Morphological and histological changes inthe genital ducts ofthe male Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina, during the seasonal reproductive cycle

Changes inthe morphology and histologyofthe epididymis and seminal vesicle in male Atlantic stingrays (Dasyatis sabina) were examined in relation tothe seasonal reproductive cycle. Observations onthe size and structureofthese organs were accompanied by analysisof cell proliferation in genital duct epithelia using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as a marker for mitotic activity. No signsof reproductive tract growth or histological alteration were apparent duringthe initial stagesof spermatogenesis. However, increased PCNA expression inthe seminal vesicle epithelium was observed during this period, suggesting that this organ begins to undergo preparatory changes at an early stage inthe reproductive cycle. During late spermatogenesis, heightened expressionof PCNA in epithelial cellsofthe epididymis and seminal vesicle was observed in conjunction with dramatic increases in size and semen contentofthese organs. Extensive changes inthe histological architectureofthe genital ducts also were evident at this time, including regressionofthe stroma and an increase in size and secretory activityofthe epithelium. Althoughthe epididymis regressed in size and structure shortly after sperm production was completed,the seminal vesicle retained its appearance and activity forthe durationofthe 7-month copulatory period. Afterwards, immune cell content increased considerably in both ducts, likely reflecting clearanceof residual spermatozoa in preparation forthe subsequent reproductive season.the present study provides a basis for future reports onthe physiological regulationof reproductive tract function in elasmobranchs, and establishes PCNA immunocytochemistry as a novel tool for such investigations.     

虾夷马粪海胆早期生长发育的遗传力估计

以虾夷马粪海胆(Strongylocentrotus intermedius)为亲本，采用不平衡巢式设计方法和人工授精技术，每个雄性海胆配5个雌性海胆，每个雌性个体产生若干幼体，构成了11个父系半同胞家系和35个母系全同胞家系，分别测定了每个母系孵化后生长到3月龄和5月龄的全同胞幼海胆40-50个后代的体重和壳径，应用数量遗传学原理和半同胞组内相关分析法研究了虾夷马粪海胆早期生长发育性状的遗传力。结果表明，3月龄和5月龄的海胆体重的狭义遗传力估计值为0．339-0．523，壳径的狭义遗传力估计值为0．316-0．487。分析结果显示，雌性遗传方差组分均显著大于雄性遗传方差组分，雌性遗传方差组分存在显著的母性效应，表明由雄性遗传方差组分估计的遗传力准确可取，父系半同胞组内相关法计算的狭义遗传力是遗传力的无偏估计值。     

虾夷马粪海胆表型性状对性腺性状的影响效果分析

从19月龄虾夷马粪海胆Strongylocentrotus intermedius养殖群体中随机选择600枚,测量了壳高(TH)、壳径(TD)、活体重(BW)、性腺湿重(GWW)、性腺颜色(L*a*b*)、性腺指数(GI)、性腺水分(GM)7个性状。采用相关分析和通径分析方法,计算了各性状间的相关系数,并定量分析了壳性状对活体重及表型性状(壳高、壳径、活体重)对性腺性状的影响效果。结果表明,壳性状与活体重极显著相关(P0.01);4个性腺性状除构成性腺颜色性状的a*(绿-红)、b*(蓝-黄)分别与壳径、活体重呈显著相关(P0.05),而与其他表型性状无显著相关外,L*(暗-亮)、性腺湿重、性腺指数和性腺水分与表型性状均达到极显著相关(P0.01)。壳径对活体重的直接影响最大(0.717),活体重对性腺湿重的直接影响最大(0.598),壳径和活体重可作为间接选择性腺湿重的主要指标。利用曲线回归建立了壳性状预测活体重及活体重预测性腺湿重的最优模型:BW=0.001TD2.822(R2=0.984),GWW=0.039BW1.331(R2=0.753)。     

Environmental factors influencing the prevalence of a cutaneous ulcerative disease (red spot) in the sea mullet, Mugil cephalus L., in the Clarence River, New South Wales, Australia

Abstract A cutaneous ulcerative disease (red spot) in sea mullet, Mugil cephalus L., from the Clarence River, New South Wales, Australia, was first reported in 1972. In this study, reports of disease outbreaks have been compared with rainfall and river flow records for the period from 1972 to 1988. Detailed disease prevalence, rainfall, river flow and water quality data were compared for the period from 1985 to 1988. Significant correlations between weekly rainfall in the lower catchment and the prevalence of early stage lesions have been found. Progression to later stages of the disease occurred after rainfall and high river flows, which also caused rapid changes in various water-quality characteristics such as salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and turbidity. Organochlorine insecticide residues were not found to be associated with the disease in this area. The rainfall record since 1902 does not explain the absence of earlier reports of the disease. It is postulated that extensive structural developments for flood mitigation purposes and the increase in agricultural cultivation in the lower Clarence catchment during the last 20 years may be factors associated with the onset of the early stage of red spot disease. Fish in this early stage of the disease may then develop dermal ulcers under the stressful river conditions typically present during the autumn (high rainfall) season.     

可口革囊星虫生殖周期的观察

通过对可口革囊星虫体腔生殖细胞的发育和形态特征的周年观察,逐月统计体腔卵母细胞的数量,研究其变化趋势。结果表明,可口革囊星虫雌雄异体,性比为1∶1,无可见的生殖腺结构,原生殖细胞在体腔液中发育。体腔内全年都有生殖细胞存在,排卵期与产卵期出现重叠现象,卵母细胞分批成熟,分批产卵。根据卵母细胞的形态特点和存在方式可分为5个发育阶段:细胞增殖期、细胞质生长期、胶质膜形成期、成熟前期和成熟期。雄性生殖细胞在成熟之前,以细胞团的形式存在于体腔液中,其发生和产出过程,在时间上与卵母细胞同歩。成熟的生殖细胞经肾管排出、体外完成受精。宁德地区可口革囊星虫的生殖季节为5~9月,其中7~8月为繁殖盛期。体腔卵母细胞的长径与短径呈线性关系:Y=1.14X-0.7316(R2=0.9711)。     

Instantaneous effect of dibromomethane on metamorphosis of larvae of the sea urchins Strongylocentrotus nudus and Strongylocentrotus intermedius

A volatile chemical, dibromomethane (DBM), produced from red coralline algae is known as a chemical inducer of larval metamorphosis of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus. We performed experiments exposing DBM to the larvae of S. nudus and Strongylocentrotus intermedius through a hydrophobic membrane. Metamorphic rates resulting from different diluted DBM solutions and exposure times were ascertained. The highest metamorphic rate, more than 80% in both species, was found after 1 h exposure to 1/2 diluted DBM. With this dilution, more than 80% of S. nudus and S. intermedius larvae metamorphosed 1 h after start of the experiment after only 10 and 5 min exposure, respectively, which corresponded to the low concentrations of 52–61 ppm and 34–43 ppm DBM by GCMS analysis, respectively. These findings suggest that DBM has an instantaneous effect on high success of metamorphosis of larvae of S. nudus and S. intermedius.     

Endocrine and gonadal changes during the annual reproductive cycle of the freshwater teleost,Stizostedion vitreum

The annual reproductive cycle of walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) was characterized by documenting changes in gonadal development and serum levels of estradiol-17β (E₂), testosterone (T), 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20-P), and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) in wild fish captured from upper midwestern lakes and rivers throughout the year. Fish from the populations used in this study spawn annually in early- to mid-April. Walleye showed group synchronous ovarian development with exogenous vitellogenesis beginning in autumn. Oocyte diameters increased rapidly from ∼ 200 μm in October to ∼ 1,000 μm in November, and reached a maximum of 1,500 μm just prior to spawning. Changes in gonadosomatic indices (GSIs) paralleled changes in oocyte diameters. Serum E₂ levels in females increased rapidly from low values in October (< 0.1 ng ml⁻¹) to peak levels of 3.7 ng ml⁻¹ in November, coinciding with the period of the most rapid ovarian growth. Subsequently, E₂ levels decreased from December through spawning. Serum T levels exhibited a bimodal pattern, increasing to 1.6 ng ml⁻¹ in November, and peaking again at 3.3 ng ml⁻¹ just prior to spawning. We detected 11-KT in the serum of some females at concentrations up to 5.6 ng ml⁻¹, but no seasonal pattern was apparent. In this study (unlike our results in a related study) 17,20-P was not detected. In males, differentiation of spermatogonia began in late August, and by January the testes were filled (> 95% of germ cells) with spermatozoa. Mature spermatozoa could be expressed from males from January through April. GSIs ranged from 0.2% (post-spawn) to 3.2% (pre-spawn). Serum T levels rose from undetectable levels in post-spawn males to 1.6 ng ml⁻¹ by November, remained elevated throughout the winter, and peaked at 2.8 ng ml⁻¹ I prior to spawning. Levels of 11-KT in males remained low (< 10 ng ml⁻¹, from post-spawning through January, then increased significantly by March and peaked just prior to spawning at 39.7 ng ml⁻¹. Our results indicate that vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis are complete or nearly so, in walleye by early winter, and suggest that it may be possible to induce spawning in this species several months prior to the normal spawning season by subjecting fish to relatively simple environmental and hormonal treatments.     

Environmental influences on daily commercial catch rates of South Australia's southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii)

The extent to which catchability of southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) due to short‐term environmental factors, rather than abundance, may be affecting legal‐size catch rates from the South Australian Southern Zone rock lobster fishery was examined. Multivariate weighted linear regression was applied to daily aggregated commercial catch rates using several environmental covariates in addition to year and month. Model pruning via backward selection identified the following variables as being significantly related to catch rate: wave height and period, lagged wave height, bottom temperature, moon phase, and a spatial block index. These variables explained 7% of the total variance in log‐transformed daily catch rates and another 84% was explained by month and year. A negative relationship was found between catch rate and each of bottom temperature and same‐day wave height, while the relationships between catch rate and days prior to full moon, and average wave height over the past 3 days were positive.     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate on weight gain and gonad production in small sea urchins,Lytechinus variegatus

In experiment 1, juvenile sea urchins (n = 80, 0.088 ± 0.001 g wet weight and 5.72 ± 0.04 mm diameter) were held individually and fed ad libitum one of three semi‐purified formulated diets (n = 16 individuals treatment^?1). In the diets, protein was held constant (310 g kg^?1 dry, as fed) and carbohydrate level varied (190, 260, or 380 g kg^?1 dry, as fed). Wet weights were measured every 2 weeks. Total wet weight gain was inversely proportional to dietary carbohydrate level and energy content of the respective diet. In experiment 2, sea urchins (5.60 ± 0.48 g wet weight, n = 40) fed 190 g kg^?1 carbohydrate consumed significantly more dry feed than those fed 260 g kg^?1, but not more than those fed 380 g kg^?1 carbohydrate. Based on differential feed intake rates, sea urchins that consumed more feed also consumed higher levels of protein and had the highest weight gain. Consequently, protein content and/or protein: energy ratio may be important in determining feed utilization and growth among sea urchins in this study. The average digestible energy intake was approximately 70 kcal kg^?1 body weight day^?1, suggesting daily caloric intake of juvenile Lytechinus variegatus is lower than in shrimp and fish.     

Use of maize as a food source for sea urchins in a recirculating rearing system

Six diets were tested on the somatic growth and mortality of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus reared in a semi-closed system. Three of the diets were algal-based (Palmaria palmata, Laminaria digitata and a mix of L. digitata (80%) plus P. palmata (20%)), the other three being based on maize (pure maize or a mix of maize (80%) plus P. palmata (20%) and maize (80%) plus L. digitata (20%)). Best growth rates were obtained with the mix maize plus P. palmata, the lowest conversion rates were obtained with the algal-based diets. Mortality rates were not significantly different between the diets. Sea urchins (3791) were reared in a semi-closed circuit and fed a mix of maize plus P. palmata. Growth, size distribution and mortality were studied to an age of 23 months, when their mean diameter was 21.4 mm (size distribution from 6 to 46 mm). The fastest growing urchins reached 40 mm in 15 months. Size frequency histograms were extrapolated to show that 25% of the urchin population reach a size >40 mm in 41 months. Forty-nine months would be necessary for 50% of the population to reach that size and 63 months for 75% of the population. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Accumulation of a bitter amino acid,pulcherrimine, in sea urchin ovaries and its relevance to the annual reproductive cycle

Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus in the Tohoku area is not utilized as a fishery product because the ovaries have a bitter taste almost all year. To discover the cause, we compared the annual reproductive cycles and ovarian accumulation of a bitter amino acid, pulcherrimine, in H. pulcherrimus collected at Mikuni (Fukui Prefecture), where it is fished in summer, and Iwaki (Fukushima Prefecture), where it is not utilized. At both sites, pulcherrimine increased in maturing ovaries as oogenesis proceeded from autumn to winter, decreased after spawning in spring, but remained in spent and immature ovaries for a few months. In Mikuni, pulcherrimine was scarcely detected in the ovaries for several months in summer. However, in Iwaki, late spawning delayed the disappearance of pulcherrimine in summer, and early initiation of oogenesis advanced the restart of pulcherrimine accumulation in autumn compared to Mikuni. Consequently, the period when the ovaries were palatable because of the absence of pulcherrimine during summer was short in Iwaki. The major cause of such short-term palatability could be the lower seawater temperature in the Tohoku area. Furthermore, pulcherrimine was never detected in other sea urchins, although a bitter taste was found in the mature ovaries of some species.

     

Lunar cycle in the reproductive activity in the forktail rabbitfish

Histological observations of the gonads of Siganus argenteus showed that gametes developed toward the last quarter moon from May to July. Weekly changes in plasma steroid hormones were correlated closely with gonadal development. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulated in vitro production of steroid hormones at the specific lunar phase. These results suggest that the concomitant physiological events in the gonads strictly changes with the lunar cycle.     

Insulin and IGF-I receptors and tyrosine kinase activity in carp ovaries: changes with reproductive cycle

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptors from carp ovaries were semipurified with wheat germ agglutinin at different moments of the reproductive cycle and their binding characteristics and tyrosine kinase activity were studied. Specific receptors for insulin and IGF-I were found. IGF-I receptors presented higher binding (23.8 ± 1.5%), number of receptors (965 ± 20fm/mg) and affinity (K_D 0.24 ± 0.03nM) than those shown for insulin receptors (4.1 ± 1%, 530 ± 85fm/mg and 0.85 ± 0.1nM, respectively). Insulin and IGF-I receptors have a tyrosine kinase activity which is not different from that found in muscle of the same species. Seasonal changes were found in binding, with maximum values for insulin and IGF-I reached at the end of pre-spawning period (June). However, while IGF-I binding was observed in all stages, insulin binding decreased in autumn and disappeared in winter, which suggests a different role for the two peptides in ovarian physiology.     

Oxidative status and histological changes in sea bass larvae muscle in response to high dietary content of docosahexaenoic acid DHA

In previous studies, we observed dystrophic alterations in muscle of 48‐day‐old sea bass fed imbalanced docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin E diets. To understand the whole pathological process associated with oxidative stress, a histological study was performed by feeding 14‐day‐old sea bass larvae with microdiets containing different ratios of DHA/vitamin E (1/150, 5/150 and 5/300) for a period of 21 days. Larvae fed diet 1/150 showed no lesions in contrast to larvae fed diets 5/150 and 5/300 where the highest incidence of muscle lesions and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content was observed. Semithin sections revealed focal lesions consisting of degenerated fibres with hypercontracted myofilaments and extensive sarcoplasm vacuolization affecting both red and white muscle. Ultrathin sections of degenerating muscle fibres showed diffuse dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum, disorganized myofilaments and autophagic vacuoles containing myelin figures and dense bodies. Additionally, some macrophages were observed among injured fibres as numerous satellite cells. Results from the study agree with those obtained from previous work, proving the pathological potential of free radicals in sea bass larvae musculature. Moreover, high vitamin E inclusion could not completely protect cell membranes from free radicals action.     

Optimizing food distribution in closed-circuit cultivation of edible sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus: Echinoidea)

In the framework of echinoid cultivation, whose objective is to succeed in continuously producing large amounts of edible sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) under controlled conditions (aquaculture), gonadal growth is to be optimized. Among the various parameters influencing the production of roe, the quantity of food distributed was tested for optimization. After a 1-month fast, echinoids were fed artificial food pellets (enriched in soybean and fish proteins) for different periods of time over 48 h, the food thus being available ad libitum for 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, and 48 h; the cycles were repeated for a month. The results show that the quantity of food intake and the gonad index peak after about 35 h of food availability. This suggests food should be distributed discontinuously for optimal gonad production and minimal waste.     

Environmental influences on the recruitment of Newfoundland/Labrador Cod*

This paper investigates possible linkages between the environment and year-class success of Newfoundland/ Labrador cod. Aspects of the physical environment relevant to recruitment are reviewed and the current knowledge of the patterns of spawning and larval occurrence is summarized. A critical review of investigations aimed at correlating recruitment with climactic fluctuations is made and concludes that these studies have been largely fruitless. A series of numerical simulations of particle drift are presented to investigate the potential importance of storms and to try to identify nursery grounds. These simulations suggest that Labrador Shelf eggs and larvae are segregated from Grand Banks eggs and larvae. Favorable storm tracks appear to be required for significant numbers of eggs and larvae to reach the bays of Northeast Newfoundland.     

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.     

Comparative study on extractive components of fresh and boiled gonads of three species of sea urchins from the Gulf of Thailand

Proximate compositions and extractive components of the gonads (roes) of three species of sea urchins, namely, Diadema setosum, Salmacis sphaeroides and Toxopneustes pileolus, from the Gulf of Thailand were identified and the boiling effect on these extractive components of these sea urchin roes studied. Of the three species tested, the gonads of D. setosum had the lowest moisture (62 %) and ash (2 %) contents and the highest protein (15 %) and lipid (11 %) contents. Major extractive constituents of the roes of D. setosum were taurine, arginine, lysine, glycine, tyrosine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, alanine, glutamic acid and inosine 5′-monophosphate; those for the roes of S. sphaeroides were glycine, lysine, alanine, arginine, ATP and adenosine 5′-diphosphate; those for the roes of T. pileolus were glycine, alanine, serine, ATP and adenosine 5′-monophosphate, respectively. Boiling in 3 % brine (98–100 °C, 2 min) drastically reduced the amounts of both free amino acids and ATP-related compounds of sea urchins belonging to all these species.     

偏顶蛤的性腺发育和生殖周期

为了探讨偏顶蛤的繁殖规律,自2013年10月至2014年9月,每月采集大连海区野生偏顶蛤(Modiolus modiolus)样品1次,测定采样点水温,采用组织学方法分析其性腺的季节变化。结果表明,偏顶蛤性腺发育以1年为1个周期,可分为增殖期、生长期、成熟期、排放期、休止期5个时期。偏顶蛤卵子的发生可分为卵原细胞期、生长初期、生长中期、生长后期和成熟期。雄性生殖细胞的发生经历了精原细胞、初级精母细胞、次级精母细胞、精细胞和精子等时期,精原细胞分为A型和B型2种类型。该海区偏顶蛤性腺指数和肥满度最低值均出现在1月,分别为17.54%和18.23%;二者最高值均出现在8月,分别为32.25%和38.43%。偏顶蛤繁殖期为6—11月,繁殖期水温在16.8~22.1℃;雌雄性腺发育基本同步,雄性发育略快,雌雄异体,二者性比接近1∶1。本研究为偏顶蛤的天然资源保护及大规模人工增养殖的开展提供了基础资料。