Comparative Study of the Growth and Gonad Development of Clarias gariepinus （Burchell 1822） Fed Diets with Plant and Animal-based Ingredients in Concrete Tanks

A twelve week experiment was conducted to compare the effects of diets with plant-based and animal-based ingredients on growth and gonad development of Clarias gariepinus. One hundred and 12 sub-adult C. gariepinus with an average weight of 205 ×5.09 g, were stocked in six concrete tanks （9 × 4 × 2 m3） containing 20 fish each. Experiment had 3 replicates and animals fed daily at 5% body weights. There was no significant difference （P 〈 0.05） in proximate compositions of the two experimental feeds and controls. Fecundity, gonad weight and gonasomatic index were higher in fish fed diet 13 than A and C. Similarly, growth indices were higher in fish fed diet B than in A and C. Histology of gonads showed a faster development of oocytes of eggs in fish fed animal-based ingredients than plant-based and combined plant and animal diets. Although there were slight differences in growth parameters and gonad development in favor of feed with animal-based ingredients, plant-based feed compared favorably in the growth and gonad development of C. gariepinus. Plant-based ingredients are recommended on the basis of affordability and availability as substitute for animal-based ingredients in C. gariepinus feed.

Molecular Characterization, Expression Pattern and Transcriptional Regulation of Figla During Gonad Development in Japanese Founder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The factor in the germline alpha(figla), as a member of the basic helix-loop-helix family, has been reported to be involved in ovary development in mammals and teleosts. However, the regulatory mechanisms of figla in teleosts remain unclear. Here,figla in P. olivaceus(Pofigla) was characterized with encoding a 202 amino acid protein that contains a conserved basic region and helix-loop-helix(HLH) domain. Amino acids alignment and synteny analysis revealed that Pofigla was conserved with the orthologous gene sequences in other vertebrates. The results of qRT-PCR showed Pofigla was maternally inherited during embryonic development. For tissue distribution, Pofigla showed a sexually dimorphic gene expression in the gonad of different genders, with a higher expression in ovary than in testis. In situ hybridization(ISH) results demonstrated Pofigla was specifically expressed in germ cells including oocytes, spermatogonia and spermatocytes. By screening and analyzing two proximal regions(-2966/-2126 and-772/-444) with high promoter activity, we found SOX5, LEF1, FOXP1 and GATA1 may play important roles in the transcriptional regulation of Pofigla. Furthermore, we observed the co-localization between Figla and LEF1 in HEK 293T cells. And the significant up-regulation effect of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway on the expression of Pofigla was found in cultured ovarian cells. This study provided the first evidence that figla not only has an important function in ovary development, but also plays some potential roles in testis development and/or male germ cell differentiation during early testis development in P. olivaceus. The results provide valuable reference in exploring the regulatory network of figla in teleost.

Higher Dietary Arachidonic Acid Levels Improved the Growth Performance, Gonad Development, Nutritional Value, and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities of Adult Sea Urchin(Strongylocentrotus intermedius)

The gonads of sea urchins(Strongylocentrotus intermedius) are characterized by high levels of arachidonic acid(ARA, 20:4 n-6) and eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA, 20:5 n-3). However, to our knowledge, little information is available regarding the physiological response of adult sea urchins to dietary ARA. In the present study, four dietary feeds were formulated with graded ARA(0, 0.5%, 1%, and 2% dry diet). Each diet was randomly allocated to three cages during a 56-day feeding experiment. The results showed that the sea urchin weight gain rate(WGR) and the gonadosomatic index(GI) significantly increased as ARA was equal to or above 1.0% of dry diet(P < 0.05). The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), and total anti-oxidative capacity(T-AOC) were the highest in the coelomic fluid of sea urchins that were fed diets with 1% ARA. The total essential amino acid(TEAA) and its ratio to total non-essential amino acid(TNEAA) showed a similar tendency to WGR and GI as dietary ARA increased, and the highest TEAA and TEAA/TNEAA were observed in the gonads of sea urchins that were fed diets with 1% ARA. Levels of ARA and ARA/EPA of the gonads increased while n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA) decreased with the increase of dietary ARA(P < 0.05). EPA in the gonads of experimental animals fed with formulated feeds showed no significant differences(P> 0.05), but was significantly lower than those fed with kelp(P < 0.05). These results suggested that relatively higher levels of ARA(1% dry diet) significantly promoted growth, gonad development, activities of antioxidant enzymes, as well as nutritional values(TEAA, TEAA/TNEAA, and PUFA) of adult S. intermedius.

The Status Quo of Industrial Development of Cold Water Fishes in Henan Province

This article first analyzes the status quo of industrial development of cold water fishes in Henan Province. And then it points out the main problems in the process of cold water fish industrialization as follows: the parent fish rearing of cold water fishes and the supply of roe and fry are inadequate; the demand for feed nutrition,research and development of disease prevention and control technology lag behind. In order to provide scientific basis for promoting the industrial independent innovation and international competitiveness,finally the following ideas and recommendations for industrial development of cold water fishes are put forward: strengthening policy support for the enterprises,and striving to create the leading enterprises,to achieve dramatic development; implementing the strategy of developing fishery by relying on science and technology,promoting the industrial independent innovation and competitiveness; creating specialized cooperative organizations,actively improving the supporting system,and expanding the space for development of the industry.

Environmental hypoxia:A threat to the gonadal development and reproduction in bony fishes

Vast stretches of open water bodies are gradually becoming hypoxic as a result of depletion of oxygen levels mainly due to various human anthropogenic activities.This problem of hypoxic stress on the fish population is likely to be exacerbated soon since the aquatic hypoxic environment is continuously spreading over vast areas worldwide.In recent years,various harmful effects of hypoxia to bony fishes have been reported,such as the restriction of energy-consuming metabolic processes,arrest of the growth of ovary and testes that are associated with endocrine disruption,loss of sperm and egg quality,inhibition of fertilization,hatching success,and also the reduction of larval survivability,thereby impairment of overall reproductive and developmental processes in fish.Disruption of the brain-pituitary-gonad axis,and certain enzymes related to steroidogenesis and vitellogenesis in fish have also been reported as the primary targets for an endocrine malfunction during hypoxia.Hypoxia-sensitive downregulation of key genes responsible for controlling sex hormones’synthesis has been documented in certain bony fishes.Further,continuous exposure to hypoxia was reported to induce early expression of pro-apoptotic/tumor suppressor p53 genes,thereby causing immense cell death in hypoxic embryos.However,the cellular responses to long-term hypoxia exposure and the degree of reproductive impairments in bony fishes are still not adequate to figure out the actual underlying mechanisms.The present review intends to highlight the current knowledge about the detrimental impact of chronic/acute hypoxia at different stages of fish reproduction and the associated underlying molecular mechanisms.

Effects of spectral composition,photoperiod and light intensity on the gonadal development of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in recirculating aquaculture systems(RAS)

Artificial lighting regimes have been successfully used to inhibit sexual maturity of Atlantic salmon in confinement.However,when these operations are applied in commercial recirculating aquaculture systems(RAS) using standard lighting technology,sexual maturation is not suppressed.In this study,an L_9(3~3) orthogonal design was used to determine the effects of three factors(spectral composition,photoperiod,and light intensity) on the gonadal development of Atlantic salmon in RAS.We demonstrated that the photoperiod at the tested levels had a much greater effect on the gonadosomatic index and female Fulton condition factor than spectral composition and light intensity.The photoperiod had a significant effect on the secretion of sex steroids and melatonin(P<0.05),and a short photoperiod delayed sex steroid and melatonin level increases.The three test factors had no significant effects on the survival rate,specific growth rate,relative weight gain,and male Fulton condition factor(P>0.05).The optimum lighting levels in female and male Atlantic salmon were LD 8:16,455 nm(or 625 nm),8.60 W/m^2;and LD 8:16,8.60 W/m^2,455 nm respectively.These conditions not only delayed gonadal development,but also had no negative effects on Atlantic salmon growth in RAS.These results demonstrate that a combination of spectral composition,photoperiod and light intensity is effective at delaying the gonadal development of both male and female salmon in RAS.

Annual change of the gonadal development of the amphioxus in Xiamen

The study was made by observing the annual change of the gonadal development of amphioxus in Xiamen cohtinuously for two years from November, 1986 to November, 1988. We determined the gonadal diameter, gonadosomatic index of each amphioxus, and observed the histological characteristic of the gonadal development of the female and male by cut section, which provided the basis for dividing the stages gonads and the determining level of the gonadal development of amphioxus in each month.

Morphological and histological changes in the brains of turbot(Scophthalmus maximus)with gonadal development

The brain plays a critical role in controlling reproduction through the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal(HPG)axis in vertebrates.Turbot(Scophthalmus maximus)has become an economically important marine fish in Europe and North China.Previous research investigating turbot reproduction has focused on the role of the HPG axis in regulating egg and sperm production.However,the morphology and histology of the organs in the HPG axis have not been studied.In this study,we investigated the morphology and histology of brains in female and male turbot at different stages of gonadal development.The results showed that the brains of both female and male turbot were composed of seven parts that are typical of advanced teleosts:the telencephalon,diencephalon,cerebellum,hypothalamus,pituitary gland,myelencephalon,and olfactory bulbs.The telencephalon was well-developed and contained five distinct lobes,with the contiguous diencephalon at the caudal portion.The torus longitudinales and rostral torus semicircularis of the mesencephalon flattened along the dorsal surface,and the rostral corpus cerebellum was located in the dorsal portion.The actual total brain volume in mature males was significantly greater(p<0.05)than that of females with gonadal development.Notably,the pituitary volume in male turbot significantly increased(p<0.05)from immature to mature stage,but this difference did not occur in females.The data together illustrate a distinct sex difference in the turbot brain during gonadal development,providing insight into their HPG axes.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal(HPG)Axis and Transcriptional Regulatory Elements Regulate piwil2 Gene Expression During Gametogenesis and Gonadal Development in Japanese Flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus)

The P-element induced wimpy testis(Piwi)proteins,which are associated with PIWI-interacting RNAs(piRNAs),play important roles in meiosis,germ cell division,and germline maintenance.In this study,we identified and characterized the Paralichthys olivaceus piwil2 gene,a constituent factor of the piRNA pathways involved in the biogenesis of reproductive development.The biological analysis indicated that piwil2,which contains PAZ and PIWI domains,was highly conserved between teleosts and tetrapods.The piwil2 distribution profile in different tissues confirmed a sexually dimorphic expression pattern,with a higher expression level in testis.In situ hybridization demonstrated that piwil2 was expressed in the oogonia and oocytes of the ovaries as well as in the Sertoli cells and spermatocytes of the testes.Gene piwil2 showed a maternally inherited expression pattern during embryonic development,and was highly expressed during the early embryonic development.Different luciferase reporters were constructed to determine the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of piwil2.The piwil2 core promoter region was located at−360 bp to−60 bp.Furthermore,some representative sex hormones,including human chorionic gonadotropin,17α-methyltestosterone,and estradiol-17βhad distinct regulatory effects on piwil2.In a summery,these results indicate that piwil2,regulated by sex hormones and transcriptional elements,has vital functions in the reproductive cycle and gonadal development.

Gonad traits and age structure of the sea urchin Heliocidaris crassispina in central range:a comparison with rangeextenders

The sea urchin Heliocidaris crassispina has northern expanded in geographic range to Toga Bay,Oga Peninsula in the Sea of Japan due to the global warming.To demonstrate the gonad traits and age structure of H.crassispina in the central range and compare the difference with those in northern extended range,we collected 100 H.crassispina individuals from a barren off Shitsumi,Fukui(central range),in August 2018.Their growth,gonad traits(size,development and color),and sex ratio were investigated and compared with those in Toga Bay,in August 2014(extended range).The successive 2012–2016 year classes of H.crassispina indicated successive juvenile recruitment in the central range,as found in the extended range.The individuals at three years old in central range were obviously larger than those in the extended range,showing large test diameter and body weight,possibly due to the higher temperature in central range than that in northern extended range.In addition,a balanced sex ratio in the central range was found,in contrast to the female-skewed sex ratio found in the extended range.Gonadal development was sex-and site-dependent.The testicular development in the central range was not only delayed in comparison to ovarian development,but also less delayed than those in the extended range,which possibly attribute to the higher water temperature in the central range.A significantly lower male gonad index and L*(lightness)value was recorded in central ranges compared to that in extended range,possibly due to the releasement of sperm of H.crassispina in central ranges.

The cloning of Dmc1 cDNAs and a comparative study of its expression in different ploidy cyprinid fishes

Dmc1 (disrupted meiotic cDNA) is a functionally specific gene, which was firstly discovered in yeast and then found to encode a protein required for homologous chromosome synapsis during the process of meiosis. In this investigation, we cloned the partial cDNAs of Dmc1 of diploid red crucian carp, Japanese crucian carp, common carp, triploid crucian carp and allotetraploid hybrids by using a pair of degenerate primers based on the conservative sequence of amino acids of the DMC1 protein in yeast, mouse and human. The full length cDNAs were then obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Our data showed that the full length cDNAs of Dmc1 in the three diploid fishes are all 1375 bp long, while it is 1383 bp long in triploids and 1379 bp long in allotetraploids. And despite of the variation in length, all the cDNAs encode a protein of 342 amino acids. A high homology of 97.3% of the DMC1 protein can be drawn by comparing the amino acid sequences in the three diploids, which is also of 86%, 86% and 95% similarity to human, mouse and zebrafish, respectively. A comparative study of the expression pattern of Dmc1 was carried out by RT-PCR using specific primers against the same se-quences of coding regions in different ploidy cyprinid fishes, from which it was showed that Dmc1 was expressed only in gonads of these five kinds of fishes. The expression pattern of Dmc1 in both ovaries and testes from different ploidy fishes within breeding season was also studied by Real-time PCR, and the results showed that the expression of this gene was greatly different among the three different ploidy fishes, which was the highest of triploid and lowest of allotetraploids. The histological sections data showed matured gonads of both diploid red crucian carp and allotetraploids in breeding season, although the latter demonstrated a higher maturation, and no gonadal maturation could be observed in triploids. In conclusion, we suggest that Dmc1 is specifically expressed in the period of meiosis in all the ploidy cyprinid fishes and directly related with the development of gonad in a manner of ploidy-independent way. And further, the high expression of Dmc1 in female triploids might be associ-ated with abnormal meiosis and sterility.

Characterization and differential expression of three GnRH forms during reproductive development in cultured turbot Schophthalmus maximus

Turbots( Schophthalmus maximus), one of the most important economic marine flatfish species, fail to undergo final spawning and spermiation naturally under artificial farming conditions. In vertebrates, reproduction is regulated by the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis(BPG-axis), and gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH) is one of its key components. Therefore, to better understand the physiology of reproduction in the turbot, three of the genes encoding GnRH subtypes— sbGnRH, c GnRH-II and sGnRH —were cloned and sequenced by isolating the cDNA sequences. The localizations and patterns of expression of their mRNAs were also evaluated during seasonal gonadal development. All three mRNAs were expressed abundantly in the brain; sbGnRH and sGnRH mRNAs were also detected in the gonads and pituitary gland, and sbGnRH expression was much higher than that of sGnRH, indicating the critical role of sbGnRH in regulating the BPG-axis. Moreover, the brain expression patterns of sbGnRH and sGnRH mRNAs showed an increased trend during gonadal development, peaking in mature stages. This indicated the direct regulation of gonadal development by the GnRH system. In addition, c GnRH-II mRNA expression showed no significant variations, suggesting that c GnRH-II is not critically involved in the control of reproduction. Further, the mRNA abundances of the three GnRH forms in the breeding season were significantly higher than those in immature and post-breeding stages in all analyzed brain areas. Therefore, we propose that sbGnRH is the most important hormone for the regulation of reproduction in turbot via the BPG-axis. These results will help in better understanding the reproductive endocrine mechanisms of turbots and lay the groundwork for additional studies aimed at comparing the reproductive physiology of wild individuals with those raised under artificial conditions.

Study on Embryonic Development, Larva,Juvenile and Young Fish of Epinephelus fuscoguttatus

This study aimed to study the development characteristics of Epinephelus fuscoguttatus at the embryo, larval, juvenile and young fish stages, thereby improving the breeding efficiency of E. fuscoguttatus. [Method] The morphological characteristics and embryonic and post embryonic development of E. fuscoguttatus, including the occurrence and development of nervous system, digestive system and circulatory system, were observed and analyzed using eggs self-fertilized with artificially induced spawning in the breeding base of Hainan Province. [Result] The fertilized egg of E. fuscoguttatus is spherical, colorless transparent with single oil ball, and its diameter ranges from 0.83 to 0.94 mm. Based on the development process, the embryonic development of E. fuscoguttatus was divided into six stages, namely fertilized egg stage, cleavage stage, blastula stage, gastrula stage, idiosome formation stage and hatching stage. The entire embryonic development of E. fuscoguttatus required 20 h 47 min in the sea water with temperature of 28.4-31.9℃ salinity of 31-32 and pH of 8.4, and the total cumulative temperature was 455.361 ℃·h. The post embryonic development of E. fuscoguttatus was divided into larval stage, juvenile stage and young fish stage based on the features of the yolk-sac, second dorsal fin spine, pelvic fin spine, and body color. Accordingly, the larval stage was further classified into pre-larva and post-larva, with or without yolk-sac, respectively. The extension and shrinkage of the first pelvic fin spine and the second dorsal fin spine as well as the spinules on aforementioned spines were the most significant changes during the post embryonic development of E. fuscoguttatus. [Conclusion] This study will provide some basic data for industrial breeding of E. fuscoguttatus.

Advances in Studies of the Effects of Starvation on Growth and Development of Fish Larvae

Starvation has important effects on early development of fish. It determines the survival and growth of fish larvae,and plays an important role in the dynamics of fish population and fisheries recruitment. In this review,we discuss the current studies about the effects of starvation on growth and development of fish larval stage. The goals of this review are to understand some adaptive mechanisms and ecological countermeasures of starved fish larvae and to provide the scientific guideline for exploring early life history processes,evaluating the nutrition condition and growth of larval fish,protecting fish resource and breeding fish larvae.

METHOD FOR OBSERVATION OF DEEMBEDDED SECTIONS OF FISH GONAD BY SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

This article reports a method for examining the intracellular structure of fish gonads using a scanning electron microscope(SEM). The specimen preparation procedure is similar to that for transmission electron microscopy wherein samples cut into semi thin sections are fixed and embedded in plastic. The embedment matrix was removed by solvents. Risen free specimens could be observed by SEM. The morphology of matured sperms in the gonad was very clear, and the oocyte internal structures appeared in three dimensional images. Spheroidal nucleoli and yolk vesicles and several bundles of filaments adhered on the nucleoli could be viewed by SEM for the first time.

Advances in Growth and Development in Crustaceans Induced by Eyestalk Ablation

Eyestalk ablation has been widely used in artificial breeding of crustaceans due to its significant promotion effect on gonadal development, which plays a certain role by directly affecting neuroendocrine function of X-organ sinus gland （XO-SG） complex in eyestalks. As an important endocrine organ, XO-SG complex of the eyestalk has become a hot issue in crustacean endocrinology. This paper introduced the biological structure and physiological functions of XO-SG complex and summarized the molecular mechanism of eyestalk neuroendocrine, which provided theoretical references for further revealing the regulatory mechanism of eyestalk neuroendocrine system.

Strategic Conception for Sustainable Development of Massive Freshwater Fish in China

[ Objective] To propose strategic conception for sustainable development of massive freshwater fish in China. [ Method] The current development status of massive freshwater fish industry in China was analyzed. On this basis, strategic conception for sustainable development of massive freshwater fish in China was proposed. [Remlt] In order to solve the present problems in the massive freshwater fish industry in China, basic strategies were proposed to develop the massive freshwater fish industry in China. The fishery resources should be capitalized to promote sustainable development of resources. Consumer demand of end-market should be used to drive stable development of the whole industry chain. Consumer demand should be guided to enhance the industrial market position. Processing and distribution channels should be constructed to promote sustainable development of seed and farming industries. Consumer demand at different levels should be used to promote multi-level multi-media health culture. Brand building and operating should be performed to enhance the competitive position of the industry in international and domestic markets. [ Condusion] The study has great theoretical and practical significance for promoting development of the massive freshwater fish industry in China.

Traditional Arctic native fish storage methods and their role in the sustainable development of the Arctic

The business of the Arctic has received increased attention owing to climate change.However,resource development and the use of waterways threaten the fragile Arctic ecology.The indigenous people of the Arctic have acquired a vast amount of traditional knowledge about coexisting in harmony with nature over the course of many years.Herein,five types of fish storage facilities that are commonly used by Arctic indigenous people and their working mechanisms are described.The traditional knowledge of the Arctic indigenous people is practically applied in Arctic fish storage systems,which are still common,effective,and environmentally friendly.The traditional fish storage facilities of the aborigines are of significance because they promote the sustainable development of the Arctic.

45,X/47,XYY性发育异常一例并文献复习

45,X/47,XYY性发育异常是一种由于罕见的染色体异常导致的性发育异常疾病。报告1例收治的45,X/47,XYY嵌合型性发育异常患者,该患者主因原发性闭经并出现男性化表现就诊,具有特纳综合征(Turner syndrome,Turner综合征)的表现,腹腔镜探查显示一侧性腺为条索状,另一侧外观睾丸样,病理为卵睾型性腺,手术切除双侧附件并予人工周期治疗,有月经来潮。结合本例及检索到的文献报道的女性表型中因原发性闭经就诊的病例共11例,对该病的临床表现、诊断及治疗方式进行总结。女性表型45,X/47,XYY性发育异常患者临床表现多样,以Turner综合征表现合并男性化表现多见,应尽早发现并切除发育不良的性腺,防止性腺肿瘤的发生和男性化表现出现。术后进行长期激素替代治疗,同时注重患者精神心理的疏导。

益生菌对幼鱼生长发育的影响及调控机制

近年来,高密度、集约化的水产养殖模式导致养殖鱼类疾病频发,其中幼鱼发病率和死亡率的上升严重影响水产养殖业的健康快速发展。如何保障幼鱼的健康是当前水产养殖业亟需解决的问题。益生菌能够通过多种方式提高幼鱼的抗病力、增强幼鱼对营养素的摄取、促进幼鱼的生长发育。已有大量的研究阐述了益生菌在幼鱼生长发育及免疫调节中的作用,但相关机制还需深入探究。本文综述了近年来益生菌在幼鱼生长发育及抗病方面发挥的有益作用及其可能的机制,讨论了益生菌在幼鱼养殖应用时可能存在的问题以及发展方向,为益生菌在水产动物幼体养殖中的应用提供了理论参考。