Benefits of a predtor-induced morphology in crucian carp

Crucian carp (Carassius carassius) develop a deeper body in response to chemical cues from piscivores. This change in body morphology has been suggested to be a predator-induced defence. Here we investigate the possible benefits of the induced body morphology in laboratory experiments. Pike foraging behaviour when feeding on crucian carp of different body depths was recorded using video. Further, in a preference experiment pike were allowed to choose between shallow-bodied and deep-bodied crucian carp of similar lengths. Crucian carp body morphology did not affect predatory behaviours (activity, searching, following, observing, capture success) in northern pike, but an increase in crucian carp body depth led to an increase in handling time in pike. In the preference experiment, pike preferred shallow-bodied crucian carp over deep-bodied. Thus, a change in body morphology, induced by the presence of piscivores, benefits crucian carp by increasing piscivore handling times and an avoidance of the deep-bodied phenotype.     

Acute adenosinergic cardioprotection in ischemic-reperfused hearts

Cells of the cardiovascular system generate and release purine nucleoside adenosine in increasing quantities when constituent cells are "stressed" or subjected to injurious stimuli. This increased adenosine can interact with surface receptors in myocardial, vascular, fibroblast, and inflammatory cells to modulate cellular function and phenotype. Additionally, adenosine is rapidly reincorporated back into 5'-AMP to maintain the adenine nucleotide pool. Via these receptor-dependent and independent (metabolic) paths, adenosine can substantially modify the acute response to ischemic insult, in addition to generating a more sustained ischemia-tolerant phenotype (preconditioning). However, the molecular basis for acute adenosinergic cardioprotection remains incompletely understood and may well differ from more widely studied preconditioning. Here we review current knowledge and some controversies regarding acute cardioprotection via adenosine and adenosine receptor activation.     

The role of HIRA and maternal histones in sperm nucleus decondensation in the gibel carp and color crucian carp

The histone H3.3 chaperone HIRA is essential for chromatin assembly during male pronucleus formation in Drosophila. However, the role of HIRA during fertilization in vertebrates remains unclear. The gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) is a unique gynogenetic crucian carp (gyno-carp). Heterologous sperm nuclei cannot decondense when incorporated in the egg, thus the eggs produce a clonal lineage of all females by typical gynogenesis. In contrast, after entering the egg, homologous sperm can undergo decondensation and sexual reproduction is activated, which may produce both female and male offspring. Therefore, this fish is a useful model for studying the mechanisms of fertilization. Herein, we first compared HIRA expression during embryogenesis between gyno-carp and the gonochoristic color crucian carp (Carassius auratus; gono-carp). In gono-carp, a dramatic reduction of HIRA protein occurs shortly after fertilization, whereas HIRA protein is consistently expressed during embryogenesis of gyno-carp. Next, we used immunodepletion and an in vitro sperm decondensation system, and found that complete removal of HIRA inhibited sperm decondensation in both of the fish. Immunofluorescence localization showed that in the condensed sperm nuclei of gono-carp incubated in gyno-carp egg extracts, HIRA was detected, but neither the histone H2A variant H2af1o nor acetylated histone H4 was observed. These results suggest that HIRA may be a critical factor required for sperm nucleus decondensation, while the defect in deposition of some maternal histones in the sperm nucleus could be one reason why heterologous sperm cannot decondense in the gibel carp egg.     

Antipredator phenotype in crucian carp altered by a psychoactive drug

Predator‐inducible defenses constitute a widespread form of adaptive phenotypic plasticity, and such defenses have recently been suggested linked with the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system is a target of endocrine disruptors, such as psychoactive pharmaceuticals, which are common aquatic contaminants. We hypothesized that exposure to an antidepressant pollutant, fluoxetine, influences the physiological stress response in our model species, crucian carp, affecting its behavioral and morphological responses to predation threat. We examined short‐ and long‐term effects of fluoxetine and predator exposure on behavior and morphology in crucian carp. Seventeen days of exposure to a high dose of fluoxetine (100 µg/L) resulted in a shyer phenotype, regardless of the presence/absence of a pike predator, but this effect disappeared after long‐term exposure. Fluoxetine effects on morphological plasticity were context‐dependent as a low dose (1 µg/L) only influenced crucian carp body shape in pike presence. A high dose of fluoxetine strongly influenced body shape regardless of predator treatment. Our results highlight that environmental pollution by pharmaceuticals could disrupt physiological regulation of ecologically important inducible defenses.     

Genomic variation in the hybrids of white crucian carp and red crucian carp: evidence from ribosomal DNA

In this study, we conducted a cross of white crucian carp(♀)×red crucian carp(♂)(WR), and characterized the morphology, reproduction and genetics of the progeny. Different from parents, WR with the gray color showed the hybrid morphological traits of both parents. WR possessed normal gonads producing mature eggs or sperm, and exhibited high fertilization rate(90.2%) and high hatchery rate(80.5%), which contributed to produce and enlarge the population. WR with the same DNA content as parents was a diploid fish with 100 chromosomes(2n=100). Amplified ITS of 45 S r DNA, in WR the sequences consisting of 884 bp bases of the entire ITS-1 region, 5.8 S region, and entire ITS-2 region. The sequences showed high similarity between WR and its parents and leaned towards male inheritance. In WR, NTS of 5S r DNA consisted of three length types with total 654 bp bases. From sequence analysis of NTS, WR shared 94.2% and 95.1% similarities with their female and male parent, respectively. Sequence analysis of ITS and NTS revealed that there existed recombination and variation in the hybrid progeny, which was the genetic base for adaptation and speciation. In conclusion, we obtained WR from hybridization and it exhibited hybrid traits in morphology and variation in genetic composition showing essential difference with its parents. The obtainment of WR has important significance in fish genetic breeding.     

Predator-induced morphology enhances escape locomotion in crucian carp

Fishes show a remarkable diversity of shapes which have been associated with their swimming abilities and anti-predator adaptations. The crucian carp (Carassius carassius) provides an extreme example of phenotypic plasticity in body shape which makes it a unique model organism for evaluating the relationship between body form and function in fishes. In crucian carp, a deep body is induced by the presence of pike (Esox lucius), and this results in lower vulnerability to gape-limited predators, such as pike itself. Here, we demonstrate that deep-bodied crucian carp attain higher speed, acceleration and turning rate during anti-predator responses than shallow-bodied crucian carp. Therefore, a predator-induced morphology in crucian carp enhances their escape locomotor performance. The deep-bodied carp also show higher percentage of muscle mass. Therefore, their superior performance in escape swimming may be due to a combination of higher muscle power and higher thrust.     

Predation risk and feeding patterns of crucian carp

As part of an experimental study of the direct and indirect effects of piscivory on prey fish, the diets of crucian carp Carassius carassius were compared across sections of a divided pond; two sections were stocked with crucian carp alone and two with crucian carp plus perch Perca fluviatilis . Analysis of crucian gut contents indicated that the composition of invertebrate prey did not differ in the presence v . absence of perch. However, crucians, particularly small individuals (<10cm) that were most vulnerable to predation, displayed a lower intake of invertebrate prey in sections with perch. Although diet composition differed between crucians caught in inshore v. offshore habitats (with habitat use being related to crucian size and the presence or absence of perch), no clear pattern existed between habitat and total food intake. Overall, the major effects of predators on the diet of crucian carp appeared to be caused by increased ecological density (resulting from confinement of small crucians inshore) and reduced activity levels, rather than simple shifts to safer habitats.     

Biological characteristics of an improved triploid crucian carp

An improved triploid crucian carp (ITCC) was produced by crossing improved tetraploids (G1×AT, ) with improved red crucian carp (IRCC, ), which were obtained by distant crossing and gynogenesis. The biological characteristics of ITCC, including the number and karyotype of chromosomes, gonadad and pituitary structures, phenotype, and growth rate are reported. ITCC possessed 150 chromosomes with the karyotype 33m+51sm+33st+33t. In the breeding season, both ovary-like and testis-like gonads of ITCC were unable to produce normal mature gametes. The ultrastructure of the pituitary of ITCC showed that most of the endocrine granules in gonadotrophic hormone (GTH) cells had not been re-leased, providing endocrinological evidence for the sterility of ITCC. Compared with triploid crucian carp (TCC) produced by mating Japanese crucian carp with allotetraploid hybrids, ITCC not only re-tained the excellent traits of fast growth rate and sterility, but also acquired improved morphological characteristics, including higher body, shorter tail and smaller head.     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide-mediated cardioprotection of postconditioning in isolated rat hearts

Previous studies have demonstrated that endogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays an important role in mediation of ischemic preconditioning. In the present study, we tested whether CGRP is also involved in mediation of the protective effects of postconditioning in isolated rat hearts. Sixty minutes of left coronary artery occlusion and followed by 60 min of reperfusion caused a significant decrease in cardiac function and a significant increase in creatine kinase (CK) release and infarct size. Postconditioning with three cycles of 1-min ischemia and 1-min reperfusion produced a marked improvement of cardiac function and decreased CK release and infarct size, concomitantly with an increase in the release of CGRP release in coronary effluent. However, the cardioprotection afforded by postconditioning was abolished by CGRP 8-37 (10^− 7 M), a selective CGRP receptor antagonist, or pretreatment with capsaicin (50 mg/kg, s.c.), which depletes transmitters in sensory nerves. Exogenous CGRP (5 × 10^− 9 M) administration of CGRP reappeared postconditioning-like cardioprotection in the rats pretreated with capsaicin. These results suggest that the protective effects of ischemic postconditioning are related to stimulation of endogenous CGRP release in rat hearts.     

Cell proliferation and gill morphology in anoxic crucian carp

Is DNA replication/cell proliferation in vertebrates possible during anoxia? The oxygen dependence of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) could lead to a stop in DNA synthesis, thereby making anoxic DNA replication impossible. We have studied this question in an anoxia-tolerant vertebrate, the crucian carp (Carassius carassius), by examining 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen levels in the gills, intestinal crypts, and liver. We exposed crucian carp to 1 and 7 days of anoxia followed by 7 days of reoxygenation. There was a reduced incidence of S-phase cells (from 12.2 to 5.0%) in gills during anoxia, which coincided with a concomitant increase of G(0) cells. Anoxia also decreased the number of S-phase cells in intestine (from 8.1 to 1.8%). No change in the fraction of S-phase cells ( approximately 1%) in liver was found. Thus new S-phase cells after 7 days of anoxia were present in all tissues, revealing a considerable rate of DNA synthesis. Subsequently, the oxygen-dependent subunit of crucian carp RNR (RNRR2) was cloned. We found no differences in amino acids involved in radical generation and availability of the iron center compared with mouse, which could have explained reduced oxygen dependence. Furthermore, the amount of RNRR2 mRNA in gills did not decrease throughout anoxia exposure. These results indicate that crucian carp is able to sustain some cell proliferation in anoxia, possibly because RNRR2 retains its tyrosyl radical in anoxia, and that the replication machinery is still maintained. Although hypoxia triggers a 7.5-fold increase of respiratory surface area in crucian carp, this response was not triggered in anoxia.     

Energetic consequences of an inducible morphological defence in crucian carp

Crucian carp (Carassius carassius) increases in body depth in response to chemical cues from piscivores and the deeper body constitutes a morphological defence against gape-limited piscivores. In the field, deep-bodied individuals suffer a density-dependent cost when competing with shallow-bodied conspecifics. Here, we use hydrodynamic theory and swimming respirometry to investigate the proposed mechanism underlying this effect, high drag caused by the deep-bodied morphology. Our study confirms that drag is higher for deep-bodied crucian carp, both in terms of estimated theoretical drag and power curve steepness. However, deep-bodied fish swimming at the velocity associated with minimum cost of transport, U _mc, did not experience higher costs of transport than shallow-bodied fish. Deep-bodied crucian carp had significantly lower standard metabolic rates, i.e. metabolic rates at rest, and also lower U _mc, and the resulting costs of transport were similar for the two morphs. Nevertheless, when deep-bodied individuals deviate from U _mc, e.g. when increasing foraging effort under competition, their steeper power curves will cause substantial energy costs relative to shallow-bodied conspecifics. Furthermore, there is evidence that reductions in standard metabolic rate incur costs in terms of lower stress tolerance, reduced growth rate, and life history changes. Thus, this work provides links between hydrodynamics, a cost-reducing mechanism, and a density-dependent fitness cost associated with an inducible defence. Received: 22 March 1999 / Accepted: 14 June 1999     

三倍体湘云鲫线粒体DNA序列变异性分析

对26尾三倍体湘云鲫的线粒体tRNA-Thr基因、tRNA-Pro基因和部分控制区的核苷酸序列进行了测定,获得26条长度为837—839 bp的同源基因序列,共发现65个多态性核苷酸变异位点,多态位点比例为0.077,定义了8种单元型。在湘云鲫8种单元型中确认了DNA复制终止相关的序列TAS、中央保守区序列(CSB-F、CSB-E和CSB-D)和保守序列CSB1,8种单元型含有3—5个TAS序列。在65个变异位点中,大部分序列变异为转换,8种单元型之间的序列差异在0.1%—6.3%之间。该研究为三倍体湘云鲫的繁殖和遗传改良提供了一些有价值的信息。     

Evidence for recombination of mitochondrial DNA in triploid crucian carp

In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of the allotetraploid and triploid crucian carp and compare the complete mtDNA sequences between the triploid crucian carp and its female parent Japanese crucian carp and between the triploid crucian carp and its male parent allotetraploid. Our results indicate that the complete mtDNA nucleotide identity (98%) between the triploid crucian carp and its male parent allotetraploid was higher than that (93%) between the triploid crucian carp and its female parent Japanese crucian carp. Moreover, the presence of a pattern of identity and difference at synonymous sites of mitochondrial genomes between the triploid crucian carp and its parents provides direct evidence that triploid crucian carp possessed the recombination mtDNA fragment (12,759 bp) derived from the paternal fish. These results suggest that mtDNA recombination was derived from the fusion of the maternal and paternal mtDNAs. Compared with the haploid egg with one set of genome from the Japanese crucian carp, the diploid sperm with two sets of genomes from the allotetraploid could more easily make its mtDNA fuse with the mtDNA of the haploid egg. In addition, the triple hybrid nature of the triploid crucian carp probably allowed its better mtDNA recombination. In summary, our results provide the first evidence of mtDNA combination in polyploid fish.     

Dramatic increase in readthrough acetylcholinesterase in a cellular model of oxidative stress

Moderate, transient oxidative stress is achieved in SH-SY5Y cells using tertiary butylhydroperoxide as oxidant. Over a recovery period of 24 h, the enzymatic activity and protein levels of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) splice variants tailed AChE (AChE-T) and readthrough AChE (AChE-R) are monitored. Their time-dependent correlation to pro- and anti-apoptotic factors, namely caspase 3 and Bcl-2, respectively, as well as lactate dehydrogenase release as a measure of cell viability is assessed. A distinctly different expression pattern of AChE-T as compared with AChE-R is recorded, in that AChE-T shows only a very slight increase over a 6 h time period. In contrast, AChE-R rises continuously during the recovery period, reaching peak intracellular levels that are up to six times higher than control levels 3-4 h post-stress, and is released from cells in substantial amounts. Moreover, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 increases significantly, peaking 2-3 h after this AChE-R peak has occurred. We believe this study presents the first work that demonstrates - without relying on techniques of over-expression - the time-dependent correlation between apoptotic processes and related rescue mechanisms involving AChE isoforms in a neuronal cell line.     

环丙沙星在异育银鲫(Allogynogenetic crucian)体内的积累分布及其毒性效应

采用模拟水生态系统研究了环丙沙星(Ciprofloxacin,CPFX)在异育银鲫(Allogynogenetic crucian)体内的积累和分布动态,并测定了异育银鲫体内Ⅰ相、Ⅱ相代谢酶活性的响应.结果表明,饲料暴露、水体暴露和混合暴露3种不同给药方式对CPFX在异育银鲫的体内积累趋势有明显影响,在饲料给药暴露方式中CPFX在鱼体内脏、肌肉中的残留量远高于水体给药暴露.3种不同给药方式暴露下,CPFX在异育银鲫内脏和肌肉中的积累趋势大致相同,暴露初期吸收较快,并且很快达到峰值.随暴露时间延长,CPFX在鱼体内含量逐渐下降.在CPFX暴露初期,异育银鲫体EROD酶活性受到抑制,暴露45d后,3种暴露方式异育银鲫EROD活性均恢复到暴露前水平.异育银鲫GST酶活性受到CPFX的诱导,3种不同给药方式均导致GST活性增加,并且表现出滞后响应.暴露初期不同处理组GSH含量均有下降.但随暴露时间延长,异育银鲫体内GSH受到诱导,在暴露后期又恢复至暴露前水平.     

Massive production of all-female diploids and triploids in the crucian carp

In many species of aquaculture importance, all-female and sterile populations possess superior productivity due to faster growth and a relatively homogenous size of individuals. However, the production of all-female and sterile fish in a large scale for aquaculture is a challenge in practice, because treatments necessary for gynogenesis induction usually cause massive embryonic and larval mortality, and the number of induced gynogens is too small for their direct use in aquaculture. Here we report the massive production of all-female triploid crucian carp by combining artificial gynogenesis, sex reversal and diploid-tetraploid hybridization. Previously, we have obtained an allotetraploid carp population (4n = 200) by hybridization between red crucian carp (Carassius auratus red var; ♀) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio; ♂). We induced all-female diploid gynogens of the Japanese crucian carp (Carassius cuvieri; 2n = 100). We also generated male diploid gynogens of the same species treated gynogenetic fry with 17-α-methyltestosterone, leading to the production of sex-revered gynogenetic males. Finally, these males were used to cross with the female diploid Japanese crucian carp gynogens and the allotetraploid females, resulting in the production of fertile all-female diploid Japanese crucian carp (2n=100) and sterile all-female triploid hybrids (3n = 150), respectively. Therefore, diploid crucian carp gynogenetic females and sex-reversed male together with an allotetraploid line provide an opportunity to produce all-female triploid populations in a large scale to meet demands in aquaculture industry.     

降钙素基因相关肽在离体大鼠心肌缺血后处理中的作用

目的:观察降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)在离体大鼠心肌缺血后处理保护中的作用。方法:采用离体大鼠全心停灌心肌缺血复灌模型。测定心室动力学指标、复灌各时间点冠脉流出液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)含量和心肌组织formazan含量的变化。结果:与缺血/复灌组相比,缺血后处理组明显增加心脏formazan含量,降低冠脉流出液中LDH含量,促进左室发展压、左室做功和冠脉流量的恢复。CGRP受体阻断剂CGRP-(8-37)和线粒体ATP敏感性钾通道阻断剂5-HD均减弱了缺血后处理的作用,且CGRP-(8-37)阻断了线粒体ATP敏感性钾通道开放剂Diaz的心肌保护作用。结论:缺血后处理可能通过促进线粒体ATP敏感性钾通道的开放,引起内源性降钙素基因相关肽的释放发挥心肌保护作用。     

Cardio-respiratory function in carp exposed to environmental nitrite

Continuous monitoring of heart rate, breathing episodes and blood pressure showed that the cardio-respiratory response of carp exposed to nitrite (water concentration, 1 mmol l⁻¹) changes with length of exposure. The animals developed a severe methaemoglobinaemia over the first 24 h of nitrite exposure. The minor changes in plasma HCO₃⁻ and lactate concentration, suggest that the observed hyperventilatory response was sufficient to maintain aerobic metabolism throughout most of the body during this time. During the second 24-h period, the rate of breathing increased further and short periods of bradycardia and hypotension were seen. Over this latter period, the animals increased their use of anaerobic metabolism as illustrated by the mean 48 h blood lactate concentration of 4.8mmol 1⁻¹, a greater than 10-fold increase over pre-exposure values. The increase in blood lactate was accompanied by the predicted metabolic acidosis, however, an alkalosis of respiratory origin and buffering combined to keep the plasma pH absolutely stable throughout the study. This study shows that as the blood oxygen supply is reduced through the development of methaemoglobinaemia, cardio-respiratory compensation by the carp is probably adequate to maintain tissue oxygenation for short periods of nitrite exposure. However, as nitrite exposure proceeds past 24 h, the animals progress into a positive feedback cycle where the high cost of additional ventilation rapidly accelerates their oxygen deficit which cannot be repaid, because <25% of their haemoglobin is available for oxygen binding. Additionally, our data demonstrate a circadian rhythm of physiological response to nitrite and contradict the hypothesis that catecholamine release promotes CO₂ retention in water breathing animals.     

透明鲫—一个适合活体研究的鱼类模型

目的了解鲫成体透明的原因,探讨该性状的应用特性,为透明鲫作为水生实验动物材料系统开发提供基础。方法对透明鲫进行繁殖,并观察其后代性状,了解透明性状的遗传规律;体视镜观察透明鲫色素细胞的种类与分布,并与鲫比较;组织切片和压片确认微孢子虫对透明鲫的感染,并观察感染症状的变化。结果鲫的透明性状可以遗传,大部分后代表现为通体透明,心、肝、肾、肠、鳔、鳃、脊椎等组织器官肉眼清晰可见。与正常鲫比较,透明鲫的主要色素细胞为黄色素细胞,并未发现虹彩色素细胞,黑色素细胞的数量也大为减少。微孢子虫对鱼体的感染过程可直观观察,病原的扩散和空间分布能实时获得,具普通鱼类无法比拟的应用优势。结论虹彩色素细胞的缺失是鲫透明突变的结构基础。由于透明鲫内部器官可直接观测,无需依靠解剖或复杂仪器系统,在同一动物身上可能获得一系列的动态试验数据,或可作为模型材料广泛应用于生命科学不同领域。