Deficient melanin production contributes to the absence of melanophores in early development of red carp

Red carp and red crucian carp are ornamental fish with a red body color. Unlike in red crucian carp, no melanophores are observed in red carp embryos or larvae. To explore the roles of the mitfa gene in body color formation in red carp, we investigated the structural characteristics and physicochemical properties of the mitfa gene in 16 kinds of fish. The mitfa amino acid sequence similarity between red carp and red crucian carp was 95.6%, and this was 91.5% similar between carp and zebrafish. Compared with red crucian carp, red carp showed lower tyrp1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression but similar mitfa mRNA expression in the body pigment stage of the embryo. Moreover, mitfa⁺ cells as well as melanocytes could be observed in cultured embryo cells derived from red carp and red crucian carp. Our data show that the absence of melanophores in red carp is not the result of mitfa gene deletion or mutation, increasing our understanding of the molecular and genetic mechanisms of coloration in cyprinid fish.     

不同倍性鲫鲤MeCP2基因分子克隆及时空表达分析

为了探寻不同倍性鱼生殖育性的表观遗传调控规律,实验基于不同倍性鲫鲤精巢的转录本信息库设计引物克隆了不同倍性鲫鲤的MeCP2基因。序列比对结果发现,在远缘杂交的过程中基因组发生了遗传重组和变异。基于序列公共部分设计引物,通过半定量PCR和实时定量PCR的方法分析了MeCP2基因在不同倍性鱼发育过程中的时空表达特征。结果还发现,MeCP2基因在所有组织中都有表达,但在脑组织中的表达量最高;纵向对比性腺的发育过程,MeCP2基因的表达量会随着性腺发育成熟而下降;横向对比不同倍性鱼的性腺发育,MeCP2基因在三倍体鱼卵巢中的表达量明显高于二倍体和四倍体鱼,但在精巢中的表达量随鱼的倍性增加而增加。研究表明,MeCP2基因的表达与不同倍性鱼的卵巢发育密切相关,这为研究鱼类生殖不育的分子机理及其在水产育种上的应用奠定了坚实的基础。     

三种鲤对暴发性鱼病抗病力的差异

本文报道三种鲤对嗜水气单胞菌引起暴发性鱼病的抗病力试验结果。当菌液浓度为６．０×１０￣８ＣＦＵ／ｍｌ，采用１０￣０、１０￣（－１）、１０￣（－２）、１０￣（－３）四个稀释度、０．３ｍｌ／尾注射剂量时，建鲤、野鲤和镜鲤的半数致死量（ＬＤ＿（５０））分别为１０￣（－１．３７５）、１０￣（－０．９７６）、１０￣（－０．５６２）。这三种鲤的半数致死量差异显著（Ｆ＞Ｆ＿（０．０５））。从四个方面研究了抗病机理：白细胞吞噬功能和补体替代途径（Ｃ＿３旁路）杀菌能力，镜鲤较强于野鲤和建鲤，但无显著差异（Ｆ＜Ｆ０．０５）；红细胞Ｃ＿（３ｂ）受体花环率和补体总量（单位／ｍｌ），是建鲤＞野鲤＞镜鲤，差异极显著（Ｆ＞Ｆ０．０１）。本研究结果还表明建鲤的红细胞Ｃ＿（３ｂ）受体花环率和补体总量稍高，但对暴发性鱼病病原（嗜水气单胞菌）较易感染。以上结果证明，不同品系鲤鱼对暴发性鱼病有种内特异性。     

Body depth variation in crucian carp Carassius carassius: an experimental individual-based study

Abstract –  Induced morphological defences, where individuals develop morphological structures as a response to signals from sympatric predators, are common among invertebrates. Such defences have also been reported in a freshwater fish, the crucian carp Carassius carassius . In crucian carp, the presence of piscivorous fish presumably induces the development of a deep body as a defence mechanism. We tested how the growth rate (in body depth, length and mass) of individually tagged crucian carp responds to pike Esox lucius odours and control water. In general, crucian carp exposed to pike odour grew better (both in length and mass) than control fish. The treatment crucian carp also developed deeper bodies than control crucian carp. Further, there was a strong positive relationship between individual growth rate and the rate of change in body depth and this relationship did not differ between control and treatment fish.     

Effects of a dietary administration of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) on growth,antioxidant activities and 8 miRNAs expressions in crucian carp (Carassius auratus)

Echinacea purpurea (EP), a globally popular herbal medicine, has been used to treat various diseases in human and animals. However, little has been reported about its effects in fish. In this study, crucian carp (Carassius auratus) were selected to evaluate the effects of EP on growth performance and antioxidant response and the expressions of microRNAs. The results showed EP could stimulate the growth of crucian carp with the best effect was observed at dose of 4 g kg^?1. In serum, the content of hydroxyl radical (·OH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased by EP supplementation, whereas the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) increased. Similarly, the content of ·OH decreased, and the activities of CAT, GPX and GR increased in liver of crucian carp. Furthermore, in livers of crucian carp, EP supplements upregulated the expressions of the microRNAs (miR‐16, miR‐21, miR‐125b, miR‐146a, miR‐155, miR‐181a and miR‐223), which had been confirmed to participate in regulating antioxidant and immune function in mammals. Our results suggest EP supplements in diets stimulated growth performance and antioxidant response of crucian carp. In liver, the upregulation of specific miRNAs may participate in the antioxidant effects of EP diets.     

水晶彩鲫、红鲫、锦鲤、荷包红鲤杂交子代的生长和体色研究

利用人工授精的方法,进行水晶彩鲫、红鲫、锦鲤和荷包红鲤的相互杂交试验,测定各个杂交组合子代的成活率、生长速度和体色分离比例。结果表明：4种鱼能够相互杂交受精,孵出鱼苗。孵化率锦鲤自交最低为46．4％,其它组合为70％～80％;杂交鱼苗经28d的人工饲养,水晶彩鲫与荷包红鲤、锦鲤的正、反杂交,同其它杂交组合比较有明显的差别,其生长速度慢,个体之间差异大,成活率低;杂交子代的体型分为3类：鲫鱼型、鲤鱼型和鲤鲫型。鳞片反光组织(虹彩细胞或鸟粪素细胞)为2类：完全型、缺失型。体色分离复杂多样,水晶彩鲫与红鲫杂交是水晶彩鲫,红鲫与锦鲤、荷包红鲤杂交是青灰色鲤鲫杂种,水晶彩鲫与锦鲤、荷包红鲤杂交都会出现水晶彩色和青灰色鲤鲫杂种。     

金属硫蛋白基因对转基因鲤及实验动物体内重金属累积的影响

金属硫蛋白(metallothiontine,简称MT),又称重金属结合蛋白,是一种低分子量富含半胱氨酸的金属结合蛋白。锌、铜、镉等多种金属元素均可在体外或体内诱导组织MT大量合成。已有研究表明,MT在微量元素代谢、重金属富集、环境污染的清除等方面起重要作用,因此, 选择恰当的启动子是保证外源基因在转基因鱼中成功表达的最重要因素。在转基因鱼的研究过程中,使用的转基因材料从最初阶段的人及其它哺乳类如牛、羊等的生长激素基因发展到现在的鱼的生长激素基因,启动调控顺序也由小鼠的重金属螯合蛋白(MT-1)基因发展到鱼的重金属结合蛋白基因,如虹鳟金属硫蛋白基因、鲤β-肌动蛋白基因、美洲鲽抗冻蛋白基因以及鲤金属硫蛋白     

Growth and reproduction of threatened native crucian carp Carassius carassius in small ponds of Epping Forest,south‐east England

• 1. The crucian carp Carassius carassius is a species of cyprinid fish native to south‐east England, but few studies exist on its growth and reproduction in England, and the species is threatened by introductions of its Asiatic congener, goldfish Carassius auratus. To increase knowledge of the crucian carp as a means of aiding its conservation, the present study assesses the growth (back‐calculated length at age, body condition) and reproduction (fecundity, egg size, length and age at maturity) of crucian carp in small ponds of Epping Forest (north‐east London, England).
• 2. Evaluation of growth and reproduction data with published data for populations from northern Europe (i.e. latitude ?50°) suggest that growth is very variable, even within the same area, and that data on reproductive indices, in particular length and age at maturity, are scarce. In England, the length at age trajectory of crucian carp living in sympatry with feral goldfish Carassius auratus did not differ significantly from allopatric crucian carp populations, but crucian carp body condition and relative fecundity (eggs per body weight) were highest, and mean age and standard length at maturity were lowest in sympatry with goldfish.
• 3. These data suggest that somatic growth and reproductive output may be maximized in crucian carp when confronted by coexistence with feral goldfish. However, the potential impact of goldfish introductions on crucian carp growth and reproduction requires further study, involving a much larger number of crucian carp populations, both in allopatry and sympatry with feral goldfish populations.

© Crown copyright 2009. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anoxia survival in common carp and crucian carp is related to high zinc concentration in tissues

ABSTRACT:   Ten lots of common carp and six lots of crucian carp (each lot of 100 fish) were treated under anoxia for five days at water temperatures of 25–31°C. The average per group mortality of common carp was 17%, but none of the 600 crucian carp died. The digestive tract tissues of the common carp that died had significantly lower zinc concentrations than those that survived (59 ± 41 vs 142 ± 60 μg/[g fresh tissue], P  < 0.001). The digestive tract tissues of the crucian carp had mean zinc concentrations of 652 ± 458 μg/(g fresh tissue). One lot of common carp that had low tolerance for anoxia was fed a high zinc diet (2000 mg zinc/kg diet) for 1, 2 or 6 months and then subjected to 5 days anoxia. The survival rates of those fed the high zinc diet 1 and 2 months increased from 0 to 50%, respectively; all of fish that had fed a high zinc diet for 6 months survived. Thus, anoxia survival in common carp and crucian carp is closely related to the high concentrations of zinc in their tissues.     

转基因鲤放流试验湖鲫的年龄与生长

以鳞片作为年龄鉴定材料,研究转基因鲤(Cyprinus carpio)放流试验的人工湖中鲫(Carassius auratus)的年龄组成、大小与生长特性。结果显示:鲫种群由4个年龄组(1 a~4 a)构成。体重(W,g)与体长(L,mm)的关系式为:W=2.597×10-5L3.0133;体长与鳞径(R,mm)的关系式为:L=7.4+29.8R。生长模式可用von Bertalan-ffy生长方程描述:Lt=28.8[1-e-0.254(t+0.307)],Wt=668.9[1-e-0.254(t+0.307)]3.0133,体重生长拐点年龄ti=4.04 a。还对转基因鲤放流人工湖泊中鲫的生长数据同其它湖泊中的作了比较。这些数据为今后探讨转基因鲤种群的建立对鲫生长的影响积累了背景资料。     

转生长激素基因鲤鱼的生长研究

本报导了生长激素基因对鲤鱼生长的影响。经池塘对照实验表明，转生长激素基因鲤鱼的快速生长效应比正常鲤鱼明显，而且由转生长激素基因阳性性成熟鲤鱼经人工催产繁殖的子一代群体中，仍表现出快速生长的特性。这一结果，为能获得一个转外源生长激素基因并具快速生长特性的遗传稳定的转基固鲤鱼核心群体提供了可靠的数据。     

Potential vector species of carp edema virus (CEV)

During a PCR‐based CEV survey in Poland in 2015–2017, the virus was detected in many farms both in clinical and asymptomatic cases and in common as well as in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio). In order to evaluate the potential carrier role of fish species that share the same habitats with carp, an experimental trial was performed. Investigations carried out on specimens of bleak (Alburnus alburnus), crucian carp (Carassius carassius), European perch (Perca fluviatilis), Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), roach (Rutilus rutilus) and tench (Tinca tinca) cohabited with CEV‐infected carp yielded positive results. These species of fish were experimentally cohabited with CEV‐infected common carp at a temperature of 16°C ± 1. Material from the brain, gills, spleen, kidneys, intestine and skin was investigated for the presence of CEV DNA. Similar investigations were performed with uninfected fish designated controls. Samples were tested for CEV by qPCR.     

鳜鱼、青鱼、草鱼、鲤、鲫、鲢消化酶活性的研究

鳜鱼、青鱼、草鱼、鲤、鲫、鲢肝脏蛋白酶活性低于肠蛋白酶。肠蛋白酶活性，鳜鱼最高，其余依次为青鱼、鲤、鲢、草鱼、鲫。鳜鱼、鲢的肠蛋白酶活性由前肠向后肠递减；而青鱼、鲤、草鱼的则由前肠向后肠递增；鲫则中肠活性最低。六种鱼不同组织的脂肪酶活性因鱼而异。青鱼、鳜鱼、鲤、鲢肝脏中脂肪酶活性低于肠脂肪酶活性（Ｐ＜０．０１）；而草鱼和鲫肝脏中脂肪酶活性与肠脂肪酶活性差异不明显（Ｐ＞０．０５）。六种鱼肝脏中脂肪酶活性由高到低依次为鳜鱼＞鲢＞鲫＞草鱼＞青鱼＞鲤；肠脂肪酶活性顺序为鳜鱼＞鲢＞青鱼＞鲤＞草鱼＞鲫。脂肪酶活性与鱼类食性无明显相关性。不同组织间淀粉酶活性存在差异。鳜鱼的肝脏和肠均有较高淀粉酶活性，青鱼和鲫肝脏中淀粉酶活性低于肠中的；草鱼、鲤和鲢肝脏中淀粉酶活性高于肠中的，但差异不显著。六种鱼中鳜鱼的肝脏淀粉酶活性明显高于其它五种无胃鱼，它们的淀粉酶活性顺序依次为鳜鱼＞鲢＞鲤＞草鱼＞青鱼＞鲫；肠淀粉酶活性顺序为鳜鱼＞鲫＞鲤＞青鱼＞鲢＞草鱼。     

鲤、鲫杂交子代的同工酶分析

利用水平式淀粉凝胶电泳法对乌克兰鳞鲤(♀)×乌龙鲫四倍体(♂)、红鲫(♀)×乌龙鲫四倍体(♂)、红鲫(♀)×乌龙鲫二倍体(♂)、白鲫(♀)×墨龙鲤(♂)4组鲤鱼、鲫鱼杂交子代背侧肌肉组织的天冬氨酸转氨酶、α-甘油醛磷酸脱氢酶、葡萄糖磷酸异构酶、异柠檬酸脱氢酶、乳酸脱氢酶、苹果酸脱氢酶、磷酸葡萄糖变位酶及肌浆蛋白进行电泳分析,并测量了红细胞长径。红细胞测量结果表明,乌克兰鳞鲤(♀)×乌龙鲫四倍体(♂)、红鲫(♀)×乌龙鲫四倍体(♂)、红鲫(♀)×乌龙鲫二倍体(♂)杂交子代为三倍体,白鲫(♀)×墨龙鲤(♂)杂交子代为二倍体。4组杂交子代葡萄糖磷酸异构酶同工酶的基因组成结果显示,父本乌龙鲫四倍体和父本乌龙鲫二倍体均产生二倍体配子,且二倍体配子中1套为鲤鱼染色体组,1套为鲫鱼染色体组。     

Predation as a determinant of size structure in populations of crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and tench (Tinea tinea)

Predation is an important structuring force in many fish assemblages and may have large, direct lethal effects on prey fish populations but also may affect growth rate and survival indirectly through shifts in behavioral patterns. Some species appear more sensitive to predation and earlier studies in a limited set of Finnish ponds suggests that crucian carp (Carassius carassius) is very sensitive to predation, which results in changes in population size-structure and density. In this study we tested the effect of piscivore presence or absence on crucian carp populations by using data from a large number (>600) of Swedish lakes across a wide geographical area and ranging in size from small ponds to large lakes (0.02–4400 ha). We also included a second species, tench (Tinea tinea), in our analyses. The population size structures of crucian carp and tench were clearly related to the presence or absence of piscivores. In lakes and ponds without piscivores. populations were dominated by small-bodied individuals. When piscivores were present, populations consisted almost exclusively of large individuals. Densities of crucian carp and tench were much higher in ponds and lakes without piscivores. There were no differences in size structure or relative abundance when catches from electrofishing were compared with gill net catches, suggesting that our results are not an effect of a behavioral shift in the presence of piscivores.     

Improved healing of the deeply incisional wounds in partially scaled common carp by zinc sulphate bath

This study aimed to investigate the role of zinc immersion bath in promoting wound‐healing process in partially scaled common carp using different concentrations of zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄). After wound induction, three different doses of ZnSO₄ were used (1/20, 1/10 and 1/5 of the calculated LC50) for 10 days. After the end of the experimental period, tissue samples were collected from the area surrounding the wound for analysing the expression of the following genes: collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1α1), transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A, metallothionein (Met) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐7. Moreover, the tissue antioxidant markers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also assessed. The extent of the healing process was also assessed by histopathological examination. The results revealed that the use of ZnSO₄ at 1/10 of the LC50 caused a significant improvement in tissue reepithelization, angiogenesis and tissue remodelling through overexpression of Col1α1, TGF‐β1, VEGF‐A and FGF‐7. Moreover, a significant improvement in antioxidant markers was also observed with ZnSO₄ immersion. In conclusion, this study showed that ZnSO₄ immersion at 1/10 of the calculated LC50 improved the healing of the incisional wound in partially scaled common carp via upregulation of the examined growth factor genes and improvement of the antioxidant status of fish.     

Effects of different dietary selenium sources (sodium selenite,selenomethionine and nanoselenium) on growth performance,muscle composition,blood enzymes and antioxidant status of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of different sources of selenium (Se) on growth, muscle Se concentration, muscle proximate composition, blood enzymes and antioxidant status of common carp, Cyprinus carpio. Organic Se (selenomethionine, SeMet), inorganic Se (sodium selenite, Na₂SeO₃), or nanoselenium were each added to the basal diet at 0.7 mg Se kg^?1 diet. Four groups of fish with an average weight of 9.69 ± 0.12 g were fed one of the experimental diets for 8 weeks. Nano‐Se diet resulted in better growth performance (P < 0.05). Fish fed with Se‐supplemented diets showed a higher (P < 0.05) Se content in the muscle and liver tissues. Fish fed nano‐Se had the highest liver glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities (P < 0.05). Liver malondialdehyde level was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in fish fed on SeMet and nano‐Se diets as compared to control. The carp fed on nano‐Se diet had the lowest values of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly lower in fish fed on SeMet and nano‐Se diets. This study shows that nano‐Se acts more efficiently on growth performance and antioxidant defence system of common carp than organic and inorganic sources of Se.     

The supplementation of nutrient additives in broad bean-based diet improved the growth of “crisped” grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idellus

To investigate the effects of supplemental nutrient additives in broad bean-based diets on growth, flesh quality, and collagen gene expression of grass carp, five diets were prepared, including complete formula diet (control), soaked broad bean (SBB), and three broad bean-based diets containing 80% broad bean without (BBD1) or with the supplementation of methionine (BBD2), and methionine+vitamins+minerals (BBD3), and were fed to grass carp (171.9 ± 1.1 g), Ctenopharyngodon idellus, for 84 days. The results showed that broad bean-based diets significantly increased weight gain (WG) and reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of grass carp when compared to the SBB (p < .05). The BBD3 group reached levels similar to the WG and FCR of the control group (p > .05). Grass carp fed the BBD3 diet had lower steaming loss of flesh, higher muscle fiber density, and higher collagen content in muscle and skin than the control (p < .05). The relative expressions of COL1A1 and COL1A2 mRNA in muscle and skin were significantly higher in the BBD3 and SBB groups than in other groups (p < .05). In conclusion, the combination of methionine, vitamins, and minerals in broad bean-based diets promoted the growth of “crisped” grass carp and improved flesh quality and collagen gene expression when compared to the control formula diet.     

Growth and morphology of an endangered native freshwater fish,crucian carp Carassius carassius,in an English ornamental pond

• 1. Crucian carp Carassius carassius, which is native to south‐east England, has received little previous study in Britain but is threatened by introductions of goldfish Carassius auratus through hybridization and by frequent mis‐identification of brown goldfish as crucian carp. The present study provides the first data on back‐calculated growth, morphology and age‐at‐maturity of crucian carp in Britain.
• 2. The youngest mature crucian were female (age 2+), the smallest mature crucian were male (age 3+), with almost all fish mature at age 3+. Sex dimorphism in back‐calculated standard length at age was not observed except at age 2+ (juveniles longest). Shifts in morphological characters often associated with maturation (dorsal and ventral fin length, dorsal and anal fin depth, pre‐dorsal distance, body width) were observed between ages 4+ and 7+, which (in contrast to the relatively abrupt shift in maturity) suggests that age and size at maturation may not reflect the size and age of active (i.e. real) spawning.
• 3. Back‐calculated standard lengths at age for crucian carp were intermediate relative to other European populations, indicating that environmental conditions in England appear to be well suited to the species despite being at the westernmost extent of the species' native European range. The management of ornamental ponds specifically for crucian carp is discussed.

© Crown copyright 2007. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.