半滑舌鳎多聚免疫球蛋白受体(pIgR)基因的克隆和表达分析

本研究根据半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)基因组数据库中预测的多聚免疫球蛋白受体(Polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, pIgR)序列,通过PCR和RACE技术获得了半滑舌鳎pIgR基因cDNA,全长为1419 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)为1020 bp,编码339个氨基酸,5′UTR区域为109 bp,3′UTR区域为290bp。保守结构域分析显示,半滑舌鳎pIgR蛋白包含1个信号肽,2个免疫球蛋白功能域(Ig-like domain, ILD)和1个跨膜结构域。经蛋白序列同源比对和系统进化树分析,发现半滑舌鳎pIgR与大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)和牙鲆(Paralichthy solivaceus)的pIgR亲缘关系最近。实时荧光定量PCR分析显示,pIgR基因在健康半滑舌鳎的不同组织中均有表达,在鳃中表达较高,在肌肉中表达最低。经哈维氏弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)病原感染刺激后,pIgR基因在半滑舌鳎的5个组织(肝脏、脾脏、肾脏、肠和鳃)中均呈先上升后下降的趋势,其中,在脾脏和鳃中48 h达到最高值,在肝脏、肾脏和肠中72 h达到峰值。与内脏组织不同的是,pIgR基因在皮肤中呈一直上升的趋势。上述结果表明,pIgR基因在半滑舌鳎抵御哈维氏弧菌的免疫应答中发挥重要作用。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) c-Jun基因的克隆及免疫应答分析

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)AP-1家族转录因子c-Jun基因(Jun proto-oncogene)及其在免疫应答中的作用尚无报道.本研究根据半滑舌鳎转录组数据库中预测的c-Jun序列,通过RACE技术和PCR扩增方法获得了半滑舌鳎c-Jun基因cDNA全长2093 bp,CDS区域共981 bp,编码326个氨基酸,5'UTR区域377 bp,3'UTR区域735 bp.SMART分析显示,C-JUN蛋白具有2个结构域:AP-1家族典型结构域Jun,以及高度保守的亮氨酸拉链结构域(BRLZ).经蛋白多序列同源比对、系统进化树分析,发现半滑舌鳎c-Jun与虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)c-Jun亲缘关系最近.实时荧光定量PCR分析显示,c-Jun基因在半滑舌鳎不同组织中普遍表达,在卵巢中表达量最高.鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)人工感染半滑舌鳎后,c-Jun基因在肝脏、脾脏、头肾、小肠、鳃、血液中表达量都出现不同程度上调,其中,鳃中变化最明显:感染12h后表达量达到0h时的13.20倍.使用LPS、PGN、PolyI:C和WGP病原模拟物刺激半滑舌鳎外周血淋巴细胞,结果显示,WGP诱导c-Jun基因上调表达,而LPS与PolyI:C均下调基因表达.以上实验结果表明,c-Jun基因在半滑舌鳎的免疫防御中发挥重要作用.     

半滑舌鳎CD40基因克隆及其免疫功能分析

本研究通过RACE技术在半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)中克隆得到1个CD40同源基因。该基因c DNA全长为2098 bp,开放阅读框为1011 bp,可编码由336个氨基酸组成的蛋白质。推导得到的CD40氨基酸序列包含1个信号肽、1个跨膜结构区、2个N-糖基化位点以及含4个富含半胱氨酸的保守结构区。不同物种氨基酸序列同源分析结果显示,该基因与哺乳类、两栖类以及硬骨鱼类相似性为28%~47%,其中与硬骨鱼类相似性较高。系统进化分析结果显示,半滑舌鳎CD40与其他硬骨鱼类CD40聚类为一支,哺乳类与两栖类CD40聚类为另一支。荧光定量PCR结果显示,CD40在健康半滑舌鳎不同组织中均有表达,其中在鳃、肝和脾等组织中表达量较高,在肠、肌肉和皮肤中表达量较低,在脑和肾中微量表达。经哈维氏弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)感染刺激后,与PBS处理的对照组相比,该基因m RNA在半滑舌鳎3个主要免疫组织(肝、脾和肾)中表达量均呈显著性升高,在肝中12 h到达峰值,在脾和肾中6 h达到峰值。上述结果表明CD40基因参与了半滑舌鳎抵抗哈维氏弧菌的免疫应答反应。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)c-Jun基因的克隆及免疫应答分析

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)AP-1家族转录因子c-Jun基因(Jun proto-oncogene)及其在免疫应答中的作用尚无报道。本研究根据半滑舌鳎转录组数据库中预测的c-Jun序列,通过RACE技术和PCR扩增方法获得了半滑舌鳎c-Jun基因c DNA全长2093 bp,CDS区域共981 bp,编码326个氨基酸,5'UTR区域377 bp,3'UTR区域735 bp。SMART分析显示,C-JUN蛋白具有2个结构域:AP-1家族典型结构域Jun,以及高度保守的亮氨酸拉链结构域(BRLZ)。经蛋白多序列同源比对、系统进化树分析,发现半滑舌鳎c-Jun与虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)c-Jun亲缘关系最近。实时荧光定量PCR分析显示,c-Jun基因在半滑舌鳎不同组织中普遍表达,在卵巢中表达量最高。鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)人工感染半滑舌鳎后,c-Jun基因在肝脏、脾脏、头肾、小肠、鳃、血液中表达量都出现不同程度上调,其中,鳃中变化最明显:感染12 h后表达量达到0 h时的13.20倍。使用LPS、PGN、Poly I:C和WGP病原模拟物刺激半滑舌鳎外周血淋巴细胞,结果显示,WGP诱导c-Jun基因上调表达,而LPS与Poly I:C均下调基因表达。以上实验结果表明,c-Jun基因在半滑舌鳎的免疫防御中发挥重要作用。     

剑尾鱼卵黄蛋白原C(Vg C)全长cDNA的克隆及表达

利用逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)和cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)等方法,克隆获得剑尾鱼卵黄蛋白原C(Vg C)基因的全长cDNA序列。剑尾鱼Vg C基因cDNA序列全长4 011 bp,其5′非编码区包含12 bp和3′非编码区包含246 bp;含有一个3 753 bp的开放阅读框(ORF),编码1 250个氨基酸,推测其编码氨基酸分子量大小为141.7 ku,编码氨基酸序列与其他鱼类卵黄白原C编码氨基酸序列相似性在44%～85%。荧光定量PCR结果显示,Vg C在剑尾鱼肝脏中表达量最高,脾、肾、卵巢中有微量表达,脑、肌肉、鳃中几乎没有检测到表达;对不同时间暴露在雌激素中剑尾鱼肝脏进行实时荧光定量PCR表达分析的结果表明,Vg C在剑尾鱼肝脏中第5天表达量最高,随后降低,第9天后维持相对较低的表达量。研究首次克隆了剑尾鱼Vg C基因全长cDNA序列,并对Vg C在剑尾鱼体内表达组织器官分布及雌激素诱导后不同时间表达谱进行了初步研究,为剑尾鱼生殖生理及环境污染物监测应用等不同领域研究打下重要基础。     

半滑舌鳎髓样分化因子的克隆和表达分析

髓样分化因子(Myeloid differentiation factor88,MyD88)是Toll/IL-lR家族成员,是TLR信号通路中的一个关键接头分子,在天然免疫系统中具有重要作用。迄今,在重要海水养殖鱼类半滑舌鳎中尚未见有关MyD88的研究报道。本研究克隆了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)MyD88基因,并对其表达模式进行了初步研究。半滑舌鳎MyD88基因的cDNA全长为1612bp,其中包括132bp的5′非翻译区(UTR),590bp的3′UTR和编码285个氨基酸残基的858bp的开放阅读框(ORF)。MyD88蛋白在N端具有死亡结构域(Death Domain,DD),C端具有TIR结构域(Toll/IL-1Receptor Domain,TIR),MyD88基因组全长为2923bp,包括5个外显子和4个内含子。系统进化树分析表明,半滑舌鳎MyD88和牙鲆聚在一起,具有最近的亲缘关系。实时定量PCR结果显示,MyD88基因几乎在所有组织中都有表达,在血液、脾脏、头肾、肝脏等免疫组织和精巢、卵巢生殖腺中具有较高水平的表达。利用LPS(lipopolysaccharide)、PGN(peptidoglycan)和poly I∶C作为免疫刺激源感染半滑舌鳎外周血淋巴细胞的结果显示,三者均可诱导MyD88基因的表达上调。鳗弧菌(Vibrio angaillarum)感染实验表明,注射鳗弧菌96h后MyD88基因在脾脏中表达量升高了近180倍、在肝脏中的表达量升高了60多倍;在注射鳗弧菌48h后,头肾中表达量升高了近5倍。上述实验暗示,MyD88基因在半滑舌鳎天然免疫防御系统中具有重要作用。     

半滑舌鳎促性腺激素α亚基cDNA的克隆及组织表达特征

采用同源克隆和末端快速扩增（RACE）方法,从半滑舌鳎脑垂体中克隆了促性腺激素α亚基（CGα）全长cDNA（GenBank序列登录号：JQ364953）.半滑舌鳎CGα基因全长685bp,其开放阅读框384bp,编码含127个氨基酸的蛋白,N端33个氨基酸为信号肽.半滑舌鳎CGα成熟肽与其他脊椎动物CGα成熟肽结构特征相似,具有10个半胱氨酸残基和两个N-糖基化位点.CGα成熟肽序列分析表明,半滑舌鳎CGα与鲽形目和鲈形目鱼类CGα同源性为60％～70％,与鲤形目鱼类CGα同源性为55％～60％.实时荧光定量RT-PCR结果表明,半滑舌鳎CGα mRNA在被检测的12个组织中均有表达,除头肾和脾脏、脾脏和肝脏间表达量差异不显著外,其他组织间表达量差异显著（P＜0.05）;CGα mRNA在垂体组织中大量表达,其次是鳃、肾脏、肌肉、卵巢和脑组织,而在心脏、头肾、肝和脾等组织中表达量很低.本研究为进一步探讨促性腺激素在半滑舌鳎繁殖生理中的作用机制奠定基础.     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) Nramp基因克隆与表达分析及SNP筛选

天然抗性相关巨噬细胞蛋白(Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein, Nramp)属于膜整合转运蛋白,具有抑制胞内寄生菌侵染、调节巨噬细胞的抗菌活性等作用。本研究对半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)Nramp基因进行了克隆和表达分析,并对其与抗鳗弧菌感染相关的单核苷酸多态性(Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, SNP)位点进行了筛选。该基因cDNA序列全长3717 bp,其中开放阅读框(Open reading frame, ORF)1677 bp,所编码蛋白含有558个氨基酸,该蛋白具有Nramp家族的典型特征,包括10个跨膜区(Transmembrane, TM)、1个由20个氨基酸残基组成的胞质内转运蛋白特征结构域(Consensus Transport Motif, CTM)。半滑舌鳎Nramp的ORF末端有1个类似于脊椎动物Nramp2中的铁反应控制蛋白结合位点(Iron-responsive regulatory protein-binding site, IRE)。半滑舌鳎Nramp与其他14个物种的Nramp氨基酸序列同源性在63%?91%之间,系统进化分析表明,半滑舌鳎Nramp和所有鱼类Nramp聚集为一簇,与其他物种Nramp2的亲缘关系较近。实时荧光定量PCR分析显示,Nramp基因在半滑舌鳎脾脏和肾脏中的表达量最高,而在肌肉和性腺中的表达量最低;在哈维氏弧菌感染的半滑舌鳎肾脏、脾脏和肝脏中表达量呈升高趋势,而在鳃中则表现为下调趋势。利用直接测序法检测感染鳗弧菌后同一家系的233个个体(抗病个体165个,感病个体68个),共检测到15个SNP位点,对其中3个SNP 位点即 SNP-g.3113(T→C)、SNP-g.3125(A→G)和 SNP-g.3164(A→T)进行测序分型后发现,SNP- g.3125(A→G)的等位基因(G)频率和基因型(GG)频率与半滑舌鳎抗鳗弧菌疾病呈极显著相关(P<0.01)。研究结果表明,Nramp 基因不同基因型对半滑舌鳎的抗病能力有着极其重要的影响,SNP-g.3125(A→G)可作为潜在的抗性遗传标记位点。本研究将为半滑舌鳎抗性品系培育提供技术支持。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)Nramp基因克隆与表达分析及SNP筛选

天然抗性相关巨噬细胞蛋白(Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein,Nramp)属于膜整合转运蛋白,具有抑制胞内寄生菌侵染、调节巨噬细胞的抗菌活性等作用。本研究对半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)Nramp基因进行了克隆和表达分析,并对其与抗鳗弧菌感染相关的单核苷酸多态性(Single Nucleotide Polymorphism,SNP)位点进行了筛选。该基因c DNA序列全长3717 bp,其中开放阅读框(Open reading frame,ORF)1677 bp,所编码蛋白含有558个氨基酸,该蛋白具有Nramp家族的典型特征,包括10个跨膜区(Transmembrane,TM)、1个由20个氨基酸残基组成的胞质内转运蛋白特征结构域(Consensus Transport Motif,CTM)。半滑舌鳎Nramp的ORF末端有1个类似于脊椎动物Nramp2中的铁反应控制蛋白结合位点(Iron-responsive regulatory protein-binding site,IRE)。半滑舌鳎Nramp与其他14个物种的Nramp氨基酸序列同源性在63%-91%之间,系统进化分析表明,半滑舌鳎Nramp和所有鱼类Nramp聚集为一簇,与其他物种Nramp2的亲缘关系较近。实时荧光定量PCR分析显示,Nramp基因在半滑舌鳎脾脏和肾脏中的表达量最高,而在肌肉和性腺中的表达量最低;在哈维氏弧菌感染的半滑舌鳎肾脏、脾脏和肝脏中表达量呈升高趋势,而在鳃中则表现为下调趋势。利用直接测序法检测感染鳗弧菌后同一家系的233个个体(抗病个体165个,感病个体68个),共检测到15个SNP位点,对其中3个SNP位点即SNP-g.3113(T→C)、SNP-g.3125(A→G)和SNP-g.3164(A→T)进行测序分型后发现,SNPg.3125(A→G)的等位基因(G)频率和基因型(GG)频率与半滑舌鳎抗鳗弧菌疾病呈极显著相关(P0.01)。研究结果表明,Nramp基因不同基因型对半滑舌鳎的抗病能力有着极其重要的影响,SNP-g.3125(A→G)可作为潜在的抗性遗传标记位点。本研究将为半滑舌鳎抗性品系培育提供技术支持。     

半滑舌鳎甘露糖结合凝集素相关丝氨酸蛋白酶1基因的克隆及表达分析

甘露糖结合凝集素相关丝氨酸蛋白酶1(Mannan-binding lectin associated serine protease 1,MASP1)是补体凝集素途径中起重要作用的激活蛋白。本研究以半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)为研究对象,应用RACE技术和实时荧光定量qRT-PCR技术对半滑舌鳎MASP1基因(Cynoglossus semilaevis MASP1,CsMASP1)进行了克隆和表达模式分析。结果显示,CsMASP1基因c DNA序列全长为2507 bp,5′非编码区长82 bp,3′非编码区长142 bp,开放阅读框长2283 bp,共编码760个氨基酸;CsMASP1基因包含13个外显子和12个内含子,与多数已知鱼类的MASP1基因结构一致;SMART分析显示,CsMASP1包含6个结构域,与哺乳动物、鸟类、其他鱼类的结构域一致;同源比对发现,CsMASP1和鱼类的相似度较高,与金目鲈(Latescalcarifer)的相似性最高,为76%。CsMASP1基因在11种健康组织(血液、脑、鳃、性腺、心脏、头肾、肠、肝、皮肤、脾和后肾)中均有表达,其中,在肝、脾和头肾中表达量较高;鳗弧菌(Vibro anguillarum)感染后,CsMASP1基因在6种免疫组织(血液、鳃、头肾、肠、肝和脾)中呈现不同的表达模式,在6种免疫组织中呈现明显的上调表达,肝的表达峰值出现在感染后24 h;脾和鳃的表达峰值出现在感染后6 h;肠、头肾和血液的表达峰值均出现在感染后12h;随着病原菌感染时间增加,基因表达量逐渐降低并恢复至正常水平。研究表明,CsMASP1基因参与了半滑舌鳎的免疫应答过程,本结果为半滑舌鳎的免疫机理研究奠定了基础。     

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).     

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.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

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.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.