不同饲料对军曹鱼组织消化酶活力的影响

比较研究了投喂冰鲜鱼和人工配合饲料的军曹鱼胃、前肠以及肝脏消化酶(蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶)活力.试验结果表明,(1)蛋白酶活力:前肠与肝脏的蛋白酶比活力,投喂配合饲料组显著高于冰鲜鱼组(P<0.05),而胃中的蛋白酶比活力以冰鲜鱼组显著高于配合饲料组(P<0.05);(2)胰蛋白酶活力:胃中胰蛋白酶比活力,冰鲜鱼组显著高于配合饲料组(P<0.05),前肠与肝脏的胰蛋白酶比活力配合饲料显著高于冰鲜鱼组(P<0.05);(3)淀粉酶活力:胃中的淀粉酶比活力,冰鲜鱼组显著高于配合饲料组(P <0.05),前肠的淀粉酶比活力则是配合饲料组显著高于冰鲜鱼组(P<0.05),两种饲料对军曹鱼肝脏淀粉酶比活力影响不显著(P>0.05);(4)脂肪酶活力:胃及前肠的脂肪酶比活力两种饲料间差异不显著(P>0.05),但肝脏的脂肪酶比活力则以配合饲料组显著高于冰鲜鱼组(P<0.05).     

大弹涂鱼仔稚鱼和早期幼鱼的消化酶活性

采用酶学分析的方法，研究了大弹涂鱼前期仔鱼、后期仔鱼、稚鱼和早期幼鱼发育过程中胰腺酶、肠酶和胃蛋白酶活性的变化。结果表明，(1)4种胰腺酶(淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶、糜蛋白酶和羧肽酶A)和8种肠酶(麦芽糖酶、蔗糖酶、乳糖酶、海藻糖酶、纤维二糖酶、碱性磷酸酶、氨基肽酶和γ-谷氨酰转肽酶)的比活力均在仔鱼期较高，稚鱼期降至最低，早期幼鱼则急剧上升，而每尾鱼酶的总活力却随着幼体的发育而逐渐增加；(2)胃蛋白酶活性在后期仔鱼才开始检测到，此后一直呈显著上升趋势；(3)早期幼鱼肠部位的4种胰腺酶活性分别占其酶总活性的百分比均显著高于稚鱼期；(4) 稚鱼期仅3种肠酶(麦芽糖酶、纤维二糖酶和γ-谷氨酰转肽酶)高度富积在肠刷状缘膜上，而早期幼鱼除蔗糖酶外的7种肠酶在肠刷状缘膜上的富集系数均大于5.1。由此得出结论，(1)在仔鱼期，蛋白质的消化是依靠胰腺酶进行的，进入稚鱼期，胃蛋白酶开始对蛋白质的消化起重要作用；(2)在早期幼鱼，胰腺分泌机制及肠细胞已完全成熟，标志着成鱼的消化模式的形成。     

鱼类消化酶活性与其体长、体重和水质的相关性研究

对主养草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)池塘中4种鱼类消化器官的胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶的活性与鱼体长、体重及主要水质指标的相关性进行了研究。结果显示,草鱼肠道和肝胰脏的胃蛋白酶与水温具有显著正相关(P<0.05),而草鱼肠道胰蛋白酶、肠道和肝胰脏的脂肪酶以及鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)肝胰脏中淀粉酶与水温呈负相关(P>0.05)。4种鱼的消化酶活性与总氮和总磷呈正相关。匙吻鲟(Polyodon spathula)的脂肪酶和淀粉酶活性与化学耗氧量呈负相关;除鲢外,其他3种鱼的胃蛋白酶活性均与水体硬度和碱度呈正相关,而胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶均与水体硬度和碱度呈负相关。草鱼和鳙(Aristichthys nobilis)肠道胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶以及匙吻鲟消化道和肝脏胰蛋白酶与鱼的体长、体重均具有显著的正相关。     

pH对嘉陵江鲇消化酶活性的影响

采用酶学分析方法研究了pH对嘉陵江鲇(Silurus asotus)胃、前肠、中肠、后肠和肝胰脏中蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性的影响。结果表明,在设定的pH范围内,鲇各消化酶的活性均随着pH的升高呈现先升后降的变化趋势。鲇胃、肠道和肝胰脏中蛋白酶的最适pH分别为2.2、7.0、7.4;淀粉酶的最适pH均为7.0,脂肪酶的最适pH分别为7.0、7.0、7.4。除胃蛋白酶的最适pH为酸性外,其它消化酶的最适pH均为中性或弱碱性。说明嘉陵江鲇的各种消化酶的活性存在着器官特异性。在最适pH条件下,蛋白酶的活性为前肠>肝胰脏>胃>中肠>后肠,淀粉酶的活性顺序为肝胰脏>胃>前肠>中肠>后肠,脂肪酶的活性顺序为肝胰脏>胃>前肠>中肠>后肠。表明在不同pH条件下,相同部位的同种消化酶活性的差异显著;在各自最适pH条件下,不同器官的同种消化酶活性也有显著差异。     

不同水平蚯蚓和蚯蚓粪对改良鲫消化酶活性的影响

为研究赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia foetida)及蚓粪对改良鲫(Carassius auratus)消化酶活性的影响,分别以赤子爱胜蚓及蚓粪为添加剂,配制了蚯蚓浆添加量分别为2.5%、5.0%、7.5%和蚓粪添加量分别为2.0%、4.0%、6.0%的6组饲料,进行了为期100 d的投喂试验。结果显示:(1)与对照组相比,在饲料中添加5%的蚯蚓可极显著提高改良鲫整个肠道脂肪酶、后肠胰蛋白酶、后肠胃蛋白酶的活性(P0.01);显著提高后肠淀粉酶、前肠胃蛋白酶、中肠胰蛋白酶的活性(P0.05)。在饲料中添加4%的蚓粪,可极显著提高前肠和后肠脂肪酶、后肠胃蛋白酶的活性(P0.01);显著提高前肠胃蛋白酶的活性(P0.05);但可极其显著降低中肠脂肪酶的活性(P0.01)。(2)饲料中添加蚯蚓不会影响淀粉酶、脂肪酶、胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶在肠道和肝脏中的分布规律,试验组鱼的肝脏中未检测出脂肪酶活性。饲料中添加蚓粪不会影响胃蛋白酶的活性分布,但对脂肪酶、淀粉酶和胰蛋白酶的分布规律有影响。(3)从提高改良鲫消化酶活性的效果看,蚯蚓的作用优于蚓粪。     

配合饲料对青石斑鱼生长和消化酶活性的影响

探讨市售配合饲料对青石斑鱼生长和消化酶活性的影响,为日后研制青石斑鱼的全价配合饲料提供依据.将120尾2龄雌性青石斑鱼随机分成两组,每组3个平行,分别用小杂鱼(对照组)和湿颗粒饲料(试验组)饲喂112 d.从每个平行中随机抽取5尾鱼,测定特定生长率和消化酶活性.试验结果:试验组鱼的特定生长率显著高于对照组(P<0.05);在胃部,试验组鱼的胃蛋白酶活性高十对照组(P<0.05),胰蛋门酶活性低于对照组(P<0.05);在肠道,试验组鱼的脂肪酶、胃蛋白酶活性高于对照组(P<0.05);在肝脏,试验组鱼的脂肪酶、胰蛋白酶活性均低于对照组(P<0.05).结果表明,投喂配合饲料可以显著提高青石斑鱼胃部的胃蛋白酶活性、肠道的脂肪酶和胃蛋白酶活性,但也降低了胃部、肠道和肝脏的胰蛋白酶活性;同时,配合饲料可以提高青石斑鱼的生长速度.     

甲壳动物幼体消化酶研究进展

通过研究近年来国内外学者关于甲壳动物幼体消化酶方面的研究现状,发现目前已测定出甲壳动物幼体消化酶的种类主要有：蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶、羧肽酶A、羧肽酶B、氨肽酶、胶原酶、弹性蛋白酶、胃蛋白酶、糜蛋白酶、酯酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶、纤维素酶、几丁质酶、麦芽糖酶、蔗糖酶、昆布多糖酶等种类,初步归纳了甲壳动物幼体主要消化酶的分子量、最适pH和最适温度;分析了幼体发育过程中消化酶活力变化模式以及与食性的关系,并采用淀粉酶/蛋白酶活力（A/P）比值或淀粉酶/类胰蛋白酶（A/T）比值作为甲壳动物幼体的食性指标;观察了幼体消化器官的发育,阐明幼体消化酶的合成与分泌不仅由遗传控制、中肠腺发育程度等因子决定,而且还与饲料的营养水平有关,提出采用幼体消化酶对饲料组成的适应性研究幼体营养需求的新途径.[中国水产科学,2006,13（3）：492-501]     

2龄西伯利亚鲟消化酶活性分布

研究了人工养殖条件下2龄西伯利亚鲟(Acipenser baerii)消化酶活性及分布特征。通过对5种消化器官(胃、肝脏、幽门盲囊、十二指肠、瓣肠)中淀粉酶、蛋白酶、脂肪酶3种消化酶活性的测定,结果发现,幽门盲囊、十二指肠、瓣肠是淀粉酶的主要分泌器官,淀粉酶活性在幽门盲囊中最高,其次是十二指肠,幽门盲囊和十二指肠之间无显著性差异(P0.05),但均显著高于瓣肠(P0.05);胃和肝脏淀粉酶活性极低,与幽门盲囊、十二指肠、瓣肠有显著性差异(P0.05)。胃和瓣肠是蛋白酶分泌主要器官,胃中蛋白酶活性最高,其次是瓣肠,二者之间有显著性差异(P0.05);幽门盲囊、十二指肠和肝脏蛋白酶活性显著低于胃和瓣肠(P0.05)。瓣肠、十二指肠和幽门盲囊是脂肪酶分泌的主要器官,瓣肠中脂肪酶活性最高,其次是十二指肠,二者之间无显著性差异(P0.05),但显著高于幽门盲囊(P0.05);胃和肝脏脂肪酶活性最低,与前三者差异显著(P0.05)。研究结果表明,西伯利亚鲟3种消化酶的主要分泌器官不同,研究结果可为了解西伯利亚鲟的消化生理特点提供依据。     

青海湖裸鲤和花斑裸鲤消化酶活力对比

本实验对比研究青海湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris przewalskii)和花斑裸鲤(Gymnocypris eckloni)消化酶活性差异。两种鱼各挑选9尾体重100g左右的鱼作为实验对象,分别检测肝胰脏、前肠、中肠及后肠中的脂肪酶、淀粉酶、糜蛋白酶和胰蛋白酶活性。结果表明:作为无胃鱼,两种鱼肠道消化酶活性显著高于肝胰脏,其中前肠是主要的消化器官,后肠具有较高的蛋白质消化能力。通过对比研究发现青海湖裸鲤具有较高的脂肪和糖类消化能力,而花斑裸鲤具有较高的蛋白质消化能力。     

不同发育时期月鳢消化酶活性的研究

对月鳢(Channa asiatica)稚鱼、幼鱼和成鱼的主要消化酶活性及分布进行了研究。结果表明,随着鱼体的发育和生长,月鳢消化系统各器官组织的各种消化酶活性逐渐增强,尤其是蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性的增强更为明显。月鳢幼鱼蛋白酶活性以肠组织最大、肝胰脏次之、胃组织最小,且肠组织和肝胰脏中该酶活性显著高于胃组织;胰蛋白酶活性以肝胰脏最大,胃组织和肠组织均表现较小;淀粉酶和脂肪酶活性均以胃组织最大,且显著大于肠组织和肝胰脏。月鳢成鱼蛋白酶活性以中肠粘膜组织和后肠粘膜组织最高,前肠粘膜和肝胰脏次之,胃粘膜最低;胰蛋白酶活性以中肠粘膜组织和前肠粘膜最高,胃粘膜组织次之,肝胰脏小于胃粘膜,后肠粘膜组织的胰蛋白酶活性最小;淀粉酶活性以后肠粘膜组织和中肠粘膜组织最大,肝胰脏次之,胃粘膜组织和前肠粘膜组织最小;脂肪酶活性以胃粘膜组织最大,其它器官组织该酶活性均表现较小。     

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.