DNA polymorphism in the growth hormone gene and its association with weight in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

ABSTRACT: Variation within the growth hormone gene and its association with growth trait in the olive flounder ( Paralichthys olivaceus ) was investigated. Based on Southern blot analysis and using various kinds of restriction endonucleases, it was demonstrated that the growth hormone gene exists as a single copy gene in the olive flounder. Polymorphisms of various lengths were also detected by Southern blot analysis, and by the subsequent digestion of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) -amplified growth hormone gene fragment with Sau 3AI restriction enzyme. To study the possible association between variation in the growth hormone and weight, 60 progenies of the hatchery strain of three various sizes (large, medium and small weight) were selected and the entire genetic structure of the growth hormone gene was analysed. A total of 15 different genotypes was observed from the random association of six haplotypes. Significant heterogeneity of the growth hormone gene with haplotype and genotype frequencies was detected among the different-sized groups.     

Effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and body composition of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L) reared under optimum salinity and temperature conditions

Effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on growth and body composition of juvenile turbot was determined at optimum salinity and temperature conditions of 17 g L^?1 and 19.2 °C, respectively, by using 3 × 2 (protein levels: 550, 600 and 650 g kg^?1; lipid levels: 69 and 168 g kg^?1) factorial design with three replications of each. Fish were hand‐fed to satiety twice daily throughout the feeding trial. Weight gain and specific growth rate of fish were significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increased dietary lipid level, but not by dietary protein level. Daily feed intake was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by both dietary protein and lipid levels. Feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary lipid level, but not by dietary protein level. Moisture content of whole body was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary lipid level, but not by dietary protein level. Crude lipid content of whole body was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary lipid level, but not by dietary protein level. Significantly higher 20:5n?3, 22:6n?3 and n?3 highly unsaturated fatty acids were observed in turbot fed the low lipid diet than fish fed the high lipid diet in all protein levels, but significantly lower 18:2n?6 was observed in fish fed the former compared with the latter. In considering results of growth, specific growth rate and efficiency of feed, optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for juvenile turbot seemed to be 550 and 168 g kg^?1 of the diet, respectively, under optimum salinity and temperature conditions.     

Time series analyses reveal transient relationships between abundance of larval anchovy and environmental variables in the coastal waters southwest of Taiwan

We investigated environmental effects on larval anchovy fluctuations (based on CPUE from 1980 to 2000) in the waters off southwestern Taiwan using advanced time series analyses, including the state-space approach to remove seasonality, wavelet analysis to investigate transient relationships, and stationary bootstrap to test correlation between time series. For large-scale environmental effects, we used the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) to represent the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO); for local hydrographic conditions, we used sea surface temperature (SST), river runoff, and mixing conditions. Whereas the anchovy catch consisted of a northern species ( Engraulis japonicus ) and two southern species ( Encrasicholina heteroloba and Encrasicholina punctifer ), the magnitude of the anchovy catch appeared to be mainly determined by the strength of Eng. japonicus (Japanese anchovy). The main factor that caused the interannual variation of anchovy CPUE might change through time. The CPUE showed a negative correlation with combination of water temperature and river runoff before 1987 and a positive correlation with river runoff after 1988. Whereas a significant negative correlation between CPUE and ENSOs existed, this correlation was driven completely by the low-frequency ENSO events and explained only 10% of the variance. Several previous studies on this population emphasized that the fluctuations of larval anchovy abundance were determined by local SST. Our analyses indicated that such a correlation was transient and simply reflected ENSO signals. Recent advances in physical oceanography around Taiwan showed that the ENSOs reduced the strength of the Asian monsoon and thus weakened the China Coastal Current toward Taiwan. The decline of larval anchovy during ENSO may be due to reduced China Coastal Current, which is important in facilitating the spawning migration of the Japanese anchovy.     

Experimental reproduction of porcine respiratory disease complex in pigs inoculated porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and followed by inoculation with porcine circovirus type 2

The aim of this study was to reproduce severe pneumonic lesions, similar to those during naturally-occurring porcine respiratory disease complex, in pigs dually inoculated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae at 6 weeks of age, followed by inoculation with porcine circovirus type 2 at two weeks after. Time and sequence of infection with three pathogens mirror Asian field conditions. Microscopically, interstitial pneumonia and peribronchiolar lymphoid hyperplasia are considered the most characteristic lung lesions in infected pigs. The results of the present study demonstrate that inoculation of pigs with these three pathogens can lead to severe interstitial pneumonia with peribronchial or peribronchiolar lymphoid hyperplasia and fibrosis.     

Polarized epithelium-sperm co-culture system reveals stimulatory factors for the secretion of mouse epididymal quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1

Spermatozoa acquire fertilization ability through post-translational modifications. These membrane surface alterations occur in various segments of the epididymis. Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidases, which catalyze thiol-oxidation reactions, are involved in disulfide bond formation, which is essential for sperm maturation, upon transition and migration in the epididymis. Using castration and azoospermia transgenic mouse models, in the present study, we showed that quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) protein expression and secretion are positively correlated with the presence of testosterone and sperm cells. A two-dimensional in vitro epithelium-sperm co-culture system provided further evidence in support of the notion that both testosterone and its dominant metabolite, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, promote epididymal QSOX1 secretion. We also demonstrated that immature caput spermatozoa, but not mature cauda sperm cells, exhibited great potential to stimulate QSOX1 secretion in vitro, suggesting that sperm maturation is a key regulatory factor for mouse epididymal QSOX1 secretion. Proteomic analysis identified 582 secretory proteins from the co-culture supernatant, of which 258 were sperm-specific and 154 were of epididymal epithelium-origin. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that these secreted proteins exhibit functions known to facilitate sperm membrane organization, cellular activity, and sperm-egg recognition. Taken together, our data demonstrated that testosterone and sperm maturation status are key regulators of mouse epididymal QSOX1 protein expression and secretion.