杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种和杀日本鲑亚种PCR检测方法的建立

杀鲑气单胞菌(Aeromonas salmonicida)是一种重要的鱼类致病菌,可以感染多种海淡水鱼类。杀鲑气单胞菌包括5个亚种,目前常用的生理生化特征和16S rDNA序列分析方法很难实现亚种的快速精确区分。为实现杀鲑气单胞菌亚种的快速鉴定和检测,针对我国常见的杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种(A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida)和杀日本鲑亚种(A. salmonicida subsp. masoucida),本研究开发了其特异性的PCR检测方法。根据Gene Bank已公布的杀鲑气单胞菌基因组信息,选择杀鲑亚种phoB基因和杀日本鲑亚种LOC111476736基因作为目标基因,根据其序列设计特异性引物,进一步对PCR反应的退火温度、引物浓度、dNTPs浓度、Mg2+浓度和酶浓度5个方面进行了优化,并测试了该方法的特异性、敏感性和应用效果。结果显示,2对引物分别可以扩增出杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种522 bp的phoB特异性基因片段和杀日本鲑亚种515 bp的LOC111476736特异性基因片段。杀鲑亚种特异性引物最适退火温度为64 ℃,10 µmol/L引物、2 mmol/L dNTPs、25 mmol/L MgSO4和1 U/µL KOD酶的最适添加量分别为1.5、2、1.5和0.5 µL。杀日本鲑亚种特异性引物最适退火温度为64 ℃,10 µmol/L引物、2 mmol/L dNTPs、25 mmol/L MgSO4和1 U/µL KOD酶的最适添加量分别为0.75、1、1.5和0.5 µL。以鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)、美人鱼发光杆菌(Photobacterium damselae)、杀鱼爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella piscicida)、杀鲑气单胞菌其他亚种等14种其他水产病原菌或常见环境菌为模板进行PCR检测,均无特异性条带。该方法对杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种的检测灵敏度为12.8 CFU/反应(菌体)或17.6 fg/反应(DNA),对杀鲑气单胞菌杀日本鲑亚种的检测灵敏度为23.8 CFU/反应(菌体)或27.2 fg/反应(DNA)。利用杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种和杀日本鲑亚种分别对大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)进行人工感染实验,感染后取病鱼组织进行PCR检测,结果显示,本方法可以从感染后的大菱鲆中分别检测到相应病原。综上所述,本研究建立了杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种和杀日本鲑亚种的特异性PCR检     

饲料中添加复合芽孢杆菌对凡纳滨对虾抗病毒感染能力及抗病基因表达的影响

自健康凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)分离到枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)、地衣芽孢杆菌(B. licheniformis)和短小芽孢杆菌(B. pumilus),将上述芽孢杆菌以单一和3株复合的方式包裹在基础饲料表面,制成益生菌饲料;每日投喂对虾,3周后进行白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)人工感染。统计实验组和对照组的累积死亡率,测定对虾鳃组织内WSSV拷贝数,分析对虾肠道组织含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白酶基因(Caspase)和硫氧还原蛋白基因(Trx)的相对表达量。结果显示,感染实验结束时,A组(枯草芽孢杆菌)、B组(地衣芽孢杆菌)、C组(短小芽孢杆菌)和D组(枯草芽孢杆菌+地衣芽孢杆菌+短小芽孢杆菌复合益生菌)的对虾累积死亡率分别为(73.3±7.0)%、(63.3±5.5)%、(75.0±7.9)%和(50.0±5.3)%,显著低于对照组(PBS组)(100%);在整个感染阶段,各实验组的病毒拷贝数呈先上升后下降的趋势,但对照组呈现一直上升趋势,且显著高于实验组。抗病基因表达结果显示,WSSV感染后,各组对虾肠道Caspase相对表达量随感染时间的延长呈先上调再下调的趋势,且在18 h各组对虾肠道Caspase表达量达到最大值;益生菌摄取和WSSV感染都能刺激Trx的表达,益生菌的刺激相对平缓,且各实验组对虾肠道Trx相对表达量在WSSV感染后的18 h时陡升到最大值,极显著高于对照组,且以D组的激活能力最强。研究证实,枯草芽孢杆菌、地衣芽孢杆菌和短小芽孢杆菌均可提高对虾抗WSSV感染能力,复合芽孢杆菌抗病毒能力最突出。对虾抗病力的提高可能与芽孢杆菌减缓了病毒在靶组织的增殖速率、提高了Caspase和Trx基因表达水平相关。     

3种淡水鱼病原菌多重PCR检测方法的建立与应用

根据辽宁地区常见淡水鱼病原菌嗜水气单胞菌、迟钝爱德华氏菌、蜡样芽孢杆菌的相关毒力因子,选择特异性较强的嗜水气单胞菌的溶血素(hlyA)基因、迟钝爱德华氏菌的效应蛋白(eseD)基因、蜡样芽孢杆菌非溶血性肠毒素(nheA)基因为分子靶标,分别设计1对特异性引物,建立可同步检测3种菌的多重PCR检测体系。研究结果显示,在3个毒力基因引物浓度均为0.4μmol/L,模板质量浓度为2.5 ng/μL,dNTP和酶添加量分别为2.5μL和0.3μL,退火温度为55℃时,各目的片段均可较好地扩增。敏感性试验结果表明,建立的多重PCR对嗜水气单胞菌、迟钝爱德华氏菌和蜡样芽孢杆菌的最低检测量分别为4.8、3.0 ng和2.6 ng。对临床分离的菌株样本进行检测,与16S rDNA分子鉴定结果的符合率为100%。建立的多重PCR体系检测方法特异、灵敏、快速,可同步完成淡水鱼源的嗜水气单胞菌、迟钝爱德华氏菌和蜡样芽孢杆菌的检测。     

牙鲆精氨酸酶Ⅱ基因的克隆以及免疫应答表达分析

本研究克隆得到牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)精氨酸酶Ⅱ基因(ArginaseⅡ,Arg-Ⅱ)全长cDNA序列,并检测了Arg-Ⅱ在牙鲆免疫组织和细菌感染过程中的时空表达模式。结果显示,Arg-Ⅱ基因cDNA全长1882 bp,包含1050 bp开放阅读框,编码349个氨基酸(预测分子量为38.02 kDa,等电点为6.42)。Arg-Ⅱ基因编码的氨基酸序列具有典型的精氨酸酶结构特征,推测与哺乳动物中的功能类似。系统进化分析显示,鱼类Arg-Ⅱ基因合成一簇,其中,Arg-Ⅱ基因与鲈鱼(Lates calcarifer)相关度最高(93%)。实时荧光定量结果显示,Arg-Ⅱ基因在健康牙鲆的肝、脾和鳃等免疫组织中有较高表达。进一步研究发现,经迟缓爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella tarda)感染的牙鲆成鱼中,主要免疫组织中Arg-ⅡmRNA的表达量在细菌感染后6~12 h显著上调,随后表达量恢复正常。离体培养的牙鲆巨噬细胞经迟缓爱德华氏菌感染后,Arg-Ⅱ基因也呈显著上调模式。因此,本研究结果表明,Arg-Ⅱ基因参与牙鲆响应迟缓爱德华氏菌感染的免疫过程,揭示Arg-Ⅱ基因可能在牙鲆抗病免疫中发挥重要作用。     

鳗鲡病原性嗜水气单胞菌与爱德华氏菌二联表达外膜蛋白的免疫原性

采用鳗鲡源嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)和迟缓爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella tarda)外膜蛋白基因二联表达产物免疫日本鳗鲡(Anguilla japonica),检测其对日本鳗鲡免疫功能的影响及其攻毒免疫保护力。将150尾日本鳗鲡平均分为PBS、细菌免疫和外膜蛋白免疫3个组,3组鳗鲡分别以PBS(0.01 mol/L,p H7.4)、嗜水气单胞菌与迟缓爱德华氏菌二联灭活苗(5.0×108 CFU/m L)、嗜水气单胞菌与迟缓爱德华氏菌外膜蛋白二联表达产物(500μg/m L)腹腔注射0.2 m L。于免疫后14、21和28 d麻醉鳗鲡采血并分离抗凝血。测定3个时间点鳗鲡血浆中特异性抗体效价和同时期鳗鲡血浆、体表黏液、肝和肾组织匀浆液中的溶菌酶含量,同时检测3个时间点鳗鲡全血细胞的转化水平。免疫后28 d,嗜水气单胞菌和迟缓爱德华氏菌分别腹腔注射感染3组鳗鲡并测定其相对免疫保护率。结果表明,免疫后14 d和28 d,灭活菌和外膜蛋白免疫组的抗体水平均极显著高于PBS组(P0.01)。溶菌酶检测结果表明,不同处理组不同时间段血清、黏液和肝肾组织悬液的溶菌酶含量存在显著(P0.05)或极显著(P0.01)差异。免疫后14 d灭活菌组全血细胞转化水平显著高于PBS和外膜蛋白组(P0.05),而21 d两个免疫组则均显著低于PBS组(P0.05)。活菌感染结果表明,灭活菌和外膜蛋白免疫后28 d对两株病原菌的攻毒相对免疫保护率均比PBS组提高了50%(P0.05)。本研究结果表明鳗鲡源嗜水气单胞菌和迟缓爱德华氏菌外膜蛋白二联表达产物免疫日本鳗鲡后可提高鳗鲡的免疫功能及其对这两株菌的抵抗力,从而可能应用于鳗鲡基因工程疫苗的研发。     

枯草芽孢杆菌表达柱状黄杆菌lip基因口服疫苗对草鱼免疫保护效果的研究

枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)是一种水产益生菌,最近也被用作口服疫苗的投递载体。本研究利用前期筛选到的柱状黄杆菌(Flavobacterium columnare)保护性抗原基因lip,与pBE2R载体连接后,以质粒的方式转入枯草芽孢杆菌WB800中,构建了重组菌株WB800 (pBE2R-lip)。聚丙酰胺电泳和免疫印迹实验表明,枯草芽孢杆菌WB800 (pBE2R-lip)能表达lip蛋白,其分子量约为32 kDa。利用枯草芽孢杆菌WB800 (pBE2R-lip)口服免疫草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)后,通过酶联免疫吸附实验,在受免草鱼血清中检测到特异性抗体效价的上升,在人工感染实验中,受免草鱼的免疫保护率为52.4%。本研究表明,利用枯草芽孢杆菌能有效表达柱状黄杆菌的lip基因,以其作为口服疫苗能引起草鱼的免疫应答并提供免疫保护效果。     

牙鲆NOD2基因的表达分析及在抗迟缓爱德华氏菌感染过程中的功能

本研究利用实验室已建牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)转录组数据库预测得到牙鲆NOD2基因(PoNOD2),并利用PCR技术进行序列验证。同时,设计迟缓爱德华氏菌注射感染牙鲆成鱼和体外免疫刺激牙鲆鳃细胞系实验,探究PoNOD2基因在抗菌免疫反应中的作用。PoNOD2基因的开放阅读框长度为2964 bp,编码988个氨基酸。PoNOD2蛋白有3种保守结构域,包括C-末端LRR,中心NACHT和N-末端CARD结构域。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,在所检测牙鲆组织中,迟缓爱德华氏菌的侵染能显著上调PoNOD2的表达。体外免疫刺激牙鲆鳃细胞系实验显示,在PGN、PolyⅠ:C和迟缓爱德华氏菌刺激下,PoNOD2表达上调。亚细胞定位显示,PoNOD2蛋白定位于牙鲆鳃细胞的细胞质中。在迟缓爱德华氏菌侵染牙鲆鳃细胞过程中,PoNOD2基因的过表达能够抑制细菌生长,并引起IL-1β、IL-6和IL-8等炎性细胞因子的表达上调。结果表明,PoNOD2在抑制迟缓爱德华氏菌生长以及调节牙鲆对病原菌的免疫应答中发挥重要作用。     

发病鲆鲽类分离菌株的16S rRNA基因测序分析

细菌性疾病是中国海水养殖鲆鲽类的主要病害,为全面了解病原菌种类,本研究对1999~2012年从山东、江苏、河北、天津等沿海地区养殖场发病鲆鲽鱼类中分离得到的124株优势菌株进行了16S rRNA基因测序和系统发育学分析。将基因序列与GenBank核酸序列数据库进行相似度比对分析,结果显示,有83株与弧菌属(Vibriosp.)细菌相似度最高,11株与气单胞菌属(Aeromonas sp.)细菌相似度最高,4株与爱德华氏菌属(Edwardsiella sp.)细菌相似度最高,26株为其他15种属的细菌。根据系统发育学分析结果,进一步将66株菌鉴定为16个种,优势种为溶藻弧菌(V.alginolyticus)、哈氏弧菌(V.harveyi)、鳗弧菌(V.anguillarum)、杀鲑气单胞菌(A.salmonicida)和迟缓爱德华氏菌(E.tarda)。选择其中的9株鳗弧菌和4株迟缓爱德华氏菌进行人工感染实验,结果显示,其中7株鳗弧菌和3株迟缓爱德华氏菌对大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)有较强的致病性。研究结果可为阐明中国海水养殖鲆鲽类的流行病发生历史、病原种类、病原监测及疾病控制提供重要参考。     

2株水产病原气单胞菌拮抗菌的筛选鉴定及生物学特性

气单胞菌是水产养殖鱼类的重要病原菌,暂无针对多种气单胞菌感染防治的有效措施。红树林沉积物中芽孢杆菌丰富,是活性微生物的重要储库。笔者自深圳东涌红树林沉积物中筛选获得2株对6种鱼类病原性气单胞菌均具有较强拮抗活性的菌株AH10和AQ1,基于形态学、生理生化特性和分子生物学分析结果,将2株拮抗菌鉴定为解淀粉芽孢杆菌和贝莱斯芽孢杆菌。生物学特性测试结果表明,2株菌的生长特性相似,最适生长温度为32℃、pH 5～7、盐度0～20。药敏试验结果显示,2株菌除对四环素耐药、对链霉素中度敏感外,对绝大多数抗生素均高度敏感。拮抗试验结果显示,2株菌除对嗜水气单胞菌、舒氏气单胞菌等6种气单胞菌具有拮抗作用外,亦均对爱德华氏菌、类志贺邻单胞菌等水产病原菌具有拮抗作用。其中,解淀粉芽孢杆菌AH10和贝莱斯芽孢杆菌AQ1分别对类志贺邻单胞菌和杀鲑气单胞菌的拮抗作用最强。生物安全试验表明,2株菌对斑马鱼和鲢均无致病性,生物安全性良好。本研究结果可为水产养殖中气单胞菌病的生物防治提供新的微生物资源,具有较好的应用前景和进一步研究价值。     

丁酸梭菌C2菌株对鱼类肠道致病菌体外抑制作用研究

以枯草芽孢杆菌、硫酸链霉素为对照组,以丁酸梭菌C2菌株为试验组,运用滤纸片琼脂平板扩散法,研究了丁酸梭菌C2菌株对鱼类肠道致病菌迟缓爱德华氏菌、鳗弧菌、嗜水气单胞菌的抑制作用。研究结果表明,丁酸梭菌C2菌株可以有效抑制这3种病原菌,并且抑制效果要明显优于硫酸链霉素。     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

Evaluation of a Fast Method Based on the Presence of Two Restriction Sites in the Mitochondrial ND5 (mt ND5) Gene for the Identification of Scomber Species

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the suitability of a method based on the presence of two restriction sites (for Hae III and Hindf I) in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (mt ND5) gene to identify Scomber species. The evaluation was performed on 144 reference and market samples by sequencing of the entire 505-bp fragment of the mt ND5 gene and of a 464-bp fragment of the Kocher fragment of the cytochrome b gene (mt Cytb). Sequence analysis of any of the two fragments allows the identification of each of the four Scomber species, but S. japonicus and S. colias had the same restriction sites at the ND5 amplicon and would not have been differentiated by this analysis. Similarly, loss of the Hae III site in some S. scombrus individuals would have misidentified them as not being Scomber. All the market products were correctly labeled except one acquired in Spain labeled as originating in the Atlantic and containing S. japonicus.     

Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria

There has been growing concern about the overuse of antibiotics in the ornamental fish industry and its possible effect on the increasing drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic organisms in these fish. The aim of this study was to carry out an assessment of the diversity of bacteria, including pathogens, in ornamental fish species imported into North America and to assess their antibiotic resistance. Kidney samples were collected from 32 freshwater ornamental fish of various species, which arrived to an importing facility in Portland, Oregon from Colombia, Singapore and Florida. Sixty‐four unique bacterial colonies were isolated and identified by PCR using bacterial 16S primers and DNA sequencing. Multiple isolates were identified as bacteria with potential to cause disease in both fish and humans. The antibiotic resistance profile of each isolate was performed for nine different antibiotics. Among them, cefotaxime (16% resistance among isolates) was the antibiotic associated with more activity, while the least active was tetracycline (77% resistant). Knowing information about the diversity of bacteria in imported ornamental fish, as well as the resistance profiles for the bacteria will be useful in more effectively treating clinical infected fish, and also potential zoonoses in the future.     

Effect of iodophor disinfection of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs on their bacterial and fungus load

This study investigated the efficiency of iodophor disinfection (135 ppm active iodine for 15–30 min) of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs against different groups of bacteria and against fungus. Egg samples were taken from non‐disinfected and from disinfected eggs, microorganisms were cultured on specific nutrient media and their mass was measured by turbidimetric methods. Bacteria and fungus mass of non‐hardened eggs could be reduced but not eliminated by iodophor disinfection with 135 ppm active iodine for 15 min. The extent of reduction was 47–65% (Experiment 1). The efficiency of disinfection increased with disinfection time as the reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was 40–55% after 15 min and 58–74% after 30 min (Experiment 2). Disinfection efficiency of iodophor solution diluted in water (reduction 49–57%) and of iodophor solution diluted in sodium chloride solution iso‐osmolar to the oocytes (reduction 52–61%) was similar (Experiment 3). The reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was persistent as it was 39–72% lower in embryos deriving from disinfected eggs than in embryos deriving from non‐disinfected ones (Experiment 4). In conclusion, the tested disinfection method is inadequate to eliminate pathogens completely but it could positively influence immune defence of eggs and embryos.     

Nitrogenous waste excretion and accumulation of urea and ammonia inChalcalburnus tarichi (Cyprinidae), endemic to the extremely alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Turkey)

The endemic, anadromous cyprinidChalcalburnus tarichi is the only fish species known to occur in alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). EightC. tarichi were maintained individually in Lake Van water (17 – 19°C; pH 9.8; 153 mEq·I^–1 total alkalinity; 22 total salinity) and tank water samples analyzed for 24 h in 2 to 4 h intervals. At zero time, < 1µM ammonia was present and urea was undetectable in the tank water; at 24 h, total ammonia and urea made up 114±32 and 35±25µM, respectively. Over the experimental period, ammonia-N and urea-N excretion averaged 1041±494 and 607±169moles·kg^–1 fish·h^–1, respectively. The extent of urea excretion was highly variable between specimens. Uric acid excretion was not detectable.Urea was present at high concentrations in all tissues and plasma (25 – 35moles·g^–1·ml^–1) of freshly caughtC. tarichi; total ammonia content of the tissues was by a factor of 1.9 (liver) to 3.0 (brain) lower. High arginase activity (2.4±0.2 U·min^–1·g^–1) was detected in the liver ofC. tarichi but ornithine carbamoylphosphate transferase, a key enzyme of the ornithine-urea-cycle, was absent. Ureagenesis is likely through degradation of arginine and/or uricolysis. High glutamine synthetase activity (11±0.6 U·min^–1·g^–1) and low ammonia content in brain suggest that, like other teleosts,C. tarichi has an efficient ammonia detoxification in the brain, but in no other tissue.Nitrogenous waste excretion at alkaline pH is discussed. The ability ofC. tarichi to excrete high levels of ammonia at extremely alkaline pH is unique among teleosts studied so far. The mechanism of ammonia excretion under Lake Van conditions remains to be elucidated.