斑节对虾泛素融合蛋白UbS27基因克隆与表达分析

从构建的斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)肝胰腺转录组数据中筛选出泛素核糖体融合蛋白Ub S27基因(ubiquitin/ribosomal S27 fusion protein,Pm Ub S27)片段,利用SMART-RACE技术克隆出Pm Ub S27基因c DNA全长,并利用软件对其结构进行分析;利用实时荧光定量技术检测Pm Ub S27基因在斑节对虾不同组织及卵巢不同发育期的表达情况。结果显示,Pm Ub S27基因c DNA全长为514 bp,开放阅读框465 bp,编码154个氨基酸,含有泛素(1~72 aa)和核糖体蛋白(101~147 aa)2个结构域。以DNA为模板克隆得到的基因序列由3个内含子和4个外显子组成。实时荧光定量结果显示,Pm Ub S27基因在斑节对虾各组织中均有表达,但是在卵巢中表达量最高,其次为肝胰腺、血淋巴和精巢。Pm Ub S27在卵巢发育前期(Ⅱ期)和成熟期(Ⅴ期)的表达量显著高于其他各期(P0.05)。结果表明,Pm Ub S27参与斑节对虾卵巢发育的过程并可能在卵巢发育进程中起到重要的调控作用。     

斑节对虾含硒谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶基因全长克隆及表达分析

为了研究含硒谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase,SeGPx)在斑节对虾应激反应和卵巢发育中的作用,实验以斑节对虾肝胰腺转录组数据中筛选获得的Se-GPx基因(Pm Se-GPx)片段为基础,利用RACE技术获得Pm Se-GPx基因的c DNA全长,并对其进行了生物信息学分析;利用荧光定量PCR技术研究了Pm Se-GPx在斑节对虾不同组织、卵巢发育各期、肝胰腺组织在pH9、硫酸铜(Cu~(2+))应激下的相对表达量和变化趋势。结果显示,Pm Se-GPx基因c DNA全长为959 bp,5'非编码区(UTR)长10bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长639 bp,编码212个氨基酸,310 bp的3'UTR包含一个硒代半胱氨酸插入序列(SECIS),ORF中的密码子209TGA211编码硒代半胱氨酸(selenocysteine,U67)。实时定量PCR实验结果表明,Pm Se-GPx在斑节对虾的肝胰腺、卵巢、精巢、心脏等组织中均有表达,其中肝胰腺中表达量显著高于其他组织,卵巢次之;卵巢发育阶段表达结果则显示Pm Se-GPx在卵巢发育各期均有表达,在卵巢Ⅲ期表达量最高,其次是V期;在Cu~(2+)胁迫下,其表达量总体呈现先下降后上升然后又下降的趋势;在环境pH为9胁迫下,表达趋势呈现先下降,后回升,然后又下降,再大幅上升的趋势。研究表明,SeGPx在斑节对虾卵巢发育过程中具有重要作用,且Se-GPx参与斑节对虾对环境理化因子应激的免疫调控。     

斑节对虾GRP94基因的克隆及其在不同应激条件下的表达与分析

以斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)为研究对象,利用RACE技术克隆得到了斑节对虾Pm GRP94基因c DNA全长,并对其结构进行生物信息学分析。Pm GRP94全长2 990 bp,包括75 bp的5'UTR、527 bp的3'UTR和2 388bp的ORF。利用实时定量PCR技术,对Pm GRP94组织特异性及其在不同p H、盐度和3种重金属应激下转录水平变化情况及特点进行了研究。结果显示,Pm GRP94基因存在组织特异性,并在肝胰腺中的表达量最高;不同的应激条件下其表达具有明显差异,其中在p H、铜(Cu)和锌(Zn)的应激下Pm GRP94的表达显著升高。因此预测该基因可以作为斑节对虾受p H、Cu和Zn胁迫的指示基因。     

斑节对虾细胞周期蛋白Y基因克隆与原核表达

为了研究细胞周期蛋白Y(cyclin Y)在斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)卵巢发育中的作用,从斑节对虾转录组数据中筛选获得cyclin Y基因部分序列,采用SMART-RACE方法克隆得到斑节对虾细胞周期蛋白Y(Pm-cyclin Y)基因c DNA全序列。Pm-cyclin Y基因c DNA全长1576 bp,其中包含108 bp的5′非编码区(5′UTR)和439 bp的3′非编码区(3′UTR)以及1029 bp的开放阅读框(ORF),可编码342个氨基酸。生物信息学分析显示,其编码的氨基酸序列有1个保守的周期蛋白框(cyclin box)同源结构域(172~257 aa),预测的分子量约为37.6 k D,理论等电点6.64。实时定量PCR显示其m RNA在卵巢的表达量显著高于其他组织(P0.05);并且在卵巢5个不同发育期都有表达,在III期卵巢中的表达量最高。本研究通过原核表达方法对Pm-cyclin Y进行重组表达,为其蛋白质功能方面的研究奠定了基础。     

斑节对虾Chitinase-2基因的克隆及其在蜕皮和幼体发育过程中的表达分析

研究以斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)转录组获得的几丁质酶基因(Pm Chi)片段,运用RACE技术克隆了PmChi基因c DNA全长,命名为PmChi-2。PmChi-2基因c DNA全长2 050 bp,其中5'-非编码区(5'-UTR)144 bp、3'-UTR 319 bp和开放阅读框(ORF)1 587 bp,编码528个氨基酸。生物信息学分析显示,PmChi-2与其他甲壳动物Chi-2的相似性为78%~97%。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,PmChi-2在蜕皮前期(D期)表皮中表达水平最高,在胃、鳃、腹神经节和眼柄中表达水平依次降低,在其他组织(肝胰腺、肠、肌肉、心脏)中几乎不表达。不同蜕皮阶段,PmChi-2在鳃、胃和表皮3种组织中的表达变化模式基本一致,均在蜕皮期(E期)表达量最低,而最高表达量在鳃中出现在蜕皮后期(A期),在胃和表皮中为D期。幼体不同发育阶段分析揭示PmChi-2 mRNA在幼体发育阶段的无节幼体到糠虾幼体第二期表达量维持在一个低水平,在糠虾幼体第三期PmChi-2 mRNA表达水平显著升高,在仔虾期又显著下降,推测PmChi-2 mRNA可能与斑节对虾幼体发育密切相关。研究结果表明PmChi-2基因可能在斑节对虾蜕皮以及幼体的变态发育中发挥重要作用,为深入研究斑节对虾几丁质酶发育调控提供了重要信息。     

斑节对虾cyclin G2基因克隆及不同刺激下的表达分析

细胞周期蛋白G2(cyclin G2)是细胞周期中的重要调控因子。该研究初步探讨斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)细胞周期蛋白G2(Pmcyclin G2)在卵巢发育中的作用,利用RACE技术克隆获得4075bp Pmcyclin G2 c DNA全长,其开放阅读框(ORF)1161bp,编码386个氨基酸。利用荧光定量PCR技术研究了Pmcyclin G2组织表达模式,结果显示,Pmcyclin G2在斑节对虾的心脏、血淋巴、肝胰腺、卵巢等组织中均有表达,其中肌肉中表达量最高;卵巢发育不同阶段Pmcyclin G2的表达分析则表明,Pmcyclin G2在III期表达量最高;注射5-羟色胺(5-HT)能诱导卵巢Pmcyclin G2基因表达升高,多巴胺(DA)则抑制卵巢中Pmcyclin G2基因表达。利用原核表达技术获得了cyclin G2的体外重组蛋白,Western Blot分析证实重组蛋白为cyclin G2蛋白。此结果为进一步研究该蛋白的功能提供了条件。以上研究结果表明,Pmcyclin G2基因可能与斑节对虾卵母细胞发育有密切关系,该结果可为进一步探究斑节对虾卵巢的发育机理提供理论依据。     

斑节对虾增殖细胞核抗原基因克隆及表达分析

为研究增殖细胞核抗原(proliferating cell nuclear antigen,PCNA)在斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)卵巢发育中的功能,利用RACE技术克隆得到了斑节对虾PCNA基因(PmPCNA)的cDNA全长序列。该序列全长978 bp,包括135 bp的5′非编码区(5′UTR)、60 bp的3′UTR和编码260个氨基酸的783 bp的开放阅读框(ORF)。同源性分析结果表明,PmPCNA与其他物种具有很高的蛋白同源性。组织表达模式分析表明,PmPCNA在所监测的各组织中为组成性表达,其中在卵巢和脑中表达量较高;卵巢发育不同阶段基因的表达分析则表明PmPCNA在Ⅲ期表达量最高,是其他各期表达量的2倍;注射五羟色胺(5-hydroxy tryptamine,5-HT)后,PmPCNA在卵巢中表达量明显上升,其中在48 h表达量升高幅度最大,是对照组的5倍左右。利用原核表达技术获得了PCNA的体外重组蛋白,Western Blot分析证实该重组蛋白为PCNA蛋白。以上研究结果表明,PmPCNA蛋白是斑节对虾卵巢发育过程中的重要调节因子,本研究为进一步认识斑节对虾卵巢发育机制提供了基础资料。     

斑节对虾CDC42基因的克隆及其在不同胁迫条件下的表达分析

细胞分裂周期蛋白42(CDC42)是一类广泛表达的小三磷酸鸟苷(GTP)酶,是Ras家族内Rho亚家族的成员之一,具有GTP酶活性。CDC42在细胞吞噬和炎症发生等先天免疫中发挥着不可替代的功能。该研究通过RACE技术克隆得到了斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)细胞分裂周期蛋白42(Pm CDC42)基因c DNA全长。生物信息学分析结果表明Pm CDC42全长2 233 bp,包括59 bp的5'非编码区(UTR)、1 598 bp的3'UTR和576 bp的开放阅读框(ORF),编码191个氨基酸。通过实时定量PCR技术,研究了Pm CDC42在斑节对虾各组织的表达模式,并研究了其在不同p H、盐度、重金属镉(Cd)和哈维弧菌(Vibrio harveyi)胁迫下的表达情况。结果显示,Pm CDC42基因在各组织中均有表达,在血淋巴中的表达量最高。在p H和Cd胁迫下Pm CDC42表达量显著升高;在高盐胁迫下Pm CDC42表达量上调,低盐胁迫下Pm CDC42表达量变化不显著;在哈维弧菌的刺激下PmCDC42上调表达极显著。这表明Pm CDC42在斑节对虾先天免疫中起重要作用。     

斑节对虾细胞周期蛋白T基因的克隆和表达分析

真核生物的转录调控多发生在转录的延伸阶段,细胞周期蛋白T(cyclin T)是细胞转录的重要调控因子。文章利用RACE技术获得斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)cyclin T(Pmcyclin T)c DNA全长,其全长为3 421 bp,其中开放阅读框(ORF)3 135 bp,编码1 044个氨基酸;生物信息学分析显示,该氨基酸序列含有一个周期蛋白家族特有的CYCLIN保守区,并含有N-糖基化位点和磷酸化位点;经BLAST同源性分析显示,细胞周期蛋白T编码的蛋白与柑橘木虱(Diaphorina citri)、切叶蚁(Acromyrmex echinatior)等多种节肢动物有很高的同源性;利用qRTPCR技术对Pmcyclin T在不同组织及卵巢发育各时期的mRNA水平的表达谱进行了研究。结果表明,细胞周期蛋白T在斑节对虾的心、卵巢等7个组织中均有表达,其中卵巢中表达量显著高于其他组织(P0.05);在卵巢发育各时期中,细胞周期蛋白T在Ⅲ期表达量最高。     

凡纳滨对虾核自身抗原精子蛋白基因克隆及其表达

利用cDNA末端快速扩增技术克隆出凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)核自身抗原精子蛋白(NASP)基因,NASP基因c DNA全长2258 bp,其中包括92 bp 5′端非编码区,147 bp 3′端非编码区及2019 bp开放阅读区,编码673个氨基酸,预测分子量为74.18 k D。该序列已提交至Gen Bank,序列号为KT274811。在NCBI上进行序列比对后发现,其与斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)NASP序列相似性最高,为90%。采用荧光定量PCR方法测定了不同发育时期卵巢与肝胰腺中NASP m RNA相对表达水平,结果表明,NASP在卵巢中的表达量高于肝胰腺中的表达量,且在Ⅱ期表达量最高,Ⅲ期表达量最低。此外,通过构建系统进化树比较了凡纳滨对虾NASP与其他物种间的遗传距离。实验结果为进一步研究该基因在凡纳滨对虾卵巢发育中的作用提供了依据。     

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.