞密度介于2.56×103~189.2×103个·m-3,Shannon-Weaver多样性指数介于0.468~2.597。浮游植物与环境因子相关性RDA结果表明,营养盐、盐度和pH是影响养殖塘浮游植物种群结构的主要环境因子。     

赣江中下游浮游植物群落结构及其水质生物学评价

为了探究赣江中下游浮游植物群落结构的季节变化,为渔业资源可持续利用、水质监测及生物多样性保护提供参考,2016年10月(秋季)、2017年1月(冬季)、4月(春季)和7月(夏季),对赣江中下游浮游植物群落结构进行季度调查。结果表明,赣江中下游共记录浮游植物5门、55属、95种。其中,绿藻门44种,占总浮游植物种类的46.0%;硅藻门29种,占30.5%;蓝藻门15种,占16.0%。浮游植物密度为82.3×104~906.0×104个/L,平均值为315.0×104个/L。生物量为0.43~1.26mg/L,平均值为0.69mg/L。赣江支流浮游植物的平均密度和生物量(546.0×104个/L,1.07mg/L)均高于干流(212.0×104个/L,0.52mg/L)。干流主要优势种为小席藻(Phormidium tenue)、颗粒直链藻(Melosira granulata)、卵形隐藻(Cryptomonas ovata)和尖尾蓝隐藻(Chroomonas acuta);支流主要优势种为小席藻、微小平裂藻(Merismopedia tenuissima)、四尾栅藻(Scenedesmus quadricauda)和水华束丝藻(Aphanizomenon flos-aquae)。浮游植物Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H′)和Margalef丰富度指数(D)的年均值分别为1.87和0.94,干流的H′值高于支流,而干流的D值低于支流。研究显示,赣江中下游水域均受到不同程度的污染,干流的污染程度比支流更为严重。     

采煤塌陷区池塘夏季浮游植物群落结构及环境评价

2013年7~9月研究了采煤塌陷地池塘夏季浮游植物的群落结构。结果显示:共检出浮游植物8门112个属种,其中绿藻门种类最多;浮游植物密度变化在(5.44~136.30)×10~6 ind./L之间,平均密度为40.18×10~6 ind./L,其中蓝藻的密度最大,其次为绿藻,硅藻和隐藻,裸藻、甲藻和金藻的密度较小;生物量变动范围为3.82~77.97mg/L,平均生物量20.36mg/L;其中裸藻的生物量最高,其次为硅藻、甲藻和隐藻。采煤塌陷区池塘浮游植物多样性指数(H’)变动在2.16~3.95之间,均值为3.04;均匀度(J)在0.44~0.85之间,均值为0.64;物种丰富度指数(d)在3.37~5.45之间,均值为4.30。H’、J、d均处于较高的水平,说明池塘浮游植物种类较多,群落结构稳定,分布均匀。结果表明:采煤塌陷区池塘水体环境质量属清洁水平。     

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.     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

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.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

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.     

Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria

There has been growing concern about the overuse of antibiotics in the ornamental fish industry and its possible effect on the increasing drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic organisms in these fish. The aim of this study was to carry out an assessment of the diversity of bacteria, including pathogens, in ornamental fish species imported into North America and to assess their antibiotic resistance. Kidney samples were collected from 32 freshwater ornamental fish of various species, which arrived to an importing facility in Portland, Oregon from Colombia, Singapore and Florida. Sixty‐four unique bacterial colonies were isolated and identified by PCR using bacterial 16S primers and DNA sequencing. Multiple isolates were identified as bacteria with potential to cause disease in both fish and humans. The antibiotic resistance profile of each isolate was performed for nine different antibiotics. Among them, cefotaxime (16% resistance among isolates) was the antibiotic associated with more activity, while the least active was tetracycline (77% resistant). Knowing information about the diversity of bacteria in imported ornamental fish, as well as the resistance profiles for the bacteria will be useful in more effectively treating clinical infected fish, and also potential zoonoses in the future.     

Effect of iodophor disinfection of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs on their bacterial and fungus load

This study investigated the efficiency of iodophor disinfection (135 ppm active iodine for 15–30 min) of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs against different groups of bacteria and against fungus. Egg samples were taken from non‐disinfected and from disinfected eggs, microorganisms were cultured on specific nutrient media and their mass was measured by turbidimetric methods. Bacteria and fungus mass of non‐hardened eggs could be reduced but not eliminated by iodophor disinfection with 135 ppm active iodine for 15 min. The extent of reduction was 47–65% (Experiment 1). The efficiency of disinfection increased with disinfection time as the reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was 40–55% after 15 min and 58–74% after 30 min (Experiment 2). Disinfection efficiency of iodophor solution diluted in water (reduction 49–57%) and of iodophor solution diluted in sodium chloride solution iso‐osmolar to the oocytes (reduction 52–61%) was similar (Experiment 3). The reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was persistent as it was 39–72% lower in embryos deriving from disinfected eggs than in embryos deriving from non‐disinfected ones (Experiment 4). In conclusion, the tested disinfection method is inadequate to eliminate pathogens completely but it could positively influence immune defence of eggs and embryos.     

Influence of the antibacterial herbs, Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia on the survival, growth and bacterial load of Penaeus monodon post larvae

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and chemicals in shrimp hatcheries has led to biomagnification and that in turn could lead to rejection of a whole consignment. The application of the bioencapsulation technique as a tool for curative treatment in shrimp larvae was investigated. Herbs having antibacterial properties such as Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia (methanolic extracts) were bioencapsulated in Artemia and fed to Penaeus monodon post larvae PL 1–25. The post larvae were reared in a medium inoculated with pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio sp. Post larvae reared in the non-inoculated water and fed with non-enriched Artemia exhibited 90% survival, highest specific growth rate (12.43%) and reduced bacterial load. P. monodon reared in the bacterial inoculated water and fed with the non-enriched Artemia exhibited the lowest survival (10–30%), specific growth rate (8.42–9.1%) and increased bacterial load (2.86 × 10³ to 3.76 × 10⁵ cfu/g). The methanolic extracts of the herbs helped to increase survival and specific growth rate and reduced bacterial load in the P. monodon culture system. Among the three herbal extracts, P. corylifolia enriched Artemia fed post larvae showed the tendency to higher survival (>50%), growth rate (11.5 averaged) and low bacterial load (1.12 × 10⁵ cfu/g). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.