短蛸微卫星多重PCR体系建立及交配模式分析

本研究对实验室开发的12对短蛸(Amphioctopus fangsiao)高多态性微卫星标记进行优化组合,构建了4组三重PCR体系,对短蛸4个母本(♀1、♀2、♀3和♀4)、104个子代及19个候选父本进行亲权鉴定,分析其交配模式。结果显示,构建的4组三重PCR体系可有效鉴定短蛸的亲权关系,104个子代鉴定率为94.23%。♀1组样品鉴定出12个子代,父本数为3个;♀2组样品鉴定出40个子代,父本数为7个;♀3组样品鉴定出19个子代,父本数为2个;♀4组样品鉴定出27个子代,父本数为4个;并且♂2、♂3、♂7和♂10均与2个以上的母本发生了交配。由此分析得出,短蛸交配模式存在多雌多雄关系。研究结果为高效开展短蛸人工繁育、增养殖及放流工作提供了重要参考。     

脉红螺交配后的性选择机制

交配后性选择是雌性混交动物中的一种普遍现象,其选择机制较为复杂,是性选择研究领域中的重点和难点问题。脉红螺是我国重要的大型经济贝类之一,繁殖形式为多雌多雄混交模式。为了研究该模式繁殖机制,本研究利用6个微卫星标记及行为学观察对脉红螺3个家系进行父权分析。结果表明,3个家系均存在多父性现象,证实脉红螺繁殖属于真正遗传意义上的雌性混交模式。3个家系中父权比例与父本的6个形态学参数及交配持续时间不存在关联性,但均表现出最先与母本交配的父本其后代比例最高,而最后交配的父本其后代比例最低,表明脉红螺交配后性选择存在最先雄性精子优先受精现象,这一现象符合"topping off"假说,即最先交配的雄性排放了大量精子占据了受精囊的主要空间,导致其子代的比例最高;而最后交配的雄性由于受精囊空间的限制,其精子占据空间最少。本研究为海洋无脊椎动物的交配后性选择机制研究提供重要参考资料。     

脉红螺交配后性选择机制

交配后性选择是雌性混交动物中的一种普遍现象,其选择机制较为复杂,是性选择研究领域中的重点和难点问题.脉红螺是我国重要的大型经济贝类之一,繁殖形式为多雌多雄混交模式.为了研究该模式繁殖机制,本研究利用6个微卫星标记及行为学观察对脉红螺3个家系进行父权分析.结果表明,3个家系均存在多父性现象,证实脉红螺繁殖属于真正遗传意义上的雌性混交模式.3个家系中父权比例与父本的6个形态学参数及交配持续时间不存在关联性,但均表现出最先与母本交配的父本其后代比例最高,而最后交配的父本其后代比例最低,表明脉红螺交配后性选择存在最先雄性精子优先受精现象,这一现象符合“topping off”假说,即最先交配的雄性排放了大量精子占据了受精囊的主要空间,导致其子代的比例最高;而最后交配的雄性由于受精囊空间的限制,其精子占据空间最少.本研究为海洋无脊椎动物的交配后性选择机制研究提供重要参考资料.     

奥利亚罗非鱼(♀)×鳜( ♂ )远缘杂交子代的遗传结构

采用RAPD和测序的方法,对奥利亚罗非鱼(Oreochromis aurea)(♀)与鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)(♂)的杂交子代组合与父母本的遗传关系进行研究,探讨远缘杂交双亲对子代遗传结构的影响。其中,杂交子代包括A、B、C 3个组合,A组合为奥利亚罗非鱼与鳜杂交的F1代;因A组合无雄性,将其与奥利亚罗非鱼(母本)的雄性回交,所得子代为B组合;C组合为B组合间兄妹交的自交子代。结果表明,奥利亚罗非鱼、鳜、A、B和C组合的多态位点比例分别为19.32%、15.30%、41.33%、29.80%和32.31%。奥利亚罗非鱼和鳜间的遗传相似性系数和遗传距离分别为0.288 5和1.243 2。A、B、C组合与父本的遗传相似性系数分别为0.343 4、0.293 7、0.328 7,遗传距离分别为1.068 9、1.225 1、1.112 5;与母本的遗传相似性系数分别为0.903 7、0.916 8、0.922 5,遗传距离分别为0.101 3、0.086 9、0.080 7。本研究中找到一个在杂交A、B及C组合均出现的与父本共有的条带。测序结果表明,该条带长362 bp,在子代与父本中的一致性为100%。研究结果说明,奥利亚罗非鱼和鳜杂交子代中导入了父本遗传物质,导致子代组合的多态性增加,与父本的遗传差异变小,而且,这些遗传物质能稳定进行遗传;随着A组合与母本的回交及B组合的自交,又使得杂交子代的遗传结构向母本靠近。[中国水产科学,2007,14(1):32-38]     

大黄鱼（♀）与鮸（♂）杂交的遗传分析

用大黄鱼（♀）和鮸（♂）进行属间杂交，获得了56.25%的受精率，45.24%的孵化率和0.65%的鱼苗成活率。对杂交亲本与子代进行了微卫星和AFLP标记的比较分析，结果表明：4个微卫星位点（LYC0003，LYC0006，LYC0007，LYC0008）都可扩增出清晰的亲本差异条带，26个F1个体中均未出现雄鱼特有条带；4 对选择性扩增引物（E-ACC/M-CAG, E-AAC/M-CAT, E-AAC/M-CTA, E-AGC/M-CTC）共检出326个AFLP条带，143条母本特异性条带中有132 条出现在子代中，94 条父本特异性条带中只有18 条出现在子代中，子代中另出现了33 条非亲条带。F1个体之间的遗传相似系数为0.891，与母本、父本间的遗传相似系数分别为0.853、0.271；F1个体之间的遗传距离为0.116，与母本、父本间的遗传距离分别为0.159、1.307，表明杂交子代与母本大黄鱼之间具有极高的遗传同质性，属异精雌核发育个体。     

基于COⅡ基因序列的中国近海12种蛸亚科动物的分子系统进化研究

为探讨我国近海蛸亚科(Octopodinae)动物的系统进化关系,本研究通过PCR扩增得到了东海区蛸亚科2属12种蛸类的线粒体COⅡ基因部分序列。纯化后测序,利用多个生物软件对序列变异和碱基组成进行分析。Kimura双参数法计算遗传距离,并结合GenBank上相关头足类同源序列构建NJ、UPGMA系统树。结果表明,蛸类COⅡ基因符合一般线粒体基因A+T含量较高的特点,有较为明显的反G偏倚。其变异位点较多的集中在第三位,编码的氨基酸序列变异位点较少。遗传距离分析表明,所得物种的遗传距离介于0.000与0.232 3之间,且大多位于0.140 0~0.200 0之间。聚类分析表明,所研究蛸类被明显地聚为两大类,即以真蛸为代表的长腕类和以砂蛸为代表的短腕类,证明了蛸属的非单系性。探讨了部分蛸类的分类地位,并就COⅡ基因在头足类系统进化研究的应用潜力进行了剖析。     

黄姑鱼异质雌核发育子代的遗传分析

为了解黄姑鱼（Nibea albiflora）异质雌核发育子代的基因纯合情况，利用微卫星标记（SSR）和扩增片段长度多态性标记（AFLP）对黄姑鱼异质雌核发育家系进行遗传鉴定和分析。结果显示：（1）雌核发育家系在4个SSR位点和5对AFLP引物组合扩增出的位点均未发现父本特异性等位条带，表明雌核发育体比率为100%。（2）用于遗传分析的7个SSR位点在雌核发育家系和正常交配家系中均未见完全纯合的情况，雌核发育家系7个SSR位点的平均纯合度为0.382，是正常交配家系（0.161）的2.37倍。雌核发育家系各个体的纯合位点数为0~6个，纯合位点所占比例为0~85.7%。（3）5对AFLP引物共扩增出182条清晰的扩增条带，其中有21条父本特异性条带和16条母本特异性条带。16条母本特异性条带中有7个条带在雌核发育家系中显著偏分离（P<0.05）。雌核发育家系和正常交配家系多态性条带比例分别为14.7%和20.3%。（4）雌核发育家系与母本的遗传相似度高于与正常交配家系的遗传相似度，正常交配家系同父本和母本的遗传距离大致相同。研究结果表明，黄姑鱼异质雌核发育二倍体家系的遗传纯合度显著高于正常交配家系，人工诱导雌核发育是促进基因纯合的一个有效途径，它不仅可以加速有利基因的纯合固定，还可以加速有害基因的淘汰，从而有效提高育种效率。     

奥利亚罗非鱼（♀）&#215;鳜（♂）远缘杂交子代与亲本血液学指标的比较

本研究对奥利亚罗非鱼（Oreochromisaurea）（♀）&#215;鳜（Sinipercachuatsi）（♂）远缘杂交子代（F2和F3）与双亲的血液常规参数和血液生化指标进行了比较，探讨杂交对子代血液学指标的影响。杂交子代具有两种来源，第一种的杂交母本为中心奥利亚罗非鱼（子代简称中心奥利亚杂交）：另一种的母本为埃及奥利亚罗非鱼（子代简称埃及奥利亚杂交）。用于对照实验的母本为中心奥利亚罗非鱼。结果显示，中心奥利亚杂交F2与对照母本F2在2个血液常规参数和1个血液生化指标上存在显著差异（P〈0．05），与父本鳜则有6个血常规参数和4个血液生化指标具有显著差异（P〈0.05）。中心奥利亚杂交F3与对照母本F3在4个血液常规参数和2个血液生化指标上存在着显著差异（P〈0.05），与父本鳜有6个血常规参数和4个血液生化指标具有显著差异（P〈0．05）。埃及奥利亚杂交F2与对照母本F2在4个血液常规参数和4个血液生化指标上存在着显著差异（P〈0.05），与父本鳜则有6个血常规参数和4个血液生化指标具有显著差异（P〈0．05）。埃及奥利亚杂交F3与对照母本R在2个血液常规参数和3个血液生化指标上存在显著差异（P〈0.05），与父本鳜则有7个参数和3个血液生化指标具有显著差异（P〈0．05）。不同品系来源的杂交后代中，2个F2群体在1个血常规参数和1个血液生化指标上具有显著差异（P〈0．05），而2个F3群体仪1个血液生化指标具有显著差异（P〈0．05）。研究结果表明，杂交子代与双亲在血液组成上均存在差异，但其更接近于母本。这些差异可能是由于杂交所引起的遗传结构变化所致。     

牙鲆减数分裂与有丝分裂雌核发育的遗传差异

利用同一尾牙鲆亲鱼的同一批卵子诱导减数分裂雌核发育二倍体和有丝分裂雌核发育二倍体,同时用牙鲆精子做人工授精制备普通二倍体,作为对照组。利用10对微卫星引物对普通二倍体和两种雌核发育二倍体进行遗传分析。结果表明,母本基因型在8个位点为杂合,2个位点为纯合。普通二倍体有6种基因型,等位基因均来自父母本的随机结合,类型丰富;母本与子代、子代个体之间的遗传相似系数分别为0.452 8和0.560 3,接近随机交配群体的遗传相似度。减数分裂雌核发育二倍体有3种基因型,除在1个位点出现异于母本的纯合基因型外,其他所有位点的基因型与母本完全一致;母本与子代、子代个体之间遗传相似系数分别为0.976 6和0.959 5,接近近交系的遗传相似度。有丝分裂雌核发育二倍体有2种基因型,且全部为纯合型;母本与子代、子代个体之间遗传相似系数分别为0.806 2和0.742 5,有丝分裂雌核发育二倍体全部为纯合个体。减数分裂雌核发育二倍体具有高度的遗传相似性,适于固定母本性状;有丝分裂雌核发育二倍体纯合度高,适于作为制备克隆的亲本;两者具有明显不同的遗传特性,均可作为特征不同的育种材料。     

褐牙鲆(♀)、夏鲆(♂)及其杂交子一代的ITS1序列特征分析

以雌褐牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)、雄夏鲆(P.dentatus)及其子一代为研究对象,对其核糖体基因的ITS1序列进行比较分析。结果表明,ITS1序列具有明显的种间及个体内差异。在雄夏鲆ITS1序列中仅发现1种基因类型(X型),而在雌褐牙鲆及子一代ITS1序列中发现两种差异显著的基因型(X型和Y型)。在亲本中未检测到两种类型的交换重组序列,而在子代中检测到4个X型与Y型的重组序列,说明子代ITS1区域更容易发生交换重组。进一步的遗传距离分析发现,母本与子代之间的遗传距离(0.059)明显大于父本与子代之间的遗传距离(0.018),且子代中X型片段出现的频率(85.5%)远大于Y型片段出现频率(8.7%),表明亲本双方ITS1区域的遗传信息都遗传给了子代并且X型片段的遗传信息明显占有优势,进而从分子水平上证明子代为褐牙鲆与夏鲆的杂交后代。本研究旨在分析牙鲆属亲本及子代的ITS1序列特征,为鱼类核糖体基因的研究积累数据。     

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.