Neurotransmitters in the intestine of the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua

The effects of the putative neurotransmitters acetylcholine, adrenaline, adenosine, ATP, bombesin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, met-enkephalin, neurotensin, somatostatin, substance P and VIP have been investigated in the perfused intestine of the cod, Gadus morhua. The presence and distribution of the different types of nerves was investigated with immunohistochemistry and Falck-Hillarp fluorescence histochemistry. A spontaneous rhythmic activity of the perfused preparations usually occurred within a few minutes from the start of the experiment. This activity was diminished or abolished by addition of atropine, methysergide or tetrodotoxin to the perfusion fluid. Acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine or substance P caused a contraction of the intestinal wall. The response to acetylcholine was blocked by atropine but not by tetrodotoxin, while the response to 5-hydroxytryptamine was blocked by methysergide and usually also by tetrodotoxin. This indicates that the effect of acetylcholine is direct on the muscle cells, while the effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine may be at least partly via a second neuron. All adrenergic agonists (adrenaline, isoprenaline and phenylephrine) had a dominating inhibitory effect on the intestine. Experiments with antagonists showed that the inhibition is due to stimulation of both alpha-adrenoceptors and beta-adrenoceptors. ATP, adenosine and somatostatin also caused a relaxation of the intestinal wall, often followed by a contraction. Met-enkephalin produced variable responses, either a relaxation, a contraction or both. Bombesin caused a weak inhibition, if anything. Neurotensin and VIP did not visibly affect the intestinal motility. 5-HT-, substance P- and VIP-like immunoreactivity and catecholamine fluorescence were observed in the myenteric plexus, submucosa and muscle layers in all parts of the intestine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Induction of meiotic gynogenesis in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) through pressure shock

The Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, is one of the most important species for commercial fisheries and a promising candidate for aquaculture. Precocious sexual maturation of males is one of the major issues compromising large scale production. The potential approaches to this problem include production of all female populations. Consequently, the objective of this study was to develop an effective protocol to induce meiotic gynogenesis in the Atlantic cod by using hydrostatic pressure shock. Our first experiment tested the relevance of gamete quality on achievement of chromosome manipulation and identified the best time interval between fertilization and pressure shock. Our second experiment was designed to determine the optimal pressure value and duration of the pressure shock. Eight combinations of pressure values and durations were tested. Among them, the 34.47 MPa/6 min combination gave the best survival rate (23.6 ± 3.9%), the highest percentage of normal larvae (15.7 ± 3.6%), and the highest percentage of meiotic diploids (88.89%). In both experiments, haploid controls served as an indirect reference for paternal DNA inactivation. Chromosome counting confirmed the restoration of diploidy in gynogenetic fish. The present study optimizes a procedure for the induction of meiotic gynogenesis in the Atlantic cod, thus laying the basis for further applications towards producing monosex and defining the sex determination system.     

Potential fitness benefits from mate selection in the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Little evidence of benefits from female mate choice has been found when males provide no parental care or resources. Yet, good genes models of sexual selection suggest that elaborated male sexual characters are reliable signals of mate quality and that the offspring of males with elaborate sexual ornaments will perform better than those of males with less elaborate ornaments. We used cod (Gadus morhua L.), an externally fertilizing species where males provide nothing but sperm, to examine the potential of optimal mate selection with respect to offspring survival. By applying in vitro fertilizations, we crossed eight females with nine males in all possible combinations and reared each of the 72 sib groups. We found that offspring survival was dependent on which female was mated with which male and that optimal mate selection has the potential to increase mean offspring survival from 31.9 to 55.6% (a 74% increase). However, the size of the male sexual ornaments and sperm quality (i.e. sperm velocity and sperm density) could not predict offspring survival. Thus, even if there may be large fitness benefits of mate selection, we might not yet have identified the male characteristics generating high offspring survival.     

Purification and characterization of a cold-adapted uracil-DNA glycosylase from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG; UNG) has been purified 17000-fold from Atlantic cod liver (Gadus morhua). The enzyme has an apparent molecular mass of 25 kDa, as determined by gel filtration, and an isoelectric point above 9.0. Atlantic cUNG is inhibited by the specific UNG inhibitor (Ugi) from the Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage (PBS2), and has a 2-fold higher activity for single-stranded DNA than for double-stranded DNA. cUNG has an optimum activity between pH 7.0-9.0 and 25-50 mM NaCl, and a temperature optimum of 41 degrees C. Cod UNG was compared with the recombinant human UNG (rhUNG), and was found to have slightly higher relative activity at low temperatures compared with their respective optimum temperatures. Cod UNG is also more pH- and temperature labile than rhUNG. At pH 10.0, the recombinant human UNG had 66% residual activity compared with only 0.4% for the Atlantic cUNG. At 50 degrees C, cUNG had a half-life of 0.5 min compared with 8 min for the rhUNG. These activity and stability experiments reveal cold-adapted features in cUNG.     

Reversible inactivation of alkaline phosphatase from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in urea

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is a zinc and magnesium containing homodimer that requires the oligomeric state for activity. Its kinetic properties are indicative of cold-adaptation. Here, the effect of urea on the structural stability was studied in order to correlate the activity with metal content, the microenvironment around tryptophan residues, and events at the subunit interface. At the lowest concentrations of urea, the first detected alteration in properties was an increase in the activity of the enzyme. This was followed by inactivation, and the release of half of the zinc content when the amount of urea reached levels of 2 M. Intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and circular dichroism ellipticity changed in the range 2.5 to 8 M urea, signaling dimer dissociation, followed by one major monomer unfolding transition at 6-8 M urea as indicated by ANS fluorescence and KI fluorescence quenching. Gibbs free energy was estimated by the linear extrapolation method using a three-state model as 8.6 kcal/mol for dimer stability and 11.6 kcal/mol for monomer unfolding giving a total of 31.8 kcal/mol. Dimer association had a very small ionic contribution. Dimers were stable in relatively high concentration of urea, whereas the immediate vicinity around the active site was vulnerable to low concentrations of urea. Thus, inactivation did not coincide with dimer dissociation, suggesting that the active site is the most dynamic part of the molecule and closest related to cold-adaptation of its enzymatic activity.     

Antimicrobial activity in the tissues of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are important components of the innate immune system in metazoans. They have been studied widely in several fishes, but little is known about these defence factors in Atlantic cod, which is thought to have a less sophisticated adaptive immune system compared to other teleosts. The aim of the present study was to screen for potential AMPs in various tissues of Atlantic cod and to examine their spectra of activity. Acidic crude extracts were prepared from thirteen tissues (i.e. mucus, gills, skin, intestine, rectum, head kidney, spleen, blood, gall bladder, liver, ovary, muscle and peritoneal wall). Following partial purification by solid-phase extraction, 78 fractions were obtained and these were assayed for antimicrobial activity using a two-layer radial diffusion assay. Some of the fractions prepared from several tissues examined had potent activity against the test bacteria. In general, acetonitrile rich fractions displayed higher antibacterial activity than the aqueous ones. The most potent fractions were obtained from the gall bladder and they exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against 8 of the 9 test bacteria, including the cod pathogen Vibrio anguillarum. Antibacterial activity was completely eliminated or reduced upon treatment with proteinase K in most fractions. Protein profiles obtained by SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that antimicrobial activity of the partially purified tissue extracts might be due to cationic, low molecular weight peptides.     

Substrate selection by juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua): effects of predation risk

Although predator avoidance has been proposed as one possible factor influencing the distribution of fish among substrate types, no study has addressed this question directly. Groups of juvenile Atlantic cod were offered a choice between pairs of the following three substrates: sand, gravel-pebble and cobble. Their distribution on these substrates was compared prior to, during and following exposure to a predator (i.e. a larger conspecific). With no apparent risk of predation, juvenile cod preferred sand or gravel-pebble. When cobble was present, juveniles hid in the interstitial spaces of this substrate in the presence of a predator. With no cobble present, juveniles showed no preference between sand and gravel-pebble, and did not seek refuge from predation in association with these substrates. Following exposure to a predator (i.e. 2.5 h later) larger juvenile cod again showed a preference for the finer-grained substrates, but smaller individuals continued to associated with the cobble. The presence of cobble resulted in fewer juveniles being captured and a significant increase in the latency until the first juvenile was captured by the predator. Results are discussed with respect to the effects of predation on the distribution and survival of fishes among substrate types.     

Amino acid sequence of the cold-active alkaline phosphatase from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Atlantic cod is a marine fish that lives at low temperatures of 0-10 degrees C and contains a cold-adapted alkaline phosphatase (AP). Preparations of AP from either the lower part of the intestines or the pyloric caeca area were subjected to proteolytic digestion, mass spectrometry and amino acid sequencing by Edman degradation. The primary structure exhibits greatest similarity to human tissue non-specific AP (80%), and approximately 30% similarity to AP from Escherichia coli. The key residues required for catalysis are conserved in the cod AP, except for the third metal binding site, where cod AP has the same variable residues as mammalian APs (His153 and His328 by E. coli AP numbering). General comparison of the amino acid composition with mammalian APs showed that cod AP contains fewer Cys, Leu, Met and Ser, but proportionally more Asn, Asp, Ile, Lys, Trp and Tyr residues. Three N-linked glycosylation sites were found. The glycan structure was determined as complex biantennary in type with fucose and sialic acid attached, although a trace of complex tri-antennary structure was also observed. A three-dimensional model was obtained by homology modelling using the human placental AP scaffold. Cod AP has fewer charged and hydrophobic residues, but more polar residues at the intersubunit surface. The N-terminal helix arm that embraces the second subunit in dimeric APs may be more flexible due to a replaced Pro at its base. One disulfide bridge was found instead of the two present in most other APs. This may invoke greater movement in the structure that together with weaker subunit contacts leads to improved catalytic efficiency.     

The demography of a haemoglobin polymorphism in the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L.

Genetic stability was investigated at a polymorphic haemoglobin gene-locus in 13 124 Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L. A total of 30 year-classes, sampled over 18 years, were variously sampled in 33 named localities. Regional populations showed distinctive allele frequencies, and each major cod fishery showed some degree of genetic imbalance, which was expressed as excessive numbers of homozygotes. This imbalance occurred seasonally in a proportion of the population samples in each of the major cod fisheries. The findings are attributable to migrations of distinctive genetic populations.     

Effect of sub-lethal exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the escape performance of Atlantic cod larvae (Gadus morhua)

The amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the earth's surface has increased due to depletion of the ozone layer. Several studies have reported that UV radiation reduces survival of fish larvae. However, indirect and sub-lethal impacts of UV radiation on fish behavior have been given little consideration. We observed the escape performance of larval cod (24 dph, SL: 7.6±0.2 mm; 29 dph, SL: 8.2±0.3 mm) that had been exposed to sub-lethal levels of UV radiation vs. unexposed controls. Two predators were used (in separate experiments): two-spotted goby (Gobiusculus flavescens; a suction predator) and lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata; a "passive" ambush predator). Ten cod larvae were observed in the presence of a predator for 20 minutes using a digital video camera. Trials were replicated 4 times for goby and 5 times for jellyfish. Escape rate (total number of escapes/total number of attacks ×100), escape distance and the number of larvae remaining at the end of the experiment were measured. In the experiment with gobies, in the UV-treated larvae, both escape rate and escape distance (36%, 38±7.5 mm respectively) were significantly lower than those of control larvae (75%, 69±4.7 mm respectively). There was a significant difference in survival as well (UV: 35%, Control: 63%). No apparent escape response was observed, and survival rate was not significantly different, between treatments (UV: 66%, Control: 74%) in the experiment with jellyfish. We conclude that the effect and impact of exposure to sub-lethal levels of UV radiation on the escape performance of cod larvae depends on the type of predator. Our results also suggest that prediction of UV impacts on fish larvae based only on direct effects are underestimations.     

The detection of dissolved amino acids by the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L.

A classical conditioning technique was employed with cod, Gadus morhua L., to determine thresholds for the detection of the L-forms of some α amino acids which are thought to be attractants or feeding stimulants for fish. The amino acids investigated, in order of effectiveness, were tyrosine, cysteine, phenylalanine, glycine and methionine with mean threshold response levels ranging from 2·5 × 10^-8M to 7·4 × 10^-8M. Histidine and lysine resulted in similar thresholds with a mean value of approximately 3 ± 10^-7M while taurine and leucine were least effective with mean threshold levels of 2·1 × 10^-6M and 2·1 × 10^-5M respectively. Comparison is made with electrophysiological and behavioural response data from other species. The effect of raising the background level of glycine on the threshold to glycine for cod is described. The results are discussed with reference to data on levels of dissolved free amino acids in shallow sea waters which may have a bearing on determining chemosensory threshold levels. To detect a specific amino acid against a background level of the same substance the difference in level for detection is proportionally greater for higher background concentrations.     

Cross-shoal variability in the feeding habits of migrating Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Prey intake and selection were related to within-shoal position for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) engaged in annual migration across the Newfoundland shelf in the northwest Atlantic. Comparisons made among fish occupying five regions from the front to rear of a large (>10 km across) migrating shoal indicated that leading fish, or scouts, were larger, ate more food by weight, and had a more varied diet than did fish at other positions. Also, scouts consumed more preferred prey types (fish and pelagic invertebrates) than did fish at other positions. In contrast, trailing fish consumed few fish prey but a larger proportion of benthic invertebrates. Our results are the first to document systematic heterogeneous feeding success among members of a free-ranging and migrating fish shoal in the open ocean.     

Screening and characterisation of potentially pathogenic bacteria associated with Atlantic cod Gadus morhua larvae: bath challenge trials using a multidish system

In intensive aquaculture systems, high concentrations of nutrients and high densities of fish larvae provide favorable conditions for opportunistic pathogenic bacteria to flourish. We screened potentially pathogenic bacterial strains isolated from moribund Atlantic cod Gadus morhua larvae, pollack Pollachius pollachius, coalfish Pollachius virens, Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus, rotifers, algae and water samples from different hatcheries. Three identical challenge experiments tested a total of 53 strains. A multidish system was used: cod eggs were placed in single wells, together with 2 ml of sterile seawater, and exposed to the bacterial cultures. Final bacterial concentrations in the wells were 10(6) and 10(4) CFU ml(-1). Eggs and larvae not exposed to bacteria were used as unchallenged controls. Challenged controls were exposed to Vibrio anguillarum strain 610. Eggs were challenged approximately 48 h prior to hatching and mortality was recorded daily throughout the yolk-sac period. In spite of the high challenge dose of 106 CFU ml(-1), only 5 bacterial strains tested caused higher mortality than the unchallenged controls. Four of these strains were identified by 16S rDNA and gyrase B gene (GyrB) sequencing as resembling V. anguillarum and 1 strain resembled Carnobacterium sp. Most of the larvae exposed to these strains died within 10 d of challenge. Serotyping of the strains resembling V. anguillarum gave inconclusive results. This indicates differences in serology compared to the serotypes O1, O2 and O3, associated with disease. Three bacterial strains seemed to have a slower infection rate, indicating a longer incubation period. The remaining 45 strains did not seem to have a negative effect on larval survival, suggesting that these are not primary pathogens.     

Microtubule-associated proteins-dependent colchicine stability of acetylated cold-labile brain microtubules from the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua

Assembly of brain microtubule proteins isolated from the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, was found to be much less sensitive to colchicine than assembly of bovine brain microtubules, which was completely inhibited by low colchicine concentrations (10 microM). The degree of disassembly by colchicine was also less for cod microtubules. The lack of colchicine effect was not caused by a lower affinity of colchicine to cod tubulin, as colchicine bound to cod tubulin with a dissociation constant, Kd, and a binding ratio close to that of bovine tubulin. Cod brain tubulin was highly acetylated and mainly detyrosinated, as opposed to bovine tubulin. When cod tubulin, purified by means of phosphocellulose chromatography, was assembled by addition of DMSO in the absence of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), the microtubules became sensitive to low concentrations of colchicine. They were, however, slightly more stable to disassembly, indicating that posttranslational modifications induce a somewhat increased stability to colchicine. The stability was mainly MAPs dependent, as it increased markedly in the presence of MAPs. The stability was not caused by an extremely large amount of cod MAPs, since there were slightly less MAPs in cod than in bovine microtubules. When "hybrid" microtubules were assembled from cod tubulin and bovine MAPs, these microtubules became less sensitive to colchicine. This was not a general effect of MAPs, since bovine MAPs did not induce a colchicine stability of microtubules assembled from bovine tubulin. We can therefore conclude that MAPs can induce colchicine stability of colchicine labile acetylated tubulin.     

Spermatogenesis in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua): a novel model of cystic germ cell development

Precocious male puberty significantly compromises sustainability aspects of aquaculture in a number of finfish species. As part of a program aiming to understand and eventually control testis maturation in farmed Atlantic cod, we studied the first reproductive cycle. The gonadosomatic index shows a 41-fold increase from immature (August) to mature (March) stages, reaching almost 10% of the total body weight. The paired cod testes are composed of several lobes arranged around a central collecting duct. In each individual lobe, spermatogenesis occurs in a marked gradient of development, with undifferentiated spermatogonia in the periphery of the lobe and the most advanced germ cells in the vicinity of the collecting duct, suggesting a tight spatiotemporal organization of spermatogenesis in the testis lobes of this species. Spermatogonial proliferation starts in August and continues for about 6 mo. Meiosis and spermiogenesis are first observed in October and are completed in all cysts by February, when a 2-mo-long spawning season starts. Spermatogonia go through 11 mitotic divisions before differentiating to primary spermatocytes. Apoptosis is rare, but when observed it occurs mainly during the last spermatogonial generations. Our observations suggest a model in which a maturational wave progresses through each growing lobe that is first driven by appositional growth from the lobe's periphery, reflecting spermatogonial proliferation and cyst formation which, when ceasing, is terminated by completing spermiogenesis and spermiation that progress toward the lobe's periphery.