甲基汞对鲤鱼血浆渗透压及鳃丝Na＋－K＋－ATPase活性的影响

以水体甲基汞不同浓度（μｇ／Ｌ）分别染毒鲤鱼２４小时和１周。实验结果表明：在浓度高于５０μｇ／Ｌ染毒２４小时和浓度２０μｇ／Ｌ染毒１周时，多数染毒鱼的血浆Ｋ＋和Ｍｇ２＋浓度增高，Ｎａ＋和Ｃｌ－浓度下降，ＰＯ３－４值变化不明显。血浆Ｃａ２＋浓度仅在２００μｇ／Ｌ染毒２４小时和高于４０μｇ／Ｌ染毒１周时，染毒鱼的血浆Ｃａ２＋出现极显著下降。甲基汞量高于１００μｇ／Ｌ染毒２４小时和８０μｇ／Ｌ染毒１周，染毒鱼的血浆渗透压呈明显下降趋势。鳃线粒体Ｎａ＋－Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性仅在染毒２４小时浓度为２５μｇ／Ｌ和５０μｇ／Ｌ剂量时受到抑制。甲基汞还引起了血糖含量的明显增高。     

Dopamine modulates the physiological response of the tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon

Levels of glucose, lactate, pO₂, pCO₂, HCO₃⁻, TCO₂, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, protein, and oxyhemocyanin in the hemolymph and its osmolality and pH were measured when tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon (13.5 ± 1.5 g body weight), were individually injected with saline or dopamine at 10^− 8, 10^− 7, or 10^− 6 mol shrimp^− 1. Results showed that hemolymph glucose, lactate, pCO₂, HCO₃⁻, and TCO₂ values increased from 2 to 4 h; hemolymph osmolality, Na⁺, and total protein had increased at 2 h; and hemolymph K⁺ decreased from 2 to 8 h after the dopamine injection. All physiological parameters returned to the control values 4–16 h after receiving dopamine. The dopamine injection also significantly decreased the oxyhemocyanin/protein ratio of P. monodon which occurred at 2 h, resulting from an elevation of hemolymph protein and a slight decrease of oxyhemocyanin. These results suggest that stress-inducing dopamine caused a transient period of modulation of energy metabolism, osmoregulation, respiration, and the acid–base balance in P. monodon in adapting to this environmental stress.     

Equilibrium vitrification of mouse embryos at various developmental stages using low concentrations of cryoprotectants

We previously developed a new vitrification method (equilibrium vitrification) by which two-cell mouse embryos can be vitrified in liquid nitrogen in a highly dehydrated/concentrated state using low concentrations of cryoprotectants. In the present study, we examined whether this method is effective for mouse embryos at multiple developmental stages. Four-cell embryos, eight-cell embryos, morulae, and blastocysts were vitrified with EDFS10/10a, 10% (v/v) ethylene glycol and 10% (v/v) DMSO in FSa solution. The FSa solution was PB1 medium containing 30% (w/v) Ficoll PM-70 plus 0.5 M sucrose. The state of dehydration/concentration was assessed by examining the survival of vitrified embryos after storage at –80°C. When four-cell embryos and eight-cell embryos were vitrified with EDFS10/10a in liquid nitrogen and then stored at –80°C, the survival rate was high, even after 28 days, with relatively high developmental ability. On the other hand, the survival of morulae and blastocysts vitrified in liquid nitrogen and stored at –80°C for four days was low. Therefore, morulae and blastocysts cannot be vitrified in a highly dehydrated/concentrated state using the same method as with two-cell embryos. However, when blastocysts were shrunken artificially before vitrification, survival was high after storage at –80°C for four days with high developmental ability. In conclusion, the equilibrium vitrification method using low concentrations of cryoprotectants, which is effective for two-cell mouse embryos, is also useful for embryos at multiple stages. This method enables the convenient transportation of vitrified embryos using dry ice.     

Effects of dissolved oxygen on hemolymph parameters of freshwater giant prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

Profiles of changes in physiological parameters of freshwater giant prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, exposed to various dissolved oxygen (DO) levels of 7.75, 4.75, 2.75, and 1.75 mg l⁻¹ are reported. The parameters involved in osmoregulation and oxygen transport were monitored for a 6-day period. Notable depressions in hemolymph osmolality, Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl⁻ contents were observed within 24 h after exposure to hypoxia at 2.75 and 1.75 mg O₂ l⁻¹, and thereafter remained at rather steady levels, which were significantly lower than those under normoxic conditions (4.75–7.75 mg O₂ l⁻¹). The extent of depression of osmotic-related constituents, hemolymph osmolality and Cl⁻ in particular, increased with decreased DO.

Oxyhemocyanin constituted 65.46–65.84% of total hemolymph proteins under the various DO levels examined; both hemolymph oxyhemocyanin and proteins showed notable elevations 24 h after exposure to hypoxic conditions, and reached the highest and constant level by 48 h after exposure. The compensatory responses of prawns to reduced O₂ were manifested by increased O₂ uptake through augmentation of hemocyanin, which results in enhancement of oxygen binding capacity of the hemolymph. In the same period, a significant surge of the respiratory products, PCO₂ and HCO₃⁻, was also demonstrated 6 h after exposure to hypoxic conditions which resulted in hemolymph alkalosis. These processes likely resulted in an increase in water influx and consequent declines in hemolymph osmolality and ion composition. Furthermore, hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis, indicated by increased oxyhemocyanin and pH, respectively, were found to be predominant responses of M. rosenbergii to hypoxic stress.     

Effect of osmolality on net fluid absorption in non-infected and ETEC-infected piglet small intestinal segments

In the small intestinal segment perfusion model the effect of osmolality on net fluid absorption in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-infected and non-infected small intestinal segments of piglets was investigated. In ETEC-infected segments net fluid absorption was reduced. Lowering the osmolality from 375 to 150 mOsmol/l by reducing sodium chloride concentrations increased net fluid absorption. There was a linear relationship between osmolality and net fluid absorption for both non-infected and ETEC-infected segments. Below 150 mOsmol/l the inverse relationship between osmolality and net fluid absorption disappeared. Substitution of sodium chloride with mannitol decreased net fluid absorption since mannitol cannot be actively absorbed. In ETEC-infected segments perfused with oral rehydration solution net fluid absorption significantly increased compared to a sodium chloride solution of similar osmolality, probably because of the high glucose concentration. Supplying hypotonic sodium chloride fluids to piglets can be beneficial in replenishing water and electrolyte losses in case of infectious diarrhoea.     

The effects of salinity on the survival, growth and haemolymph osmolality of early juvenile blue swimmer crabs, Portunus pelagicus

The blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus, is an emerging aquaculture species in the Indo-Pacific. Two experiments were performed to determine the effects of salinity on survival, growth and haemolymph osmolality of early juvenile P. pelagicus crabs. The salinities tested for the first experiment were 10, 15, 25 and 40 ppt, and for the second experiment 5, 20, 30, 35 and 45 ppt. Each salinity experiment was triplicated, with each replicate consisting of 10 stage 4 juveniles. Each experiment lasted 45 days. Mortalities and incidence of “molt death syndrome” were recorded daily, while the intermolt period, carapace length, carapace width and wet weight were measured at each molt. At the end of the experiments the haemolymph osmolality and dry weights were measured.

Results demonstrate that salinity significantly affects both the survival and growth of early P. pelagicus juveniles. Mortality was significantly higher (p < 0.01) for juveniles cultured at salinities ≤ 15 ppt and at 45 ppt. At a salinity of 5 ppt a complete mortality occurred on day 20. In all salinity treatments, the majority of mortalities were due to “molt death syndrome”. In experiment 1, immediate effects of salinity on growth and development were seen at 10 ppt as the intermolt period was significantly longer (p < 0.01) and the mean carapace size increase was significantly less (p < 0.01) at the first molt compared to the other treatments. Meanwhile, the specific growth rates (carapace length, width and wet weight) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) at high salinities (≥ 40 ppt) due to longer intermolt periods and significantly lower (p < 0.05) carapace size or wet weight increases.

The haemolymph osmolality exhibited a positive linear relationship with the culture medium with an isosmotic point of 1106 mOsm/kg, equal to a salinity of approximately 38 ppt. Based on the osmolality graph, high metabolic cost for osmoregulation due to increased hyper- and hypo-osmotic stress appeared to cause lower survival and specific growth rates of the crabs. The results demonstrate that a salinity range of 20–35 ppt is suitable for the culture of early juvenile P. pelagicus.     

脊尾白虾水通道蛋白基因4和11在碱度胁迫过程中的作用

水通道蛋白(aquaporin)是一种细胞膜上特异性转运水分子及其他中性代谢分子的膜蛋白家族,对生物的细胞内外渗透压稳定具有重要的调节作用。为了了解水通道蛋白在脊尾白虾(Exopalaemon carinicauda)应对碱度胁迫中的作用,本研究利用RACE技术成功克隆了脊尾白虾水通道蛋白4 (aquaporin 4, EcAQP4)与水通道蛋白11 (aquaporin 11, EcAQP11)基因cDNA全长,EcAQP4基因的开放阅读框为621 bp,编码206个氨基酸,预测分子量为21.673 kDa,理论等电点为8.30,为疏水性蛋白,具有5个跨膜结构域;EcAQP11基因的开放阅读框长度为783 bp,编码260个氨基酸,预测蛋白分子量为28.490 kDa,理论等电点为5.40,为疏水性蛋白,具有4个跨膜结构域。序列比对结果显示,EcAQP4基因与罗氏沼虾(Macrobrachium rosenbergii)同源性最高,为94.63%;EcAQP11与斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)同源性最高,为81.47%。为验证水通道蛋白的功能,利用RNA干扰技术特异性沉默EcAQP4和EcAQP11基因,结果显示,碳酸盐碱度胁迫后,注射干扰后的脊尾白虾死亡率显著升高,EcAQP4干扰组72 h死亡率达到45%,EcAQP11干扰组72 h死亡率达到55%,与对照组差异显著(P<0.05)。同时发现,EcAQP4干扰组在碳酸盐碱度胁迫24、48与72 h时的血液渗透压变化幅度显著高于对照组(P<0.05),72 h时渗透压显著升高(P<0.05);EcAQP11干扰组血液渗透压在3个时间点均显著升高(P<0.05)。以上结果表明,水通道蛋白在脊尾白虾应对碱度胁迫过程中起到了调节渗透压、维持体内外离子平衡的作用。     

Sucrose,water and nutrient use during stage II multiplication of two turmeric clones (Curcuma longa L.) in liquid medium

Two clones of turmeric (Cucruma longa L.) were assessed nine times during a 28-day culture period in double phosphate MS liquid medium containing 2%, 4% and 6% sucrose. The phase of rapid shoot bud multiplication lasted for 21 days or less, in both clones in all media. The maximum multiplication rate was 3.4× at 20 and 19 days, with 3.9% or 4.7% initial sucrose concentration being optimal for the clones 9-3 and 35-1, respectively. Dry mass increased over the entire culture period and was greatest with 4.8% or at least 6% initial sucrose concentration for the two clones, 9-3 and 35-1, respectively. Maximum tissue water mass required 2.8% and 3.9% initial sucrose, respectively, in the two clones. Tissue relative water content (tissue water mass/fresh mass) was better correlated with sucrose concentration in medium, than the osmolality of medium, for both clones at all sucrose concentrations. Relative water content increased over time (water was incorporated more rapidly than dry mass in growing tissue) and sucrose concentration in media decreased over time (sucrose was used at a relatively more rapid rate than water). The concentrations of 10 nutrients (P, K, S, Zn, Mg, Fe, B, Ca, Mn and Cu) and Na assayed in time course all decreased rapidly over time. The rates of nutrient use were better related to growth of plant mass than shoot bud multiplication. P and Cu were completely depleted from medium before the end of the culture period. P concentration in tissues was in the lower ranges of that considered optimal, and Cu was in excess concentrations, based on comparison to high-yielding field-grown plants. Sugar, water, and nutrient use were more closely related to plant mass than shoot multiplication. The stationary phase of bud multiplication was coincident with continued growth of tissue dry and water mass. Among inorganic nutrients, lowered concentrations of P were most likely related to the stationary phase of bud multiplication, but still permissive of dry and water mass increases. Lowered availability of sugar, other inorganic nutrients, or less available water, did not precede day 21 and the end of active shoot bud multiplication. In batch culture, the concentration of a nutrient that is rapidly used (e.g. sucrose) does not remain at an optimal range for a prolonged period of time.