鳜pep和gh基因SNP标记与驯食性状的关联分析

以鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)选育群体为实验材料,在易驯食与不易驯食鳜转录组Unigene数据库中共预测到4809个SNP位点,其中胃蛋白酶基因(pepsinoge, pep)和生长激素基因(growth hormone, gh)均为转录组筛选获得的鳜驯食性状候选基因,本研究将候选基因上的多态SNP位点在易驯食和不易驯食鳜群体中进行基因分型,并与鳜驯食性状进行关联分析。在易驯食与不易驯食的鳜群体中共发现5个单核苷酸(SNP)多态性位点,有效等位基因(N_e)在1.1959～1.7001,观测杂合度(H_o)和期望杂合度(H_e)分别分布于0.1800～0.3585和0.1655～0.4160,多态信息含量(PIC)为0.2477,全部位点都属于中度多态性位点。结果表明SNP位点pep-A T/C中2种基因型TT和CT与鳜驯食性状呈高水平显著相关(P0.05),组合得到的3种基因型Genotype1(CT,CC/CT/TT,AA,AA,TT)、Genotype2(TT,CC/CT/TT, AA, AA, TT)和Genotype3(TT, CC, AA, AA, TT)也与鳜驯食性状呈高水平显著相关(P0.05),显著影响鳜驯食性状表型,其中Genotype2相关性最高,可作为最优基因型个体进行选育。本研究在鳜pep和gh基因中鉴定出与驯食性状呈显著关联的SNP分子标记,为加快易驯食鳜新品种的基因辅助选育提供有效的SNP分子标记。     

刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)重要经济性状相关SNP标记的验证分析

本研究在前期构建的刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)高密度遗传连锁图谱和QTL分析的基础上,筛选出26个与体长、体重、体宽、棘刺总数、抗病力相关的SNP位点,设计出可用于HRM检测的SNP扩增引物13对。在扩大群体中利用HRM小片段法对这13个刺参重要经济性状相关的候选SNP位点进行分型和多态性检测,并结合扩大群体的相关性状数据进行了QTL位点验证。多态性结果显示,13个位点中有3个单态性位点,其余10个多态性位点中有3个位点为低等位多态性,7个位点为中等位多态性。10个多态性位点的最小等位基因频率(MAF)介于0.016(SNP113)~ 0.332(SNP160)之间,平均值为0.173;各位点的观测杂合度(Ho)介于0.031(SNP113)~0.818(SNP9)之间,平均值为0.433;期望杂合度(He)介于0.031(SNP113)~0.834(SNP9)之间,平均值为0.402;多态信息含量(PIC)介于0.030(SNP113)~0.393(SNP160)之间,平均为0.248,有6个位点偏离Hardy- Weinberg平衡。QTL验证结果表明,SNP40和SNP160位点为与生长(体长、体重、体宽)相关的位点,各位点的优势基因型分别为SNP40(CC)和SNP160(AA);SNP88、SNP112和SNP126这3个位点为与抗病力相关的位点,各位点的优势基因型为SNP88(CC)、SNP112(AA)和SNP126(TT)。基于这5个位点构建生长和抗病二倍型,发现二倍型K1(CC AA TT)抗病力最强,S1(CC AA)、S3(CC AC)在生长方面优势显著,相关研究结果可为分子标记辅助育种在生产中应用提供基础数据。     

大口黑鲈组织蛋白酶B基因SNP筛选及其与生长性状关联分析

在动物体内组织蛋白酶B(cathepsin B,CTSB)是以酶原形式存在于溶酶体中,能水解多种蛋白,是调控动物生长发育的重要候选功能基因。为开发与大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)生长性状相关的单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)标记,本研究对大口黑鲈EST-SNP库中CTSB基因上的SNP位点进行筛选。经PCR扩增和测序分析,从该基因中筛选到1个SNP位点(命名为C+598G),该位点属于错义突变位点,编码的甘氨酸突变成为精氨酸。采用Sna Pshot方法对C+598G位点在165尾大口黑鲈养殖样本中的基因型进行检测,并分析其在群体中的遗传多样性。结果显示,C+598G位点在养殖群体中存在CC、GC和GG3种基因型,其频率分别是40.6%、47.3%和12.1%,C和G等位基因频率分别是64.2%和35.8%;该位点在群体中的观测杂合度(Ho)和多态信息含量(PIC)分别为0.473和0.354,符合哈代-温伯格平衡定律。进一步分析不同基因型与大口黑鲈生长性状相关性,结果表明,3种基因型个体的体质量、全长、体高、尾柄长和尾柄高性状平均值从小到大依次为GG型、GC型和CC型,其中GG型个体在体质量上显著小于CC型个体(P<0.05)。本研究获得的C+598G标记与大口黑鲈生长性状显著相关,可作为大口黑鲈分子标记辅助育种研究中的生长标记。     

刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)重要经济性状相关SNP标记的验证分析

本研究在前期构建的刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)高密度遗传连锁图谱和QTL分析的基础上,筛选出26个与体长、体重、体宽、棘刺总数、抗病力相关的SNP位点,设计出可用于HRM检测的SNP扩增引物13对。在扩大群体中利用HRM小片段法对这13个刺参重要经济性状相关的候选SNP位点进行分型和多态性检测,并结合扩大群体的相关性状数据进行了QTL位点验证。多态性结果显示,13个位点中有3个单态性位点,其余10个多态性位点中有3个位点为低等位多态性,7个位点为中等位多态性。10个多态性位点的最小等位基因频率(MAF)介于0.016(SNP113)～0.332(SNP160)之间,平均值为0.173;各位点的观测杂合度(Ho)介于0.031(SNP113)～0.818(SNP9)之间,平均值为0.433;期望杂合度(H_o)介于0.031(SNP113)～0.834(SNP9)之间,平均值为0.402;多态信息含量(PIC)介于0.030(SNP113)～0.393(SNP160)之间,平均为0.248,有6个位点偏离HardyWeinberg平衡。QTL验证结果表明,SNP40和SNP160位点为与生长(体长、体重、体宽)相关的位点,各位点的优势基因型分别为SNP40(CC)和SNP160(AA);SNP88、SNP112和SNP126这3个位点为与抗病力相关的位点,各位点的优势基因型为SNP88(CC)、SNP112(AA)和SNP126(TT)。基于这5个位点构建生长和抗病二倍型,发现二倍型K_1(CC AA TT)抗病力最强,S_1(CC AA)、S_3(CC AC)在生长方面优势显著,相关研究结果可为分子标记辅助育种在生产中应用提供基础数据。     

大口黑鲈HSC70-1基因多态性及其双倍型与生长性状的关联分析

为了探讨HSC70-1基因对大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)生长性状的影响作用,开发与生长性状相关的分子标记,该研究采用PCR技术扩增得到HSC70-1基因的cDNA和DNA全序列,编码区cDNA序列长1 953 bp,编码650个氨基酸,其DNA全序列长3 390 bp,包含8个外显子和7个内含子。采用直接测序法在该基因上筛选到4个单核苷酸多态性(SNP)位点,分别位于核苷酸序列中的第821、第1 105、第1 200和第2 804碱基处,且处于内含子上。SNP标记与性状的关联分析结果表明,C-821G位点上CC基因型个体的体质量和全长均显著高于CG和GG基因型(P0.05)。A-2804T位点上TT基因型个体的体质量和全长均显著高于AT和AA基因型(P0.05)。其他位点不同基因型个体间的生长性状均不存在显著差异(P0.05)。通过合并基因型发现,双倍型D1 (CC--CCTT)的各个生长性状表现最优,在体高和全长上显著高于D5。C-821G、A-2804T和D1与生长性状显著相关,可作为大口黑鲈分子标记辅助育种的候选标记。     

刀鲚MSTN基因遗传多态性与生长性状的关联分析

为筛选刀鲚(Coilia ectenes)生长性状遗传改良的分子遗传标记,基于现有刀鲚转录组数据,利用基因克隆技术获得养殖刀鲚肌肉生长抑制素(myostatin,MSTN)基因的全长序列,采用PCR产物直接测序和SNaPshot技术分别进行基因多态性的筛选和分型,并将不同基因型与刀鲚的生长性状(体长、体高和体质量)进行关联分析。结果显示,养殖刀鲚MSTN基因的DNA序列主要由2个内含子和3个外显子组成,经SNP位点筛选,仅在第1内含子上筛选到2个颠换突变位点(g.564G>T和g.755G>T)和1个转换突变位点(g.786C>T);将3个SNP位点与生长性状进行关联分析发现,SNP位点g.786C>T与刀鲚的体长、体高和体质量呈显著性负相关,具有TT基因型个体的体长、体高和体质量显著低于CC型和CT型(P<0.05),而SNP位点g.564G>T和g.755G>T的不同基因型仅与刀鲚的体高具有一定程度的相关性;3个SNP位点对养殖刀鲚的群体遗传分析显示,刀鲚养殖群体的观测杂合度(H O)、期望杂合度(H E)和多态信息含量(PIC)分别为0.280~0.480、0.332~0.455和0.277~0.351,3个SNP位点均属于中度多态(0.25T有望作为剔除劣质刀鲚繁育亲本的候选分子标记。     

大口黑鲈EST-SNP标记开发及其与生长性状的相关性分析

为探讨EST-SNP标记的有效性及其与大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)生长性状间的相关性,本研究采用RNA-seq技术进行大口黑鲈生长快个体和生长慢个体肌肉组织的转录组分析,分别检测到15 273和17 376个EST-SNP标记。采用Sna Pshot技术对其中75个EST-SNP标记在大口黑鲈生长性状极端群体中的EST-SNP进行多态性检测,结果显示有37个EST-SNP标记具有多态性,准确性为49.3%。进一步采用一般线性模型分析37个EST-SNP标记与大口黑鲈生长性状的相关性,结果表明:CL1452.Contig9_All-847位点的CC基因型在体质量、全长和尾柄长3个性状的均值都显著高于TT基因型(P0.05),CC型在体高、头长中的均值都比CT和TT型的均值高,但差异未达到显著水平(P0.05),其它位点不同基因型个体间的生长性状均不存在显著差异(P0.05)。其中10个EST-SNP标记在大口黑鲈"优鲈1号"群体中的平均观测杂合度(Ho)和平均多态(PIC)信息含量分别为0.459和0.356,表明大口黑鲈"优鲈1号"群体具有较丰富的遗传多样性。CL1452.Contig9_All-847位点与生长性状显著相关(P0.05),可用于大口黑鲈分子标记辅助育种。     

草鱼PRL基因多态性与幼鱼生长性状和肌肉成分的关联分析

为了探索草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)PRL(prolactin)基因多态性与草鱼生长性状和肌肉成分的关联性,通过测序法从10尾草鱼的PRL基因中筛选到6个突变率高于30%的变异位点,包括5个单核苷酸变异位点和1个插入型突变(–/CACTCACTA),分别命名为2551GA、2639GC、3247AG、5197TG、5897GA和3391–+。利用AS-PCR(allele-specific PCR)和基因分型技术对192尾4月龄草鱼的PRL基因变异位点进行检测;基于一般线性模型对变异位点多态性与草鱼生长性状和肌肉成分进行相关性分析。研究发现,2639GC、3391–+和5197TG对体长和体重具有显著影响(P0.05),2639GC对肌肉粗蛋白含量具有显著影响(P0.05)。单个位点基因型比较发现,3391–+的突变型(–+和++)个体的体长和体重均显著高于野生型(––)个体(P0.05);2639GC的GC及5197TG的突变型(TG和GG)个体的体长和体重分别显著低于2639GC的GG和5197TG的TT野生型(P0.05);2639GC突变型(CC)个体的粗蛋白含量显著高于2639GC其他基因型(GG和GC)个体(P0.05)。两位点组合比较发现,含3391–+突变型(–+和++)的组合对应体长和体重普遍高于其他组,含2639GC的CC突变型的组合对应粗脂肪含量和粗蛋白含量普遍较高,其中粗蛋白含量显著高于其他组(P0.05)。研究表明,草鱼PRL基因多态性与草鱼生长性状和肌肉成分间存在显著关联,推测相关变异位点可作为草鱼生长和肉质改良的候选辅助标记。     

草鱼生长相关的微卫星标记在选育群体中的验证

生长性状是水产动物遗传育种中的重要经济性状,利用与性状相关的分子标记与育种相结合的手段,可以大大加速育种进程。在对草鱼生长性状的前期研究中,采用数量性状位点(QTL)定位的方法,在1号连锁群中发现了2个与生长相关的QTL。在此基础上,实验利用这2个QTL侧翼的2对微卫星标记(CID391_2、CID1512、CID973_1和CID254_1),对长江草鱼选育群体的480个个体进行分析,以期基于草鱼QTL定位结果,对草鱼生长相关的微卫星标记在选育群体中进行验证。结果显示:(1)4个微卫星标记在该群体中均具有高度多态性,其中各位点观测等位基因数(N_a)为12～23个,有效等位基因数(N_e)为4～12个,观测杂合度(H_o)为0.607～0.904,期望杂合度(H_e)为0.751～0.902;(2)利用方差分析及多重比较对4个多态性的微卫星标记与选育草鱼群体的生长性状(体质量和体长)进行关联分析,发现CID391_2在雌性个体中,各基因型与体质量和体长之间均无显著差异;而在雄性个体中,各基因型与体质量和体长之间差异显著。CID1512、CID973_1和CID254_1在雌性或雄性个体中,各基因型与体质量和体长之间均具有显著差异。研究表明,对草鱼生长相关的微卫星标记在选育群体中的验证结果,为进一步开展草鱼生长性状QTL定位研究和基于QTL结果的分子标记辅助育种(MAS)实践奠定理论基础。     

草鱼MSTN-1基因多态性及与早期生长性状和肌肉成分关联分析

为研究草鱼MSTN-1基因多态性及与早期生长性状和肌肉成分的相关性,本研究扩增出全长为3824 bp的草鱼MSTN-1基因,用长江选育草鱼群体对MSTN-1基因多态性进行筛选和验证。结果共发现3个多态性位点(Locus 1:C1799T,野生型EE/突变型EF;Locus2:C1842T,野生型HH/突变型HI;Locus 3:TGAAGCGCTGGTTCT/2585-,野生型BB/缺失型BD)。利用一般线性模型分析3个位点及其组合型(剔除个体数少于3的组合)与生长性状和肌肉成分的相关性,发现2个位点对幼鱼生长性状表型差异有显著影响,但3个位点对肌肉成分差异均无显著影响。多重比较发现,单倍型HI突变组的体长和体质量显著高于HH野生组,BD突变组的体长和体质量显著性低于BB野生组;多倍型中存在HI突变组合的体长、体质量均显著高于其他组,存在BD突变的组合在体长性状方面显著低于其他组。表明草鱼MSTN-1基因3个SNPs中,HI突变是对草鱼生长性状的有利突变,BD突变是不利突变,而EF突变无显著影响,可将MSTN-1基因作为分子标记辅助草鱼选育的候选基因。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.