Role of oocyte‐derived paracrine factors in follicular development

Mammalian oocytes secrete transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) superfamily proteins, such as growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) and BMP15, and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). These oocyte‐derived paracrine factors (ODPFs) play essential roles in regulating the differentiation and function of somatic granulosa cells as well as the development of ovarian follicles. In addition to the importance of individual ODPFs, emerging evidence suggests that the interaction of ODPF signals with other intra‐follicular signals, such as estrogen, is critical for folliculogenesis. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding of the role of ODPFs in follicular development with an emphasis on their interaction with estrogen signaling in regulation of the differentiation and function of granulosa cells.     

Studies on the pathogenesis of streptococcal infection in cultured yellowtails, Seriola spp.: effect of crude exotoxin fractions from cell-free culture on experimental streptococcal infection

Abstract. Exotoxins prepared from streptococcal bacteria of Seriola spp. origin were grown in fluid culture and fractionates of the supernatant used in toxicity studies in Seriola by oral and percutaneous exposure. Toxic fractions were then applied simultaneously with oral challenge with Streptococcus spp. bacteria. Two fractions E and G were shown to have a significant effect on the pathogenesis of infection.     

Interannual variability of the ecosystem of the Kii Channel, the Inland Sea of Japan, as influenced by bottom intrusion of cold and nutrient-rich water from the Pacific Ocean, and a recent trend of warming and oligotrophication

Interannual variability of the ecosystem of the Kii Channel, productive shelf water on the Pacific side of south‐western Japan, was analysed based on physicochemical environmental variables and abundance of major zooplankton taxa collected monthly for 12 yr from 1987 to 1999. The Kii Channel experienced both short‐term (i.e. 3–4 yr) cyclical changes and a long‐term (i.e. decadal) environmental trend. The short‐term variability was primarily associated with year‐to‐year differences in intrusion of subsurface, cold nutrient‐rich water along the bottom of the Kii Channel from the Pacific Ocean. When this bottom intrusion was intense, the Kii Channel experienced a cold, new production‐dominated ecosystem. The bottom intrusion, however, has become less intense in recent years, because of the closer proximity of the Kuroshio flow axis to the Kii Channel. Hence, there was a consistent trend towards warming and a regenerated production‐dominated ecosystem. In accordance with such environmental changes, the zooplankton community shifted towards more oceanic conditions; major herbivorous calanoids (i.e. Calanus sinicus, Paracalanus parvus (s.l.), Clausocalanus spp. and Acartia omorii) decreased, while carnivores (i.e. hydromedusae and Sagitta spp.) increased. The amount of total fish catch also decreased, while the catch of subtropical species increased. These findings lead us to conclude that the bottom intrusion from the Pacific Ocean plays a key role in determining the biological production in the Kii Channel.     

In vitro antibacterial activity of the combination of sulphadiazine and trimethoprim on bacterial fish pathogens

Abstract. The in vitro bacteriostatic activity of a combination of sulphadiazine (SDZ) and trimethoprim (TMP) against representative bacterial fish pathogens was studied. In general, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of TMP were much smaller than comparable values for SDZ. When SDZ and TMP were combined, the bacteriostatic effect was enhanced in a synergistic manner for all bacteria tested except Pseudomonas fluorescens . The synergism was most remarkable in the case of bacterial strains that were sensitive to the action of SDZ alone. This degree of synergism was observed when the ratios of SDZ and TMP in combination were in the range of 1:1 io 5:1. The MIC of SDZ plus TMP combined was less than 3.13 μg/ml for SDZ resistant strains and as low as 0.2 to 0.78 μ/ml for SDZ sensitive strains. The possible usefulness of a combination of these two compounds for therapy or control of bacterial fish disease is discussed.     

EMG telemetry studies on upstream migration of chum salmon in the Toyohira river,Hokkaido, Japan

The movements of 28 adult chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum) tagged with electromyogram (EMG) transmitters were tracked along the Toyohira river, Hokkaido, Japan, in October of 2007 and 2008 to investigate and evaluate the upstream migratory behavior through the protection bed and fishway of ground sills. The approach time of fish that ascended successfully through the protection bed and fishway was shorter than that of unsuccessful fish. The unsuccessful fish were observed to swim in currents with high water velocity and shallow water depth at swimming speeds that exceeded their critical swimming speed (U _crit) during the approach to these structures. In consequence, unsuccessful fish frequently alternated between burst and maximum sustained speeds without ever ascending the fishway, and eventually became exhausted. It is important that fishway are constructed to enable chum salmon to find a passage way easily, so that they can migrate upstream rapidly without wasting excessive energy.     

Denitrification characteristics of pond sediments in a Chinese agricultural watershed

Ponds are widely distributed in rice-based agricultural watersheds, particularly in southern China, and may play an important role in nitrate (     ) removal. However, the denitrification rate of pond sediment, measured using the acetylene (C₂H₂) inhibition technique, indicated that the amount of nitrogen removed by denitrification accounted for <1% of the total nitrogen applied. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of sediment depth and temperature on denitrification of pond sediment using the C₂H₂ inhibition technique. The highest denitrification potential was found in the upper 5 cm of sediment, but this only accounted for approximately 34% of the total denitrification of the upper 0–30 cm of sediment, suggesting that sediment denitrification potential would be underestimated if only the upper 5 cm of sediment was measured. The denitrification potential was low and showed a weak response over a temperature range of 6–18°C, whereas denitrification increased significantly from 18 to 30°C, indicating that denitrification may play an important role in the removal of     in warm seasons. A comparison of the     disappearance and C₂H₂ inhibition methods showed that they were significantly ( P  < 0.01) and positively correlated. However, the C₂H₂ inhibition method gave only approximately 25% of the values determined by the     disappearance method.