埋植17α-甲基睾酮诱导点带石斑鱼性转化技术

论述了埋植17α-甲基睾酮诱导点带石斑鱼(Epinephelus malabaricus)性转化的方法,包括药物的处理、用量、手术操作等．3龄的雌性点带石斑鱼经过2次埋植外源激素手术转化为功能性雄鱼,139d后58％可挤出精液,301d后100％可挤出精液．功能性雄鱼用于人工繁殖,亲鱼自然产卵。1999～2000年2年内共孵出仔鱼7103万尾．所得仔鱼用于鱼苗培育,得到发育正常的幼鱼．认为埋植外源激素诱导点带石斑鱼完成性转化的方法简便可行,能满足规模化人工繁殖的需要．     

雄烯二酮对赤点石斑鱼内分泌及性腺发育的影响

采用腹部埋植法,应用连续组织切片技术、放射免疫测定方法和半定量RT-PCR技术,检测了间隔30d3次埋植不同剂量（高剂量H：100μg／g体重,低剂量L：10μg／g体重）的雄烯二酮（4-androstene-3,17-dine,ADSD）诱导2龄赤点石斑鱼性腺发育过程中血清性类固醇激素含量、芳香化酶表达和活性的变化。结果显示：第1次埋植ADSD后30d即可诱导雌性赤点石斑鱼发生不同程度的性逆转,性腺成熟指数明显下降,性腺中卵细胞退化,精原细胞增殖,出现大量精母细胞和精子细胞,第1次埋植ADSD后30d经轻微挤压腹部有10％（低剂量组）和15％（高剂量组）的鱼可排精;第2次埋植后30d明显提高性逆转效果,排精率分别达到80％和86．7％,性逆转雄鱼的精巢在组织结构上与正常雄鱼精巢一样,精子活力与正常雄鱼相同,对照组鱼卵巢发育良好;第3次埋植后30d排精率分别为90％和80％,埋植ADSD后性腺芳香化酶（P450aromA）表达和活性显著降低,脑芳香化酶（P450aromB）表达显著升高,前脑芳香化酶活性显著升高,血清T,11-KT水平显著高于对照组,而血清E2水平先升高,然后逐渐降低。说明血清T,11-KT水平增加,性腺芳香化酶表达及活性降低在控制雌雄同体的赤点石斑鱼的性转化和精子发生中起重要作用。     

芳香化酶抑制剂letrozole对赤点石斑鱼(Epinephelus akaara)性逆转的作用

在繁殖季节,采用腹部埋植方式,用非类固醇型芳香化酶抑制剂（aromatase inhibitor,AI）letrozole以5mg／kg体重的剂量处理2龄雌性赤点石斑鱼（每4周埋植1次,共埋植2次）,检查埋植后性腺组织结构、血清性类固醇激素以及脑和性腺芳香化酶活性的变化。结果显示：一次埋植AI即可有效诱导雌性赤点石斑鱼发生不同程度的性逆转;性腺成熟指数明显下降;性腺中卵细胞退化,精原细胞增殖,出现大量精母细胞和精子细胞;性逆转雄鱼的精巢在组织结构上与正常雄鱼精巢没有明显差异,部分鱼成为功能性雄鱼。第一次埋植AI后4周轻微挤压腹部有14．3％的鱼可排精,精子活力与正常雄鱼相同。第二次埋植后明显提高性逆转效果,排精率在第6、8周分别达到35．3％和48．4％。此外,埋植AI后性腺芳香化酶活性显著降低,化脑郝芳香化酶活性的变化不明显;血清11-酮基睾酮（11-ketotestosterone,11-KT）浓度显著增加,雌二醇（estradiol-17β,E2）水平显著降低,而睾酮（testosterone,T）含量无明显变化。这些结果表明,AI主要通过抑制内源性E2的产生并提高11-KT水平,从而诱导赤点石斑鱼由雌性转变为雄性。     

壳聚糖-HCG缓释制剂对鱼类生殖内分泌机能的影响简

以壳聚糖为原料制备壳聚糖-HCG缓释制剂,进行激素埋植实验,间隔一定时间检测雌和雄鱼性腺发育、血清主要性激素含量和繁殖内分泌相关基因表达特征。结果表明:在埋植壳聚糖-HCG缓释激素后,雌鱼性成熟系数(GSI)、血清睾酮(T)水平、血清雌二醇(E2)水平在6—30d内较对照组效果明显;雄鱼GSI仅在第6天显著高于对照组,血清T水平在第2、第14天高于对照组。血清E2水平在实验期间与对照组无显著差异。RT-PCR结果显示:性腺型P450芳香化酶(CYP19A)在性腺中表达丰富,心脏中最少。雌鱼性腺P450芳香化酶(CYP19A)基因mRNA相对表达量在第2、第6天显著高于对照组,雄鱼在第6天显著高于对照,雌鱼性腺雌激素受体(ERα)基因mRNA相对表达量在14—30d显著高于对照组,雄鱼在第6至第21天显著高于对照组。研究表明,壳聚糖-HCG缓释制剂一次埋植后可在21d内稳定持久地释放激素,对调节鱼类的生殖机能具有良好的促进效果。     

壳聚糖-HCG缓释制剂对鱼类生殖内分泌机能的影响

以壳聚糖为原料制备壳聚糖-HCG缓释制剂,进行激素埋植实验,间隔一定时间检测雌和雄鱼性腺发育、血清主要性激素含量和繁殖内分泌相关基因表达特征。结果表明:在埋植壳聚糖-HCG缓释激素后,雌鱼性成熟系数（GSI）、血清睾酮（T）水平、血清雌二醇（E2）水平在630d内较对照组效果明显;雄鱼GSI仅在第6天显著高于对照组,血清T水平在第2、第14天高于对照组。血清E2水平在实验期间与对照组无显著差异。RT-PCR结果显示:性腺型P450芳香化酶（CYP19A）在性腺中表达丰富,心脏中最少。雌鱼性腺P450芳香化酶（CYP19A）基因mRNA相对表达量在第2、第6天显著高于对照组,雄鱼在第6天显著高于对照,雌鱼性腺雌激素受体（ER）基因mRNA相对表达量在1430d显著高于对照组,雄鱼在第6至第21天显著高于对照组。研究表明,壳聚糖-HCG缓释制剂一次埋植后可在21d内稳定持久地释放激素,对调节鱼类的生殖机能具有良好的促进效果。       

石斑鱼性反转相关基因 ECaM的克隆及表达特征分析

用甲睾酮片饲喂 2 ～ 4 龄赤点石斑鱼 (Epinephelus akaara) , 6 周后 90% 以上的雌鱼性逆转为功能性雄鱼 . 运用抑制性差减杂交技术 (SSH) ,结合 SMART cDNA 合成和 RACE-PCR 方法,从性反转雄鱼性腺中克隆到钙调蛋白基因 (ECaM). 该基因 cDNA 全长为 582 bp ,开放阅读框长 450 bp ,编码的蛋白质由 149 个氨基酸组成, 5 ′端非编码区 74 bp , 3 ′端非编码区 58 bp. 虚拟 RNA 印迹表明, ECaM 在性反转雄鱼性腺中表达,而在正常雌鱼性腺中表达微弱 . 各种组织的半定量 RT-PCR 显示, ECaM 在脑、心、肝、脾、肾都有转录,在精巢和下丘脑中表达水平较高,而在肌肉中表达甚弱 . 性反转不同时期性腺的半定量 RT-PCR 及蛋白质印迹表明,性逆转过程中性腺里 ECaM 的表达量逐渐增加 . 上述结果提示钙调蛋白可能在赤点石斑鱼性逆转过程中发挥着作用, ECaM 可能是促使石斑鱼由雌向雄转变的重要功能基因之一 .     

LHRH-A缓释剂对雌性赤点石斑鱼卵巢发育、性类固醇激素分泌及脑垂体GTH细胞超微结构的影响

取75尾网箱养殖的2～3龄雌性赤点石斑鱼,分为3组（高、低剂量组和对照组）,各25尾。高剂量组埋植促黄体生成索释放激素类似物（LHRH—A）缓释剂,剂量为300μg／kg体重,低剂量组为100μg／kg体重,对照组埋植不含LHRH—A的药丸。分别在实验开始和埋植药丸后0、10、20、30、40天抽血,用放射免疫测定血清类固醇激素（E2、T）;解剖鱼体测定相关指标,计算性腺成熟系数;取性腺和肝脏组织常规组织学切片并透射电镜观察。埋植后第10-30天,两种剂量处理组的排卵率均高于对照组,高剂量组显著高于低剂量组。在第10天性腺成熟系数高剂量组为1．055％,卵母细胞已有部分迅速发育到Ⅳ期末（核偏位）;低剂量组相对缓慢。第20天性腺成熟系数高剂量组达1．858％,低剂量组为0．987％;处理组卵母细胞基本发育成熟。埋植后第10天,两处理组血清E2和T水平显著升高;第20天显著下降;此后E2保持在较低的水平,T显著低于对照组水平。超微结构的观察证实脑垂体GTH细胞在LHRH—A缓释剂诱导性腺发育成熟和排卵过程中处于活跃的合成与分泌状态。LHRH—A缓释剂能有效诱导赤点石斑鱼卵巢发育成熟和排卵,而性类固醇激素（E2、T）只与卵黄生成有关,与排卵无关。     

黄颡鱼XX伪雄鱼诱导与全雌种群规模化繁育

研究利用3种雄性化因素, 包括17α-甲基睾丸酮(MT, 5 mg/kg)、来曲唑(LZ, 300 mg/kg)和高温(33.5℃) 联合处理12—65日龄黄颡鱼幼鱼, 并将性成熟的XX伪雄鱼与正常XX雌鱼进行人工繁殖, 开展了全雌黄颡鱼(Tachysurus fulvidraco)规模化繁殖与苗种培育工作。研究发现, MT、LZ和高温共同作用可诱导XX黄颡鱼逆转为生理型雄性, 完全性逆转个体运动型精子比例与XY雄鱼无显著性差异, 组织学切片也显示其精巢中存在大量精子细胞, 推测XX伪雄鱼具有正常的繁殖功能。随后, 以XX伪雄鱼为父本, 正常XX雌鱼为母本开展了规模化人工繁殖, 获得了57万尾基因型全部为XX的黄颡鱼苗种, 并将其成功培育成大规格鱼种。在幼鱼60日龄和120日龄时取样发现, 分别有2.8%和12.0%的个体发生了不同程度的雄性化, 推测其可能受到池塘自然高温的影响而发生了性逆转。其余XX雌鱼卵巢发育良好, 来年繁殖季节可作为规模化人工繁殖的雌性亲本。研究成功开展了全雌黄颡鱼规模化繁育工作, 为全雌黄颡鱼规模化繁育体系的建立提供了基础, 也为黄颡鱼新品种选育中雌性选育提供了保障。     

转反义sGnRH基因败育鲤鱼的性成熟诱导

采用反义转基因技术已成功获得整合CAsGnRHpc-antisense基因的转基因鲤鱼,简称AS-sGnRH F0鲤鱼.通过挤压1年龄AS-sGnRH F0鲤鱼的腹部,发现该群体中有精液/无精液个体比例为33/69,与对照组鲤鱼中有精液/无精液个体比例接近1：1相比存在显著差异.通过注射鲤鱼垂体抽提物诱导无精液AS-sGnRH F0鲤鱼恢复繁殖功能,获得3尾育性被恢复的AS-sGnRH F0鲤鱼.进一步的解剖观察发现,在无精液AS-sGnRH F0鲤鱼群体中,完全无性腺的AS-sGnRH F0鲤鱼比例约31.3%.根据直观的挤精液和解剖学观察,推测在AS-sGnRH F0鲤鱼群体中,雄鱼：雌鱼：＂脂肪型＂性腺个体的比例大约为35：45：20%.受精卵发育12 h后,统计A、B、C系AS-sGnRH F0鲤鱼精子的受精率分别为73.94、59.45和64.05%.从A、B、C系杂交后代F1分别随机取样100尾,PCR检测的阳性率分别为0、78.1和87.8%.研究结果表明通过补充外源激素可以使促性腺激素分泌不足而不育的AS-sGnRH F0鲤鱼恢复具有产生成熟配子的能力.     

性逆转石斑鱼脑垂体差异表达基因克隆的筛选

以17α甲基睾丸酮投喂赤点石斑鱼(Epinephelusakaara),成功地获得了性逆转的有功能的雄鱼。用SMARTcDNA合成和长片段PCR技术构建了性逆转前后脑垂体cDNA文库;用抑制消减杂交技术建立了性反转前后抑制性差减文库。对获得的560个雄鱼脑垂体PCR阳性克隆和350个雌鱼脑垂体PCR阳性克隆进行斑点杂交,共筛选到103个差异表达cDNA片段。对其中29个克隆进行了测序,与GenBank中的已知基因序列进行同源性比较,发现有6个片段为促性腺激素α亚基前体基因(GenBank注册号:AY207430),与同属不同种的石斑鱼促性腺激素α亚基前体基因有97%的同源性;1个片段为生长激素前体(GenBank注册号:AY207431),与同属不同种的石斑鱼生长激素前体基因有99%的同源性;其余22个cDNA片段与GenBank中的序列无明显同源性 。     

Effects of androgens on sex differentiation of the urodele Pleurodeles waltl

In nonmammalian vertebrates, steroids have been hypothesized to induce somatic sex differentiation, since manipulations of the steroidal environment of gonads have led to various degrees of sex reversal. Whereas the critical role of estrogens in ovarian differentiation is well documented, studies on androgens have produced a perplexing variety of results depending upon species variations and nature of androgens used. In this way, testosterone induces masculinization of females in some species but provokes paradoxical feminization of males in many other species such as the urodelan Pleurodeles waltl. In reptiles this phenomenon could be interpreted by conversion of exogenous testosterone to estradiol by aromatase. Treatments of Pleurodeles larvae with nonaromatizable androgens bring support to this hypothesis and suggest a role of androgens in sex differentiation. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) could not induce the paradoxical feminization of ZZ larvae. In addition, DHT as well as 11beta-hydroxy-androstenedione could drive a functional male differentiation of ZW larvae. Moreover, other 5alpha reduced androgens also induced sex reversal of female larvae. Yet, the 5alpha reductase inhibitor CGP 53133 and antiandrogens such as flutamide or cyproterone acetate did not exert any effect on male sex differentiation of ZZ larvae. Though the precise role of androgens is still unknown, especially for 11-oxygenated androgens, our results suggest an implication in male sex differentiation. In this way, testosterone could play a pivotal role in being metabolized either into other androgens during testis differentiation or into estradiol during ovarian differentiation.     

三倍体虹鳟性转换及性腺发育的研究

用高温刺激法获得三倍体虹鳟幼鱼。从开始投饵起,分别投喂含有不同浓度17β-雌二醇(0～60μg/μg)的饵料,持续60天,获得了93%～100%的高三倍体雌性率(对照组的雌性率为52%)。三倍体雄鱼可观察到其精子形成,但性腺成熟度较相对的二倍体差;三倍体雌鱼的生殖细胞多停留在偶线期到粗线期,未发现有性成熟个体。实验结果推测,三倍体虹鳟雌鱼的不育现象看来不是由于雌雄基因组的组成差异而致,更可能是由于三组染色体造成对虹鳟卵巢发育更大的阻力。雌二醇处理对三倍体虹鳟幼鱼的生长和成活没有明显的影响。     

Sex reversal in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor

Several studies have demonstrated that steroid hormones can influence sex differentiation in nonmammalian vertebrates and it has been hypothesized that male and female sex differentiation are driven by androgen and estrogen hormones, respectively. Estrogen biosynthesis is mediated by the steroidogenic enzyme cytochrome P450 aromatase, which converts androgens to estrogens. In the present study we examined the efficacy of a potent nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor incorporated into the food, on sex reversal of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larvae. Nile tilapia larvae were divided in seven groups, which were fed with diets containing different amounts of the aromatase inhibitor Fadrozole (0, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg) during 15 and 30 days, starting 9 days after hatching. Independent of the period, the proportion of males was significantly higher in the treated groups. Treatment with the highest doses (75 and 100 mg/kg) for 30 days produced 100% males. Histological examination revealed no differences in gonadal tissues between control males and treated fish. Furthermore, one intersex fish was identified in the group treated with 50 mg Fadrozole/kg for 30 days. This study reports that a 100% Nile tilapia male population can be obtained by suppressing aromatase activity and suggests that besides steroid hormones, nonsteroidal compounds, such as aromatase inhibitors, have potential for production of monosex population in tilapia. J. Exp. Zool. 290:177-181, 2001.     

Hormonal sex reversal of wild-spawned tilapia in India

The effectiveness of methyltestosterone (MT) for sex reversal and growth promotion in Oreochromis mossambicus was studied in culture experiments in India. Wild-spawned fry were treated with 30 μg MT g⁻¹ diet for 30 or 60 days at two feeding levels (initially 20% or 10% of body weight daily). The fish were grown on for 66–96 days after the hormone treatment period in fertilized cement ponds without supplementary feeding. Tilapia treated with MT for 60 days attained an average weight of 29.0 g compared to 18.8 g for untreated fish reared under similar conditions. The percentage of males among the untreated tilapia was 58%, MT treatment for 30 days significantly increased this percentage at the higher feeding level (79% male), but not at the lower feeding level (51%). More than 90% of the tilapia in both 60 day MT treatment groups were male; 3% of all the fish reared showed an intersex condition. The experiments demonstrated that the anabolic and sex reversal effects of MT on tilapia are proportional to the duration of treatment and quantity of hormone administered. The possible application of monosex tilapia culture in tropical countries is noted.     

Monogamy and sex role reversal in the pipefish Corythoichthys haematopterus

We observed the mating pattern and social behaviour of the pipefish Corythoichthys haematopterus in temperate waters of Japan during three successive breeding seasons. Males cared for a clutch in their brood pouch for 9-19 days until hatching and had several broods in the season with nonbrooding intervals of only 1 or 2 days. The population sex ratio was female biased and some females were always excluded from reproduction. Although males were sometimes courted by unmated females together with their regular partners, they always mated with the latter. The pair bond was maintained until the next season if both members survived. When males lost their partners, they remated with neighbouring unmated females within a few days. In contrast, widowed females remained unmated for a long time. Females had larger home ranges and were more active in courtship displays than males. This pipefish provides the first example of sex role reversal among monogamous syngnathid fish. We suggest that mate guarding by females is a primary proximate factor for maintenance of monogamy in this fish. Copyright 2001 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.     

Induction of XY sex reversal by estrogen involves altered gene expression in a teleost, tilapia

To clarify the importance of endogenous estrogens during sex differentiation in a teleost fish, the Nile tilapia, we examined the target events for endogenous estrogens and their role during gonadal sex differentiation. The expression of CYP19a (P450arom) precedes any morphological gonadal sex differentiation. Further to these findings, the treatment of XX fry with non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI), Fadrozole, from seven to 14 days after hatching caused complete sex reversal to functional males. The XX sex reversal induced by AI was rescued completely with simultaneous estrogen treatment. We also found that XY fry treated with estrogen, before the appearance of morphological sex differences, caused complete sex reversal from males to females. Taken together, these results suggest that endogenous estrogens are required for ovarian differentiation. To identify the down-stream gene products of estrogen during ovarian differentiation, we performed subtractive hybridization using mRNA derived from normal and estrogen treated XY gonads. Two out of ten gene products were expressed in germ cells, whereas the others were expressed in somatic cells.     

The influence of increased line-fishing mortality on the sex ratio and age of sex reversal of the venus tusk fish

The age of sex reversal of the venus tusk fish Choerodon venustus , caught by line fishing at various locations on the southern Great Barrier Reef, indicated that C. venustus is capable of modifying its life cycle in response to increased mortality. The evidence suggests Masthead Reef fish, which experience the highest mortality, underwent sex reversal at a smaller size and younger age than at the other sites. The largest female fish, sexually transitional fish and males were smaller at Masthead Reef than at the Swains Reefs or One Tree Reef at Masthead Reef. There was also considerable overlap in the size of males and females within the exploited populations indicating that sex reversal is not initiated at a particular length but may have a social cause. The sex ratio of fish was essentially the same for fish fully susceptible to line fishing in the Swains and Masthead samples. Circumstantial evidence suggested that the absence of large males in a population may initiate sex reversal, indicating the maintenance of a constant sex ratio may have a social basis.     

Circulating LH levels and the response to exogenous GnRH in the common mole-rat: implications for reproductive regulation in this social, seasonal breeding species

The effects of breeding season and reproductive status on male and female reproduction were investigated in the common mole-rat, Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus, a cooperatively breeding rodent which exhibits a unique combination of seasonal breeding and a reproductive division of labor. Pituitary function was examined by measuring the luteinizing hormone (LH) responses to single doses of 2 microg exogenous gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and physiological saline in 69 males and 58 females from 35 wild caught colonies. Neither males nor females exhibited any apparent manifestation of season on basal LH concentrations or on pituitary sensitivity to stimulation by exogenous GnRH. The continuance of reproductive function during the nonbreeding period is essential in common mole-rat males and females, as this period coincides with the period of maximal dispersal opportunity in the winter rainfall area they inhabit. Normal circulating levels of reproductive hormones in dispersing animals may aid intersexual recognition, assist pairbond formation, and thus prime animals for independent reproduction. Circulating basal concentrations of LH as well as LH levels measured in response to a single exogenous GnRH challenge were not significantly different between the reproductive and non-reproductive groups of either sex, suggest the absence of a physiologically well-defined suppression of reproduction in subordinate common mole-rats.     

A newly developed genetic sex marker and its application to understanding chemically induced feminisation in roach (Rutilus rutilus)

Oestrogenic wastewater treatment works (WwTW) effluents discharged into UK rivers have been shown to affect sexual development, including inducing intersex, in wild roach (Rutilus rutilus). This can result in a reduced breeding capability with potential population level impacts. In the absence of a sex probe for roach it has not been possible to confirm whether intersex fish in the wild arise from genetic males or females, or whether sex reversal occurs in the wild, as this condition can be induced experimentally in controlled exposures to WwTW effluents and a steroidal oestrogen. Using restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐seq), we identified a candidate for a genetic sex marker and validated this marker as a sex probe through PCR analyses of samples from wild roach populations from nonpolluted rivers. We also applied the sex marker to samples from roach exposed experimentally to oestrogen and oestrogenic effluents to confirm suspected phenotypic sex reversal from males to females in some treatments, and also that sex‐reversed males are able to breed as females. We then show, unequivocally, that intersex in wild roach populations results from feminisation of males, but find no strong evidence for complete sex reversal in wild roach at river sites contaminated with oestrogens. The discovered marker has utility for studies in roach on chemical effects, wild stock assessments, and reducing the number of fish used where only one sex is required for experimentation. Furthermore, we show that the marker can be applied nondestructively using a fin clip or skin swab, with animal welfare benefits.