Effects of chilled storage and cryopreservation on sperm characteristics,antioxidant enzyme activities,and lipid peroxidation in Pacific cod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gadus microcephalus</Emphasis>

The present study evaluated the effects of chilled storage and cryopreservation on sperm motion characteristics, antioxidant enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation in the Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus. Sperm motility and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (Gr), and lipid peroxidation (measured via malondialdehyde (MDA) content) were determined after the milt was stored at 4°C for 12 h, cryopreserved without cryoprotectant in 12% propylene glycol (PG), cryopreserved in 12% PG+0.1 mol/L trehalose, or cryopreserved in 12% PG spermatozoa but centrifuged to decant the supernatant prior to cryopreservation (only sperm cells were cryopreserved). After chilled storage or cryopreservation, the SOD, CAT and GPx activities were reduced in sperm cells and increased in seminal plasma in almost all treatments; sperm motility parameters were also decreased. However, the addition of trehalose into the cryoprotectant could significantly improve the postthaw sperm quality as revealed by the sperm average path velocity. This improvement might be attributed to the function of trehalose in scavenging reactive oxygen species. Chilled storage and cryopreservation had significant effects on sperm motion characteristics, antioxidant enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation in the Pacific cod.     

Studies on the effects on growth and antioxidant responses of two marine microalgal species to uniconazole

Uniconazole, as a plant growth retardant, can enhance stress tolerance in plants, possibly because of improved antioxidation defense mechanisms with higher activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and peroxidase(POD) enzymes that retard lipid peroxidation and membrane deterioration. These years much attention has been focused on the responses of antioxidant system in plants to uniconazole stress, but such studies on aquatic organism are very few. Moreover, no information is available on growth and antioxidant response in marine microalgae to uniconazole. In this paper, the growth and antioxidant responses of two marine microalgal species, Platymonas helgolandica and Pavlova viridis, at six uniconazole concentrations(0-15 mg L-1) were investigated. The results demonstrated that 3 mg L-1 uniconazole could increase significantly chlorophyll a and carbohydrate contents of P. helgolandica(P 0.05). Higher concentrations(≥12 mg L-1) of uniconazole could inhibit significantly the growth, dry weight, chlorophyll-a and carbohydrate contents of P. helgolandica and P. viridis(P 0.05). Uniconazole caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation production(MDA) at higher concentrations(≥ 9 mg L-1). The activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) were enhanced remarkably at low concentrations of uniconazole. However, significant reduction of SOD and CAT activities was observed at higher concentrations of uniconazole.     

Antioxidative capacity and enzyme activity in Haematococcus pluvialis cells exposed to superoxide free radicals

The antioxidative capacity of astaxanthin and enzyme activity of reactive oxygen eliminating enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were studied in three cell types of Haematococcus pluvialis exposed to high concentrations of a superoxide anion radical (O₂⁻). The results show that defensive enzymes and astaxanthin-related mechanisms were both active in H. pluvialis during exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as O₂⁻. Astaxanthin reacted with ROS much faster than did the protective enzymes, and had the strongest antioxidative capacity to protect against lipid peroxidation. The defensive mechanisms varied significantly between the three cell types and were related to the level of astaxanthin that had accumulated in those cells. Astaxanthin-enriched red cells had the strongest antioxidative capacity, followed by brown cells, and astaxanthin-deficient green cells. Although there was no significant increase in expression of protective enzymes, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in red cells was sustained at a low level because of the antioxidative effect of astaxanthin, which quenched O₂⁻ before the protective enzymes could act. In green cells, astaxanthin is very low or absent; therefore, scavenging of ROS is inevitably reliant on antioxidative enzymes. Accordingly, in green cells, these enzymes play the leading role in scavenging ROS, and the expression of these enzymes is rapidly increased to reduce excessive ROS. However, because ROS were constantly increased in this study, the enhance enzyme activity in the green cells was not able to repair the ROS damage, leading to elevated MDA content. Of the four defensive enzymes measured in astaxanthin-deficient green cells, SOD eliminates O₂⁻, POD eliminates H₂O₂, which is a by-product of SOD activity, and APX and CAT are then initiated to scavenge excessive ROS.     

Salicylic acid and heat acclimation pretreatment protects Laminaria japonica sporophyte (Phaeophyceae) from heat stress

Possible mediatory roles of heat acclimation and salicylic acid in protecting the sporophyte of marine macroalga Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyceae) from heat stress were studied. Heat stress resulted in oxidative injury in the kelp blades. Under heat stress significant accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malonaldehyde (MDA), a membrane lipid peroxidation product, and a drastic decrease in chlorophyll a content were recorded. Activity of the enzymatic antioxidant system was drastically affected by heat stress. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly increased while peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were greatly inhibited and, simultaneously, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was activated while polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was inhibited. Both heat acclimation pretreatment and exogenous application of salicylic acid alleviated oxidative damage in kelp blades. Blades receiving heat acclimation pretreatment and exogenous salicylic acid prior to heat stress exhibited a reduced increase in H₂O₂ and MDA content, and a lower reduction in chlorophyll a content. Pretreatment with heat acclimation and salicylic acid elevated activities of SOD, POD, CAT, GPX and PPO. Considering these results collectively, we speculate that the inhibition of antioxidant enzymes is a possible cause of the heat-stress-induced oxidative stress in L. japonica, and enhanced thermotolerance may be associated, at least in part, with the elevated activity of the enzymatic antioxidant system.     

TCDD对斑马鱼脂质过氧化作用的初步研究

将150条斑马鱼随机等分为5组:2,3,7,8-四氯代二苯并二噁英(TCDD)4个染毒组(染毒剂量分别为0.1μg/L、0.2μg/L、0.4μg/L和0.8μg/L)和空白对照组,水质接触染毒5d后,采用分光光度法测定其肝组织中丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)的活力,研究TCDD对斑马鱼的脂质过氧化作用。结果发现,TCDD各剂量染毒组MDA含量均有所增加,其中0.2μg/L组差异显著(P<0.05),0.4μg/L和0.8μg/L剂量组差异极显著(P<0.01);各染毒组SOD活性均有所下降,其中0.2μg/L、0.4μg/L和0.8μg/L剂量组差异极显著(P<0.01);各染毒组GST活力均降低且差异极显著(P<0.01)。一定剂量的TCDD能引起MDA含量增加,使SOD和GST活力降低,对斑马鱼具有脂质过氧化作用。     

Histochemical localization and characterization of AKP,ACP, NSE,and POD from cultured <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apostichopus japonicus</Emphasis>

We investigated the distribution of four enzymes involved in the immune response of Apostichopus japonicus. We collected samples of the tentacles, papillate podium, integument, respiratory tree, and digestive tract and stained them for acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), non-specific esterase (NSE) and peroxidase (POD) activity. The distribution and content of ACP, AKP, NSE, and POD differed among the tissues. The coelomic epithelium of the tentacle, papillate podium, and integument and the mucous layer of respiratory tree were positive for ACP activity. The coelomic epithelium and cuticular layer of the tentacle, papillate podium, and integument and the mucous layer and tunica externa of the respiratory tree and digestive tract stained positive or weakly positive for AKP activity. Almost all the epithelial tissues stained positive, strongly positive, or very strongly positive for NSE activity. The cuticular layer of the tentacle and integument and the mucous layer, tunica submucosa, and tunica externa of the respiratory tree and digestive tract stained positive for POD activity. We hypothesize that these enzymes play a role in the immune response in A. japonicus.     

Free radical scavenging abilities of polypeptide from Chlamys farreri

1 INTRODUCTION Active oxygen free radicals can damage cell structure, even kill the cells, causing aging and cer- tain serious diseases (Bors et al., 1989). Usually, the production and scavenging of active oxygen free radicals are in balance in healthy hu…     

Acute toxicity of organochlorine insecticide endosulfan to the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrochium rosenbergii

Endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, is highly toxic and effective at controlling pests in agriculture, horticulture, and public health programs. In this study, static bioassays were used to evaluate the toxicity of endosulfan to freshwater prawns( Macrobrachium rosenbergii) of various lengths(1.5±0.03,4±0.08, and 7±0.06 cm). Additionally, the activities of peroxidase(POD), acid phosphatase(ACP),alkaline phosphatase, acetylcholinesterase(AChE), and Na + /K +-ATPase were analyzed to refl ect the effects of endosulfan exposure. The 96 h LC 50 of endosulfan for prawns 1.5, 4, and 7 cm long were 1.86, 4.53,and 6.09μg/L, respectively, improved tolerance to endosulfan with growth. The POD activities of test organisms exposed to low concentrations of endosulfan were inhibited, indicating the presence of oxygen damaged tissue. Moreover, a notable decrease in AChE activity was observed due to overstimulation of neurotransmission, which might result in abnormal behavior. The effect caused by endosulfan on phosphatase production in the hepatopancreas of prawns 1.5, 4, and 7 cm long was different because the ability of nonspecifi c immune regulation increased with growth. The 96 h LC 50 values obtained in this study could be used in the formulation of water-quality criteria in China. Moreover, the changes in enzymes activities of M. rosenbergii under stress of endosulfan could be applied in the establishment of early warning indicators for bio-safety.     

Effects of waterborne Cu and Cd on anti-oxidative response,lipid peroxidation and heavy metals accumulation in abalone Haliotis discus hannai ino

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of waterborne copper(Cu) and cadmium(Cd) on survival, anti-oxidative response, lipid peroxidation and metal accumulation in abalone Haliotis discus hannai. Experimental animals(initial weight: 7.49 g ± 0.01 g) were exposed to graded concentrations of waterborne Cu(0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 mg L-1) or Cd(0.025, 0.05, 0.25, 0.5mg L-1) for 28 days, respectively. Activities of the anti-oxidative enzymes(catalase, CAT; superoxide dismutase, SOD; glutathione peroxidases, GPx; glutathione S-transferase, GST), contents of the reduced glutathione(GSH) and malondiadehyde(MDA) in the hepatopancreas, and metal accumulation in hepatopancreas and muscles were analyzed after 0, 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28 days of metal exposure, respectively. Results showed that 0.04 mg L-1, 0.06 mg L-1 and 0.08 mg L-1 Cu caused 100% death of abalone on the 21 st, 10 th and 6th day, respectively. However, no dead abalone was found during the 28-day waterborne Cd exposure at all experimental concentrations. Generally, activities of SOD and GST in hepatopancreas under all Cu concentrations followed a decrease trend as the exposure time prolonged. However, these activities were firstly increased and then decreased to the control level and increased again during Cd exposure. Activities of CAT in all Cu exposure treatments were higher than those in the control. These activities were firstly increased and then decreased to the control level and increased again during Cd exposure. Contents of MDA in hepatopancreas in all Cu treatments significantly increased first and then decreased to the control level. However, the MDA contents in hepatopancreas were not significantly changed during the 28-day Cd exposure. The metals accumulation in both hepatopancreas and muscles of abalone significantly increased with the increase of waterborne metals concentration and exposure time. These results indicated that H. discus hannai has a positive anti-oxidative defense against Cu or Cd. In conclusion, anti-oxidative mechanism in abalone to resist waterborne Cu did not follow the same pattern as that for waterborne Cd.     

Effect of cadmium on the defense response of Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas to Listonella anguillarum challenge

Heavy metal pollution can affect the immune capability of organisms.We evaluated the effect of cadmium(Cd) on the defense responses of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas to Listonella anguillarum challenge.The activities of several important defensive enzymes,including superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GPx),acid phosphatase(ACP),Na+,K+-ATPase in gills and hepatopancreas,and phenoloxidase-like(POL) enzyme in hemolymph were assayed.In addition,the expression levels of several genes,including heat shock protein 90(HSP90),metallothionein(MT),and bactericidal/permeability increasing(BPI) protein were quantified by fluorescent quantitative PCR.The enzyme activities of SOD,ACP,POL,and GPx in hepatopancreas,and the expression of HSP90 were down-regulated,whereas GPx activity in the gill,Na+,K+-ATPase activities in both tissues,and MT expression was increased in Cdexposed oysters post L.anguillarum challenge.However,BPI expression was not significantly altered by co-stress of L.anguillarum infection and cadmium exposure.Our results suggest that cadmium exposure alters the oysters’ immune responses and energy metabolism following vibrio infection.     

DIETARY PHOSPHORUS REQUIREMENT OF YOUNG ABALONE, HALIOTIS DISCUS HANNAI INO

An experiment was performed to determine the dietary phosphorus requirement of the young abalone,Haliotis discus hannai. Five semi-purified diets were formulated to provide a series of graded levels of dietary total phosphorus (0.23%–1.98) from monobasic potassium phosphate (KH2P04). The brown alga,Laminaria japonica, was used as a control diet. Similar size abalone were distributed in a single-pass, flow-through system using a completely randomized design with six treatments and three replicates each treatment. The abalone were hand-fed to satiation with appropriate diets in excess, once daily at 17:00. The feeding trial was run for 120-d. Survival rate and soft-body to shell ratio (SB/S) were constantly maintained regardless of dietary treatment. However, the weight gain rate (WGR), daily increment in shell length (DISL), muscle RNA to DNA ratio (RNA/DNA), carcass levels of lipid and protein, soft-body alkaline phosphatase (SBAKP), and phosphorus concentrations of whole body (WB) and soft body (SB) were significantly (ANOVA, P<0.05) affected by the dietary phosphorus level. The dietary phosphorus requirements of the abalone were evaluated from the WGR, DISL, and RNA/DNA ratio respectively, by using second-order polynomial regression analysis. Based on these criteria, about 1.0%–1.2% total dietary phosphorus, i.e. 0.9%–1.1% dietary available phosphorus is recommended for the maximum growth of the abalone. Project 39670572 supported by the NSFC.     

Biochemical response of the mussel Mytilus coruscus (Mytiloida: Mytilidae) exposed to in vivo sub-lethal copper concentrations

Many aquatic organisms are negatively affected by exposure to high copper concentrations.We investigated the biochemical response of the mussel Mytilus coruscus(Mytiloida:Mytilidae) to copper exposure.In vivo bioassays using M.coruscus and different copper concentrations were conducted.The activity of six biomarkers,namely superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),acid phosphatase(ACP),alkaline phosphatase(AKP),glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT) were measured.Survival rates decreased with increased copper concentrations and exposure times.The LC50 values at 48,72,and 96 h exposure were 0.48,0.37,and 0.32 mg/L,respectively.Within digestive glands,CAT activity increased with increasing Cu concentrations.The activity of AKP showed no significant change,while the remaining four enzymes showed decreasing activity with increasing Cu concentrations.Within the gills,AKP activity increased when the Cu concentration was 0.05 mg/L,but showed no significant changes at higher concentrations.Activity of CAT and ACP within gills tended to decrease with increasing Cu concentration.The activity of SOD and GPT decreased at an exposure concentration of 0.2 mg/L.GOT activity within gills decreased at 0.1 mg/L and increased at an exposure concentration of 0.2 mg/L.Within the adductor muscle,AKP activity increased at 0.05 mg/L but did not change at higher exposure concentrations.ACP activity within adductor muscle tissue showed no change,while activities of CAT,GOT and GPT decreased with increasing Cu concentrations.SOD activity within the adductor muscle tissue significantly decreased at the 0.02,0.05 and 0.2 mg/L exposure concentrations.Our results show tissue specific differences for the six biomarkers in for M.coruscus.Our findings provide the basis for the establishment of reference activity levels against which biomarker changes can be estimated,and are essential preliminary steps in development of in vivo bioassays.     

Effects of oxytetracycline dihydrate and sulfamethoxazole on Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlamydomonas microsphaera

The increasing use of pharmaceuticals has become a major environmental issue in China.The presence of antibiotics in water may have deleterious effects on non-target aquatic organisms such as microalgae.In this study,a cyanobacterium and an alga species in surface waters,Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlamydomonas microsphaera,were exposed to 0,0.1,0.5,1.0,2.0,5.0,10.0,and 20.0 mg/L of oxytetracycline dihydrate(OXY) and sulfamethoxazole(SMZ) for 96 h to determine the effects of these antibiotics on the growth and surface morphology.Moreover,the photosynthetic activity and the contents of superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),and protein were measured to examine the biochemical characteristics of M.aeruginosa and C.microsphaera under OXY and SMZ stress.The effects of both antibiotics on the growth of both species were concentration-dependent and characterized by low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition.C.microsphaera was more sensitive to both antibiotics than M.aeruginosa was.The algal cell membranes of both species disintegrated after exposure to a high concentration of OXY.All of the physiological parameters measured in this study were relatively stable at low concentrations of OXY and SMZ.After exposure to high concentrations of OXY and SMZ,photosynthetic activity decreased significantly,whereas lipid peroxidation and the abundance of SOD,MDA,and protein increased significantly.Thus,low-dose antibiotics may increase algal blooms in eutrophic waters.     

Effects of different enzymatic hydrolysis methods on the bioactivity of peptidoglycan in Litopenaeus vannamei

The effects of different hydrolysis methods on peptidoglycan(PG) were assessed in terms of their impact on the innate immunity and disease resistance of Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei.PG derived from Bifidobacterium thermophilum was prepared in the laboratory and processed with lysozyme and protease under varying conditions to produce several different PG preparations.A standard shrimp feed was mixed with 0.05% PG preparations to produce a number of experimental diets for shrimp.The composition,concentration,and molecular weight ranges of the soluble PG were analyzed.Serum phenoloxidase and acid phosphatase activity in the shrimp were determined on Days 6-31 of the experiment.The protective activity of the PG preparations was evaluated by exposing shrimp to white spot syndrome virus(WSSV).Data on the composition of the PG preparations indicated that preparations hydrolyzed with lysozyme for 72 h had more low-molecular-weight PG than those treated for 24 h,and hydrolysis by protease enhanced efficiency of hydrolysis compared to lysozyme.SDS-PAGE showed changes in the molecular weight of the soluble PG produced by the different hydrolysis methods.Measurements of serum phenoloxidase and acid phosphatase activity levels in the shrimp indicated that the PG preparations processed with enzymes were superior to the preparation which had not undergone hydrolysis in enhancing the activity of the two serum enzymes.In addition,the preparation containing more low-molecular-weight PG enhanced the resistance of the shrimp to WSSV,whereas no increased resistance was observed for preparations containing less low-molecular-weight PG.These findings suggest that the immunity-enhancing activity of PG is related to its molecular weight and that increasing the quantity of low-molecular-weight PG can fortify the effect of immunity enhancement.     

Tissue-specific bioaccumulation and oxidative stress responses in juvenile Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) exposed to mercury

To understand mercury (Hg) toxicity in marine fish, we measured Hg accumulation in juvenile Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and assessed the effects on growth and antioxidant responses. After Hg exposure (control, 5, 40, and 160 μg/L Hg) for 28 d, fish growth was significantly reduced. The accumulation of Hg in fish was dose-dependent and tissue-specific, with the maximum accumulation in kidney and liver, followed by gills, bone, and muscle. Different antioxidants responded differently to Hg exposure to cope with the induction of lipid peroxidation (LPO), which was also tissue-specific and dosedependent. As Hg concentration increased, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities increased significantly, whereas glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels decreased significantly in the gills. SOD and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and the GSH level increased significantly in the liver. SOD activity and GSH levels increased significantly, but CAT activity decreased significantly with an increase in Hg concentration in the kidney. LPO was induced significantly by elevated Hg in the gills and kidney but was least affected in the liver. Therefore, oxidative stress biomarkers in gills were more sensitive than those in the liver and kidney to Hg exposure. Thus, the gills have potential as bioindicators for evaluating Hg toxicity in juvenile flounder.     

DIETARY PHOSPHORUS REQUIREMENT OF YOUNG ABALONE, HALIOTIS DISCUS HANNAI INO.

ＩＮＴＲＯＤＵＣＴＩＯＮＰｈｏｓｐｈｏｒｕｓｉｓａｎｅｓｓｅｎｔｉａｌｄｉｅｔａｒｙｎｕｔｒｉｅｎｔｆｏｒｌｉｖｉｎｇｏｒｇａｎｉｓｍｓａｎｄｈａｓａｎｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔｒｏｌｅｉｎｃｅｌ ｌｕｌａｒｆｕｎｃｔｉｏｎ ,ａｓｉｔｉｓａｎｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔｃｏｍｐｏｎｅｎｔｏｆｎｕｃｌｅｉｃａｃｉｄｓ,ｐｈｏｓｐｈｏｌｉｐｉｄ ,ｐｈｏｓｐｈｏｐｒｏｔｅｉｎｓ,ＡＴＰａｎｄｓｅｖｅｒａｌｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔｅｎｚｙｍｅｓ,ａｎｄｃｏｅｎｚｙｍｅｓ.Ｉｎａｄｄｉｔｉｏｎ ,ｐｈｏｓｐｈａｔｅｓｅｒｖｅｓａｓａｂ…     

壳聚糖对腐生葡萄球菌的作用机制

【目的】探究壳聚糖处理对腐生葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus saprophytic)的作用机制。【方法】通过光密度值结合菌液澄清度法综合确定壳聚糖对腐生葡萄球菌的最小抑菌浓度(Minimum Inhibitory Concentration,MIC),分析其在MIC与2MIC的壳聚糖作用下的微生物生长曲线、电导率值、碱性磷酸酶(Alkaline Phosphatase,AKP)含量、过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT)含量、苹果酸脱氢酶(Malatedehydrogenase,MDH)含量与生物膜生成量等指标变化,并结合扫描电镜(ScanningElectronMicroscopy,SEM)观察其作用后对菌体细胞形态变化影响,综合评价壳聚糖处理对腐生葡萄球菌的作用机制。【结果与结论】壳聚糖对腐生葡萄球菌的MIC为1.25 mg/mL;菌体经MIC和2MIC处理后,其正常生长受到抑制,细胞壁被破坏,细胞膜通透性改变,CAT与MDH含量降低,其作用效果与壳聚糖浓度正相关;SEM结果显示,与对照CK组对比,腐生葡萄球菌经MIC壳聚糖处理后,菌体形状不规则,表面皱褶;经2MIC壳聚糖处理后,菌体表面产生泡状物且黏附明显,表明壳聚糖使腐生葡萄球菌菌体细胞壁受损,菌体生长受到抑制,胞内保护酶与三羧酸循环中的关键酶活性降低,细胞代谢能力随之下降,细胞膜结构完整度受到破坏,最终导致菌体死亡。     

Responses in growth, lipid accumulation, and fatty acid composition of four oleaginous microalgae to different nitrogen sources and concentrations

Nitrogen deficiency is an effective strategy for enhancing lipid production in microalgae. Close relationships exist among lipid production, microalgal species, and nitrogen sources. We report growth, lipid accumulation, and fatty acid composition in four microalgae （Chloroeoccum ellipsoideum UTEX972, Chlorococcum nivale LB2225, Chlorococcum tatrense UTEX2227, and Scenedesmus deserticola JNU19） under nitrate- and urea-nitrogen deficiencies. We found three patterns of response to nitrogen deficiency： Type-A （decrease in biomass and increase in lipid content）, Type-B （reduction in both biomass and lipid content）, and Type-C （enhancement of both biomass and lipid content）. Type-C microalgae are potential candidates for large-scale oil production. Chlorococcum ellipsoideum, for example, exhibited a neutral lipid production of up to 239.6 mg/（L＇d） under urea-nitrogen deficiency. In addition, nitrogen deficiency showed only a slight influence on lipid fractions and fatty acid composition. Our study provides useful information for further screening hyper-lipid microalgal strains for biofuel production.     

Effects of tributyltin （TBT） on enzyme activity and oxidative stress in hepatopancreas and hemolymph of small abalone, Haliotis diversicolor supertexta

We investigated the effect of tributyltin (TBT) exposure on the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity levels of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP and AKP) enzymes in the small abalone, Haliotis diversicolor supertexta. We collected samples of the hepatopancreas and hemolymph 2, 6, 24, 48, 96, and 192 h after exposure to 0.35 μg (Sn)/L TBT. In the hepatopancreas, ACP activity was significantly higher in animals exposed to TBT 2, 24, and 96 h post-exposure compared with the control animals. AKP activity was also higher after 2 h, but SOD and CAT activity was unchanged. The concentration of MDA in the hemolymph was significantly higher than the control animals 2 and 6 h post-exposure. In the hemolymph of animals exposed to TBT, ACP activity was significantly lower than in the control animals 192 h post-exposure, whereas AKP activity was significantly lower 2 and 192 h post-exposure. Hemolymph SOD activity and levels of MDA were significantly lower than in the control animals 24 h after exposure but significantly higher after 96 h. Our results demonstrate that exposure to TBT cause rapid changes in ACP and AKP activity as well as altering the concentration of MDA in the hepatopancreas and hemolymph. SOD and CAT do not appear to be involved in the detoxification of TBT in the hepatopancreas of small abalone.     

Growth, metabolism and physiological response of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka during periods of inactivity

The growth, metabolism and physiological response of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, were investigated during periods of inactivity. The body weight, oxygen consumption rate (OCR), activities of acidic phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and content of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in the body wall and coelomic fluid of A. japonicus were measured during starvation, experimental aestivation and aestivation. The results showed that the body weight of sea cucumber in the three treatments decreased significantly during the experimental period (P < 0.05). The OCR of sea cucumber reduced in starvation and experimental aestivation treatments, but increased gradually in natural aestivation treatment. The activities of ACP and AKP of sea cucumber decreased gradually in all treatments, whereas those of SOD and CAT as well as Hsp70 content decreased in the starvation and experimental aestivation treatments and increased in natural aestivation treatment. The sea cucumber entered a state of aestivation at 24℃. To some extent, the animals in experimental aestivation were different from those in natural aestivation in metabolism and physiological response. These findings suggested that the aestivation mechanism of A. japonicus is complex and may not be attributed to the elevated temperature only.