坛紫菜核糖体蛋白S7基因的克隆与表达分析

为了研究坛紫菜在高温胁迫条件下的分子应答机制,应用引物退火控制(ACP)技术对耐高温型纯系(Z-61)叶状体在高温胁迫条件下的差异表达基因进行筛选时,获得了一条核糖体蛋白S7基因的全长序列,命名为Phrps7(GenBank登录号:JF719273).该基因序列全长702 bp,包含一个585 bp的开放阅读框,其编码195个氨基酸的核糖体S7蛋白( PhRPS7),蛋白分子式为C984H1604N294O283S2,由5条α螺旋,6个片层及6个环状连接组成,与多个物种的RPS7蛋白具有较高的序列一致性(＞55％).系统进化树分析表明,PhRPS7蛋白与真菌的亲缘关系较近,而与其它物种的亲缘关系较远.实时荧光定量PCR分析结果表明,Phrps7基因的表达水平与高温胁迫密切相关,在高温胁迫刚开始时(0 ～6d),Phrps7基因的表达水平极显著上调,而随着胁迫的继续(＞6 d),表达量又有所下调,但仍显著高于胁迫开始前.     

坛紫菜两种小分子热激蛋白(sHSP)基因的克隆及表达特征分析

小分子热激蛋白(sHSP)不仅在应激条件下高效表达,而且在正常状态的细胞中也广泛存在,参与一些重要细胞生理活动的调节。为研究坛紫菜应答高温和失水等逆境胁迫的分子机制,本研究以坛紫菜(Pyropia haitanensis)转录组测序获得的unigene序列为基础,采用RACE或直接PCR扩增,克隆获得了坛紫菜两种sHsp的全长基因：PhHsp22和PhDnaJ。序列分析结果表明,PhHsp22序列全长857 bp,包含一个519 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含172个氨基酸,分子量为19.1 kDa,等电点为5.24(收录号：KM102540);PhDnaJ序列全长1616 bp,包含一个1290 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含429个氨基酸,分子量为46.1 kDa,等电点为6.43,属于Hsp40亚家族(收录号：KM102541)。基因表达水平的定量分析结果表明两个基因在高温胁迫不同时间水平和不同失水胁迫程度下的表达均呈现出一致的表达模式,即在胁迫初期表达水平显著上调,但随着胁迫的持续,这两个基因的表达水平开始逐渐下调。说明这两个基因在逆境胁迫下的表达可能存在一个反馈调节机制。     

坛紫菜过氧化氢酶基因的克隆及表达特征

过氧化氢酶(CAT)是植物细胞抗氧化酶的主要成员,在逆境胁迫下的活性氧(ROS)清除中发挥着重要的作用。本研究采用RACE扩增技术克隆获得了坛紫菜CAT基因的全长,被命名为PhCAT(Genbank收录号:KM655303)。该基因全长1983 bp,可编码包含542个氨基酸的多肽,与条斑紫菜CAT基因的序列相似性为83.08%。多序列比对和系统进化树分析结果确认PhCAT属于CAT基因家族。PhCAT基因定量分析结果显示,失水胁迫条件下,PhCAT的基因表达水平只在失水率≥60%时才显著上调;不同时间水平的高温胁迫条件均可诱发PhCAT基因的上调表达。而CAT酶活测定结果却显示,各种水平的失水胁迫条件下,坛紫菜细胞内的CAT酶活水平均显著低于正常条件下的酶活水平;高温胁迫24 h时,CAT酶活水平显著增强,而其余时间点的酶活水平则显著降低。研究表明CAT酶在坛紫菜高温胁迫应答中发挥着重要作用,但在失水胁迫应答中却没有发挥明显作用。     

坛紫菜丝氨酸羟甲基转移酶基因的克隆及表达特征

丝氨酸羟甲基转移酶(SHMT)在植物应答逆境胁迫中发挥着重要作用。本研究以坛紫菜(Pyropia haitanensis)为研究材料,采用普通PCR技术克隆得到2条坛紫菜的SHMT全长基因序列,分别命名为PhSHMT-1(GenBank收录号:MF687405)和PhSHMT-2(GenBank收录号:MF687406)。其中,PhSHMT-1序列全长1710 bp,包含一个1491 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含497个氨基酸,分子量为121.443 kDa,等电点为4.93;PhSHMT-2序列全长1957 bp,包含一个1395 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含465个氨基酸,分子量为113.969 k Da,等电点为4.95。多序列比对和系统进化树分析结果确认PhSHMT-1和PhSHMT-2基因属于SHMT基因家族。qRT-PCR定量分析结果表明,高温胁迫条件下,2条PhSHMT基因的表达模式基本一致,均表现为先上调后下调再上调的趋势,这说明SHMT基因可能在坛紫菜应答高温胁迫过程中发挥作用。     

坛紫菜谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶基因的克隆及表达特征

谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GPX)是植物活性氧(ROS)清除酶促系统的重要成员之一,在植物逆境胁迫应答中发挥着重要作用。本研究以坛紫菜(Pyropia haitanensis)为研究材料采用RACE技术克隆获得了一条坛紫菜的GPX全长基因序列,命名为PhGPX(Gen Bank收录号:JX673908)。该基因序列全长1027 bp,包含555 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含184个氨基酸,分子量为19.9 k D,等电点为8.76。多序列比对和系统进化树分析结果表明Ph GPX属于植物GPX基因家族成员。基因表达水平的q PCR分析结果表明Ph GPX基因在坛紫菜叶状体和丝状体世代中的表达水平没有显著差异;高温胁迫不同时间水平下,Ph GPX基因的表达水平呈现为先上调后下调的趋势;不同失水胁迫条件下,Ph GPX基因的表达不受低水平的失水胁迫影响,但可被高水平(40%)的失水胁迫所抑制,且在复水30 min后仍然无法恢复失水胁迫前的水平。由此推测坛紫菜体内的GPX也可能存在多种家族成员,不同的逆境胁迫条件、甚至不同的逆境胁迫水平可能需要不同家族成员的GPX参与ROS的清除和防御。     

坛紫菜泛素连接酶PhCUL1基因克隆与功能验证

高温影响坛紫菜(Pyropia haitanensis)的产量和品质,是制约紫菜产业发展的主要因素。前期研究发现,高温胁迫下,坛紫菜泛素蛋白酶体系统相关基因显著上调表达,但其响应高温胁迫的分子功能还未知。本研究通过分子生物学、遗传学等技术手段对坛紫菜cullin E3连接酶基因(PhCUL1)的功能进行研究。利用PCR方法克隆了PhCUL1基因的全长,PhCUL1全长为2500 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长度为2481 bp,该基因存在1个Cullin (407~618 aa)结构域和1个Cullin Nedd8 (754~821 aa)结构域,其中,Cullin Nedd8结构域为蛋白融合位点。进化树分析显示,PhCUL1在进化上与脐形紫菜(Porphyra umbilicalis)有较近的亲缘关系。qRT-PCR结果显示,PhCUL1基因被高温显著诱导。为进一步阐明PhCUL1的分子功能,将其转入莱茵衣藻(Chlamydomonas reinhardtii)进行功能验证,过表达PhCUL1株系比野生型更能耐受高温胁迫。同时,在高温33℃下处理3 h和6 h内,转基因植株的PhCUL1基因呈上调表达。这初步说明PhCUL1基因在坛紫菜响应高温胁迫过程中发挥着重要作用,其具体调控机制有待进一步研究。本研究有助于阐明坛紫菜泛素蛋白酶体系统响应高温胁迫的分子机制,为指导耐高温新品种选育提供理论依据。     

坛紫菜两种Hsp90基因的克隆及表达特征分析

以坛紫菜转录组测序获得的unigene序列为基础,采用RACE(rapid amplification of cDNA ends)技术克隆获得了坛紫菜的两条Hsp90基因序列:PhHsp90-1和PhHsp90-2。序列分析结果表明,PhHsp90-1序列全长2 572 bp,包含一个2 427 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含809个氨基酸,分子量为90.2 ku,等电点为4.79,属于Hsp90内质网亚家族(登录号:KF732651);PhHsp90-2序列全长2 510 bp,包含一个2 280 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含760个氨基酸,分子量为86.2 ku,等电点为4.81,属于Hsp90细胞质亚家族(登录号:KF732652)。基因表达水平的定量分析结果表明,高温和失水胁迫对两条PhHsp90基因的表达水平均有显著影响,但在表达模式上存在明显差异。高温胁迫不同时间水平下,两条PhHsp90基因的表达均表现为先上调后下调的趋势;而在失水胁迫下,当失水率小于60%时,两条基因的表达水平均没有发生显著变化,但当失水率大于60%时,两条基因的表达水平均显著上调,说明两条PhHsp90基因均在应答高温胁迫和高度失水胁迫中发挥着重要作用。     

坛紫菜转录因子NhbZIP1克隆和功能验证

高温是制约坛紫菜(Neoporphyra haitanensis)产业发展的主要因素之一,阐明坛紫菜高温胁迫应答机理对耐高温品种选育至关重要。人们已分离多个坛紫菜抗逆相关基因,但尚不清楚这些基因的表达调控机制。本研究通过分子生物学和生物信息学技术分离了坛紫菜转录因子NhbZIP1基因。该基因开放阅读框长825 bp,编码274个氨基酸。从开放阅读框推导的氨基酸序列有5个低复杂度区域和1个BRLZ结构。其中,BRLZ是bZIP家族的保守结构域,含有一个α卷曲螺旋结构(121~171 aa)。实时荧光定量PCR (qRT-PCR)检测发现,NhbZIP1受高温胁迫显著诱导。为进一步阐明NhbZIP1的功能,将其转入莱茵衣藻(Chlamydomonas reinhardtii)中。结果显示,高温胁迫下转基因藻株生物量始终高于野生型,且随处理时间增加差异越来越显著。转基因藻株中热激蛋白家族和抗氧化系统相关基因的表达量显著高于野生型。研究表明,NhbZIP1激活下游抗逆基因表达,在坛紫菜应答高温胁迫中发挥重要作用。研究结果有助于阐明bZIP调控坛紫菜响应高温胁迫的分子机制,为耐高温新品种选育提供了基础信息。     

坛紫菜6-磷酸海藻糖合成酶(TPS)家族基因的克隆及表达特征分析

6-磷酸海藻糖合成酶(TPS)是植物海藻糖合成的关键酶,在植物逆境胁迫应答中发挥着重要的作用.实验以坛紫菜转录组测序获得的unigene序列为基础,采用RACE技术克隆获得坛紫菜的3条TPS基因序列:PhTPS1,PhTPS2-1和PhTPS2-2.序列分析结果表明,PhTPS1(收录号:KM580358)序列全长3 557 bp,包含一个3 462 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含1 153个氨基酸,分子量为124.2 ku,等电点为6.73,属于TPS Ⅰ亚家族;PhTPS2-1(收录号:KM519457)序列全长4 264 bp,包含一个4 044 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含1 374个氨基酸,分子量为145.2 ku,等电点为5.96;PhTPS2-2(收录号:KM519458)序列全长3 733 bp,包含一个3 324 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含1 107个氨基酸,分子量为120.2 ku,等电点为5.42.PhTPS2-1和PhTPS2-2属于TPSⅡ亚家族.基因表达水平的定量分析结果表明高温胁迫条件下,3条PhTPS基因的表达模式基本一致,均表现为先上调后下调,再上调的趋势;而PhTPS1和PhTPS2-1基因在中低水平的失水条件下,基因表达水平均没有发生显著变化,只在高水平失水胁迫下显著上调,PhTPS2-2基因在中高水平失水条件下,表达水平显著上调.说明PhTPS基因可能只在高度失水胁迫下发挥应激调节作用.     

广东紫菜Hsp70基因eDNA克隆与表达分析

为探索广东紫菜(Pyropia guangdongensis)叶状体Hsp70基因在温度刺激下机体耐温相关分子机制，为广东紫菜的栽培生产提供技术参考，本研究利用RACE技术获得了广东紫菜Hsp70基因(PgHsp70)全长序列，并在此基础上采用实时荧光定量PCR技术，研究广东紫菜叶状体分别在不同温度(22℃、27℃和31℃)条件下处理0、1/6、1/2、1、6、12、24和36 h后PgHsp70基因的差异表达。结果显示，PgHsp70基因序列长2004 bp，包含一个1866 bp的开放阅读框，可编码621个氨基酸，预测分子量为67.7 kDa，理论等电点为4.87。基因表达水平定量分析表明，温度对PgHsp70基因表达水平有显著影响，PgHsp70基因在不同温度的表达水平变化趋势基本一致，均呈现先上调后下降的趋势，且均于1 h表达量到达最高水平，其中，在31℃ 1 h表达量最高，为未经高温处理组的11倍，说明PgHsp70基因在应答高温胁迫中发挥着重要的作用。     

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.