Effects of temperature on vitellogenesis in Japanese eel Anguilla japonica

ABSTRACT:   Cultured immature female Japanese eels acclimated to sea water at either 10 or 20°C were treated weekly with salmon gonadotropin fraction (sGTH) in order to investigate the effects of water temperature on artificial induction of ovarian maturation. In eels maintained at 20°C, ovulation was induced in 11 of 18 fish during the experimental period of 13 weeks, whereas at 10°C all fish showed a low gonadosomatic index (GSI) at the end of the experiment. Plasma vitellogenin levels were higher in eels kept at 20°C than in eels at 10°C throughout the experiment. However, no significant differences were observed in the plasma testosterone and estradiol-17β levels between groups. Eels pretreated with sGTHs at 10°C for 13 weeks were separated to two different temperature (10 and 20°C) groups, and received the same weekly sGTH injections. In eels transferred to 20°C, plasma vitellogenin levels, GSI and oocyte diameter were increased, but these values were maintained at low levels in eels that remained at 10°C. These results clearly indicate that water temperature is an important factor regulating vitellogenesis in the Japanese eel.     

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。     

人工条件下日本鳗鲡胚胎及早期仔鱼发育的生物学特征

在多年对日本鳗鲡人工育苗技术研究的基础上,通过采用对胚胎和早期仔鱼的活体观察、计算机图文分析以及组织切片等方法,系统研究了鳗鲡胚胎及孵化后19d前仔鱼的生物学特性。研究结果表明,在水温(23±0.5)℃条件下,日本鳗鲡从受精卵到仔鱼出膜需约38h30min,总积温为885.50℃·h。其特征与一般硬骨鱼类胚胎发育基本相同,鳗鲡胚胎发育可分为14期,为典型的盘状卵裂,原肠作用通过细胞的下包和内卷完成。但日本鳗鲡早期仔鱼与一般硬骨鱼类的仔鱼存在较大差异,表现为无色透明的血细胞和S形心管;开放型的口腔,发达且不能闭合的上下颌和3对颌齿;孵化后3～9d在身体两侧出现由神经细胞和支持细胞构成发达的感觉丘,其数目为6～9对不等;以及形态不断变化的尾垂体等生物学特性。分析认为这些生物学特性决定了日本鳗鲡仔鱼的孵化环境可能相对较稳定,以及仔鱼摄食方式可能为触碰后咬食的方式。     

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.     

Effects of temperature and photoperiod on hemolymph vitellogenin levels during spawning events of the blue crab,Callinectes sapidus,in captivity

Vitellogenesis is the process of production and uptake of vitellogenin (VtG), the precursor of vitellin (VT = yolk protein), for ovarian development. In Callinectes sapidus, hemolymph VtG levels are positively correlated with ovarian development. We aimed to develop an invasive tool to monitor ovarian development in order to predict spawning. The present study determined the effects of photoperiod and temperature conditions on levels of hemolymph VtG of the females in captivity kept in a closed recirculating system. Hemolymph VtG levels measured using a competitive ELISA correlates positively with temperature (21° versus 11°C) but are negatively correlated with photoperiod (0L:24D and 8L:16D versus 16L:8D and 24L:0D). Also, heavier (larger) females contain more VtG in their hemolymph and produce greater numbers of larvae. At 21°C, the VtG levels show high individual variations and continuously change over time, indicating that VtG production and uptake by ovary may be continuous and dynamic over multiple spawning events in C. sapidus. Microsatellite analysis of these females reveals a great diversity within and between the batches, implying that resident C. sapidus populations in the Chesapeake Bay are genetically dynamic. Such a great genetic diversity could be responsible for the high variation in VtG levels in these females.     

Ultrastructure of the oocytes of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica during artificially induced sexual maturation

ABSTRACT: Morphological changes in the oocytes of the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica , induced to undergo ovarian development by repeated injections of salmon pituitary homogenate, were examined using electron microscopy. Oil droplets were closely associated with organelles, especially mitochondria, and increased in number as oocyte growth proceeded. They fused at the migratory nucleus stage. During vitellogenesis, two types of cortical alveoli were distinguished, one having filamentous contents, the other having latticated contents. As oocytes reached maturity, the structure of the cortical alveoli was exclusively filamentous. Yolk globules were homogeneous and highly electrondense, but electrondensity decreased during hydration. The structure of the zona radiata of previtellogenic oocytes consisted of two layers, and an additional reticular network structure was formed on the inside of the zona radiata during the vitellogenic stage. The zona radiata lost the reticular network structure and assumed a layered structure of uniform electrondensity at the migratory nucleus stage. These structural changes during oocyte development were mostly comparable to those in other teleosts. Results of the present study should assist in developing improved methods for full control of artificial maturation in the Japanese eel.     

Fluorescence localization of epidermal cathepsins L and B in the Japanese eel

Histochemical localization of proteolytic activities in the dorsal epidermis of Japanese eel was demonstrated by fluorescent microscopy utilizing 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide (4M$\beta$NA) derivatives as substrates and 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde as a trapping agent. Carbobenzoxy-L-phenylalanyl-L-arginyl-4M$\beta$NA (Cbz-Phe-Arg-4M$\beta$NA) and Cbz-Arg-Arg-4M$\beta$NA were used for direct detection of cathepsins L and B activities, respectively, in fresh frozen sections and unfixed cells of the eel epidermis. The fluorescing areas, where Cbz-Phe-Arg-4M$\beta$NA was hydrolyzed by cathepsin L, were shown in mucus secretory cells and club cells and broadly around skin surface. The fluorescing areas due to Cbz-Arg-Arg-4M$\beta$NA hydrolysis by cathepsin B were localized similarly in these tissues. The fluorescing intensity for both catheptic activities in mucus secretory cells was higher than that in club cells, where small fluorescing granules were distributed. These results indicate that eel cathepsins L and B are stored in epidermal secretory cells at different levels and probably serve as defense factors before or after secretion by these cells. Abbreviations: Cbz – carbobenzoxy; 4M$\beta$NA – 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide; NSA – 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde.     

Genetic variability of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica (Temminck & Schlegel) related to latitude

Abstract— Isozyme genotypes of 400 glass eels recruiting to 4 localities along the east Asian coast, stretching from Taiwan to the Yalu River of northeastern China, were studied using starch gel electrophoresis. Geographic cline was found to exist in two loci: NADP-isocitrate dehygenase-1 and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. Frequencies of the most common allele of these two loci increased from south to north. In the latitudinal range of 25°N to 40°N, the magnitude of difference of IDH100 and PGD100 was 13% and 9% respectively. However, deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found to be insignificant in both loci at three of the four localities. The cline was, therefore, unlikely to have resulted from selection. Migration time-lag from different parts of the continent to the spawning ground in the western Pacific was suggested to be a possible reason for the formation of the cline.     

Fine structure and differentiation of the alimentary canal in captive-bred Japanese eel Anguilla japonica preleptocephali

ABSTRACT:   The fine structure of the alimentary canal in preleptocephali produced by artificially matured Japanese eel was examined. At 1 day posthatch (dph), the alimentary canal was found only above the dorsal side of the yolk mass, and the epithelium was composed of a single layer of epithelial cells. By 5 dph, the alimentary canal was divided into three segments based on the structure of the epithelial cells: foregut, midgut and hindgut, corresponding to the future esophagus, intestine and rectum, respectively. After 7 dph, the epithelium in the foregut was surrounded by a circular muscle layer, suggesting a role in the transportation of food materials. The epithelial cells of the midgut exhibited well-developed membranous structures, which are deduced to be invaginations of the cytoplasmic membrane. Pinocytotic invaginations and vacuoles were observed in the epithelial cells of the hindgut; this observation suggests that this region is involved in the uptake of food. Significant changes in morphological features of the epithelial cells in each segment were observed until 7 dph; however, these were not evident between 7 dph and 13 dph. Consequently, the differentiation of the alimentary canal was completed by 7 dph, and preleptocephalus had developed the ability to absorb food by 7 dph.     

Cardiovascular,respiratory, and blood adjustments to hypoxia in the Japanese eel,Anguilla japonica

The cardioventilatory performance of the Japanese eel,Anguilla japonica, was evaluated during acute exposure to hypoxia. The eel became an oxygen conformer as ambient PO₂ fell below the critical value of 110 mmHg. Although arterial and venous PO₂ also fell progressively, the arterial O₂ content remained constant down to an ambient PO₂ of about 60 mmHg. Arterial blood O₂ saturation was maintained at 85% even at 40 mmHg. The increase in the supply of O₂ to the animal during hypoxia was due to a combination of adaptive adjustments: (1) an increase in ventilation: perfusion ratio brought about mainly be bradycardia; (2) an increase in respiratory exchange surface area which was manifested as an increase in branchial blood transit time and quantified as a rise in transfer factor, water-blood overlap coefficient and utilization (%); (3) an increase in blood O₂ affinity and capacitance coefficient as a result of respiratory alkalosis and Bohr-Root shift and a decrease in haemoglobin allosteric modulator (GTP, ATP) concentrations in the RBC. These factors together helped to increase the efficiency of O₂ transfer across the gills.