Enhanced Bacterial Disease Resistance of Transgenic Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Possessing Cecropin Genes

The cecropin B gene from the moth Hyalophora cecropia, driven by the cytomegalovirus promoter, was transferred to the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Transgenic individuals (P1) were mated to produce individuals (F1) that exhibited enhanced disease resistance and survival when challenged with pathogenic bacteria. During the epizootic of Flavobacterium columnare in an earthen pond, the percentage of transgenic individuals containing preprocecropin B construct that survived (100%) was significantly greater (P <0.005) THAN THAT OF NONTRANSGENIC CONTROLS (27.3%). ALSO, WHEN CHALLENGED IN TANKS WITH EDWARDSIELLA ICTALURI, THE CAUSATIVE AGENT OF ENTERIC SEPTICEMIA OF CATFISH, THE PERCENTAGE OF TRANSGENIC INDIVIDUALS CONTAINING CATFISH IG LEADER CECROPIN B CONSTRUCT THAT SURVIVED (40.7%) WAS SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER (P <0.01) THAN THAT OF NONTRANSGENIC CONTROLS (14.8%). THERE WERE NO PLEIOTROPIC EFFECTS OF THE TRANSGENES, AND GROWTH RATES OF THE TRANSGENIC AND NONTRANSGENIC SIBLINGS WERE NOT DIFFERENT (P > 0.05). Inheritance of the transgene by the F1 generation, 20.2% to 30.7% was typical of that in studies with transgenic channel catfish.     

Effect of Rainbow Trout Growth Hormone Complementary DNA on Body Shape,Carcass Yield,and Carcass Composition of F1 and F2 Transgenic Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio

The effect of rainbow trout growth hormone complementary DNA on body shape, dress-out yield, and body composition were assessed in the F1 and F2 generations of transgenic common carp (Cyprinus carpio). All measurements were compared with those for nontransgenic full-sibling common carp in their respective families, and the fish were communally evaluated in earthen ponds. The body weight and length were highly correlated (P <0.01) in both genotypes in all the families. Head morphometrics were negatively correlated (P <0.05) to weight and length of the fish. Various head, body, and caudal traits grew disproportionately faster in transgenic fish in both generations. The altered body shape of transgenic fish resulted in improved dressing percentage in the F2 generation. The carcass composition of transgenic muscle had a lower percentage of (P <0.01) moisture and lipids and higher (P <0.01) percentage of protein in both generations. Six of the 18 amino acids analyzed in F1 transgenic common carp muscle were higher F1 (P <0.05) than the control genotype; however, amino acid ratios were minimally changed. Also, the fatty acid profiles of both genotypes were minimally altered. Higher histidine and lysine ratios in the diet are recommended for maximum growth and health of transgenic common carp in intensive culture systems on the basis of essential amino acid ratios.     

Book Reviews

Books reviewed in this article:
THE CONTROL OF GROWTH AND DIFFERENTIATION IN PLANTS . 2nd Edition, by P. F. W areing & I. D. J. P hillips
THE PLANT PROTECTION DISCIPLINE . By W. H. S ill     

Book Reviews

Books reviewed in this article:
DIFFERENTIATION AND THE CONTROL OF DEVELOPMENT IN PLANTS—POTENTIAL FOR CHEMICAL MODIFICATION . Ed. E. C. G eorge .
ENVIRONMENTAL INSTRUMENTATION . By L eo J. F ritschen & L loyd W. G ay
ADVANCES IN BOTANICAL RESEARCH, VOLUME 7 . Ed. H. W. W oolhouse .
PRINCIPLES OF GENE MANIPULATION: AN INTRODUCTION TO GENETIC ENGINEERING . By R. W. O ld and S. B. P rimrose     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
A MANUAL OF MAMMALOGY By A. F. DeBlase & R. E. Martin. W. C. Brown & Co.
SOUND RECEPTION IN MAMMALS Ed. by R. J. Bench, A. Pye & J. D. Pye. Symp. Zool. Soc.
MAMMALS OF EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA By R. M. Bere
WILD CATS OF THE WORLD By C. A. W. Guggisberg
MAMMALS OF THE WORLD By H. Hvass
ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF RODENTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE Report of a WHO Scientific Group. Technical Report Series 553
ZOOLOGIE ET ASSISTANCE TECHNIQUE Ed. by J. C. Ruwet, FULREAC
STRUCTURAL MATERIALS IN ANIMALS By C. H. Brown     

Effects of sustained predation by fast‐growing transgenic common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) on gastropods in artificial environments

The present study addressed the effects of growth hormone‐transgenic and non‐transgenic common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) predation on the community and populations of four gastropod species cultured in artificial environments. After a 110‐day population‐based predation experiment (three replicate pools [16 m²] for each genotype with one fish [total length 45.0~51.4 cm] and 150 Bellamya aeruginosa (Reeve 1863) per pool), there were no significant effects of predation by either transgenic or non‐transgenic carp on the biomass, number, or size selectivity of the population. Following a 10‐day community‐based predation experiment (three replicate pools [16 m²] for each genotype with one fish [total length 45.0~50.5 cm] and 150 Alocinma longicornis (Benson 1842), 100 Parafossarulus sinensis (Neunayr 1883), 55 B. aeruginosa, and 33 Radix auricularia L. per pool), the consumption rate and the number of gastropods predated by transgenic carp were 2.60 times and 2.85 times higher, respectively, than those of non‐transgenic carp. Furthermore, the biomass of A. longicornis, P. sinensis and B. aeruginosa consumed by transgenic carp was significantly (p < .05) higher than that by non‐transgenic carp. There was a significant difference in the type selection of the four gastropods by the transgenic and non‐transgenic carp, but both predators preferred R. auricularia and avoided B. aeruginosa. Compared with the non‐transgenic carp, predation by transgenic carp resulted in a significant decrease in A. longicornis (p < .05) and an increase in B. aeruginosa (p < .05). These results indicate that the effects of predation by both transgenic and non‐transgenic carp on the B. aeruginosa population tend to be similar, but their effects on the community composed of the four gastropods were significant different. This information may be useful for assessing the environmental risk of transgenic carp.     

Vitreoscilla Hemoglobin (VHb) Overexpression Increases Hypoxia Tolerance in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Aquaculture farming may benefit from genetically engineering fish to tolerate environmental stress. Here, we used the vector pCVCG expressing the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (vhb) gene driven by the common carp β-actin promoter to create stable transgenic zebrafish. The survival rate of the 7-day-old F₂ transgenic fish was significantly greater than that of the sibling controls under 2.5% O₂ (dissolved oxygen (DO), 0.91 mg/l). Meanwhile, we investigated the relative expression levels of several marker genes (hypoxia-inducible factor alpha 1, heat shock cognate 70-kDa protein, erythropoietin, beta and alpha globin genes, lactate dehydrogenase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) of transgenic fish and siblings after hypoxia exposure for 156 h. The expression profiles of the vhb transgenic zebrafish revealed that VHb could partially alleviate the hypoxia stress response to improve the survival rate of the fish. These results suggest that that vhb gene may be an efficient candidate for genetically modifying hypoxia tolerance in fish.     

Cryoprotectants Reduce Protein Oxidation and Structure Deterioration Induced by Freeze-Thaw Cycles in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Surimi

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of a cryoprotectant (a mixture of sucrose and sorbitol) on protein and lipid oxidation and structural changes in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) surimi subjected to different numbers of freeze-thaw (FT) cycles. Increased numbers of FT cycles were accompanied by increases in carbonyl content and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances values and concomitant decreases in sulphydryl group (P<0.05) content, revealing that multiple FT cycles could cause protein and lipid oxidation in the carp tissue. Myofibrillar protein isolated from FT surimi also showed a reduced ATPase activity (P<0.05), increased hydrophobicity (P<0.05), and enhanced susceptibility to thermal aggregation. The addition of cryoprotectants significantly inhibited carbonyl formation and lipid oxidation (P<0.05), and its good protective effect on protein denaturation was demonstrated by its efficacy in maintaining Ca-ATPase activity, reducing the rapid exposure of hydrophobic and sulphydryl groups on the protein surface, and decreasing the degree of protein aggregation. Overall, the use of cryoprotectants reduced protein oxidation and structural deterioration induced by freeze-thaw in common carp surimi.     

Book Reviews

ELECTRON TRANSPORT AND PHOTOPHOS-PHORYLATION, TOPICS IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS , VOL. 4. Edited by J. B arber
THE MATHEMATICS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND PRODUCTIVITY . Experimental Botany. An International Series of Monographs, Vol. 16. By D. A. C harles -E dwards
DIFFERENTIATION IN VITRO . Proceedings of the Fourth Symposium of the British Society for Cell Biology. Edited by M. M. Y eoman & D. E. S. T ruman
PLASMALEMMA AND TONOPLAST: THEIR FUNCTIONS IN THE PLANT CELL . Edited by D. M armè , E. M arrè & R. H ertel
THE PLANT COMMUNITY AS A WORKING MECHANISM , Special Publications Series of the British Ecological Society 1. Edited by E. I. N ewman
THE NATURAL COUMARINS: OCCURRENCE, CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY . By R D. H. M urray , J. M endez & S. A. B rown
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL IN CROP PRODUCTION . Edited by G. C. P apavizas     

两个镜鲤半同胞家系的遗传多样性及经济性状分析

在两个镜鲤半同胞家系中,各随机选取47尾作为实验鱼,测量体重、体长、全长等数量性状,利用24个微卫星分子标记对其进行遗传检测,共检测到57个等位基因,每个基因座的等位基因数为1－6个不等,平均等位基因3.21个,片段长度在134－371bp之间,有效等位基因数Ne为1.00－2.89, 平均观察杂合度Ho为0.00－0.83,平均期望杂合度He为0.00－0.66,平均多态信息含量PIC为0.00－0.58。结果表明：2个家系的遗传多样性处于中度水平,但连锁不平衡分析表明这两个家系在较大的选择压力下,已严重偏离Hardy-Wenberg平衡。利用SPSS程序下的GLM过程对24个微卫星位点与主要经济性状的相关性进行分析,结果发现：HLJ519,HLJ848、HLJ855、HLJE8 4个微卫星位点对镜鲤体重显著影响(p<0.05),其中,位点HLJ519,HLJ848、HLJ855还对体长和全长存在显著影响(p<0.05)。对这些位点基因型所对应的表型均值进行了多重比较,找到了一些对主要经济性状有利的基因型。     

Effect of total dissolved gas supersaturation on the survival of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Flood discharge results in total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation downstream of a dam during the flood period. Fish suffer death from gas bubble disease (GBD) caused by TDG supersaturation. Nonetheless, current studies mainly attach importance to the survival of benthic fish affected by TDG supersaturation in the Yangtze River in China. Few studies have attempted to investigate the survival of pelagic fish influenced by TDG supersaturated water and compare the tolerance characteristics to TDG supersaturation between benthic and pelagic fish. To identify the survival of fish species that inhabit the various water layers affected by TDG supersaturation, silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) (pelagic fish) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) (benthic fish) were chosen to conduct an acute exposure experiment of four different TDG supersaturation levels (125%, 130%, 135% and 140%). The findings illustrated that the two fish species both exhibited evident aberrant behaviours of maladjustment in TDG supersaturated water. Obvious GBD symptoms were also found in the test fish. The survival probability of silver carp and common carp decreased with increasing levels of TDG supersaturation. The median survival time (ST₅₀) values of the silver carp exposed to four levels of TDG supersaturated water (125%, 130%, 135% and 140%) were 26.84, 7.96, 5.56 and 3.62 h, respectively, whereas the ST₅₀ values of common carp were 53.50, 26.00, 16.50 and 11.70 h, respectively. When compared with common carp, silver carp had a weaker tolerance to TDG-supersaturated water and were vulnerable to GBD. It shows that levels above 125% are not safe for common carp survival. In terms of the tolerance threshold value, silver carp merits further investigation because it showed lower tolerance to TDG than did common carp.     

Improving low water activity and desiccation tolerance of the biocontrol agent Pantoea agglomerans CPA-2 by osmotic treatments

AIMS: To study the improvement of tolerance to low water activity (aw) and desiccation during spray drying in Pantoea agglomerans cells subjected to mild osmotic stress during growth. METHODS AND RESULTS: The micro-organism was cultured in an unmodified liquid (control) or in aw-modified media, and viability of these cells was evaluated on unstressed (0.995) and 0.96 aw stressed solid media, in order to check total viability and aw stress tolerance respectively. Significant improvements in viability on unmodified medium were observed with cells grown for 24 h in NaCl 0.98 aw, glycerol 0.98 aw and 0.97 aw and for 48 h in NaCl 0.98 aw and 0.97 aw modified media. Both yield improvements and water stress tolerance were achieved with low aw media. Cells grown for 24 h in NaCl 0.98 aw or for 48 h in NaCl 0.98 aw, 0.97 aw and 0.96 aw, glucose 0.97 aw and glycerol 0.97 aw showed improved aw stress tolerance in comparison with control cells. The best results were obtained with NaCl treatments (0.98 aw and 0.97 aw) which also exhibited better survival rates than control cells during spray-drying process and maintained their efficacy against postharvest fungal pathogens in apples and oranges. CONCLUSIONS: NaCl treatments are very appropriate for improving P. agglomerans low aw tolerance obtaining high production levels and maintaining biocontrol efficacy. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Improving stress tolerance of biocontrol agents could be an efficient way to obtain consistency and maintain efficacy of biological control under practical conditions.     

BOOK REVIEWS

Book review in this article:
THE ALGAL BOWL: LAKES AND MAN by Vallentyne, J. R. Fish.
ANTILLEAN FISH GUIDE, by B. De Boer, D. Hoogerwerf, I. Kristensen & J. Post. Aruba.
COLOR ATLAS OF THE DISEASES OF FISHES, AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES, by E. Elkan & H. H. Reichenbach-Klinke.
EMBRYOLOGIE VON LOLIGO VULGARIS LAM. GEMEINER KALMAR (Embryology of the common squid, Loligo vulgaris Lam.), by Pio Fioroni and Gudrun Meister.
ENDEMISM IN FISHES OF THE CLEAR LAKE REGION OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA, by John D. Hopkirk.
FISH IMMUNOLOGY, by Douglas P. Anderson, edited by Dr Stanislas Snieszko and Dr H. R.
A GUIDE TO THE FRESHWATER SPORT FISHES OF CANADA, by D. E. McAllister & E. J. Crossman.
SEA WATER AQUARIA, by L. A. J. Jackman.     

Dietary lipid requirement on non-specific immune responses in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

This study aimed to evaluate the dietary lipid requirement and its effects on liver oxidative status and non-specific immune responses of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Purified diets with five dietary lipid levels (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%, fish oil/corn oil = 1:1) were each fed to triplicate groups of grass carp (mean initial weight: 6.57 ± 0.01 g) in a recirculating rearing system maintained at 27.5 ± 0.5 °C for 10 weeks. Percent weight gain was highest (P < 0.05) with 5% lipid and lowest in fish fed the lipid free control diet. Feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) in fish followed the same pattern of percent weight gain. Fish fed with lipid containing diets had better non-specific immune response indexes (e.g. phagocytic activity, plasma peroxidase and lysozyme activity) and low-level of liver oxidation status than fish fed with the control diet. But excess dietary lipid supplement would bring over metabolic burden to liver. After the feeding trial, fish were challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila. Fish fed control diet obtained significantly (P < 0.05) lower survival rate. The survival rate was highest with 7.5% lipid. The results of this study indicated that proper dietary lipid supplementation enhanced the immune response of grass carp and improved the survival rate in the bacterial challenge, but excess dietary lipid may elevate liver oxidation rates of grass carp. Analysis by second-order regression of percent weight gain indicated that the optimal dietary lipid level in juvenile grass carp (6.6–35.5 g) is about 6.5%.     

Role of the brain in adaptation of the common and golden carps to adverse factors of chemical origin

Using an indirect solid-phase immunoassay (ELISA test), cytochrome P-450, serotoninmodulated anticonsolidation protein (SMAP) and 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) levels were analyzed in the brain and liver of the common carp Cyprinus carpio L. and golden carp Carassius auratus caught in reservoirs of the Arpachay river (clean zone) and Araks river (polluted zone) in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. Upregulation of cytochrome P-450 (p < 0.05) and SMAP (p < 0.01) in the common carp brain and downregulation of cytochrome P-450 (p < 0.05) and HSP70 (p < 0.05) in the golden carp liver were detected in fish caught in the Araks river reservoir as compared to levels of the same substances in fish from the Arpachay river reservoir. It is concluded that the brain plays a regulatory role in adaptation of animals to adverse environmental conditions and in protection of tissues from negative effects of pollutants.     

Book Reviews

Books reviewed in this article:
THE BIOSYNTHESIS AND METABOLISM OF PLANT HORMONES. Edited by A. C rosier & J. R. H illman
ENCYLOPEDIA OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, NEW SERIES, VOLUME 10. HORMONAL REGULATION OF DEVELOPMENT II. THE FUNCTIONS OF HORMONES FROM THE LEVEL OF THE CELL TO THE WHOLE PLANT. Edited by T om K. S cott
PLANT DISEASES. INFECTION, DAMAGE AND LOSS. Edited by R. K. S. W ood & G. J. J elus
PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS. MOLECULAR AND GENETIC PERSPECTIVES. Vol. I. Edited by T. K osuge & E. W. N ester
PRINCIPLES OF GENE MANIPULATION: AN INTRODUCTION TO GENETIC ENGINEERING (3rd edn). By R. W. O ld & S. B. P rimrose     

Transgenic Common Carp Do Not Have the Ability to Expand Populations

The ecological safety of transgenic organisms is an important issue of international public and political concern. The assessment of ecological risks is also crucial for realizing the beneficial industrial application of transgenic organisms. In this study, reproduction of common carp (Cyprinus carpio, CC) in isolated natural aquatic environments was analyzed. Using the method of paternity testing, a comparative analysis was conducted on the structure of an offspring population of “all-fish” growth hormone gene-transgenic common carp (afgh-CC) and of wild CC to evaluate their fertility and juvenile viability. Experimental results showed that in a natural aquatic environment, the ratio of comparative advantage in mating ability of afgh-CC over wild CC was 1∶1, showing nearly identical mating competitiveness. Juvenile viability of afgh-CC was low, and the average daily survival rate was less than 98.00%. After a possible accidental escape or release of transgenic CC into natural aquatic environments they are unable to monopolize resources from eggs of natural CC populations, leading to the extinction of transgenic CC. Transgenic CC are also unlikely to form dominant populations in natural aquatic environments due to their low juvenile viability. Thus, it is expected that the proportion of afgh-CC in the natural environment would remain low or gradually decline, and ultimately disappear.     

Determination of the surface area of common carp,Cyprinus carpio L.

A wrap method adaptation combined with AutoCAD2005 and Scion Image for Windows were used to determine the surface area of a fish. Compared with the corresponding r² and F of many models, the most accurate formula: S = 752.15W^0.675 (r² = 0.999, F = 18362.94, P < 0.0001) for estimating the surface area of common carp was obtained. Similarly, the fin formula: S = 1834.12W^0.708 (r² = 0.992, F = 2690.47, P < 0.0001) was also obtained for the same purpose. It was proven that these two formulae gave good estimates of surface and fin areas of four strains of common carp: Yellow‐river carp, fancy carp, mirror carp and Xingguo red carp.