Phenotypic plasticity induced using high ambient temperature during embryogenesis in domesticated zebrafish,Danio rerio

Ambient temperature during early stages of life has a substantial effect on physiological processes, eliciting phenotypic plasticity during zebrafish developmental stages. Zebrafish are known to possess a noteworthy ability to modify their phenotype in dependence of environmental factors. However, there is a poor understanding of the effects of temperature during embryogenesis, which influences the biological functions such as survival ability and masculinization in later developmental stages. Since the middle embryonic phase (pharyngula period) is genetically the most conserved stage in embryogenesis, it is very susceptible to embryonic lethality in developmental processes of vertebrates. Here, we tested the effect of transient perturbations (heat shock) during early development (5–24 hr post‐fertilization; hpf) at 35°C compared to control group at 28°C, on survival ability of zebrafish to study the embryonic and post‐embryonic mortality. We studied the variation of heat‐induced masculinization among and across the families in response to high temperature. Furthermore, morphometric traits of adult zebrafish at different developmental time points were measured in order to estimate the temperature × sex interaction effect. We found the highest embryonic mortality around the gastrula and segmentation periods in both experimental groups, with significantly lower survival ability in the temperature‐treated group (73.30% ± 0.58% vs. 70.19% ± 0.57%, respectively). A higher hatching success was observed in the control group (71.08% ± 0.61%) compared to the heat‐induced group (67.95% ± 0.60%). A distinct reduction in survival ability was also observed in both experimental groups during the first two weeks after hatching, followed by a reduced level of changes thereafter. We found sex ratio imbalances across all families, with 25.2% more males under temperature treatment. Our study on growth performance has shown a positive effect of increased temperature on growth plasticity, with a greater impact on female fish in response to high ambient temperature.     

凤头鸭胚性反转建立及性别候选基因的表达

试验通过对鸭胚注射芳香化酶抑制剂(AI)和β-雌二醇(E2)构建性反转模型,观察其性腺外观形态变化,并荧光定量检测雌性基因P450arom、FOXL2、SF-1和雄性基因DMRT1、SOX9、AMH等6个基因在性反转和正常鸭胚中的表达情况。结果显示:芳香化酶抑制剂能促进公鸭性腺发育,母鸭表现雄化;雌二醇能促进母鸭性腺分化,公鸭表现雌化。DMRT1、SOX9、AMH表达趋势相似,AI促进基因表达使胚胎雄化;E2抑制基因表达使胚胎雌化。P450arom、FOXL2、SF-1在AI组中被抑制使胚胎雄化,在E2组中得到促进发生雌化。该研究结果为研究鸭胚性反转机制奠定理论基础。     

家畜性别控制技术的研究进展

在畜牧生产中,人为控制出生家畜的性别可以降低生产成本,提高经济效益。随着科技的进步和研究的不断深入,家畜性别控制技术也在不断的完善。作者综述了X、Y精子的分离和胚胎性别鉴定这两项家畜性控技术的发展历程和研究现状,并对其今后的研究方向及应用前景进行了展望。     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in free-ranging mithuns (Bos frontalis) from India

Studies conducted on free-ranging mithuns of Nagaland, India revealed that the overall seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in mithun was 42% (95% CI = 33-51) when detected by modified direct agglutination test. Highest (prevalence = 57%, 95% CI = 43-71) seroprevalence was found in mithuns above 3 years of age and the lowest (prevalence = 18%, 95% CI =4-32) in mithuns of 1-2 years old. No statistically significant difference was observed between male (prevalence = 40%, 95% CI = 26-54) and female (prevalence = 44%, 95% CI = 31-57) seroprevalences. The study also revealed that the maximum number (57%) of animals with the highest titre (1 : 3200) were above 3 years of age. This is the first serological survey for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in free-ranging mithuns from India.     

The population dynamics of a recently introduced crayfish,Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868), in the Sanyati Basin of Lake Kariba,Zimbabwe

The redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus is a recent introduction into Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe where it is rapidly spreading. There are, however, no studies that have investigated the population dynamics and possible ecological impacts of the crayfish in the lake. This study investigated aspects of the population biology of C. quadricarinatus in the lake. These included sex distribution, population growth and mortality parameters, probability of capture, recruitment and length at age of ge at maturity. Crayfish were captured monthly between January and December 2013 from 13 sites using opera house bait traps. Aspects of the species population biology were estimated using a fish stock assessment tool, FISAT II. A total of 3 205 crayfish were captured, of which 44% were male, 49% female and 7% intersex individuals. The asymptotic length (L_∞ = 112.88 mm), curvature parameter (k = 0.72), longevity (t_max = 4.17 years), growth performance index (? = 3.96), total mortality (Z = 2.06 y^?1), fishing mortality (F = 1.07 y^?1), natural mortality (M = 0.99 y^?1), rate of exploitation (E = 0.52) and length-at-first capture (L_c = 44.48 mm) were estimated. Fecundity averaged 503 ± 229 eggs female?1 and increased with size (weight and carapace length). Gravid females were found throughout the year but the highest proportion of females with eggs (4–10%) were found in the first quarter, whereas recruitment peaked in May and June. The smallest crayfish with eggs (48.75 mm CL) was estimated to be 1.02 years and the largest (94.82 mm CL) 2.85 years. Cherax quadricarinatus exhibited an r strategy life-history pattern due to continuous reproduction and high fecundity. In Lake Kariba, C. quadricarinatus is now well into the establishment stage of the Introduction–naturalisation–invasion continuum and spreading in the lake. Management options should thus aim at preventing further spread and reducing the population size and the potential negative impacts of this species.     

不完全甜柿‘禅寺丸’花性别分化形态学关键时期的研究

以雌雄同株的‘禅寺丸’柿为材料,利用扫描电镜和石蜡切片法观察雌花和雄花芽发育进程,探究柿花性别分化的形态学关键时期。结果表明,‘禅寺丸’雌、雄花芽发育进程基本同步,均从6月持续到次年5月,可划分为11个阶段;花性别分化有两个形态学关键时期:一是6月中旬(阶段2)萼片原基发生期,此时雌花单生、雄花3朵合生的特点开始显现;二是次年4月中旬(阶段8)大小孢子发生期,此时雌花的雄蕊原基分化出花丝后停止发育,雄花的雌蕊原基在花柱和柱头结构产生后开始败育,从而产生单性花。     

海洋酸化对海水青鳉性别分化的影响

以海水青鳉作为研究对象,研究海洋酸化对其性别分化的影响。将刚受精的受精卵置于对照组(CO_2浓度为480×10~(-6))和2个处理组(CO_2浓度分别为1 000×10~(-6)和2 000×10~(-6))的水体中,直到孵化出膜。将出膜后仔鱼饲养在对照组水体中至性成熟,然后通过形态学、组织学和遗传学方法,对每一尾实验鱼进行表现型和基因型的性别鉴定。经形态学判断,发现酸化处理组的雄雌比例显著高于对照组(P0.01)。经形态学观察其第二性征和遗传学性别判断,对照组的青鳉从孵化到性成熟的个体中并未出现基因型和表现型性别不一致的个体,而在2个酸化处理组中,均有基因型为XX而表现型为雄性的个体,即性逆转雄性,性逆转率分别为38.4%和47.5%。     

饲养密度和性比对蠋蝽存活和繁殖生物学特性的影响

蠋蝽是优良的捕食性天敌昆虫,可捕食40余种重要害虫。为明确成虫不同的性别配比和饲养密度对蠋蝽的寿命、繁殖力和后代生长发育的影响,促进蠋蝽的规模化饲养,在室内测定了不同性别配比（雌/雄为4F/2M、3F/3M、2F/4M、6F和6M）和密度（雌/雄为4F/2M和2F/1M;3F/3M、2F/2M和1F/1M）的蠋蝽的存活率、产卵量、无效卵的比例以及后代发育速率和性比等指标。结果显示,不同饲养密度和成虫性别配比对蠋蝽的存活率、产卵量、有效卵的孵化率以及无效卵的比例均有显著影响,但对后代的发育速率和性比无显著影响。2F/2M的蠋蝽30 d内存活率最高（65%）,且无效卵的比例最低（12.68%）,单头雌成虫30 d内产卵量为105.5粒,与产卵量最高的处理1F/1M无显著差异。4F/2M的蠋蝽的卵孵化率最高,为88.05%,但是与2F/2M（81.57%）无显著差异。2F/2M的蠋蝽适合度指数最高（441.14）,而3F/3M的适合度指数最低。结果表明,在高10 cm,直径7 cm的透明塑料杯内饲养蠋蝽成虫时,雌、雄成虫最佳饲养密度和性别配比为2F/2M。选用合适的饲养密度和性别配比可显著提高蠋蝽成虫的繁殖力。     

Masculinization of the Native Bay Snook,Petenia splendida,Using Oral Administration of the Synthetic Steroid 17α‐methyltestosterone

The possibility of inducing sex reversal in bay snook, Petenia splendida, was evaluated to generate a protocol aimed at producing single‐sex populations (100% males) and improving farming conditions for this species. This popular staple food is a cichlid fish native to Central America, with aquaculture potential. We evaluated oral administration of the synthetic steroid 17α‐methyltestosterone (MT) to determine optimal dosage (30, 45, and 60 mg/kg of food) and days of feeding (30, 45, and 60) to attain efficient masculinization. The statistical analysis indicates a highly significant effect of both factors as well as for the interaction (P < 0.01). We registered significant differences in growth at the end of the experiment; fish fed with 60 mg of MT for 60 d reached the largest size, while fish fed with no MT were smaller. No significant differences were observed for survival (P > 0.05), ranging from 55.7 to 75.3% in the treatments. We recommend the use of 60 mg/kg of MT for 30 d for achieving successful sex reversal. This study provides valuable information supporting the inclusion of new species in aquaculture, reducing time and costs associated with sex reversal previously proposed for the species.