黄条鰤hsp70基因克隆及其在早期生长发育过程中的表达调控特性

热休克蛋白(heat shock proteins, HSPs)在鱼类的应激与免疫反应中发挥重要的生理调控作用,HSP70是该家族的重要成员。为探讨热休克蛋白在大洋性经济鱼类黄条鰤 (Seriola aureovittata)生长发育中的生理作用,本研究克隆获得了黄条鰤hsp70基因的全长cDNA序列,并采用定量PCR技术测定了其组织分布及在早期生长发育过程中的表达特征。结果显示,黄条鰤 hsp70基因的cDNA序列全长为2 332 bp,其中,5′-UTR长度为187 bp,ORF长度为1 920 bp,3′-UTR长度为225 bp,编码639个氨基酸,蛋白质分子量为70.1 kDa,等电点为5.16。黄条鰤 hsp70 mRNA的组织表达具有性别二态性差异,其中,在雌性鳃、心、脾脏和卵巢组织中显著高表达(P<0.05),且以卵巢中表达量最高;雄性垂体、鳃、头肾和精巢组织显著高表达(P<0.05),且以鳃中表达量最高。胚胎发育过程的表达检测显示,在卵裂前的受精卵中可检测到hsp70的表达,表明其具有亲本遗传的特性。同时,在胚胎发育过程的各个时期都可检测到hsp70 mRNA的表达,且在低囊胚期之前的各发育阶段一直保持较低表达水平,在原肠前期开始显著上调表达(P<0.05),其后保持相对较高表达水平,至胚胎孵化出膜期达峰值。在仔稚幼鱼中,hsp70 mRNA在初孵仔鱼和1 d仔鱼中高表达,其后在4 d仔鱼中显著降低(P<0.05),其后显著上调表达,至15 d仔鱼达峰值,其后在20 d仔鱼显著下降,并在25 d后稚鱼和幼鱼中保持相对较低表达水平。研究结果可为深入认识黄条鰤hsp70基因的结构特征、发生发育及其早期生长发育阶段的表达调控功能提供依据。     

黄条鰤 npy基因克隆及其对饥饿再投喂的应答特性

为探究神经肽Y (neuropeptide Y, NPY)在黄条鰤 (Seriola aureovittata)摄食调控中的作用及机制,本研究采用同源克隆的方法获得了黄条鰤 npy基因的开放阅读框(ORF)序列,并利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析了npy基因的组织分布以及其对饥饿再投喂的应答特性。黄条鰤 npy基因ORF序列长度为300 bp,编码99个氨基酸的前体蛋白,其中包括28个氨基酸的信号肽、36个氨基酸的成熟肽。氨基酸序列同源性比对发现,黄条鰤 npy编码的氨基酸序列与斑马鱼(Danio rerio)等其他硬骨鱼高度保守(>90%);系统进化树分析表明,黄条鰤 npy与高体鰤 (Seriola dumerili)的关系最近。npy mRNA在所检测的12种组织中均有表达,其中,在脑组织表达量最高,在垂体和胃中表达量次之。在饥饿再投喂实验中,饥饿刺激了npy mRNA的表达,特别是饥饿21 d时,实验组垂体npy mRNA表达量显著高于对照组,再投喂7 d后恢复到对照组水平。上述结果表明,npy可能参与了黄条鰤的摄食调控,在饥饿代谢补偿机制中发挥了重要作用。     

3种养殖鰤鱼消化相关酶活性的比较分析

为深入了解鰤鱼的消化生理特性,测定并比较分析了3种鰤鱼[高体鰤(Seriola dumerili)、黄条鰤(Seriola lalandi)、五条鰤(Seriola quinqueradiata)]的消化系统(胃、幽门盲囊、前肠、中肠、后肠和肝脏)中5种消化相关酶(胰蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶、碱性磷酸酶和酸性磷酸酶)活性与组织分布特点。结果显示,3种鰤鱼中5种消化相关酶主要分布在幽门盲囊、肝脏和肠道中。3种鰤鱼胃组织中胃蛋白酶活性无差异。幽门盲囊中胰蛋白酶活性：黄条鰤>高体鰤>五条鰤(P<0.05),高体鰤肝脏组织中胰蛋白酶活性显著高于其他2种鰤鱼(P<0.05);胃、中肠、后肠组织中α-淀粉酶活性：五条鰤>黄条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05),幽门盲囊、前肠组织中α-淀粉酶活性：黄条鰤>五条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05);胃、幽门盲囊组织中脂肪酶活性：黄条鰤>五条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05),前肠、后肠、肝脏中脂肪酶活性：五条鰤>黄条鰤>高体鰤(P<0.05);3种鰤鱼的酸、碱性磷酸酶活性组织分布趋势基本一致,其中,黄条鰤幽门盲囊组织中酸、碱性磷酸酶活性最高(P<0.05)。研究表明,3种鰤鱼消化相关酶活性的组织分布特点基本一致,幽门盲囊是5种酶作用的主要靶器官,除胰蛋白酶外,高体鰤其他4种酶活性均显著低于其他2种鰤鱼,黄条鰤幽门盲囊和肠道的5种酶活性显著偏高。结果可为揭示鰤属鱼类的消化生理特性、研制适宜鰤属鱼类消化特点和种特异性生长的高效专用配合饲料提供理论依据。     

IL-8在LPS诱导的草鱼炎症过程中的表达特征

采用原核表达获得草鱼白细胞介素-8(IL-8)重组蛋白,并以腹腔与皮下组织交替注射的方法免疫小鼠,制备抗草鱼IL-8的多克隆抗体。采用免疫印迹(Western blot)和酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)技术检测抗体的特异性与效价,运用流式细胞术分析健康草鱼及细菌脂多糖(LPS)刺激后草鱼各免疫相关组织中IL-8的表达特征。结果显示,草鱼IL-8多克隆抗体效价可达1∶40 000。健康草鱼的胸腺、头肾、肝脏、肠道、鳃、脾脏、体肾等组织均表达IL-8蛋白,其中,头肾和鳃中表达量较高。LPS刺激后,各组织IL-8蛋白表达量均显著升高,其中,肠道、肝脏、肾脏在LPS刺激4 h后IL-8蛋白上调达最高峰,头肾、脾脏、鳃于LPS刺激后12 h时表达量最高,胸腺则在24 h时达最高峰。研究表明,IL-8参与了草鱼炎症应答;IL-8表达量的升高,可作为早期炎症监测指标,应用于养殖鱼类炎症性疾病的预警指标。     

黄条鰤 igfbp-1和igfbp-2基因克隆、表达及其生长调控作用

胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白(insulin-like growth factor binding proteins, IGFBPs)在调节胰岛素样生长因子的生物学活性和生长调控中起着至关重要的生理作用。本研究克隆了黄条鰤(Seriola aureovittata) igfbp-1、igfbp-2a和igfbp-2b等3个基因cDNA编码的开放阅读框(ORF)序列,分析了其组织分布特征,并检测了工厂化不同养殖密度下黄条鰤肝脏中5个基因igfbp-1、igfbp-2a、igfbp-2b、igf-1和igf-2对生长的调控作用。结果显示,igfbp-1的ORF长为741 bp,共编码246个氨基酸;igfbp-2a的ORF长度为882 bp,共编码293个氨基酸;igfbp-2b的ORF长度为810 bp,共编码269个氨基酸。它们均具有广泛的组织表达特性,其中在肝脏中显著高表达,且具有性别二态性表达特性。工厂化养殖条件下,低密度组实验鱼生长速度最快且igfbp-1、igfbp-2a、igfbp-2b、igf-1和igf-2表达量均最高,与中、高密度组有显著性差异(P<0.05),且与血清IGF-1、GH表达趋势相同,与皮质醇含量及葡萄糖浓度的趋势相反;而中、高密度组实验鱼的生长及igfbp-1、igfbp-2a、igfbp-2b、igf-1和igf-2表达量均无显著差异。本研究表明,igfbp-1、igfbp-2a和igfbp-2b参与了不同养殖密度下黄条鰤生长的调控过程,且与igf-1、igf-2对生长的表达调控存在正向协同效应。研究结果为阐释黄条鰤生长的分子机制以及工厂化条件下适宜养殖密度的调控提供了理论依据。     

斑石鲷TGF-β1基因克隆和表达分析

虹彩病毒是造成斑石鲷(Oplegnathus punctatus)工厂化养殖中大规模死亡的主要病原,其感染力极强,感染后的斑石鲷死亡率高,严重影响了斑石鲷养殖产业发展。转化生长因子TGF-β1是一种重要的免疫调节因子,在病毒免疫应答中发挥重要作用。为研究TGF-β1在斑石鲷被虹彩病毒感染过程中发挥的作用,运用RACE和实时荧光定量qRT-PCR技术对TGF-β1进行了基因克隆,并对其进行在不同组织、不同时间点相对表达量的差异分析。结果显示,斑石鲷TGF-β1基因c DNA序列全长为3157 bp,5’非编码区长712 bp,3’非编码区长1278 bp,开放性阅读框长1167 bp,编码388个氨基酸,基因组包含6个外显子和5个内含子。同源分析发现,TGF-β1和鱼类相似度较高,与半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)的同源性最高,为76.67%。TGF-β1在斑石鲷健康组织(肝脏、脾脏、肾脏、头肾、心脏、鳃、胃、肠和皮肤)中均有表达,在头肾、肠、肝脏和皮肤组织中表达量较高,而在脾脏和肾脏组织表达量较低。为进一步研究TGF-β1在病毒感染过程中相对表达量的变化,对健康斑石鲷注射虹彩病毒进行刺激,随后比较了TGF-β1在脾脏、肝脏、肾脏、头肾4个不同组织、不同时间点的相对表达量的差异,在头肾、脾脏和肝脏中,病毒刺激后TGF-β1的表达量均出现升高,但在脾脏和肝脏中,峰值出现在刺激后第4天,而在头肾中峰值出现在感染后的第10天。在肾脏中,病毒刺激后的TGF-β1的表达呈现下降趋势,0 d表达量最高,4、7 d依次降低,7 d降至最低,10 d有所恢复。以上研究表明,TGF-β1可能响应了虹彩病毒对机体的刺激,可能在对病毒免疫应答中发挥作用。而病毒感染后不同组织中TGF-β1相对表达量的差异,则值得进一步研究。     

稀有鮈鲫MHCⅡβ基因克隆及鲁氏耶尔森菌感染后的表达分析

为探究稀有鲫MHCⅡβ基因的分子特征及其表达特点,采用PCR扩增技术获得了稀有鲫MHCⅡβ cDNA序列810 bp,包括开放阅读框(ORF)759 bp,编码252个氨基酸。生物信息分析表明,MHCⅡβ氨基酸序列存在4个保守的半胱氨酸残基和GXXGXXXGXXXXXXG结构,与其他亲缘鱼类的一致性为51.78%～80.56%,其编码的蛋白质分子包括1个信号肽、1个MHCⅡβ (β-1)结构域、1个IGc1 (β-2)结构域和1个跨膜螺旋区域。实时荧光定量PCR (qRT-PCR)结果显示,MHCⅡβ在脾脏表达量最高,头肾、鳃、皮肤表达量较高。人工感染鲁氏耶尔森菌后,6 h时在头肾表达呈显著上调,肝脏中在12 h开始出现极显著上调,皮肤中在24 h和48 h表达极显著,鳃中在6～24 h表达极显著,脾脏中则是在6 h出现极显著下调,于96 h接近对照组表达水平。初步研究表明,MHCⅡβ在鱼类抵御细菌感染的免疫反应中发挥着重要作用,为进一步揭示稀有鲫MHC家族的功能提供了参考依据。     

大鳍鳠 IL-1β基因cDNA克隆及表达分析

白细胞介素1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)作为炎症反应的关键介导物,通过开启基因的表达来调控免疫反应。为了丰富鱼类该基因的研究,实验采用RT-PCR和RACE-PCR技术,首次从鲇形目鱼类大鳍鳠中获得IL-1β基因cDNA的全序列。大鳍鳠IL-1β基因cDNA全长1 194 bp,包括3’非编码区域(UTR)为224 bp,5’UTR为82 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)为888 bp,编码296个氨基酸。预测的蛋白质分子量为33.843 43 ku,等电点为5.00。与斑点叉尾等其他8种脊椎动物进行同源性分析发现,大鳍鳠IL-1β氨基酸序列与斑点叉尾相似性最高,为79.0%,与原鸡的相似性最低,为22.0%。进化树分析表明,大鳍鳠IL-1β与斑点叉尾聚为一支。半定量PCR显示,大鳍鳠IL-1β基因在肌肉、脑、脾脏、头肾、体肾、胃、皮肤、肝脏及肠等组织中都有不同程度的表达;经嗜水气单胞菌刺激后大鳍鳠IL-1β基因在头肾和脾脏的转录表达显示,1 d后该基因在头肾与脾脏中的表达量都达到最大,15 d后恢复到刺激前的水平。研究显示,大鳍鳠IL-1β在抵御病原感染过程中发挥重要作用。     

大鳍鳠IL-1β基因cDNA克隆及表达分析

白细胞介素1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)作为炎症反应的关键介导物,通过开启基因的表达来调控免疫反应。为了丰富鱼类该基因的研究,实验采用RT-PCR和RACE-PCR技术,首次从鲇形目鱼类大鳍鳠中获得IL-1β基因cDNA的全序列。大鳍鳠IL-1β基因cDNA全长1 194 bp,包括3'非编码区域(UTR)为224 bp,5'UTR为82 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)为888 bp,编码296个氨基酸。预测的蛋白质分子量为33.843 43 ku,等电点为5.00。与斑点叉尾等其他8种脊椎动物进行同源性分析发现,大鳍鳠IL-1β氨基酸序列与斑点叉尾相似性最高,为79.0%,与原鸡的相似性最低,为22.0%。进化树分析表明,大鳍鳠IL-1β与斑点叉尾聚为一支。半定量PCR显示,大鳍鳠IL-1β基因在肌肉、脑、脾脏、头肾、体肾、胃、皮肤、肝脏及肠等组织中都有不同程度的表达;经嗜水气单胞菌刺激后大鳍鳠IL-1β基因在头肾和脾脏的转录表达显示,1 d后该基因在头肾与脾脏中的表达量都达到最大,15 d后恢复到刺激前的水平。研究显示,大鳍鳠IL-1β在抵御病原感染过程中发挥重要作用。     

松江鲈白介素15(TfIL-15)的结构特征与重组表达

为研究白介素15(Interleukin-15, IL-15)在松江鲈(Trachidermus fasciatus Heckel)先天免疫中的功能,本研究利用RACE技术克隆得到松江鲈IL-15基因(命名为TfIL-15)的全长cDNA序列,其长度为1140 bp,包括5¢-非编码区(5¢-UTR) 165 bp、开放阅读框(ORF) 522 bp和3¢UTR 453 bp。在5¢UTR区域,存在4个读码框外的AUG翻译起始位点。基因ORF编码173个氨基酸(aa),其中,前59 aa为信号肽序列。成熟肽全长为114 aa,预测分子量为12.975 kDa,理论等电点为5.15。同源比对发现,鱼类IL-15变异程度较高,TfIL-15与其他鱼类IL-15同源性在23%~61%之间。多序列比对和三维结构构建结果显示,TfIL-15具有典型4个α螺旋二级结构,形成二硫键的4个半胱氨酸高度保守。qRT-PCR分析表明,TfIL-15广泛表达于松江鲈各组织中。腹腔注射脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharides, LPS)后,TfIL-15 mRNA在血液、皮肤、肝脏和脾脏中均上调表达。在皮肤和血液中,刺激后2 h表达量迅速上调至最高峰,分别为对照组的74倍和41倍。脾脏和肝脏在刺激后12 h分别达到对照组的3倍和18倍。肝脏中,刺激后96 h,表达量再次上调至对照组的86倍。上述结果表明,TfIL-15可能参与了松江鲈抵抗外界刺激的先天免疫过程。另外,通过构建TfIL-15成熟肽的原核表达载体,成功获得重组蛋白,为进一步研究TfIL-15蛋白的功能奠定了基础。     

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.