Effects of environment factors on initiation of sperm motility in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

Sperm of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) were quiescent in electrolyte NaCl solution and artificial seawater (ASW) and nonelectrolyte glucose and mannitol solutions when the osmolality was less than 200 mOsm kg-1. The sperm started to be motile as a result of increased osmolality, indicating an osmolality-dependent initiation of sperm motility in sea cucumber. After a brief incubation in hypotonic NaCl and glucose solutions with osmolalities of 200 and 400 mOsm kg-1, sperm lost partial motile ability. Sperm became immobilized when pH was 6.0 in NaCl, glucose and mannitol solutions, suggesting that an H+ release is involved in sperm activation. The decreased pH had no effect on the percentage of motile sperm in ASW, whereas it delayed the time period to reach the maximum motility (motilitymax). Extracellular Ca2+ in electrolyte solutions was not essential for motility stimulation but shortened the time of reaching motilitymax. When Ca2+ was mixed in nonelectrolyte solutions the sperm motility was completely suppressed. The K+ channel blocker, quinine, suppressed the sperm motility in electrolyte solution, showing a possible involvement of K+ transport in the process. High K+ concentration did not affect the sperm motility in NaCl solution, but decreased it in ASW and almost entirely suppressed it in nonelectrolyte solutions. The different effects of pH and K+ in ASW and NaCl solution indicate that external ions may also regulate sperm motility.     

Effect of dietary olaquindox on the growth of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea R.) and the distribution of its residues in fish tissues

Olaquindox(OLA), one of quinoxaline-N, N-dioxides, has been put under ban. However it was used as a medicinal feed additive early; it promotes the growth of livestock and prevents them from dysentery and bacterial enteritis. In this study, we evaluated the effect of dietary OLA on the growth of large yellow croaker(Pseudosciaena crocea R.) and the histological distribution of OLA and its metabolite 3-methyl-quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid(MQCA) in fish tissues. Four diets containing 0(control), 42.5, 89.5 and 277.2 mg kg-1 OLA, respectively, were formulated and tested, 3 cages(1.0 m × 1.0 m × 1.5 m) each diet and 100 juveniles(9.75 ± 0.35 g) each cage. The fish were fed to satiation twice a day at 05:00 am and 17:00 pm for 8 weeks. The survival rate of fish fed the diet containing 42.5 and 89.5 mg kg-1 OLA was significantly higher than that of fish fed the diet containing 0 and 277.2 mg kg-1 OLA(P 0.05), while the weight gain rate of fish fed the diet containing 42.5 and 89.5 mg kg-1 OLA was significantly higher than that of fish fed the diet without OLA(control)(P0.05), but similar to that of fish fed the diet with 277.2 mg kg-1 OLA. Fish fed the diet with 277.2 mg kg-1 OLA had the highest content of OLA and MQCA in liver(3.44 and 0.39 mg kg-1, respectively), skin(0.46 and 0.09 mg kg-1, respectively) and muscle(0.24 and 0.06 mg kg-1, respectively). In average, fish fed the diet containing OLA had the highest content of OLA and MQCA in liver which was followed by skin and muscle(P 0.05), whereas OLA and MQCA were not detectable in control. Our findings demonstrated that OLA and MQCA accumulated in large yellow croaker when it was fed with the diet containing OLA, thus imposing a potential safety risk to human health.     

Dietary guaiacol improves the growth of juvenile abalone, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haliotis discus hannai</Emphasis> Ino

We conducted a preliminarily study on the effects of dietary guaiacol on growth performance of abalone, Haliotis discus hannai Ino. Seven semi-purified diets were formulated with graded levels of guaiacol (0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1 000 mg kg⁻¹). Abalone (initial weight: 0.29 ± 0.01 g; initial shell length: 8.55 ± 0.27 mm) were fed with these diets in a re-circulated water system for 152 days. Guaiacol significantly improved the specific growth rate (SGR) (P<0.05); excessive dietary guaiacol (1 000 mg kg⁻¹) led to significantly high mortality (P<0.05), and lipid content in the soft body increased significantly after dietary guaiacol (P<0.05). Activities of catalase and phenoloxidase (PO) in the viscera were significantly stimulated by dietary guaiacol (P<0.05). Broken-line analysis based on SGR indicated that the minimum dietary guaiacol for the optimal growth of juvenile abalone is 15.43 mg kg⁻¹.     

Effects of dietary soy isoflavones on feed intake, growth performance and digestibility in juvenile Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary soy isoflavones on feeding intake,growth performance,and digestion of juvenile Japanese flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus).Four isonitrogenous(49% crude protein) and isoenergetic(20.1 MJ kg-1) diets were formulated to contain four graded levels of soy isoflavones,namely,0,1,4 and 8 g soy isoflavones in 1 kg of diet.Each diet was randomly fed to triplicate tanks of fish(Initial average weight:2.58 g ± 0.01 g),and each tank was stocked with 35 fish.No significant difference was observed among diets with levels of 0,1 and 4 g kg-1 soy isoflavones in feed intake,weight gain,feed efficiency ratio(FER),proximate composition of fish whole body and apparent digestibility coefficients(ADC) of nutrients and energy(P>0.05).However,high dietary soy isoflavones level(8 g kg-1) significantly depressed weight gain,FER,whole-body crude lipid content of fish and ADC of nutrients(P<0.05).These results indicate that high level of dietary soy isoflavones(above 4 g kg-1) significantly depresses growth responses and FER of Japanese flounder.However,as the content of soy isoflavones in soybean meal is around 1 to 3 g kg-1,the adverse effects might be neglected when soybean products are used as a fish feed ingredient.     

Effects of exposure to four endocrine disrupting-chemicals on fertilization and embryonic development of Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus)

The toxicities of 4 common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), 17β-estradiol (E2), p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloro-ethylene (DDE), 4-nonylphenol (NP) and tributyltin (TBT), to sperm motility, fertilization rate, hatching rate and embryonic development of Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus) were investigated in this study. The duration of sperm motility was significantly shortened by exposure to the EDCs at the threshold concentrations of 10 ng L^?1 for E2 and TBT, 1 μg L^?1 for NP and 100 μg L^?1 for DDE, respectively. The fertilization rate was substantially reduced by the EDCs at the lowest observable effect concentrations (LOECs) of 10 ng L^?1 for E2 and TBT and 10 μg L^?1 for DDE and NP, respectively. Of the tested properties of S. curriculus, larval deformity rate was most sensitive to EDC exposure and was significantly increased by DDE at the lowest experimental level of 0.1 μg L^?1. Other EDCs increased the larval deformity rate at the LOECs of 1 ng L^?1 for E2, 10 ng L^?1 for TBT and 1 μg L^?1 for NP, respectively. Despite their decreases with the increasing EDC concentrations, the hatching rate and larval survival rate of S. curriculus were not significantly affected by the exposure to EDCs. The results indicated that all the 4 EDCs affected significantly and negatively the early life stages of the freshwater fish S. curriculus. Overall, E2 and TBT were more toxic than NP and DDE, while DDE might be more toxic to larval deformity rate than to other measured parameters. Thus, the 4 EDCs showed potential negative influences on natural population dynamics of S. curriculus. Our findings provided valuable basic data for the ecological risk assessment of E2, DDE, NP and TBT.     

Impact of external factors on sperm motility of Sepiella maindroni

Sperm motility is important in reproductive biology. To understand the physiological ecology characteristics of sperm of Sepiella maindroni, we studied the activation rate, active time, and lifespan of sperm to evaluate the influence of external factors, including temperature, salinity, pH, glucose, NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, EDTA-2Na and artificial seawater on sperm motility. The results show that the appropriate activation and motility condition for sperm were: temperature 20?30°C (optimum 25°C), salinity 10.6?30.6 (optimum 15.9) and pH 8.0?8.6 (optimum 8.0-8.4). Sperm activity varied in different concentrations of glucose, NaCl, KCl, MgCl2 and CaCl2. None of the selected concentrations of EDTA-2Na solution could activate the sperm. The activation rate in artificial seawater devoid of Ca2+, Mg2+ or HCO3ˉ was low. The results should help further studies on the preservation and activation of squid sperm.     

Antiviral effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stichopus japonicus</Emphasis> acid mucopolysaccharide on hepatitis B virus transgenic mice

Hepatitis B virus（HBV） is a significant global pathogen and efficient cure for HBV patients is still a challenging goal. We previously reported that acidic mucopolysaccharide from stichopus japonicus selenka（SJAMP） could inhibit HBs Ag and HBe Ag expression in vitro. However, the potential anti-HBV effects of SJAMP in vivo have not yet been explored. In this study, we show that SJAMP exhibits potent anti-HBV activity in HBV transgenic mice in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, sixty HBV transgenic male BALB/c mice were randomly selected to receive the treatment of PBS, low dose SJAMP(30 mg kg^-1), middle dose SJAMP(40 mg kg^-1), high dose SJAMP(50 mg kg^-1) and IFN(45 IU kg^-1) for 30 d. SJAMP treatment suppressed serum HBV-DNA, and liver HBs Ag and HBc Ag levels in HBV-transgenic mice. The present study highlights the potential application of SJAMP in HBV therapy.     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate-to-lipid ratio on the growth performance and feed utilization of juvenile turbot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scophthalmus maximus</Emphasis>)

A 9-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary carbohydrate to lipid ratio(CHO:LIP) on the growth performance and feed utilization of juvenile turbot Scophthalmus maximus(initial body weight 8.75 g ± 0.04 g). Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic low protein level(39%) diets were formulated with increasing ratios of dietary carbohydrate to lipid(2:18, 6:18, 18:12 and 28:6). A high protein level(50%) diet with the 2:12 ratio of carbohydrate to lipid was used as the control. Results showed that the survival rate, contents of moisture, crude protein and ash in muscle were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. With the dietary CHO:LIP ratio increased from 2:18 to 18:12, weight gain rate significantly increased(P < 0.05). Higher dietary CHO:LIP ratio(28:6) resulted in the significantly decreased weight gain rate(P < 0.05). Meanwhile, this treatment also resulted in the highest daily feed intake and liver glycogen content, as well as the lowest feed efficiency(P < 0.05). Muscle glycogen content in fish fed the diet with 2:12 or 2:18 CHO:LIP ratio was significantly lower than those fed with the other three diets(P < 0.05). The present results confirmed that the juvenile turbot can utilize carbohydrate. Furthermore, the appropriate ratio of dietary carbohydrate to lipid was important to the growth and feed utilization of turbot. The proper CHO:LIP ratio based on the growth performance in the present study was determined to be 18:12 when the dietary protein level was 39%.     

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.     

Effects of a Potential Autochthonous Probiotic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> 2-1 on the Growth and Intestinal Microbiota of Juvenile Sea Cucumber, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apostichopus japonicus</Emphasis> Selenka

The effects of Bacillus subtilis 2-1 from the intestine of healthy sea cucumber on the growth, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal microbiota of juvenile sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) were determined in the present study. Sea cucumber was fed with Sargassum thunbergii powder supplemented with B. subtilis 2-1 at different concentrations varying among 0 (control), 10⁵, 10⁷, and 10⁹ CFU g^?1 for 8 weeks. Results showed that the growth performance and intestinal amylase and trypsin activities were significantly increased by dietary B. subtilis 2-1 at 10⁹ CFU g^?1 (P < 0.05). However, dietary B. subtilis 2-1 had no significant influence on the lipase activity in sea cucumber (P > 0.05). The polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis indicated that dietary B. subtilis 2-1 at 10⁵ and 10⁷ CFU g^?1 inhibited most of the Proteobacteria including those in genus Vibrio. Dietary B. subtilis 2-1 at 10⁹ CFU g^?1 not only decreased the abundance and species of genus Vibrio, but also increased the intensity of genera Psychrobacter and Bacillus. A specific dosage of dietary B. subtilis 2-1 could increase the growth and modulate the intestinal microbiota of sea cucumber; thus it might be a novel probiotic for keeping the health of sea cucumber.     

Effects of gully erosion and gully filling on soil degradation in the black soil region of Northeast China

Gully erosion has caused soil degradation and even reduced soil productivity.However,only few studies on the effects of gully erosion and artificial controlling measures on soil degradation in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China are available.Thus,this study explores the relationships between gully erosion,gully filling and soil parameters.Two sets of soil samples were collected in the field at:(1) 72 sample points in the gully erosion study area,60 sample points in the ephemeral and classical gully erosion area(3,518 m2),12 sample points in the deposition zone(443 m2),(2)10 reference points along a slope unaffected by gully erosion representing the original situation before the gully was formed.All soil samples were analyzed for gravel content(GC),soil organic matter(SOM),total nitrogen(TN),available nitrogen(AN),available phosphorus(AP),and available potassium(AK).The soil property values on unaffected slope were fitted by the polynomial curves as the reference values in no gully erosion area.The interpolated soil property values in gully eroded study area were compared with these polynomial curves,respectively,and then,changes of soil property values were analyzed.Gully erosion caused an increase in GC and a decrease in SOM,TN,AN,AP and AK.The change of GC,SOM,TN,AN,AP,AK was 8.8%,-9.04 g kg-1,-0.92 g kg-1,-62.28 mg kg-1,-29.61 mg kg-1,-79.68 mg kg-1.The soil property values in the study area were below optimal values.Thus,we concluded that gully erosion and gully filling caused both on-site and off-site soil degradation.Soil degradation area was 0.65 % of the cultivated land.In addition,it was proved that gully filling were an improper soil and water conservation measure,which seems to exacerbate the problem.Thus,it is suggested that soil where soil is deep is moved to fill the gully,and then the area around the filled gullies should be covered by grass for preventing the formation and development of the gully.     

The eco-nutrition requirements for dietary protein and its rhomb characteristics in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

We evaluated the dietary protein requirements of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) and their effects on aquatic quality. Five experimental diets were formulated containing 450, 480, 500, 520, and 540 g/kg. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of juvenile turbot (mean initial body weight 34.5 ± 5.5 g) for 88 d. Both the weight gain ratio and feed efficiency increased with increasing dietary protein up to 500 g/kg, but no further improvement was detected when dietary protein levels were >500 g/kg. Protein intake and digestion increased with protein levels, while fecal nitrogen and nitrogen content in seawater increased only when dietary protein exceeded 500 g/kg. Protein digestibility was highest at intermediate dietary protein levels. Chemical oxygen demand, nitrite-nitrogen (NO2--N) and phosphatic-phosphor (PO43--P) levels increased in the rearing water as dietary protein levels increased. The optimum eco-nutrition level of dietary protein for juvenile turbot was 500 g/kg under the current experimental conditions. The diets containing 540 and 500 g/kg protein had similar growth rates and feed conversion ratios, but levels of ammonia (NH4+) and nitrogen were considerably higher in the water and feces, respectively, at the higher level of dietary protein. The difference in the pattern of change between body weight gain and ammonia concentration in water with increasing dietary protein is described by rhomb characteristics.     

Effects of Dietary Protein Level on Growth and Utilization of Protein and Energy by Juvenile Mangrove Red Snapper （ Lutjanus argentimaculatus ）

A feeding trial was conducted in a recirculating water system to investigate the effects of dietary protein levels on growth, feed utilization, hepatosomatic index and liver lipid deposition of juvenile red snapper, Lutjanus argentimaculatus (average initial wet weight 8.0 ± 0.39 g and total length 3.14 ± 0.3 cm). In the experiment, six fishmeal-based diets were formulated to contain various protein levels (20% to 45% in 5% increments), with dietary energy ranging from 2210.7kJ lOOg to 2250.2kJlOOg dry matter. The protein to energy ratios of diets ranged from 8.58 mg protein kJ⁻¹ to 20.03 mg protein kJ⁻¹. Diets were fed for 90d to triplicate groups of fish stocked in 0.128m³ seawater tanks, 25 individuals each. The daily ration of 2% wet body weight was offered to the fish thrice a day. The fish at the end of the study had more than ten-fold (77.0g) increase in weight compared to the initial (8.0g). Fish fed diets of 40% and 45% protein produced significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gain of 77.2g and 76.5g, and specific growth rate (SGR) of 2.65% and 2.62% than those of 67.0 g and 68.3g, and 2.49% and 2.51% of the other diets. The broken-line regression of SGR against dietary protein level yielded an optimum dietary protein requirement of 42.6% (Y=−1.6295 + 0.1114 X ²,P<0.05). Survival remained 100% among groups. Feed conversion ratio decreased from 0.45 for fish fed 20% dietary protein to 0.35 for fish fed 45% dietary protein. Nitrogen intake increased with an increase in dietary protein, which in turn resulted in an increase in nitrogen gain of fish whole body. Fish fed 40% and 45% protein diets showed higher (P<0.05) nitrogen gain (0.27g and 0.26g) than those (0.23g and 025g) fed all other diets. Gross energy intake (GEI) in fish fed 45% protein was lower (600.67kJ) than that (607.97 kJ) of 40% protein diet, though the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05); GEI ranging from 677.31 kJ to 663.20 kJ at remaining four diets (20% to 35% protein) did not appear to differ significantly (P>0.05). The highest energy gain of 518.33 kJ was obtained with fish fed 40% protein, resulting in the highest energy retention efficiency of 85.26%. The hepatosomatic index of fish fed diets of 20%, 25%, 30% and 35% protein were significantly (P<0.05) higher (2.09% to 2.57%) than those (1.44% and 1.41%) of fish fed diets containing 40% and 45% protein. Liver lipid contents decreased from 8.72% to 7.0% in fish fed dietary protein of 20% to 45% in 5% increments. Results suggest that the diet containing 40% to 42.6% protein with a P/E ratio of 17.6 mg protein kJ⁻¹ is required for good growth of L. argentimaculatus weighing between 8.0 g and 85.2 g under the culture conditions of the present study.     

Anthropogenic,detritic and atmospheric soil-derived sources of lead in an alpine poor fen in northeast China

Ombrotrophic bogs are faithful archive of atmospheric metal deposition,but the potential for fens to reconstruct environmental change is often underestimated.In this study,some new data on the Pb depositional history in northeast China were provided using two 210Pb-dated peat sequences from a poor fen in the Fenghuang Mountain of Heilongjiang province.Anthropogenic,detritic and atmospheric soil sources were discriminated using a two-step sequential digestion(weak acid leaching to liberate mobile Pb which is often regarded as anthropogenic Pb,especially for recent samples)and a ratio of unsupported 210 Pb and supported 210 Pb with the logic of that the 214 Pb mainly represents the residual detritus(constant throughout the core)and the unsupported 210 Pb arises from atmospheric fallout.A higher 210Pb/214 Pb suggests more contributions from atmospheric deposition to the Pb content in the peat,and a ratio of 10 was defined to indicate the boundary between detritic input and atmospheric deposition.The detritic Pbwas estimated to be 10~(-1)3 mg·kg~(-1),the anthropogenic Pb ranged from 10-80 mg·kg~(-1),and the atmospheric soil-derived Pb ranged from 5 mg·kg~(-1) to 30mg·kg~(-1).The history of anthropogenic Pb pollution over the last 150 years was reconstructed,and the calculated Pb deposition rate(AR Pb) ranged from 5to 56 mg·m-2·yr~(-1).Using Ti as a reliable reference,the enrichment factor of Pb(EF Pb) relative to the upper continental crust was calculated.Both AR Pb and EF Pb increased with time,especially after the foundation of the People's Republic of China.This is consistent with increasing industrialization and coal burning in the last 60 years in northeast China.The present record of anthropogenic Pb deposition was consistent with the previous reports and an increasing trend of environmental pollution due to anthropogenic activities,in contrasts to Europe and North America which have experienced a major environmental cleanup.For the first time,this work estimates atmospheric Pb deposition via a minerotrophic peat core in China.This will enhance the use of peat archives for studies of environmental change.     

Protective effects of oyster extract against hepatic tissue injury in alcoholic liver diseases

Oyster extract is an effective bioactivity component. It has abundant nutritional value and antiviral, antitumor and immune defense functions. The role of oyster extract in treating liver injury has been paid more attention. We use Wistar rats to make alcoholic liver disease model through injecting alcohol into rats' stomachs. These rats were randomly divided into five groups: model group, control group, low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose experimental group with a dose of 0.12 g kg-1, 0.40 g kg-1, and 1.20 g kg-1 alcoholic. After nine weeks, serum biomarkers(ALT, AST, TG and TCHO), malondialdehyde(MDA), glutathione(GSH), C3a, C5a, IL-17, TNF-ɑ, anti-MAA-HAS IgG, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, NK cell activation and zinc content were assessed. The results showed that the serum biomarkers(ALT, AST, TG and TCHO), MDA content, anti-MAA-HSA IgG, serum C3a, C5a IL-17 and TNF-ɑ levels of oyster extract treatment groups were significantly decreased in comparison with model group. On the contrary, GSH showed adverse trend. Serum CD3+, CD4+ and NK cell activation were significantly increased in middle-dose group and high-dose group compared with model group, and there was decrease of CD8+ activity in high-dose group. Plasma Zn level was decreased in model group compared with that in control group. Meanwhile, Mean plasma Zn levels increased dramatically following the dose increase of a given oyster extract.     

几种因子对鞍带石斑鱼精子活力的影响

研究不同梯度的盐度、pH、温度及低温保存时间对鞍带石斑鱼精子活力的影响。结果表明:鞍带石斑鱼精子活力的适宜盐度范围为27.5～35.0,最适盐度为32.5,此时精子的快速运动时间和寿命分别为13.2min和14.8min;最适pH为8.5,精子的快速运动时间及寿命最长,分别达12.7min和17.3min;温度范围为27～31℃,以29℃时快速运动时间最长,达16.6min;在0～4℃冰箱保存6h后鞍带石斑鱼精子活力未显著降低,其中保存前精子快速运动时间为18.4min,保存6h后为18.2min,保存120h后仍有活力,精子快速运动时间为2.3min,精子激活率为3.3%。以x为保存时间,快速运动时间y和寿命y′符合线性方程y=-0.8334x+19.164(R2=0.9856),y′=-1.1358x+27.8(R2=0.9573)。     

Dietary leucine requirement for juvenile large yellow croaker <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudosciaena crocea</Emphasis> (Richardson, 1846)

Dietary leucine requirement for juvenile large yellow croaker, Pseudosciaena crocea Richardson 1846 (initial body weight 6.0 g ± 0.1 g) was determined using dose-response method. Six isonitogenous (crude protein 43%) and isoenergetic (19 kJ g⁻¹) practical diets containing six levels of leucine (Diets 1–6) ranging from 1.23% to 4.80% (dry matter) were made at about 0.7% increment of leucine. Equal amino acid nitrogen was maintained by replacing leucine with glutamic acid. Triplicate groups of 60 individuals were fed to apparent satiation by hand twice daily (05:00 and 17:30). The water temperature was 26–32°C, salinity 26–30 and dissolved oxygen approximately 7 mg L⁻¹ during the experimental period. Final weight (FW) of large yellow croaker initially increased with increasing level of dietary leucine but then decreased at further higher level of leucine. The highest FW was obtained in fish fed diet with 3.30% Leucine (Diet 4). FW of fish fed the diet with 4.80% Leucine (Diet 6) was significantly lower than those fed Diet 4. However, no significant differences were observed between the other dietary treatments. Feed efficiency (FE) and whole body composition were independent of dietary leucine contents (P > 0.05). The results indicated that leucine was essential for growth of juvenile large yellow croaker. On the basis of FW, the optimum dietary leucine requirement for juvenile large yellow croaker was estimated to be 2.92% of dry matter (6.79% of dietary protein).     

Development of an inactivated iridovirus vaccine against turbot viral reddish body syndrome

Turbot(Scophthalmus maximus L.) reddish body iridovirus(TRBIV) was propagated in turbot fin cells(TF cells) and inactivated as the TRBIV vaccine with its protection efficiency evaluated in this study.TF cells were cultured in 10% bovine calf serum(BCS)-containing MEM medium(pH7.0) at 22℃,in which TRBIV propagated to a titer as high as 105.6 TCID50 mL-1.The TRBIV was inactivated with 0.1% formalin and formulated with 0.5% aluminum hydroxide.The inactivated vaccine caused neither cytopathogenic effect(CPE) on TF cells nor pathogenic effect on turbots.After being administered with the vaccine twice via muscle injection,the turbot developed high-tittered TRBIV neutralizing antibodies in a dose-dependent manner.The vaccine protected the turbot from dying with an immunoprotection rate of 83.3% as was determined via subcutaneous vaccination in the laboratory and 90.5% via bath vaccination in turbot farms,respectively.The inactivated vaccine was very immunogenic,efficiently preventing tur-bot from death.It holds the potential of being applied in aquaculture.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of a full-length cDNA of <Emphasis Type="Italic">SmPP1cb</Emphasis> encoding turbot protein phosphatase 1 beta catalytic subunit

Reversible protein phosphorylation, catalyzed by protein kinases and phosphatases, is an important and versatile mechanism by which eukaryotic cells regulate almost all the signaling processes. Protein phosphatase 1 （PP1） is the first and well-characterized member of the protein serine/threonine phosphatase family. In the present study, a full-length cDNA encoding the beta isoform of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase l（PPlcb）, was for the first time isolated and sequenced from the skin tissue of flatfish turbot Scophthalmus maximus, designated SmPPlcb, by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends （RACE） technique. The cDNA sequence of SmPPlcb we obtained contains a 984 bp open reading frame （ORF）, flanked by a complete 39 bp 5＇ untranslated region and 462 bp 3＇ untranslated region. The ORF encodes a putative 327 amino acid protein, and the N-terminal section of this protein is highly acidic, Met-Ala-Glu-Gly-Glu-Leu-Asp-Val-Asp, a common feature for PP1 catalytic subunit but absent in protein phosphatase 2B （PP2B）. And its calculated molecular mass is 37 193 Da and pI 5.8. Sequence analysis indicated that, SmPPlcb is extremely conserved in both amino acid and nucleotide acid levels compared with the PPlcb of other vertebrates and invertebrates, and its Kozak motif contained in the 5＇UTR around ATG start codon is GXXAXXGXXATGG, which is different from mammalian in two positions A6 and G3, indicating the possibility of different initiation of translation in turbot, and also the 3＇UTR of SmPPlcb is highly diverse in the sequence similarity and length compared with other animals, especially zebraf＇lsh. The cloning and sequencing of SmPPlcb gene lays a good foundation for the future work on the biological functions of PP1 in the flatfish turbot.     

Lead Induces Different Responses of Two Subpopulations of Phagocytes in the Holothurian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eupentacta fraudatrix</Emphasis>

In view of increasing lead pollution (Pb²⁺) of coastal waters, the compensatory abilities of holothurians need to be assessed. The goal of the work is to clarify the functional and phenotypical differences between two types of phagocytes (P1 and P2) in Eupentacta fraudatrix exposed to Pb(NO₃)₂. It has been shown that 2 mg L^?1 lead exposure for 48 h increases the number of P2 phagocytes as compared to P1 cells, does not significantly affect cell viability in both P1 and P2 phagocyte fractions, and significantly enhances chromatin condensation in P2 but not in P1 phagocytes. A lead concentration of 4 mg L^?1 increases the number of P1 phagocytes compared to that of P2 type, and does not change cell viability and chromatin condensation in P1 phagocytes. In the P2 type, it decreases cell viability and does not influence the level of apoptosis. The protection against lead-induced apoptosis is apparently mediated by the activities of antioxidant enzymes, especially glutathione S-transferase. The differences in labeling cell surface receptors of P1 and P2 phagocytes by plant lectins also indicate the specific phenotypic properties of these cells. The results clarify the potential and GSH-dependent mechanisms of immune adaptation in holothurians that have been shortly exposed to lead at concentrations close to the maximum environmentally relevant level in coastal waters. Additionally, P1 and P2 phagocytes are first shown to have different functions and phenotypes during the response to lead, which indicates the complexity of the phagocytic system in holothurians and contributes to understanding the immunity evolution.