獐子岛海域浮游植物的粒径结构及碳流途径

根据2011年6月、10月、12月和2012年4月4个航次对獐子岛海域水温、分粒径Chl a浓度、透明度等参数的调查数据,分析了该海域Chl a浓度的时空变化特征,探讨了浮游植物的粒径结构、光合固碳能力及碳流途径。研究结果显示,獐子岛海域表、底层Chl a浓度年变化范围分别为0.07–6.28 µg/L和0.16–5.28 µg/L,年平均浓度分别为(1.60 ± 1.38) µg/L和(1.31 ± 1.10) µg/L,存在显著的季节差异(P<0.05)和空间分布的不均匀性,表、底层Chl a含量秋、春季节差异极显著(P<0.01)。表、底层浮游植物粒径组成均以微型浮游植物(Nano-phytoplankton)为主,贡献率分别为50.85%和44.64%。典范对应分析(CCA)结果表明,NO3-、PO43-和NH4+的3种形态无机营养盐对微型浮游植物有显著的影响,而水温和NO2-对微微型浮游植物(Pico-phytoplankton)影响显著。该海域初级生产力变化范围为40.31–1017.64 mg C/(m2·d),平均为(386.07±281.80) mg C/(m2·d)。超过38.3%的总初级生产通过微食物环向高营养级传递并入经典食物链,微食物环在獐子岛虾夷扇贝养殖生态系统中扮演着重要角色。     

桑沟湾浮游植物群落结构时空变化特征及影响因素

为了解北方典型养殖海湾——桑沟湾水域浮游植物群落结构的时空变化特征及其影响因素，于2017年4月(春季)、7月(夏季)、11月(秋季)和2018年1月(冬季)对桑沟湾水域21个站点进行4个航次的大面调查。结果显示，调查期间，该湾共采集到浮游植物31属51种，其中，硅藻(Diatom) 24属43种，甲藻(Dinoflagellate) 3属4种，绿藻(Chlorophyta) 2属2种，金藻(Chrysophyta) 2种，蓝藻(Cyanophyta) 1种。按照季节划分，春季22种，夏季20种，秋季23种，冬季20种。优势度指数分析结果表明，硅藻是绝对优势种，其中，具槽帕拉藻(Paralia sulcate)为全年优势种，数量百分比在18.6%~84.9%之间。浮游植物细胞丰度在0.16×103~12.20×103个/L之间，表现为冬季>春季>秋季>夏季。物种多样性指数(Shannon)范围为0.69~1.35，物种均匀度指数J (Pielou)范围为0.42~0.70。磷酸盐是桑沟湾浮游植物生长的主要限制营养盐。研究结果揭示了桑沟湾养殖水域浮游植物的时空变化特征，为深入认识养殖生态系统的结构和功能提供了基础数据。     

桑沟湾养殖水域微微型浮游生物的时空分布特征及环境影响因素

为了解规模化贝类养殖水域微微型浮游生物的时空分布特征,于2017年4、7、11月和2018年1月在北方典型规模化养殖海湾——桑沟湾开展了4个航次的大面积调查,利用流式细胞仪测定了聚球藻、微微型真核浮游生物和异养细菌3种微微型浮游生物的丰度,并分析了其与环境因子的关系。结果显示,聚球藻、微微型真核浮游生物和异养细菌的丰度均值分别为(2.93±2.29)×10~3、(13.84±12.81)×10~3和(1.03±0.28)×10~6个/mL,存在极显著的季节差异和空间分布的不均匀性。聚球藻春季主要分布于桑沟湾的西北、西南和湾外;夏季和冬季主要分布于湾外的大片海域;秋季则主要集中于西北近岸。微微型真核浮游生物四季均集中于湾内近岸海域,呈现从湾内向湾外递减的趋势。异养细菌夏季在湾外和西部近岸有一大一小两个高值区;春季、秋季和冬季均集中于西部近岸海域。微微型浮游生物与环境因子的相关性分析表明,3种微微型浮游生物的丰度均与叶绿素a浓度、温度和颗粒有机物呈显著正相关,而与溶解氧存在较为密切的负相关关系;微微型真核浮游生物与硝酸盐、铵盐呈显著正相关;聚球藻与磷酸盐、硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐无显著关系。     

桑沟湾营养盐时空分布及营养盐限制分析

根据2006年4、7、11月和2007年1月共4个航次的调查数据,分析了桑沟湾水域的溶解无机氮(DIN)、活性磷酸盐(PO43-)和活性硅酸盐(Si)含量的时空分布特征,采用营养盐浓度阈值法和化学计量法对桑沟湾营养盐潜在的限制性进行了分析。结果显示,桑沟湾DIN、PO43-、Si含量及分布呈现出明显的季节变化:DIN在秋季最高,春季最低;PO43-在秋季最高,夏季最低;Si在夏季最高,秋季最低。春季DIN和PO43-的含量低于理论上浮游植物生长的营养盐阈值的站位分别占44%和39%;夏季PO43-的潜在限制性较强,浓度低于营养盐阈值的站位占68%,受PO43-潜在限制的几率达79%,DIN和Si分别为5%和0;秋、冬季Si可能是浮游植物生长的主要限制因子。讨论了海水养殖、陆源输入及外海交换对营养盐时空分布的影响。目前,桑沟湾营养盐浓度基本属于国家一类、二类水质。但是,长期变化趋势显示DIN有上升的趋势。     

桑沟湾沉积物有机质的碳氮稳定同位素分析及其来源解析

本研究分析了桑沟湾表层沉积物的粒度、总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)、碳和氮稳定同位素(δ13C和δ15N)的时空分布特征,估算了贝藻生物沉积对近海沉积物有机质的贡献。结果显示,桑沟湾沉积物成分组成以粉砂为主,且粒径分布与海水养殖和水动力学条件密切相关;TOC、TN的季节变化和平面分布均呈相似性,数值上总体表现为春季最高,秋季最低,季节差异不大,在贝藻、鱼贝和贝类养殖区域出现较高值;而δ13C和δ15N的季节变化和平面分布有较大差异。从相关性分析可以看出,TOC和TN呈极显著正相关(r=0.955, P<0.001),表明桑沟湾表层沉积物的TOC和TN具有同源性。根据对δ13C和C/N的综合分析表明,贝类生物沉积、海带(Saccharina japonica)和土壤有机质是桑沟湾沉积物有机质的主要来源。采用三元混合模型估算得到贝类生物沉积贡献率为67.52%,土壤有机质贡献率为26.47%,海带贡献率为5.97%。研究表明,海洋贝藻生物沉积对近海碳埋藏具有显著影响。     

桑沟湾浮游植物生态特征

根据2003年8月～2005年5月桑沟湾4个航次调查结果，对该海区浮游植物的种类组成、数量分布和群落结构进行分析。结果表明，调查海域共检出浮游植物32属72种。其中，硅藻29属60种，占83.3%。甲藻3属12种，占16.7%。浮游植物数量的变动范围为5.0×10^4～3416.0×10^4cell/m^3，浮游植物数量均值的最高值出现在2003年8月，最低值出现在2005年5月。经多样性指数、丰富度指数、均匀度指数和单纯度指数分析，调查海域浮游植物的群落结构随季节变化明显，秋季的种类数、多样性明显高于春季。综合评价表明，桑沟湾海域浮游植物种类个体数量分布不均匀，生物多样性一般。     

桑沟湾浮游植物种类组成、数量分布及其季节变化

根据2006年4、7、11月和2007年1月4个航次的调查数据,分析了桑沟湾水域浮游植物种类组成、数量分布及其季节变化特征。调查期间共采集浮游植物28属92种(含变种和型),主要由硅藻类(74种)和甲藻类(11种)组成。优势度指数分析显示,硅藻是绝对优势种。物种多样性Shan-non-Wiener指数全湾平均变化范围在1.91～2.74之间(春季夏季秋季冬季)。桑沟湾浮游植物的细胞密度及其水平分布格局的季节变化较大,细胞密度冬季最高(平均为188.4×104cells/m3),春季(平均为63.0×104cells/m3)和秋季(平均为11.7×104cells/m3)次之,夏季最低(平均为9.2×104cells/m3),冬、夏季数量中心在湾内近岸浅水区,春、秋季在位于海湾中部的贝藻养殖区。与历史资料对比显示,经过20多年的养殖活动,桑沟湾浮游植物种类数量下降、优势种发生演变,湾内海水养殖品种、数量以及养殖模式是影响浮游植物数量及其季节变化的主要因素。     

桑沟湾水域叶绿素a在海带收获前后的变化及其影响因素

依据2014年5月和8月2个航次走航和定点连续调查资料,分析了桑沟湾水域叶绿素a的空间分布及海带养殖区叶绿素a(Chl.a)的昼夜变化特征,同时结合所调查的温度、盐度 、pH和营养盐等分布特征,分析了桑沟湾水域Chl.a浓度与理化因子的关系,探讨了海带收获前后Chl.a的变化及其影响因素。(1)走航调查的结果显示,桑沟湾夏季Chl.a浓度显著高于春季。桑沟湾春季表、底层总Chl.a浓度均值分别为(0.67±0.39)和(0.50±0.31)μg/L,表层Chl.a浓度高于底层,春季表层整体表现出自湾内向湾外逐渐降低的趋势;夏季表、底层总Chl.a浓度均值分别为(3.39±1.53)和(3.12±1.43)μg/L,表层Chl.a浓度高于底层。桑沟湾夏季表层Chl.a高值区出现在海带养殖区,低值区出现在贝类养殖区,夏季底层Chl.a高值区出现在贝类和海带养殖区,低值区出现在外海区。(2)定点连续监测结果显示,春季海带养殖区Chl.a浓度变化范围在0.24~0.95 μg/L,均值为(0.70±0.19)μg/L,昼夜波动较小。而夏季海带养殖区Chl.a浓度变化范围在2.01~4.66 μg/L,均值为(3.04±0.82)μg/L,昼夜波动较大。桑沟湾海带养殖区夏季Chl.a浓度显著高于春季。春季海带养殖区营养盐平均浓度及硅磷比、氮磷、硅氮比均显著低于夏季。(3)桑沟湾春季表层Chl.a浓度主要与温度、硅酸盐呈显著正相关,而夏季底层Chl.a浓度与盐度呈显著正相关。桑沟湾海带收获前后Chl.a的变化及分布受温度、硅酸盐、盐度、养殖环境状况和水文环境的共同影响,多元的贝藻养殖模式是影响Chl.a变化及分布的重要因素。     

莱州湾和桑沟湾养殖海区浮游植物的研究Ⅱ.

系统研究了桑沟湾浮游植物的周年变动,并对中国北方两个典型养殖海湾——莱州湾和桑沟湾的养殖模式及其与浮游植物数量变动的相互关系进行了比较。桑沟湾浮游植物数量在3月份达到高峰,此时的主要物种是中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum (Grev．)Cleve)和海链藻(Thalassiosira sp.)等。在桑沟湾,浮游植物的群落演替不明显,硅藻在全年都是主要类群。在实验进行的12个月当中,始终都是硅藻占绝对优势,其中10个月很难见到其他藻类,只有两个月发现水中有极少量的甲藻。通过对莱州湾和桑沟湾具体情况的比较,作者发现：海带对浮游植物的压制作用强于扇贝,扇贝的代谢作用有可能促进浮游植物的繁殖。从浮游植物的年际变化也可以看出,养殖模式对浮游植物的数量和种类组成都有或多或少的影响。     

莱州湾和桑沟湾养殖海区主要营养盐的周年变动及限制因子

于2001年3月至2002年3月在2个典型养殖海湾——莱州湾和桑沟湾,对其海水中主要营养盐进行了周年监测。结果显示,在莱州湾,总无机氮(TIN)浓度春季最低,冬季最高;活性磷酸盐(PO_4~(3-)-P)浓度春季最高,冬季最低;活性硅酸盐(SiO_3~(2-)-Si)浓度夏季最高,春季和秋季最低;N与P的浓度比[C(N)/C(P)]变化范围为1.145～128.61,年平均值为21.066±22.712。Si与N的浓度比[C(Si)/C(N)]的变化范围为0.000～0.922,年平均值为0.241±0.280。说明Si有可能是该湾主要的限制性元素。在莱州湾,总无机氮(TIN)浓度春季最低,夏季最高;活性磷酸盐(PO_4~(3-)-P)浓度冬季最高,夏季最低;活性硅酸盐(SiO_3~(2-)-Si)浓度夏季最高,最低值出现在春季和秋季;C(N)/C(P)的变化范围为1.482～149.935,年平均值为18.080±28.854;除夏、秋季部分月份外,N限制的可能性较大。C(Si)/C(N)的变化范围为0.000～2.840,年平均值为0.387±0.609,但大部分时间为0.5以下,表明Si也可能是桑沟湾的主要限制性营养盐。     

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.