Ontogeny of the lymphoid organs of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

Histological study on the ontogeny of the lymphoid organs, kidney, thymus and spleen of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, from hatching to 40 d was carried out. The pronephric kidney duct appeared early in hatching although the primordial haemopoietic stem cells were observed within a week after hatching. The spleen was first seen after 8d of hatching. The thymus appeared after 15d, situated near the pronephric kidney. Small lymphoid cells appeared during the later phase of the post-larval stage in the sequence of thymus, kidney and spleen. During the 40d of observations, there were no distinct inner or outer zones in thymus and no red or white pulp in spleen. These results suggest that the nonspecific defense immune system plays a very important role in the early larval stage of Japanese flounder.     

Effects of Calanoid Copepod Schmackeriapoplesia as a Live Food on the Growth,Survival and Fatty Acid Composition of Larvae and Juveniles of Japanese Flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus

Zooplankton constitutes a major part of the diet for fish larvae in the marine food web, and it is generally believed that copepods can meet the nutritional requirements of fish larvae. In this study, calanoid copepod Schmackeria poplesia, rotifer Brachionus plicatilis and anostraca crustacean Artemia sp. were analyzed for fatty acid contents, and were used as live food for cul- turing larval Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. The total content of three types of HUFAs （DHA, EPA and ARA） in S. po- plesia was significantly higher than that in the other two live foods （P〈O.O1）. Three live organisms were used for raising larvae and juveniles of Paralichthys olivaceus respectively for 15 and 10 d. Then the growth, survival and fatty acid composition of the larvae and juveniles were investigated. The results showed that the larvae and juveniles fed with copepods （S. poplesia） had significantly higher growth rate than those fed with the other two organisms （P〈0.01）. The survival of the flounder larvae fed with copepods was significantly higher than that of the others （P〈0.01）, and the survival of the juvenile fish fed with copepods was higher than that fed with Artemia （P〈0.05）. The contents of three types of HUFAs （DHA, EPA and ARA） and the ratio of DHA/EPA in larval and juve- nile flounder P. olivaceus were analyzed. The results showed that the contents of DHA, EPA and ARA in the larvae and juveniles fed with S. poplesia were higher than those fed with a mixed diet orArtemia only, and the ratio of EPA/ARA in larvae and juveniles of P. olivaceus fed with S. poplesia was lower than that in the case of feeding with a mixed diet or Artemia only. The present data showed that copepod is the best choice for feeding the larvae and juveniles of fish considering its effects on the survival, growth and nutrition composition of the fish.     

饲料中添加L-肉碱对牙鲆幼鱼生长、生化组成及血液指标的影响

研究0、300、600、900、1 200、1 500 mg/kg 6个L-肉碱添加水平对牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)幼鱼生长、生化组成和血液指标的影响。结果表明:添加量为1 200 mg/kg的处理组牙鲆幼鱼的增重率和特定生长率显著提高,饲料系数显著降低(P<0.05);随着饲料中L-肉碱含量的增加,肝指数呈现下降趋势,且在添加量为900~1 500 mg/kg时,各组较对照组差异显著(P<0.05);饲料中添加L-肉碱显著降低各实验组脏体比(P<0.05),而对各处理组间存活率和肥满度均无影响(P<0.05);肌肉和肝脏中的脂肪含量与L-肉碱添加量呈负相关,当添加量为1 200~1 500 mg/kg时,较对照组差异显著(P<0.05);肌肉中的蛋白含量与L-肉碱添加量呈正相关,但各组差异不显著(P<0.05);饲料中添加L-肉碱降低血清中的谷草转氨酶、胆固醇、甘油三酯和尿素氮含量,且添加量1 200 mg/kg组各指标含量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05);各处理组的血糖含量较对照组均有所增加,其中1 200 mg/kg组血糖含量较对照组提高41.6%(P<0.05);血清中总蛋白和低密度脂蛋白均随着L-肉碱添加量的增加而呈下降趋势,高密度脂蛋白却得以提升,但差异均不显著(P<0.05)。分析认为,在本实验条件下,饲料中添加L-肉碱可促进牙鲆幼鱼生长,且降脂效果显著。建议L-肉碱最适添加量为1 200 mg/kg。     

Development of retinal structure and visual acuity in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The retinal structure and visual acuity in Japanese flounderParalichthys olivaceus at different stages of development were examined by light microscopy. The resolving power of the retina, the visual axis and the best visual field were estimated based on the distribution of cone cells in the retina. The visual system of the larvae appears poorly developed at hatching. The larvae with total length (TL) of less than 10 mm, have single cones only and the eyes were well pigmented. At 10–11 mm TL, most single cones fused to form double cones, with the single and double cones forming a mosaic pattern. From larvae to early juvenile the retina stretches, the cones increase in diameter and rods increase in number. Based on the highest density of the cones in the ventro-temporal region, the visual axis was orientated upforward. The resolving power of the retina in 40–530 mm TL Japanese flounder was found to range from 25.1 to 11.5 min. The results indicated continual improvements in the visual system of the growing fish towards higher resolving power, visual acuity and sensitivity. Project 39970578 supported by the NSFC, and also supported by the Ministry of Education Foundation for University Key Teachers.     

Histological Study on the Skin of Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Histological development of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus larval skin and ultrastructural difference of skin between reared normal and malpigmented Japanese flounder were studied with light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the skin develops slowly before the metamorphosis, while at the onset of metamorphosis, the skin develops quickly and becomes complete in structure till about 50d after being hatched. Ultrastructural observation on the normal and malpigmented skins shows that the iridophore and melanophore are adjacent to each other. Profile and structure of the two kinds of pigment cells are more complete in the skin of normal ocular side than in the skin of pigmented blind side. The ultrastructure of typical chloride cell was observed in the skin of Japanese flounder larvae for the first time.     

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 calanoid copepod Schmackeria poplesia as a live food on the growth, survival and fatty acid composition of larvae and juveniles of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

Zooplankton constitutes a major part of the diet for fish larvae in the marine food web, and it is generally believed that copepods can meet the nutritional requirements of fish larvae. In this study, calanoid copepod Schmackeria poplesia, rotifer Brachionus plicatilis and anostraca crustacean Artemia sp. were analyzed for fatty acid contents, and were used as live food for culturing larval Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. The total content of three types of HUFAs (DHA, EPA and ARA) in S. poplesia was significantly higher than that in the other two live foods (P<0.01). Three live organisms were used for raising larvae and juveniles of Paralichthys olivaceus respectively for 15 and 10 d. Then the growth, survival and fatty acid composition of the larvae and juveniles were investigated. The results showed that the larvae and juveniles fed with copepods (S. poplesia) had significantly higher growth rate than those fed with the other two organisms (P<0.01). The survival of the flounder larvae fed with copepods was significantly higher than that of the others (P<0.01), and the survival of the juvenile fish fed with copepods was higher than that fed with Artemia (P<0.05). The contents of three types of HUFAs (DHA, EPA and ARA) and the ratio of DHA/EPA in larval and juvenile flounder P. olivaceus were analyzed. The results showed that the contents of DHA, EPA and ARA in the larvae and juveniles fed with S. poplesia were higher than those fed with a mixed diet or Artemia only, and the ratio of EPA/ARA in larvae and juveniles of P. olivaceus fed with S. poplesia was lower than that in the case of feeding with a mixed diet or Artemia only. The present data showed that copepod is the best choice for feeding the larvae and juveniles of fish considering its effects on the survival, growth and nutrition composition of the fish.     

Mutations in exons of the CYP17-II gene affect sex steroid concentration in male Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

As a specific gene of fish,cytochrome P450c17-Ⅱ(CYP17-Ⅱ) gene plays a key role in the growth,development and reproduction level of fish.In this study,the single-stranded conformational polymorphism(SSCP) technique was used to characterize polymorphisms within the coding region of CYP17-Ⅱ gene in a population of 75 male Japanese flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus).Three single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) were identified in CYP17-Ⅱ gene of Japanese flounder.They were c.G594A(p.G188R),c.G939A and c.G1502A(p.G490D).SNP1(c.G594A),located in exon 4 of CYP17-Ⅱ gene,was significantly associated with gonadosomatic index(GSI).Individuals with genotype GG of SNP1 had significantly lower GSI(P < 0.05) than those with geno-type AA or AG.SNP2(c.G939A) located at the CpG island of CYP17-Ⅱ gene.The mutation changed the methylation of exon 6.Indi-viduals with genotype AA of SNP2 had significantly lower serum testosterone(T) level and hepatosomatic index(HSI) compared to those with genotype GG.The results suggested that SNP2 could influence the reproductive endocrine of male Japanese flounder.How-ever,the SNP3(c.G1502A) located in exon 9 did not affect the four measured reproductive traits.This study showed that CYP17-Ⅱ gene could be a potentially useful candidate gene for the research of genetic breeding and physiological aspects of Japanese flounder.     

Characterization,tissue distribution,and expression of neuropeptide Y in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Neuropeptide Y(NPY) is a 36-amino acid peptide of the neuropeptide Y family that plays key roles in the regulation of food intake. In this study,we focused on NPY m RNA expression changes around feeding time and during food deprivation in olive flounder. The olive flounder NPY m RNA levels were analyzed in different tissues and a high level of expression was detected in the brain. We also demonstrated a correlation between NPY expression levels in the brain and feeding schedule. NPY expression levels in olive flounder maintained on a daily scheduled feeding regimen increased shortly before feeding and decreased after the scheduled feeding time. Compared with the-1 h group before feeding,NPY expression in the 3 h group after feeding decreased significantly( P <0.05). Food deprivation led to an 81.7% decrease in NPY m RNA levels in the 24 h fasted group(P <0.05) and a 91.7% decrease in the 48 h fasted group(P <0.05). Therefore,our study demonstrates that NPY expression is associated with food intake in olive flounder. This result reveals the function of NPY in regulating food intake and its potential importance in olive flounder aquaculture.     

Establishment and Characterization of Four Long-Term Cultures of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Lines from the Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Neurogenesis is an important progress wherein the neural stem cells(NSCs) differentiate into functional neurons under conductive conditions. Neurogenesis occurs continuously in different areas of the central neural system in adult teleosts compared with adult mammals. Therefore, NSC cell lines must be established to offer a valuable in vitro system for studies on neurogenesis and other related functions. In this study, four cell lines designated as PoB1, PoB2, PoBf and PoBh were established from the brain of the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. The cell lines were sub-cultured over 150 times and still grew well in DMEM/F12 medium at 24℃. PoB1, PoB2, PoBf and PoBh were identified as neural stem/progenitor cell lines on the basis of the mRNA expression of nestin and/or aldh111 or slc6 a4 and the formation of neurospheres. The cells transfected with the pEGFP-C1 plasmid showed fluorescent signals with distinct reagent dependencies. The established cell lines from the brain of P. olivaceus offer a valuable system in vitro for the study of neurogenesis, fish neural regulation and endocrinology-related functions.     

Induction of gyno-tetraploidy in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Journal of Oceanology and Limnology - Tetraploid fish are important for mass production of triploids in polyploid breeding. In this study, we reported a novel protocol for artificial induction of...     

牙鲆出血性败血病病原的初步研究

经病原菌的分离、纯化、人工感染和生理生化测定 ,认为变异微球菌为牙鲆出血性败血病的病原菌。菌体为圆形或椭圆形 ,单个、成对排列或成短链、四联及不规则的堆团。单个菌大小为 0 .5～ 1.8μm。无鞭毛 ,不运动 ,无牙孢 ,无荚膜。革兰氏阳性 ,不抗酸。好氧菌、葡萄糖 O- F试验为氧化型。测定的2 2种糖苷醇类中 ,仅葡萄糖、D-果糖、蔗糖、麦芽糖、甘油为好氧产酸 ,D-甘露糖弱产酸 ,且均不产气。氧化酶、过氧化氢酶阳性 ,硝酸盐还原、美兰还原为阳性。甲基红、V- P反应为阳性。能水解明胶、马尿酸钠 ,不能水解七叶苷、淀粉。不产生硫化氢、吲哚。不能利用柠檬酸盐、丙二酸盐。精氨酸双水解酶、赖氨酸脱羧酶、鸟氨酸脱羧酶、脲酶阴性 ,卵磷脂酶、凝固酶阳性。不溶血。先锋霉素、氯霉素、青霉素、红霉素为该病原菌的敏感药物     

The Toxic Mechanism of High Lethality of Herbicide Butachlor in Marine Flatfish Flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus

The toxic mechanism of herbicide butachlor to induce extremely high lethality in marine flatfish flounder,Paralichthys Olivaceus,was analyzed by histopathological examination,antioxidant enzymes activities and ATP content assay.Histopathological examination of gill,liver and kidney of exposed fishes showed that gill was a target organ of butachlor.The butachlor seriously impaired the respiration of gills by a series of lesions such as edema,lifting and detachment of lamellar epithelium,breakdown of pillar cells,and blood congestion.The dysfunction of gill respiration caused suffocation to the exposed flounder with extremely high acute lethality.Antioxidant enzyme activity assay of the in vitro cultured flounder gill(FG) cells exposed to butachlor indicated that butachlor markedly inhibited the antioxidant enzyme activities of Superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT) and glutathione peroxidase(GPX).Furthermore,along with the decline of antioxidant enzyme activities,ATP content in the exposed FG cells decreased,too.This infers that the oxidative stress induced by butachlor can inhibit the production of cellular ATP.Similar decrease of ATP content was also observed in the exposed flounder gill tissues.Taken together,as in FG cells,butachlor possibly induced a short supply of ATP in pillar cells by inhibiting the antioxidant enzyme activities and then affecting the contractibility of the pillar cells,which in turn resulted in the blood congestion and suffocation of exposed flounder.     

Analysis of new microsatellite markers developed from reported sequences of Japanese flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>

The expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, were selected from GenBank to identify simple sequence repeats (SSRs) or microsatellites. A bioinformatic analysis of 11111 ESTs identified 751 SSR-containing ESTs, including 440 dinucleotide, 254 trinucleotide, 53 tetranucleotide, 95 pentanucleotide and 40 hexanucleotide microsatellites respectively. The CA/TG and GA/TC repeats were the most abundant microsatellites. AT-rich types were predominant among trinucleotide and tetranucleotide microsatellites. PCR primers were designed to amplify 10 identified microsatellites loci. The PCR results from eight pairs of primers showed polymorphisms in wild populations. In 30 wild individuals, the mean observed and expected heterozygosities of these 8 polymorphic SSRs were 0.71 and 0.83 respectively and the average PIC value was 0.8. These microsatellite markers should prove to be a useful addition to the microsatellite markers that are now available for this species.