Vitellogenesis with special emphasis on Indian fishes

Oocyte growth in most oviparous vertebrates including fish is due to the formation of yolk, and eggshell proteins (zona radiata proteins). Zonagenesis leads to the formation of zona radiata proteins in oocytes, which play an important role during oogenesis, whereas vitellogenesis leads to the formation of yolk in oocytes through a series of events during which the yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (Vg) is synthesized and secreted from liver into blood from where it is sequestered into the developing oocytes and thereafter proteolytically cleaved to form yolk proteins (YPs) and finally deposited in the ooplasm. Much research has been done in many fish species with respect to the number and nature of Vg and YPs and their probable functions during fish reproduction. Recent findings of multiplicity of Vg molecules in fishes reject the earlier view of a single-Vg model and have led scientists to explore the functions of individual Vg and their YP derivatives, lipovitellin, phosvitin, and β′-component. Two distinct types of Vg or Vg genes, containing or encoding the three YPs, have been detected in many teleosts. A third unusual, incomplete, phosvitin-poor Vg has been described recently in many fishes. In comparison to much of the information on vitellogenesis in many fishes very little is known for Indian fishes. In India research has been done in a few species such as the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis and Clarias batrachus, the murrel, Channa punctatus and the Indian major carps, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala. Immunological and biochemical analyses suggest the occurrence of multiple forms of Vg and their YP derivatives. The synthesis and incorporation of Vg are regulated by gonadotropin (GTH) and estradiol-17β (E₂). A differential role between estrone (E₁₎ and estriol (E₃) has been demonstrated for Vg synthesis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for Vg have been developed to measure plasma Vg. Finally the different roles of Vg1 (HAI) and Vg2 (HAII) on vitellogenesis have been demonstrated. However, more research remains to be carried out in other fish species with respect to the number and nature of Vg and YPs and their genes in order to describe their reproductive functions.     

Stimulation of ovarian growth by methyl farnesoate and eyestalk ablation in penaeoidean model shrimp,Sicyonia ingentis Burkenroad, 1938

The effect of methyl farnesoate (MF) administration on the vitellogenesis of the penaeoidean shrimp, Sicyonia ingentis, was studied. The short‐ and long‐term treatment effects as well as the effect of two MF injection regimens (0.1 and 1.0 μg MF/injection) were evaluated. The studies were also carried out to understand the pattern of vitellogenesis in eyestalk ablated adult and juvenile shrimps. A combination of endpoints, haemolymph vitellogenin (Vg) levels, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and histology, was used to study the effect of these treatments. The GSI increased in all the MF‐treated shrimp compared with the control shrimps. Although haemolymph Vg levels declined over the experimental period in all the treatments, the Vg levels decreased significantly only in the short‐term treatment with 1.0 μg MF. Similarly, haemolymph protein level also declined over the experimental period in all the treatment groups. However, except in the long‐term treatment with 0.1 μg MF, all treatments showed a significant decrease in haemolymph protein level. Conversely, in all eyestalk ablated adults and juveniles, haemolymph Vg, total protein and GSI increased over the experimental period, all of which were higher than the concurrent control. The discrepancy in the vitellogenic pattern between MF‐treated and eyestalk ablated shrimp was possibly due to the difference in the ovarian phase of the initial control. Although unilateral eyestalk ablation failed to induce vitellogenesis in juveniles, bilateral ablation induced vitellogenesis, which indicates that juveniles are competent to undergo vitellogenesis.     

Purification and development of ELISAs for two forms of vitellogenin in Indian walking catfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias batrachus</Emphasis> (L.)

Two forms of vitellogenin (Vg: Vg1 and Vg2) were purified from the plasma of estradiol-17β (E₂)-treated Indian walking catfish, Clarias batrachus, by gel filtration and adsorption chromatography. Native Vg1 and Vg2 had apparent molecular masses of 375 and 450 kDa, respectively, and both Vgs resolved into two similar major bands (95 and 67 kDa) in SDS-PAGE under reducing condition. Polyclonal antisera raised against each form of Vg were absorbed with a combination of hypophysectomized male catfish serum proteins and alternate Vg to ensure specificity. Immunological analyses verified the presence of Vg1 and Vg2 in the plasma of female catfish. Homologous ELISAs were developed for Vg1 and Vg2 using their respective harvested antisera, which exhibited the detection limit of 100 ng ml^?1 for Vg1 and 40 ng ml^?1 for Vg2, and low level of cross-reactivity (not parallel to the standard) was found with alternate Vg in each assay. Treatment of male catfish with E₂ induced both Vgs showing a proportionate ratio of Vg1 to Vg2 at 5.6:1. Plasma concentrations of both Vgs measured by ELISAs at different reproductive phases of field collected female catfish increased in accordance with the ovarian development, keeping the proportionate ratio of Vg1 to Vg2 at about 2:1 in fish undergoing vitellogenesis during prespawning period and 1:20 during spawning period, suggesting that Vg1 may be the major Vg to contribute in yolk formation, whereas Vg2, besides its role in yolk formation, may facilitate other physiological functions. The present study, thus, demonstrates the occurrence of two unequally synthesized Vgs in the catfish.     

Induction of fertilizable eggs by conspecific vitellogenin implantation in captive female walking catfish,Clarias batrachus (Linn.)

The synthesis of vitellogenin (Vg) is induced by conspecific Vg (Vg1 and Vg2) and estradiol‐17β (E₂) as demonstrated by the pattern of ³H‐serine incorporation in the liver and plasma proteins. The incorporation studies indicated that the label was first incorporated into the liver after which it appeared in the blood in both E₂‐ and Vg‐treated male catfish. Since Vg was capable of inducing its own synthesis, experiments were conducted in females during preparatory–prespawning period (March–May) to make them gravid by implanting Vg pellets. Two implantations of 4 mg Vg1 pellets into female catfish with an interval of 15 days, followed by laboratory maintenance for 45 days of initial implantation showed a significant increment in ovarian weight with concomitant formation of yolky oocytes through synthesis and incorporation of Vg, whereas Vg2 implantation was not effective in this regard. Histological observation of yolky oocytes in Vg1‐treated group showed the peripheral migration of germinal vesicle (eccentric germinal vesicle), which indicates the onset of maturation. On 45th day, third implantation with 2 mg Vg pellets was performed and after 15 days, fish were hormonally induced with a single injection of hCG (2,000 IU/kg fish). Six groups were considered such as initial control, BSA‐implanted control, Vg1‐implanted, Vg2‐implanted, catfish collected from the field on the last day of the experiment and catfish collected during spawning period in this experiment with 3–7 fish in each group. Each of the experimental fish was sexually mature and the body weight was between 100 and 125 g. The percentage of ovulation and fertilization in the eggs of Vg1‐implanted group was 91% and 78%, respectively, which was almost similar to that of gravid female catfish collected during breeding period (July). The breeding performance in BSA‐ and Vg2‐treated females was very poor. The fertilized eggs were hatched in the laboratory conditions. Thus, in the female catfish, Vg1 not only induces vitellogenesis but also makes the oocytes viable for fertilization.     

Biological properties of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) gonadotropins in female reproduction

The biological activities of catfish LH-like (semi-purified: s200a and purified Qa) and FSH-like (semi-purified: s200b and purified: Qb) were compared in intact and hypophysectomized female catfish, Clarias batrachus, during preparatory and the pre-spawning periods on vitellogenesis and ovarian maintenance, as well as in vitro final maturation of oocytes, germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). During preparatory period, in intact catfish, semi-purified FSH-like induced complete vitellogenesis through the production of estradiol-17β (E₂) and vitellogenin (Vg) accompanied by the formation of SIII yolky oocytes. On the other hand, semi-purified LH-like had induced the formation of only SII (characterized by the appearance of cortical alveoli in cytoplasm) oocytes, which indicates the initiation of vitellogenesis. In hypophysectomized female catfish, purified LH-like but not FSH-like induced the formation of SII oocytes in the ovaries. Treatment with semi-purified LH- and FSH-like at the dose level of 5 µg/fish/day for 7 days significantly maintained the yolky oocytes in gravid catfish after hypophysectomy with a significant reduction in plasma Vg, but not E₂ levels, indicating some unknown GtH-induced factor doing the job. In in vitro oocytes culture, both LH- and FSH-like induced GVBD, but the response was significantly more with LH-like than FSH-like. All these findings revealed that both LH-like and FSH-like have overlapping physiological functions, but their responses differ depending on the physiological status of the catfish.     

Disrupted sexual cycles in female grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) raised in tropical conditions

In the Ivory Coast, grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) have been integrated in the tilapia-based polyculture in order to increase pond productivity. In the tropical conditions prevailing there, female cycles seemed disrupted. We describe oogenesis in these conditions using histological observations, monitoring of individual cycles with intraovarian biopsies, endocrinal monitoring (development of a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for vitellogenin (Vg), measurement of plasma oestradiol-17β (E2) and testosterone (T)) and comparison with grass carp raised in Poland. We noted that oogenesis was blocked in all females at the migrating germinal vesicle stage, precluding ovulation or spawning without artificial induction. High rates of atypical post-vitellogenic oocytes (translucent, not filled with yolk granules) were observed in many females. Female individual cycles also displayed atypical features: cycles were sometimes (10% of females) blocked at the beginning of vitellogenesis (BV), for females displaying abnormally low E2 (0.5 ng/ml) and Vg (30 μg/ml) levels compared to “normal” females (1.4 ng/ml and 223 μg/ml, respectively). The duration of the cycles was highly variable among females (a few days to several weeks). Sexual cycles were unsynchronised (all the ovarian stages could be found for all seasons) and the number of females at the end of vitellogenesis (EV) was low (<40% most of the year). These characteristics raise problems for artificial induction of spawning in small-scale hatcheries: a large stock of broodfish is required as is regular checking of female broodstock with intraovarian biopsies to select responsive females.     

克氏原螯虾卵黄蛋白原受体cDNA部分序列的克隆及mRNA表达量的相对定量

从成熟的克氏原螯虾卵巢中提取总RNA,通过同源克隆得到了卵黄蛋白原受体c DNA部分序列,长度为506 bp,在NCBI网站上进行比对后发现,其与斑节对虾、短沟对虾、罗氏沼虾的卵黄蛋白原受体(Vg R)c DNA序列有较高的相似性。采用实时荧光定量PCR方法,测定了卵巢不同发育时期卵巢和肝胰腺两个组织中卵黄蛋白原受体m RNA的相对表达水平。结果显示,卵巢是卵黄蛋白原受体基因表达的主要部位,而肝胰腺只能检测到少量表达,卵黄蛋白原受体基因在卵巢的卵原细胞增殖期相对表达量最高,随后下降,成熟期达到最低值,恢复期开始回升。结合卵巢不同发育阶段卵巢质量的变化计算表达总量,结果发现,卵黄蛋白原受体基因的表达总量在卵原细胞增殖期为最低,随后持续升高并至成熟期达到峰值,恢复期急剧下降,但仍略高于卵原细胞增殖期的表达量。此外,运用所构建的系统进化树比较了克氏原螯虾Vg R m RNA与其他物种间的遗传距离。     

Seasonality of serum levels of vitellogenin in male Japanese whiting, Sillago japonica, reared under natural temperature and photoperiod

ABSTRACT:   Because blood vitellogenin (Vg) has been considered a biomarker for environmental estrogens, the basal levels of Vg and 17β-estradiol (E₂) were determined in male Japanese whiting reared under natural conditions. Serum levels of Vg and E₂ were measured and gonadal development was assessed by gonadosomatic index (GSI) and histological observation in 8–10 male fish at monthly intervals throughout the annual reproductive cycle. Serum E₂ was <60 pg/mL throughout the study period. In contrast, serum Vg exhibited seasonal changes: serum levels of Vg gradually increased from April to May (mean 63 ± 13 ng/mL and 124 ± 48 ng/mL in April and May, respectively), and then reached a peak value (mean 352 ± 68 ng/mL) in June. Thereafter, serum Vg gradually decreased, reaching undetectable levels (<50 ng/mL) in October. Serum levels of Vg tended to increase in the male fish in which the GSI was >1%. Histological observation revealed that testes in such male fish were in active spermatogenesis and then all of the testes of male fish in which serum Vg decreased to ND levels were regressed. These results suggest that Vg productive potency (sensitivity to estrogens) may increase in the spermatogenic stage, resulting in production of Vg in response to very low levels of natural or xenobiotic estrogens.     

Deduced primary structures of three types of vitellogenin in mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), a viviparous fish

Three distinct forms of vitellogenin (Vg), 600 kDa VgA and VgB and 400 kDa Vg, were discovered biochemically in estrogen treated female plasma. By sequencing of the three Vg cDNAs, the VgA and VgB were recognized as complete Vgs having all yolk protein (YP) domains, and the 400 kDa Vg was thought to be phosvitinless (Pvl) Vg lacking phosvitin (Pv) domain.     

脊尾白虾VgR基因克隆及其在卵巢发育过程中的表达分析

为了解卵黄蛋白原受体(vitellogenin receptor,Vg R)在脊尾白虾卵巢发育中的作用,采用同源克隆和RACE技术,克隆了脊尾白虾Vg R基因全长c DNA序列,用实时荧光定量PCR方法分析了Vg R基因在雌虾不同组织、卵巢发育不同时期的表达特征。结果显示,脊尾白虾Vg R基因全长5892 bp,开放阅读框5661 bp,编码1886个氨基酸。脊尾白虾Vg R具有低密度脂蛋白受体(LDLR)家族典型结构特征,属于LDLR家族,进化上与日本沼虾等甲壳动物Vg R亲缘关系最近,然后与昆虫Vg R分支聚为一支,而与LDLR家族中其他成员亲缘关系较远。脊尾白虾Vg R在各组织中均有表达,但主要在卵巢内表达。随着卵巢的发育,卵巢Vg R表达量逐渐升高,在III期达到最大,与肝胰腺Vg表达量、血液Vg浓度变化趋势相一致;而在卵巢成熟时,卵巢Vg R表达量降到了最低,与肝胰腺Vg表达情况截然相反;排卵后的恢复期,血液中Vg浓度仍维持在较高水平,卵巢Vg R表达量又升至III期水平,同时卵巢Vg表达量也升至最高。由此可见,甲壳动物与昆虫Vg R起源于同一祖先,但在进化上已形成独立一支;脊尾白虾卵巢成熟前,卵巢主要通过Vg R介导作用摄取血液中Vg,以供卵巢快速成熟;卵巢成熟期,肝胰腺呈现补偿性合成Vg,以尽快恢复其营养储备功能;卵巢恢复期,卵巢通过Vg R介导摄入外源Vg和内源合成Vg两种途径,为卵巢二次发育提供营养物质。     

Vitellogenin of the Chilean flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys adspersus</Emphasis> as a biomarker of endocrine disruption along the marine coast of the South Pacific. Part I: induction,purification, and identification

We sought to provide a useful indicator of the presence of endocrine-disrupting contaminants along the marine coast of the South Pacific using Chilean flounder (Paralichthys adspersus). In light of the lack of information on vitellogenin for this species, we induced, purified, and identified the plasma vitellogenin of Chilean flounder inhabiting the Chilean coast. Vitellogenin (Vg) from Chilean flounder was purified by size exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography using plasma from juvenile males induced by injecting 17β-estradiol. The Vg was detected by SDS–PAGE and Western blot analyses using an antibody against turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) vitellogenin. These analyses revealed a protein band of 205 kDa and three minor bands of 120, 90, and 68 kDa. These proteins were identified as Vg by means of mass spectrometry (LCQ Duo ESI-IT-MS), matching sequences of tryptic peptides to known sequences for several other fish species. The matches showed the presence of vitellogenin (VgI, VgII, Vg A and Vg B) in Chilean flounder, similar to species such as mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), and white perch (Morone americana). These results are discussed in terms of identifying Vg in Paralichthys adspersus with the antibody to turbot Vg. Moreover, we compare the molecular size of Vg from Chilean flounder (large) with that of other flatfish species. Finally, we discuss the potential use of this molecule as a biomarker for the presence of xeno-estrogenic compounds along the Chilean coastline.     

Relative potencies of natural estrogens on vitellogenin and choriogenin levels in the Indian freshwater spotted snakehead, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Channa punctata</Emphasis>: in vivo and in vitro studies

The relative efficacies of three natural estrogens viz., estrone (E₁), estradiol-17β (E₂) and estriol (E₃) to induce synthesis of vitellogenin (Vg) and choriogenin (Chg) were assessed in primary hepatocyte cultures of the Indian freshwater spotted snakehead, Channa punctata. Hepatocytes were isolated from the spotted snakehead liver by a non-enzymatic protocol. Optimum culture conditions were standardized for ensuring their viability and functioning. Isolated hepatocytes were cultured for 48 h for monolayer formation and then exposed to various concentrations (0.001–10 μM) of the three estrogens. Competitive homologous ELISAs, developed and validated for spotted snakehead Vg and Chg were employed to determine the amounts of these two proteins secreted into the culture medium after 48 h of incubation. The results reveal that although all the three estrogens were effective in inducing the production of Vg and Chg in a dose-dependent manner, there were differences in their relative potencies. Of three estrogens, E₁ was the least potent and could induce synthesis of Vg and Chg only at a minimum concentration of 0.5 μM; whereas significant levels of both the proteins were quantified in culture medium by exposing the hepatocytes to E₂ or E₃ even at a concentration of 0.001 μM. All three estrogens were effective in inducing synthesis of Vg and Chg in vivo also. These results suggest the possibility of employing the above in vitro experimental design to monitor the presence of estrogens/estrogen-like chemicals in natural waters, which could interfere with the estrogen receptor system of fish. This study further points to the possibility of using Chg, in addition to Vg, as a parameter for screening various chemicals for their estrogenic activity.     

Effect of 17α-hydroxy-progesterone on vitellogenin secretion in kuruma prawn,Penaeus japonicus

The secretion of vitellogenin (Vg) in kuruma prawn, Penaeus japonicus, by 17α-hydroxy-progesterone was investigated under tank-culture conditions. A significant (P<0.1) increase in Vg concentration in the sera (9.6-fold over initial value) was observed after 48 h in early vitellogenic prawns injected with 17α-hydroxy-progesterone (0.01 μg/g body weight) compared to control I (no injection, 3.0-fold over initial value) and control II (0.1 μl pure ethanol/g body weight, 2.4-fold over initial value). These results indicate that 17α-hydroxy-progesterone stimulates Vg synthesis and/or release into the haemolymph in prawns.     

Investigation into the possible role of androgens in the induction of hepatic vitellogenesis in the European eel:in vivo andin vitro studies

Changes in the levels of plasma vitellogenin (Vg), estradiol (E₂) and testosterone (T) were examined following gonadal development induced by carp gonadotropin treatment (cGTH) of freshwater female yellow and silver eels (Anguilla anguilla L.). The animals received injections of cGTH (250 μg kg⁻¹ body weight) or saline vehicle three times a week, for 6 to 8 weeks. No effect of vehicle was observed. Steroidogenic activity of the ovary was stimulated by cGTH treatment as shown by the increase in circulating steroid levels in both stages. However, the responses of T, E₂ and Vg differed according to the stage of development of eels. At the yellow stage, the initial steroid plasma levels were undetectable (< 0.01 ng ml⁻¹) before treatment and ovarian steroidogenic activity was slightly stimulated following cGTH treatment; steroid levels reached their highest values after 3 weeks and 6 weeks of treatment for E₂ (0.62 ± 0.13 ng ml⁻¹ and T (0.33 ± 0.30 ng ml⁻¹), respectively. The cGTH treatment slightly increased plasma Vg levels (0.2–0.7 μg ml⁻¹ during the experiment compared with the initial values of the group. At the silver stage, the initial steroid levels were detectable (0.7 ng ml⁻¹ for E₂ and 0.1 ng ml⁻¹ for T); cGTH treatment did not significantly increase plasma E₂ level which remained at initial levels. Nevertheless, plasma T levels dramatically increased from 0.1 to 3 ng ml⁻¹ and peaked after 1 or 2 weeks of cGTH treatment; a rapid increase in plasma Vg levels occurred, reaching its highest value at 5 mg ml⁻¹ after 3 weeks of treatment. Thus, the steroid kinetic profiles in relation to the appearance of Vg in the plasma following cGTH treatment was closely related to androgen levels and there was a strong vitellogenic response induced by chronic cGTH treatment. In order to test if androgens could be implicated in the vitellogenic response, we evaluated the potencies of various androgens (testosterone and 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol)in vivo andin vitro, associated with E₂ to induce the production of Vg.In vitro experiments showed that Vg synthesis was induced by high doses (10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁵ M) of androgen in the eel. Tamoxifen totally inhibited the action of androgens suggesting that androgens were acting through binding to the E₂ receptor.In vivo, androgens given alone at 50 μg kg⁻¹ 3 times a week for 1 months had no significant effect on plasma Vg levels. In addition, E₂-androgen cotreatment showed that the presence of androgen did not modify the vitellogenic response induced by E₂.     

Endocrine changes during the annual reproductive cycle of the red porgy, Pagrus pagrus (Teleostei, Sparidae)

Changes in 17-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11KT), and 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20-P) levels were correlated to changes in gonadosomatic index (GSI), vitellogenin concentration (Vg), ovarian and testicular histology during the annual reproductive cycle of the red porgy, Pagrus pagrus. The production of E2, E1, T and 17,20-P was confirmed by analysis of the steroidogenic activity of ovaries. In females, the average concentration of E2 was lower than 2 ng ml^–1. E2 values first increased significantly at the stage of endogenous vitellogenesis and remained high during exogenous vitellogenesis. E1 levels were lower values than E2 (less than 300 pg ml^–1), but they increased at the beginning of exogenous vitellogenesis. Estrogens concentrations followed similar pattern to Vg and were significantly correlated. Mean levels of T were mostly lower than 1 ng ml^–1. They followed a pattern similar to that of E2 except for a further increase observed at the stage of final maturation. T and E2 levels were significantly correlated. The concentration of 11KT did not change significantly. The levels of 17,20-P ranged between 0.22 and 1.22 ng ml^–1 but changes were not related to gametogenesis. In males, the concentrations of T and 11KT fluctuated significantly during the sexual maturity stages, showing a similar pattern and were significantly correlated to GSI changes. T levels increased during spermiogenesis and spermiation stages to reach about 3 ng ml^–1. 11KT levels stayed about half those of T. The levels of estrogens showed no significant changes. Level of 17,20-P showed no significant variation related to male maturity. Results are discussed in relation to changes in plasma steroid levels during gametogenesis of other multiple spawner species.     

Involvement of androgens and growth hormone in the synthesis of vitellogenin in Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica)

Immature eels positively responded to estradiol-17β (E₂) injection in terms of vitellogenin (Vg) synthesis but not to growth hormone (GH) or 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) injection. However, injection of MT or GH combined with E₂ strongly increased Vg synthesis. In in vitro experiments, eel hepatocytes treated with E₂, GH, or MT alone did not produce detectable amount of Vg, whereas the combination of E₂ with GH or MT, or both greatly increased Vg synthesis in the hepatocytes.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measurement of vitellogenin in plasma and liver histopathology in barfin plaice <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liopsetta pinnifasciata</Emphasis> from Amursky Bay,Sea of Japan

Vitellogenin (Vg) of the barfin plaice Liopsetta pinnifasciata was isolated and purified. In native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Vg appeared as one band. After being subjected to sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE), Vg fraction produced several polypeptides with molecular masses of 180, 98, 70, 52, 41 and 37 kDa. MALDI–TOF mass spectrometry (MS) of the 180- and 98-kDa Vg polypeptides from the SDS–PAGE gel and de novo sequencing of their four peptide fragments based on MS/MS analysis confirmed that the purified proteins were vitellogenins, which shared high similarity with the Vgs of the barfin flounder Verasper moseri and Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus. The most part of the predicted sequences obtained from the L. pinnifasciata 180-kDa polypeptide has previously been found in the V. moseri vitellogenin type B, the sequences obtained from the 98-kDa polypeptide were found in V. moseri vitellogenin type A, so these findings allow us to propose that L. pinnifasciata has at least two different forms of Vg. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies against Vg were produced, and a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed. The concentration of Vg in barfin plaice from the moderately contaminated area of Amursky Bay in the Sea of Japan was detected based on the maturity stage of their gonads. In November 2008, the Vg concentration in the plasma of females with advanced oogenesis varied from 5.295 to 28.367 mg/ml (mean 16.38 ± 6.73 mg/ml, CV = 41.1%); in the plasma of males, the concentration ranged from non-detectable to 0.957 mg/ml (0.29 ± 0.42 mg/ml, CV = 127.9%). In October 2009, the Vg concentration in female plasma was lower than in November 2008 (2.21–13.87 mg/ml). High individual variability of plasma Vg was characteristic for maturing males (CV = 200.3%) and immature females (CV = 255.5%), and there was no significant difference between plasma Vg concentrations in males captured in November 2008 and October 2009 or in maturing males and immature females. Vacuolisation of hepatocytes was more typical for males with low plasma Vg concentrations and females with high plasma Vg concentrations. Necrosis and pyknosis of hepatocyte nuclei were more frequent in males with high Vg concentrations and in females with low plasma Vg concentrations.     

克氏原螯虾大颚器对卵巢发育的影响

采用埋植和离体方法进行克氏原螯虾的大颚器（ＭＯ）对卵巢发育作用的研究,埋植大颚器７次能显著提高成熟系数和促进卵径增大,处于不同卵巢发育时期的克氏原螯虾大颚器提取物（ＭＯＥ）的离体研究发现,卵黄发生期的ＭＯＥ对初级和次级卵黄发生期卵径增大均有极显著的作用,而对卵黄发生前期的卵径增大无作用,处于卵巢发育早期的ＭＯＥ对卵黄发４生期卵巢小块总ＲＮＡ含量升高无显著作用,处于卵黄发生前期,卵黄发生期和恢复期卵     

中国对虾卵黄蛋白原合成部位的研究

十足目甲壳类卵巢中卵黄的来源,在过去的几十年研究中一直存在争议,内源性合成和外源性合成都有报道。本文以雌性中国对虾为实验材料,根据组织学观察确定其发育阶段,试验虾可以分为:卵巢未发育期;卵黄发生前期;初级卵黄发生期和次级卵黄发生期4个时期。从处于不同卵巢发育期对虾的卵巢和肝胰腺中提取总RNA,用RT-PCR的方法初步探讨不同发育期的中国对虾卵巢和肝胰腺中卵黄蛋白原mRNA的表达,确定是否存在卵黄蛋白原的合成功能。结果发现,从卵巢未发育期到次级卵黄发生期的卵巢和肝胰腺中都有卵黄蛋白原mRNA的表达,说明二者为卵黄蛋白的合成部位。