一种免疫诱导型鲤启动子的克隆与功能分析

为发掘适用于基因工程抗病育种的鱼类启动子,通过实时荧光定量PCR实验对鲤Rab GTP酶(Ras-associated binding-GTPases 1a3,Rab1a3)基因的表达模式进行了分析,证实该基因在鳃、头肾等与机体免疫防御功能密切相关的组织内转录水平较高,且免疫激活后转录显著增强,符合基因工程抗病育种所需的外源免疫基因转录模式。从鲤细菌人工染色体文库中,使用Rab1a3基因特异引物筛选获得包含该基因区域的文库克隆,测序获得该基因完整序列,以及上下游调控序列。通过生物信息学手段,预测到长度为1014 bp的鲤Rab1a3基因启动子序列,该启动子不具有典型的TATA盒或CpG岛特征,存在多个免疫相关转录因子结合位点。在草鱼肾组织细胞系内验证该启动子活性,结果显示,绿色荧光蛋白基因和萤火虫荧光素酶基因都能够在该启动子驱动下表达,证实该片段具有启动子活性,且启动子活性在受到免疫诱导后增强,双荧光素酶报告基因检测结果显示,该启动子活性在免疫刺激后增强至免疫刺激前的8.67倍。研究表明,鲤Rab1a3基因启动子有望被开发成为免疫诱导型的基因工程元件,驱动外源免疫基因在鱼体内适时表达,抵御外界病原感染,同时避免非必要条件下的过度表达形成生长负担。     

大黄鱼slitrk3基因启动子克隆及转录调控分析

神经突触相关蛋白Slitrk3具有调节抑制性突触发育的作用。研究大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)神经突触黏附分子slitrk3基因的转录调控机制,可为解决大黄鱼养殖面临的生长、应激及抗逆等问题提供新思路。通过生物信息学方法对大黄鱼及其他物种的Slitrk3氨基酸进行多重序列比对和系统进化树分析,并预测大黄鱼slitrk3基因启动子区域相关的调控元件,采用双荧光素酶报告基因系统检测大黄鱼slitrk3基因启动子区域的转录活性。生物信息学分析结果显示,Slitrk3氨基酸序列在鱼类中具有较高的保守性;大黄鱼slitrk3基因启动子区域预测存在2个潜在的转录起始位点、2个CpG岛以及Sp1、GR、C/EBPα和C/EBPβ等多种转录因子结合位点。双荧光素酶报告基因系统结果显示,大黄鱼slitrk3基因启动子区域的-1 970—-1 614 bp、-1 210—-667 bp存在正调控元件,-1 614—-1 210 bp、-667—-376 bp、-376—-147bp存在负调控元件,推测-147—+16 bp为核心启动子。     

室内养殖虹鳟水温调控技术

在温室内使用地下浅表水作为水源开展虹鳟养殖试验,通过合理使用浅表水、加盖遮阳网、加强通风等技术措施,使室内的养殖水温终年控制在5-25℃,保证了虹鳟鱼的正常生长,较好地解决了虹鳟鱼在江苏的度夏难题。     

鳜胰蛋白酶基因进化及启动子功能分析

为探究胰蛋白酶与鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)开口时期活鱼食性之间的联系及鳜关键胰蛋白酶基因的转录调控机制, 利用生物信息学方法对鳜等 11 种不同食性的鱼类胰蛋白酶基因进行数量、序列特征及系统发育分析, 并结合 qPCR、双荧光素酶报告及胰蛋白酶活性检测分析鳜关键胰蛋白酶基因的转录调控机制, 及其与鳜早期胰蛋白酶活性间的联系。结果显示, 鳜基因组中共存在分布在 4 条染色体的 6 个基因座上的 13 个胰蛋白酶基因拷贝, 多于杂食性及草食性鱼类, 表明肉食性鱼类胰蛋白酶基因的扩增与其食物环境需求的高胰蛋白酶相适应。鳜在与人关键胰蛋白酶基因 PRSS1 直系同源的基因所处关键基因座 2 (包含 SC7-LG17-21898 及 SC7-LG17-21899)和基因座 3 (包含 SC7-LG17-21428、SC7-LG17-21429-1、SC7-LG17-21429-2、SC7-LG17-21430-1 及 SC7-LG17-21430-2)上出现基因扩增, 且基因座 3 上扩增更为显著, 其中鳜胰蛋白酶基因 SC7-LG17-21430-2 亚型的表达水平显著高于其他亚型, 推测其为鳜关键胰蛋白酶基因亚型。双荧光素酶报告结果显示, 构建的 SC7-LG17-21430-2 亚型启动区域的 3 个逐段缺失片段启动子活性均存在显著差异, 且−593 bp~+20 bp 区域启动子活性最高, 推测为启动子核心区域。此外, 在该核心区域, 发现 PDX1 这一与早期胰腺发育相关且在鳜仔鱼期几乎不表达的转录因子结合位点, 同时 PDX1 结合位点点突变后导致核心区域启动子活性显著下降。胰蛋白酶活性检测显示 3 dph 鳜仔鱼的胰蛋白酶活性显著性低于同时期斑马鱼(Danio rerio)仔鱼, 表明转录因子 pdx1 的低表达可能导致了鳜胰蛋白酶基因关键亚型 SC7-LG17-21430-2 的低表达以及胰蛋白酶的低酶活, 因而鳜通过摄食活鱼苗来补偿内源性胰蛋白酶低活性, 形成自开口起只食活鱼的奇特食性, 为鳜活鱼食性形成机制的深入解析提供了理论依据。     

团头鲂tf和tfr1a基因启动子克隆及转录调控分析

为探索鱼类转铁蛋白基因tf和转铁蛋白受体基因tfr1a的转录调控机制,本实验以团头鲂为研究对象,在其全基因组数据库中获取tf和tfr1a基因序列,对2个基因候选启动子区转录因子结合位点及CpG岛进行预测,通过PCR方法克隆得到tf和tfr1a基因近端启动子区不同长度片段,连接至pGL3-Basic/pEGFP-1载体,瞬时转染入Hela细胞,并采用双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统进行检测。结果发现,团头鲂tf基因启动子区无CpG岛位点,而tfr1a基因启动子区有2个CpG岛位点。成功构建9个tf和10个tfr1a不同长度启动子片段的重组质粒,经双荧光素酶报告基因系统检测发现,tf启动子核心区域为-268～+56 bp,且-1 308～-1 102 bp片段可能存在正调控该基因表达的转录因子结合位点;tfr1a启动子核心区域为-224～+48 bp,且+48～+92 bp可能存在抑制该基因转录的负调控元件,而-1 229～-1 219 bp区域可能存在促进tfr1a基因表达的正调控转录因子结合位点。     

一种安全有效提高虹鳟苗种成活率的技术

为安全有效地提高虹鳟苗种成活率,应用1种生物制剂——抗菌肽对虹鳟苗种进行浸泡处理。通过比较苗种成活率,检测SOD、ALP、CAT、IL、IFN、TNF等6种免疫相关酶表达量,采用扫描电镜检测苗种体表细菌情况,确定抗菌肽浸泡对虹鳟成活率的影响。试验结果显示,自破膜期开始,用40%抗菌肽浸泡10次,试验组6种免疫相关酶表达量明显高于对照组,试验组苗种的成活率高达95%以上,对照组苗种的成活率则低于30%。电镜观察结果显示,试验组仔鱼体表细菌数量显著减少。试验结果表明,用抗菌肽浸泡法能显著提高虹鳟苗种成活率。     

基于Nrf 2/HO-1启动子筛选抗水生病毒药物的方法

为建立基于Nrf2、HO-1启动子活性的抗病毒药物筛选方法,本实验以黑头软口鲦上皮细胞系(FHM)为材料,构建Nrf2、HO-1启动子重组质粒,利用双荧光素酶报告系统检测不同浓度(0、3.125、6.25、12.5、25、50 μg/mL)的白藜芦醇、水飞蓟宾、穿心莲内酯及姜黄素对启动子活性的影响,并利用鲤春病毒血症病毒(spring viremia of carp virus,SVCV)和蛙虹彩病毒(rana grylio iridovirus,RGV)验证阳性药物的抗病毒效果。结果显示,Nrf2、HO-1启动子序列中存在FOX家族、IRF家族等多种转录因子的结合位点,并分别存在1个和3个与甲基化相关的CpG岛。双荧光素酶报告实验显示,水飞蓟宾、穿心莲内酯及姜黄素可激活Nrf2、HO-1启动子。药物浓度梯度实验表明,6.25 μg/mL的姜黄素和穿心莲内酯可显著上调Nrf2和HO-1的启动子活性。病毒感染后的细胞病变效应、病毒的复制及病毒滴度结果均证明姜黄素和穿心莲内酯可抑制SVCV和RGV的感染。综上,本实验建立的pGL3-Nrf2和pGL3-HO-1启动子报告质粒,可用于抗水生病毒药物的筛选,也为Nrf2、HO-1转录调控机制的研究提供了工具。     

杂色鲍HSP90基因启动子的功能分析

为探索启动子在热休克蛋白90表达调控中的作用,本研究在课题组已有杂色鲍HSP90基因cDNA的基础上,通过Genome walking、Tail-PCR和常规PCR等技术克隆获得该基因的5′调控区序列。在翻译起始位点(ATG)和第一外显子(长度94 bp)之间有一个809bp的内含子,第一外显子之前的5′调控区共2800 bp,从预测的转录起始位点(A)起,共2811 bp。在转录起始位点(A)上游–30 bp处存在TATA box。潜在的转录因子结合位点包括ATF、TBP、Sp1、Oct-1、C/EBPalpha、NF-1、NF-κappa B、GATA-1、Sox-2等。CpG岛预测软件分析其含1个CpG岛,长度为131 bp。实验构建了8个启动子缺失片段的萤火虫荧光素酶表达载体,通过瞬时转染293T细胞并进行双荧光素酶报告基因活性检测,确定杂色鲍HSP90基因核心启动子区位于–98~83 bp。在–624~–539 bp,Oct-1、C/EBPalpha、NF-1这3个转录因子都起到一定的抑制作用。     

东北七鳃鳗NF-κB基因启动子的构建及活性

核转录因子NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B)对机体的免疫反应、炎症反应等起重要的调控作用。为了获得NF-κB基因启动子的活性报告基因,进一步研究原始脊椎动物免疫应答的机制,实验根据此前克隆得到的东北七鳃鳗NF-κB基因的编码序列(coding sequence,CDS),以与东北七鳃鳗高度同源的日本七鳃鳗同源基因5′上游启动子特征序列为模板设计引物,克隆获得了东北七鳃鳗NF-κB启动子序列,该序列全长3 169 bp,提交至NCBI数据库GenBank获得登录号MN368861。经AliBaba 2.1软件预测该序列包含CREB (cgtgacttca)、Oct-1 (aatatgaatt)、GATA-1 (gaacctatct)、AP-1 (ggttgagtca)、NF-kappa B (ctttcctgtt)、IRF-1 (tttcctgttc)、Sp-1 (tgtgaggggt)、c-Jun (acgtgacttc)和c-Fos (ggttgagtca)等多个转录因子结合位点,并包含TATA box转录核心元件。通过MethPrimer软件预测在序列1 ...     

新型锌制剂对虹鳟生长及免疫功能的影响

为研究纳米锌及纳米锌多糖复合体对虹鳟生长及免疫功能的影响,选取平均体质量(120.0±3.0) g的虹鳟300尾,随机分成5组,每组3个平行,每个平行20尾,按1μL/g进行尾部肌肉注射纳米锌及纳米锌多糖复合体溶液,含量分别为1000、3000 mg/kg,试验周期为10 d。试验结果显示,纳米锌及纳米锌多糖复合体可不同程度提高虹鳟特定生长率(P>0.05)。1000 mg/kg纳米锌多糖复合体组虹鳟血液NBT阳性细胞数量百分比在第3 d最高,达22.3%(P<0.05);3000 mg/kg纳米锌多糖复合体组白细胞吞噬能力在第6 d最强(P<0.05)。3000 mg/kg纳米锌组虹鳟血清杀菌能力第3 d最高(19.4%),而3000 mg/kg纳米锌多糖复合体组血清杀菌能力第6 d最高,达32.43%(P<0.05)。第3 d,1000 mg/kg纳米锌多糖复合体组过氧化氢酶活性、一氧化氮合成酶活性分别为26.39、43.38 U/mL (P<0.05);第6 d,超氧化物歧化酶、酸性磷酸酶活性最高,分别为29.91 U/mL、201.4 U/L(P<0.05),微量丙二醛浓度最低,为3.19 nmol/mL。试验结束后通过杀鲑气单胞菌攻毒感染,7 d内观察虹鳟累积死亡率,1000 mg/kg纳米锌多糖复合体组累积死亡率仅30%。由试验结果可知,纳米锌和纳米锌多糖复合体均能对虹鳟免疫功能产生促进作用,以1000 mg/kg纳米锌多糖复合体效果最佳。     

Fishmeal alternative from renewable CO2 for rainbow trout feed

The rapid global growth in fish farming and limited supply of fish meal (FM) has consequently reduced FM inclusion levels in compound feeds leading to a higher reliance on alternative protein sources. Sasya is a single cell protein (SCP) product that has a similar amino acid profile as FM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing FM with SCP on in vivo digestibility, growth, feed efficiency, whole‐body proximate/amino acid composition and gene expression levels of various hepatic enzymes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Three isonitrogenous (470 g/kg crude protein) and isolipidic (18 g/kg crude lipid) diets were formulated as follows: Diet 1: control (30% FM); Diet 2:24% FM + 6% SCP and Diet 3:18% FM + 12% SCP. Each diet was hand‐fed to triplicate tanks containing 30 rainbow trout fingerlings (4.99 ± 0.20 g) for 9 weeks. Apparent digestibility coefficients of SCP for dry matter, crude protein, lipid and energy were 60, 80, 93 and 74% respectively. Growth performance (final weight: 69–71 g), feed conversion ratios (0.91–0.94) as well as whole‐body protein and amino acid composition were unaffected by diets. However, Diet 3 significantly increased whole‐body crude fat and energy. Fish fed the SCP‐based diets had significantly higher expression for carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1b (CPT1b), fatty acid delta 6 desaturase (FADS6) and fatty acid elongase 5 compared to the control. Overall, the quality of the SCP was similar as FM. Therefore, this product could enlarge the portfolio of alternative protein sources that can be used in fish diets and thus open a new market opportunity for use of a new feed resource in the feed industry.     

虹鳟pmela基因的克隆及其在不同发育阶段和组织中的表达分析

前黑素小体蛋白a (premelanosome protein,pmela)基因是黑色素合成通路中的关键基因之一,对动物的体色有着重要影响。为探讨pmela基因在虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)体色变异中的作用,本研究利用cDNA末端快速扩增(rapid amplification of cDNA ends,RACE)技术对pmela基因cDNA全长进行克隆并运用生物信息学方法分析该基因的序列特征,同时采用qRT-PCR比较pmela在野生型虹鳟(虹鳟)、黄色突变型虹鳟(金鳟)和杂交F₁代受精期至孵化后3个月不同发育时期及成鱼不同组织中的相对表达量。研究获得pmela基因cDNA全长序列3 476 bp,包含2 532 bp开放阅读框,编码843个氨基酸。序列分析发现,Pmela为疏水性蛋白且存在PKD功能结构域。同源性比对发现,虹鳟Pemla氨基酸序列与红鲑(Oncorhynchus nerka)的同源性高达97.75%;进化分析结果显示,虹鳟与红鲑的亲缘关系最近,与人类(Homo sapiens)和小鼠(Mus musculus)的亲缘关系最远。...     

虾青素在虹鳟体内的沉积与降解研究

为研究着色虹鳟在摄食状态和饥饿状态下的虾青素降解规律,实验选用平均体质量为(101.9±1.3)g的未着色虹鳟和已着色虹鳟,对未着色虹鳟饲喂含虾青素(100 mg/kg)饲料以研究虾青素在机体的沉积规律(虾青素沉积组);对着色虹鳟,饲喂含虾青素(100 mg/kg)饲料(正对照)、不含虾青素饲料(摄食降解组)或予以饥饿处理(饥饿降解组),实验共设4个处理组,每个处理组3个重复.实验共持续4周,每周采样一次,测定肌肉、肝脏和全鱼虾青素含量,血清类胡萝卜素含量,肌肉色差值(L*,a*,b*)和肌肉罗氏比色卡得分.结果表明,虾青素沉积组的虹鳟肌肉、肝脏虾青素含量、肌肉红度值和罗氏比色卡得分随饲养时间延长而增加(P＜0.05),在第3周时达到基本稳定,与第4周测定值无显著差异(P＞0.05);在4周养殖期内,全鱼虾青素含量呈增加趋势,而全鱼虾青素沉积率则呈下降趋势,第1周、第4周时的全鱼虾青素含量和全鱼虾青素沉积率分别为3.71 mg/kg、8.59 mg/kg和21.31％、15.26％;饥饿降解组和摄食降解组虹鳟的全鱼、肌肉、肝脏虾青素含量、肌肉红度值和罗氏比色卡得分随养殖时间延长逐渐降低(P＜0.05),其中饥饿降解组的下降趋势更为明显,第3周后,这种降低趋势减缓.上述研究表明,在虹鳟饲料中添加100 mg/kg虾青素,经过3周饲养即可使肌肉达到着色要求,虾青素的沉积率随时间延长而下降;饥饿和投喂不含虾青素的饲料均可使已着色虹鳟肌肉虾青素含量和红色度显著下降,饥饿使虾青素的减少更加迅速,虾青素在鱼体内的减少量随时间的延长而降低.     

Automated image analysis as a tool to quantify the colour and composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.) cutlets

The goal of this paper is to propose and evaluate automated image analysis methods for describing muscle cutlets in rainbow trout. The proposed automated image analysis methods were tested on a total of 983 scanned images of trout cutlets, and included quality traits such as fat percentage, flesh colour and the size of morphologically distinguishable subparts of the cutlet. A sub-sample of 50 images was randomly selected for manual segmentation of the cutlet, the dorsal fat depot and the red muscle and regions. The identification of these regions by manual and automatic image analysis correlated strongly (r = 0.97, r = 0.95 and r = 0.91, respectively). The estimated fat percentage obtained from image analysis, based on the area of visible fat and the colour of the cutlet flesh, correlated well with chemical fat percentage measured by mid-infrared transmission spectroscopy (MIT) (r = 0.78). The automated image analysis methods are therefore a reliable means of predicting the fat percentage of trout cutlets. Principal component analysis (PCA) loading plots were used to identify subsets of variables from the image analysis of special significance for further studies; cutlet area, dorsal fat depot area, red muscle area, back height, cutlet width, and width of left and right abdomen wall were among the variables selected. PCA loading plots of different colour variables indicated that simple statistical coefficients such as percentiles and mean values can be used to quantify different aspects of flesh colour. In conclusion, the methods presented here provide a powerful toolbox for describing important morphological structures and quality traits of trout cutlets.     

Evaluation of the impact of nitrate-nitrogen levels in recirculating aquaculture systems on concentrations of the off-flavor compounds geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol in water and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Aquatic animals raised in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) can develop preharvest “off-flavors” such as “earthy” or “musty” which are caused by the bioaccumulation of the odorous compounds geosmin or 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), respectively, in their flesh. Tainted aquatic products cause large economic losses to producers due to the inability to market them. Certain species of actinomycetes, a group of filamentous bacteria, have been attributed as the main sources of geosmin and MIB in RAS. Previous studies have demonstrated that certain nutritional factors can stimulate or inhibit bacterial biomass and geosmin production by certain actinomycetes. In the current study, the effects of two nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃^--N) levels (20–40 mg/L and 80–100 mg/L) on geosmin and MIB levels in culture water and the flesh of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) raised in RAS were monitored. Water and fish tissue samples were collected over an approximately nine-week period from six RAS, three replicates each of low and high NO₃^--N, and analyzed for geosmin concentrations using solid phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results indicated no significant difference in geosmin concentrations in water or fish flesh between the low and high NO₃^--N RAS. Therefore, higher NO₃^--N levels that may occur in RAS will not adversely or beneficially impact geosmin-related off-flavor problems.     

Oral pharmacological treatments for ichthyophthiriosis of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The aim of this work was to explore the efficacy of a veterinary drug, Triclabendazole (5-chloro-6-(2, 3-dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylthio-1H-benzimidazole), in an inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin as a suitable treatment for parasitic diseases caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in rainbow trout. The efficacy was determined by the reduction in the infection intensity. The complexes were prepared by the kneading method and were characterized by DSC and X-ray diffractometry. The selected stoichoimetry was 1:3 because of the higher percentage of Triclabendazole complexed with cyclodextrin. Administration of Triclabendazole and complex was carried out by including appropriate doses in animal feed. Our studies suggest that the Triclabendazole–cyclodextrin complex results in a reduction in the infection degree and trophont size is decreased in the animals treated. The oral treatment of Triclabendazole in inclusion complexes may be an alternative to bath treatments in trout farming.     

Effect of feeding schedule on growth of rainbow trout

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings were reared for 2 months under one of two different feeding regimes (one and two diurnal peaks) and under a constant feeding regime as a control in order to find out if it is possible to fit the feeding to the assumed circadian rhythm. The differences in the specific growth rates observed between the different feeding treatments were not significant, but the tank-effect and the effect of the genetic background of the fish were highly significant. The conclusion that no beneficial effects are achievable through alteration of the feeding regime and the significance of a possible genotype-feeding-regime interaction are discussed.     

虹鳟肠炎红嘴病病理模型的构建

为探讨鲁氏耶尔森菌侵染虹鳟的致病机制,本实验建立了鲁氏耶尔森菌感染虹鳟引起的肠炎红嘴病的病理模型,制定相应的临床症状及组织病理学评分系统,并对该模型进行研究。将43尾平均体质量约为12 g的健康虹鳟随机分成5组:3个实验组(n=30)、对照组(n=10)和哨兵组(n=3)。3个实验组分别采用2.0×106、2.0×107和2.0×108 CFU/m L的鲁氏耶尔森菌感染浓度,通过腹腔注射方式进行人工感染试验。对感染鲁氏耶尔森菌的虹鳟肠、肝脏、脾脏和肾脏组织进行镜检及临床症状、剖检病变判断,结合细菌学检测,按制定的评分系统评价各组肠炎红嘴病造模效果,确定最佳造模方案。结果显示,各攻毒组虹鳟感染后72 h均出现不同程度死亡,临床症状表现为红嘴、肛门红肿、鳍(胸鳍、腹鳍、臀鳍)等出现不同程度充血,下颌部、腹部出现出血点等。组织病理学可见肝脏、脾脏、肾脏及肠组织均有炎性细胞浸润现象出现,肝细胞、肠上皮细胞和肾小管上皮细胞等实质细胞变性、坏死,脾脏部位淋巴细胞减少、红细胞死亡堆积。综合各组得分发现,2.0×107 CFU/m L组的鲁氏耶尔森菌感染虹鳟造模效果最佳,患病虹鳟的临床症状显著且组内差异较小,病程迁延较长,便于研究。研究表明,对体质量约12 g的虹鳟幼鱼腹腔注射0.1 m L浓度为2.0×107 CFU/m L的鲁氏耶尔森菌可成功构建肠炎红嘴病病理模型。     

Effects of soft-water acclimation on the physiology, swimming performance, and cardiac parameters of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Rainbow trout acclimated to soft water were submitted to an incremental velocity trial, and exhibited a 14% decrease in critical swimming speed (U _crit ∼ 1.37 ± 0.055 vs. 1.54 ± 0.044 m s⁻¹) compared to fish kept in hard water. After a standardized swimming protocol, soft-water-acclimated fish had higher blood lactate concentrations (6.5 ± 0.66 and 6.0 ± 0.64 mmol L⁻¹ (soft water) vs. 5.0 ± 0.46 and 3.9 ± 0.32 mmol L⁻¹ (hard water)), revealing a greater use of anaerobic metabolism for the same exercise. Cardiovascular parameters were investigated while fish were swimming at increasing water velocities, revealing that soft-water-acclimated fish had lower increases in heart rate (105% vs. 118% of pre-exercise values), due to higher heart rates observed during acclimation and during the first 10 min of the swimming trial. This was also reflected by the plateau in heart rate and stroke volume observed during the swimming protocol, which can be attributed to increased cardiovascular function in response to soft-water acclimation. These results are in accord with previously reported increases in blood-to-water diffusion distance, due to proliferation of chloride cells at the gills in response to soft-water conditions, and underscore the costs and limitations of soft-water acclimation. R. C. Playle—Deceased.     

Ovarian fluid pH enhances motility parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) spermatozoa

All evidence to date suggest that sperm motility is the primary determinant of fertilization success in externally fertilizing fish species. Ovarian fluid, which comprises 10–30% of the total egg volume in salmonids, enhances sperm motility with respect to swimming speed, trajectory and the duration of movement. It was recently demonstrated that there is individual variability in sperm motility enhancing potential of ovarian fluid of particular females. In the present study we examined the effect of particular ovarian fluids collected from 31 females on the sperm motility parameters of one male of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). During our experiment we also monitored the pH of ovarian fluid. We found that particular fluids differed in the ability to activate spermatozoa; sperm remained immotile in four fluids and exhibited 50–100% motility in 27 samples. The percentage of motile sperm, velocity and duration of movement positively correlated with ovarian fluid pH (r² = 0.34–0.62). These data strongly suggest that the pH of the ovarian fluid is the primary determinant of sperm motility in rainbow trout under natural conditions of fertilization.