Fate of intraperitoneally injected fluorescent microspheres in developing Ictalurus punctatus

Fluorescent microspheres (FMS) were injected intraperitoneally into channel catfish fry at 2 days post hatch (dph), 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 weeks post hatch (wph). The FMS were observed in the vasculature almost immediately after injection in all age groups except 2 dph. Fluorescent microspheres were observed within mononuclear phagocytes in the vasculature after 0.16 dph in all age groups. Fluorescent microspheres were first phagocytized in the coelomic cavity immediately after injection, while the majority of coelomic FMS were phagocytized between 0.16 and 1 dph for all ages. Enzyme cytochemical staining indicated that both polymorphonuclear (neutrophilic granulocytes) and mononuclear phagocytes had phagocytized FMS in the coelomic cavity and organs, with a predominance of FMS found in mononuclear phagocytic cells in all age groups across all sample periods. The predominant organs associated with the observed cellular responses were the posterior kidney, spleen, and anterior kidney. Splenic organization and melanomacrophage development and activity were more pronounced as the fish aged from 2 wph on. Particulate clearance rates were faster in the 2 dph and 1 wph fish than the older ages of fish. These results suggest that to facilitate particulate retention, channel catfish should be vaccinated at 4 wph or older.     

Humoral immune responses of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fry and fingerlings exposed toEdwardsiella ictaluri

The ability of channel catfish to develop antibody responses to Edwardsiella ictaluri was evaluated. Fish were produced and reared under specific pathogen free (SPF) conditions. At the ages of 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks and 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months post-hatch, a group of these naive fish were given a primary immersion exposure to E. ictaluri (mean doses of 6·4×10⁴ cfu ml⁻¹of tank water). Each group received a secondary immersion exposure 4 weeks after the primary exposure and were sampled 2 weeks after each exposure. Control groups were exposed to sterile culture medium. Specific antibody titres were first detected in fish exposed at 4 weeks post-hatch at an average weight of 85 mg. A secondary response was first demonstrated by fry that received a primary exposure at 4 weeks post-hatch and a secondary exposure at 8 weeks post-hatch. However, a true boosting effect was first demonstrated in fish that received their primary exposure at 2 months of age. Fish given a primary exposure before 4 weeks of age and a secondary exposure failed to produce a significant antibody response, even though they were the same age at secondary exposure as fish that produced strong antibody responses upon primary exposure. This phenomenon suggests that immunological tolerance was induced and indicates that channel catfish may not be capable of generating a humoral immune response before four weeks of age.     

Effects of sperm concentration and egg number on fertilization efficiency with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) eggs and blue catfish (I. furcatus) spermatozoa

The mean sperm concentration of 10 blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus ) was 1.03 x 10(10) per gram of testis. Testis weighed 3.9 and 17.2 g, with a mean of 6.6 g per fish. Fertilization rate of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus ) eggs fertilized with 5.00 x 10(4) to 1.20 x 10(7) blue catfish spermatozoa per egg was 17 to 87%, with an overall mean of 65%. Sperm concentrations of 5.0 x 10(4)/egg exhibited a lower, 16.6% (P < 0.05) fertilization rate than higher sperm concentrations (1.25 x 10(5) to 1.20 x 10(8)/egg). Batches of 450, 2,000, 5,000, 8,000 and 11,000 eggs were similarly fertilized with various sperm concentrations. Mean fertility rate ranged from 25 to 67%, with an overall mean of 53%. The largest egg mass produced the lowest (P < 0.05) fertilization rate. A combination of 450 eggs per batch and 5.0 x 10(5) to 1.20 x (8) sperm per egg produced the highest rate of fertilization (67 to 87%).     

Light-stimulated respiration in the green algaDunaliella tertiolecta: Involvement of the ultraviolet/blue-light photoreceptor(s) and phytochrome?

Starch breakdown and respiratory O₂ uptake in the green algaDunaliella tertiolecta (Butcher) are stimulated not only by blue, but also by red light. In the present study, attempts are described to identify the photoreceptor(s) involved. Fluence rate-response curves with different slopes in the ultraviolet (UV)/blue and in the red spectral region as well as differences in the kinetics and in the unfluence of dark pre-incubation on the stimulation of respiratory O₂ uptake by blue and red light strongly indicate the action of two photoreceptors. Since the effect of red light shows some far-red reversibility, and since simultaneous irradiation with red and far-red light decreases the effectiveness of red light, the involvement of phytochrome — in addition to the UV/blue photoreceptor(s) — is suggested in the light-stimulated respiration inDunaliella.Abbreviation UV ultraviolet     

Comparative study of mannose-binding C-type lectin isolated from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)

Mannose-binding C-type lectin (MBL) was isolated from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) NWAC 102 and 103 strains, blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) D+B and Rio Grande strains, hybrid catfish (channel catfish female NWAC 103 x blue catfish male D+B) sera, and purified by affinity chromatography from channel catfish Norris strain serum. Reduction of purified channel catfish MBL with 2-ME yielded a single band of 62 kDa by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis using guinea pig anti-MBL IgG as primary antibody. Channel catfish NWAC 102 strain, channel catfish NWAC 103 strain and hybrid catfish sera had molecular masses of 63 kDa for MBL. Blue catfish (D+B strain) serum MBL had a molecular mass of 66 kDa. Rio Grande blue catfish serum MBL had a molecular mass of 65 kDa. Amino acid composition analysis (mol%) of the affinity-purified channel catfish MBL found a high content of serine present. Functional binding studies of channel catfish and blue catfish MBLs binding to Edwardsiella ictaluri were done using a dot-immunoblot ELISA method. A dot-immunoblot ELISA binding assay was done to compare nine different strains and species of channel catfish and blue catfish for their levels of serum MBL. Blue catfish had higher levels of MBL than did the various strains of channel catfish tested. MBL could be used as a genetic marker for selection of disease resistance in the different strains of catfish used in aquaculture. This study describes the presence of serum MBL in catfish and evidence for a C-type lectin complement pathway of innate immunity.     

High-resolution imaging reveals a limit in spatial resolution of blood flow measurements by microspheres

Density of 15-microm microspheres after left atrial application is the standard measure of regional perfusion. In the heart, substantial differences in microsphere density are seen at spatial resolutions <5 ml, implying perfusion heterogeneity. Microsphere deposition imaging permits a superior evaluation of the distribution pattern. Therefore, fluorescent microspheres (FMS) were applied, FMS deposition in the canine heart was imaged by epifluorescence microscopy in vitro, and the patterns were observed compared with MR images of iron oxide microspheres (IMS) obtained in vivo and in vitro. FMS deposition in myocardial slices revealed the following: 1) a nonrandom distribution, with sequentially applied FMS of different color stacked within the same vessel, 2) general FMS clustering, and 3) rather large areas devoid of FMS (n = 3). This pattern was also seen in reconstructed three-dimensional images (<1 nl resolution) of FMS distribution (n = 4). Surprisingly, the deposition pattern of sequentially applied FMS remained virtually identical over 3 days. Augmenting flow by intracoronary adenosine (>2 microM) enhanced local microsphere density, but did not alter the deposition pattern (n = 3). The nonrandom, temporally stable pattern was quantitatively confirmed by a three-dimensional intermicrosphere distance analysis of sequentially applied FMS. T2-weighted short-axis MR images (2-microl resolution) of IMS revealed similar patterns in vivo and in vitro (n = 6), as seen with FMS. The observed temporally stable microsphere patterns are not consistent with the notion that microsphere deposition is solely governed by blood flow. We propose that at high spatial resolution (<2 microl) structural aspects of the vascular network dominate microsphere distribution, resulting in the organized patterns observed.     

High-throughput cryopreservation of spermatozoa of blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus): Establishment of an approach for commercial-scale processing

Hybrid catfish created by crossing of female channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and male blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are being used increasingly in foodfish aquaculture because of their fast growth and efficient food conversion. However, the availability of blue catfish males is limited, and their peak spawning is at a different time than that of the channel catfish. As such, cryopreservation of sperm of blue catfish could improve production of hybrid catfish, and has been studied in the laboratory and tested for feasibility in a commercial dairy bull cryopreservation facility. However, an approach for commercially relevant production of cryopreserved blue catfish sperm is still needed. The goal of this study was to develop practical approaches for commercial-scale sperm cryopreservation of blue catfish by use of an automated high-throughput system (MAPI, CryoBioSystem Co.). The objectives were to: (1) refine cooling rate and cryoprotectant concentration, and evaluate their interactions; (2) evaluate the effect of sperm concentration on cryopreservation; (3) refine cryoprotectant concentration based on the highest effective sperm concentration; (4) compare the effect of thawing samples at 20 or 40 °C; (5) evaluate the fertility of thawed sperm at a research scale by fertilizing with channel catfish eggs; (6) test the post-thaw motility and fertility of sperm from individual males in a commercial setting, and (7) test for correlation of cryopreservation results with biological indices used for male evaluation. The optimal cooling rate was 5 °C/min (Micro Digitcool, IMV) for high-throughput cryopreservation using CBS high-biosecurity 0.5-ml straws with 10% methanol, and a concentration of 1 × 10⁹ sperm/ml. There was no difference in post-thaw motility when samples were thawed at 20 °C for 40 s or 40 °C for 20 s. After fertilization, the percentage of neurulation (Stage V embryos) was 80 ± 21%, and percentage of embryonic mobility (Stage VI embryo) was 51 ± 22%. There was a significant difference among the neurulation values produced by thawed blue catfish sperm, fresh blue catfish sperm (P = 0.010) and channel catfish sperm (P = 0.023), but not for Stage VI embryos (P ? 0.585). Cryopreserved sperm from ten males did not show significant variation in post-thaw motility or fertility at the neurulation stage. This study demonstrates that the protocol established for high-throughput cryopreservation of blue catfish sperm can provide commercially relevant quantities and quality of sperm with stable fertility for hybrid catfish production and provides a model for establishment of commercial-scale approaches for other aquatic species.     

Effects of fish age and parasite dose on the development of whirling disease in rainbow trout

We determined the ages at which juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss became resistant to the effects of whirling disease following exposure to a range of parasite doses. Heretofore, the development and severity of whirling disease in salmonids was known to be generally dependent on the age or size of fish when first exposed to the triactinomyxon spores of Myxobolus cerebralis; larger, older individuals tended to be less diseased. However, no systematic determination had been made of the exact age at which fish become resistant to the development of the disease. We exposed rainbow trout at 9 ages (1 to 17 wk post-hatch) to 4 parasite dose levels (0, 100, 1000 and 10,000 triactinomyxons per fish). Disease severity was measured using mortality, clinical signs, microscopic pathology, and myxospore counts. Disease and mortality were substantially reduced when exposure to the parasite occurred for the first time at 9 wk post-hatch (756 degree-days at 12 degrees C) or older. High doses elicited more disease among the younger age groups, but the effect was dampened in groups exposed at about 9 to 11 wk post-hatch and absent thereafter. Rainbow trout reared in M. cerebralis-free waters for 9 wk post-hatch or longer, whether in the wild or in a hatchery situation, should experience greater survival and less disease than fish first exposed to the parasite at younger ages.     

Inheritance and usefulness of AFLP markers in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), blue catfish (I. furcatus), and their F1, F2, and backcross hybrids

Eight primer combinations were used to investigate the application of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers in catfish for genetic analysis. Intraspecific polymorphism was low among channel catfish or blue catfish strains. Interspecific AFLP polymorphism was high between the channel catfish and blue catfish. Each primer combination generated from 70 to more than 200 bands, of which 38.6–75.7% were polymorphic between channel catfish and blue catfish. On average, more than 20 polymorphic bands per primer combination were produced as quality markers suitable for genetic analysis. All AFLP markers were transmitted into channel catfish?×?blue catfish F1 hybrids, except rare markers that were heterozygous in the parents and therefore were segregating in F1 hybrids. The two reciprocal channel catfish?×?blue catfish F1 hybrids (channel catfish female?×?blue catfish male; blue catfish female?×?channel catfish male) produced identical AFLP profiles. The AFLP markers were inherited and segregated in expected Mendelian ratios. At two loci, E8-b9 and E8-b2, markers were found at significantly lower frequencies than expected with F2 and backcross hybrids which had been selected for increased growth rates. The reproducibility of AFLP was excellent. These characteristics of the catfish AFLP markers make them highly useful for genetic analysis of catfish, especially for construction of genetic linkage and quantitative trait loci maps, and for marker-assisted selection.     

浸泡条件下孔雀石绿及其代谢物隐色孔雀石绿在斑点叉尾 组织中分布及消除规律研究

以7 mg/L的孔雀石绿浸泡斑点叉尾 苗种5min后将其饲养于池塘的网箱中, 研究了在养殖模式下孔雀石绿及其代谢物隐色孔雀石绿在斑点叉尾 苗种各组织中的分布及消除规律。采用高效液相色谱串联质谱法(HPLC-MS/MS)分析孔雀石绿及其代谢物隐色孔雀石绿在斑点叉尾 血液、肌肉、皮肤、肝脏、肾脏组织中的浓度水平。采用药代动力学分析软件3p97对血药浓度时间数据进行分析。结果表明, 孔雀石绿和隐色孔雀石绿血药浓度时间曲线符合有吸收二室模型, 动力学方程分别为: C孔雀石绿 =683.063 e-0.248 t+ 11.176 e-0.006 t- 694.239e-0.333 t, C隐色孔雀石绿 =757.240 e-0.222 t + 14.474 e-0.007 t 771.714 e-0.382 t。血液中孔雀石绿和隐色孔雀石绿达峰时间Tpeak分别为3.480和3.623h, 峰浓度值Cmax分别为81.560和159.619 ng/mL, 表观分布容积Vd/F分别为37.689和21.125 L/kg, 分布相的一级速率常数分别为0.248和0.222/h, 消除相的一级速率常数分别为 0.006和0.007/h, 吸收半衰期T(1/2) 分别为2.794和3.124h, 消除半衰期T(1/2)分别为113.068和105.841h, 中央室向周边室转运的一级速率常数K12分别为0.020和0.015/h, 周边室向中央室转运的一级速率常数K21分别为0.159和0.121/h, 药-时曲线下面积AUC分别为2493.944和3601.863 ngh/mL。肌肉、皮肤、肝脏和肾脏组织中孔雀石绿和隐色孔雀石绿浓度水平的结果表明, 孔雀石绿在斑点叉尾 4种组织中浓度由高到低的顺序是皮肤肌肉肾脏肝脏, 其中斑点叉尾 皮肤组织易蓄积孔雀石绿, 其残留时间最长, 肝脏组织由于对孔雀石绿有极强的代谢转化功能而浓度较低。孔雀石绿在肌肉、皮肤、肝脏和肾脏组织中的消除方程分别为C=5.570 e-0.009t、C=6.302 e-0.007t、C=4.791 e-0.006t和C=4.591 e-0.002t, 相关系数r20.773, 消除半衰期T1/2肌肉、皮肤、肝脏和肾脏分别为3.2、4.1、4.8和14.4d。肌肉、皮肤、肝脏和肾脏组织中孔雀石绿分别在45、60、30和60d才未被检测到; 隐色孔雀石绿在斑点叉尾 4种组织中浓度由高到低的顺序是肝脏皮肤肌肉肾脏, 残留时间最长的组织也是皮肤组织。隐色孔雀石绿在肌肉、皮肤、肝脏和肾脏组织中的消除方程分别为C=6.491 e-0.004t、C=6.958 e-0.003t、C=6.722 e-0.007t和C=6.162 e-0.002t, 相关系数r20.673, 消除半衰期T1/2肌肉、皮肤、肝脏和肾脏分别为7.2、9.6、4.1和14.4d。肌肉、皮肤、肝脏和肾脏组织中隐色孔雀石绿分别在90、90、60和90d才未被检出。试验期间(2011年5月17日至7月15日)平均水温为26.4℃, 孔雀石绿和隐色孔雀石绿90d后在各组织中才未检测到, 因此, 使用7 mg/L孔雀石绿浸泡2龄斑点叉尾 苗种孔雀石绿及其代谢物隐色孔雀石绿至少应经过2376℃d后才能消除。       

Structural characterisation and expression analysis of toll-like receptor 2 gene from catfish

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important components of innate immunity. They were found to recognise specific structures on pathogens termed pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and utilise conserved signaling pathways to activate pro-inflammatory cytokines and type-1 interferons. In spite of much understanding gained from the mammalian systems, many fish TLRs are unknown. Recent studies in Japanese flounder as well as in zebrafish suggested that the ligand binding and activation of inflammatory responses in fish may be different from and more complex than those found in mammals. In channel catfish, the major aquaculture species in the United States, only partial sequences of TLR3 and TLR5 were reported. As a part of efforts to characterise the innate immune components in channel catfish, here we cloned and sequenced both the cDNA and the gene for TLR2, a receptor believed mostly responsible for recognition of lipopeptides on the surface of most Gram-positive bacteria. However, expression analysis after infection with a Gram-negative bacterium, Edwardsiella ictaluri indicated that TLR2 was modestly down-regulated in the head kidney tissue of blue catfish, and with a similar pattern in the head kidney of channel catfish though the down-regulation in channel catfish was not statistically significant. In the spleen, an insignificant down-regulation was initially observed early after infection, with an increase of TLR expression later after infection. These results suggest the involvement of TLR2 in the responses after the bacterial infection. As LPS is believed to be the major PAMP for Gram-negative bacteria, additional research is warranted to determine the functions and mechanisms of TLR2 in infections of Gram-negative bacteria.     

Molecular characterization of the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

The insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) gene was characterized in channel catfish. Partial cDNA sequence, missing exon 1 and part of exon 2, was obtained in 5'- and 3'-RACE experiments. Direct sequencing of two bacterial artificial chromosome clones revealed gene structure and provided sequence from 640 bp upstream of the initiator methionine to 136 bp beyond the polyadenylation site. Genomic sequence contained a putative TATA box 506 bp upstream of the initiator methionine. The 477-bp reading frame within five exons encoded a 159-amino acid (aa) pre-propeptide highly similar to IGF-I in higher vertebrates. The sequence encoding the signal peptide was unique in catfish and contained 70% G+C content with the potential for a stable stem-loop structure. Full-length cDNA was only maintained in recombination-deficient (DH10B) strain E. coli. Levels of IGF-I mRNA were highest in liver, followed by brain and muscle, then heart and kidney (P<0.05). A CT/GA dinucleotide microsatellite in intron 1 was highly polymorphic in commercial channel catfish, and permitted placement of the IGF-I gene on the catfish genetic map. However, specific IGF-I alleles were not correlated with differences in growth rate from 100 to 130 days post-hatch in USDA103 line catfish.     

Cell membrane amino acid transport processes in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus)

Intestinal absorption of amino acids in the chicken occurs by way of processes which are concentrative, Na+-dependent and dependent upon metabolic energy in the form of ATP. Intestinal transport is carrier-mediated, subject to exchange transport (trans-membrane effects) and is inhibitable by sugars, reagents which inactivate sulfhydryl groups, potassium ion, and by deoxpyridoxine, an anti-vitamin B6 agent. It is stimulated by phlorizin, a potent inhibitor of sugar transport, and in Na+-leached tissue by modifiers of tissue cyclic AMP levels, e.g. theophylline, histamine, carbachol and secretin. Separate transport sites with broad, overlapping specificities function in the intestinal absorption of the various classes of common amino acids. A simple model for these sites includes one for leucine and other neutral amino acids, one for proline, beta-alanine and related imino and amino acids, one for basic amino acids, and one for acidic amino acids. Absorption of amino acids appears to be widespread in occurrence in the digestive tract of the domestic fowl; transport has been reported to be present in the crop, gizzard, proventriculus, small intestine and in the colon. By the end of the first week of life post-hatch, the caecum loses its ability to transport. Similarly, the yolk sac loses its ability by the second day post-hatch. Intestinal transport was noted before hatch and was found to be maximal immediately post-hatch. A requirement for Ca2+ appears to be lost after the first week of life post-hatch. The cationic amino acids appear to be reabsorbed by a common mechanism in the kidney. Transport rates of leucine measured in the intestine or in the erythrocyte were found to cluster about discrete values when many individual chickens were surveyed; such patterns may be an expression of gene differences between individuals. Two lines of chickens have been developed, one high and the other low uptake, through selective breeding based on the ability of individual birds to absorb leucine in erythrocytes. High leucine absorbing chickens were found to be more effective in absorbing lysine and glycine, were more effectively stimulated by Na+, had greater erythrocyte Na+, K+-ATPase activity, and their erythrocytes contained about 20% less Na+ than low line erythrocytes. The underlying genetic difference between these lines may reside at the level of the Na+, K+-ATPase and (or) with a regulatory gene determining carrier copies. Amino acid transport in erythrocytes was noted to be highest in pre-hatch chicks and to diminish during post-hatch development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Inheritance and usefulness of AFLP markers in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus ), blue catfish ( I. furcatus) , and their F1, F2, and backcross hybrids

Eight primer combinations were used to investigate the application of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers in catfish for genetic analysis. Intraspecific polymorphism was low among channel catfish or blue catfish strains. Interspecific AFLP polymorphism was high between the channel catfish and blue catfish. Each primer combination generated from 70 to more than 200 bands, of which 38.6–75.7% were polymorphic between channel catfish and blue catfish. On average, more than 20 polymorphic bands per primer combination were produced as quality markers suitable for genetic analysis. All AFLP markers were transmitted into channel catfish × blue catfish F1 hybrids, except rare markers that were heterozygous in the parents and therefore were segregating in F1 hybrids. The two reciprocal channel catfish × blue catfish F1 hybrids (channel catfish female × blue catfish male; blue catfish female × channel catfish male) produced identical AFLP profiles. The AFLP markers were inherited and segregated in expected Mendelian ratios. At two loci, E8-b9 and E8-b2, markers were found at significantly lower frequencies than expected with F2 and backcross hybrids which had been selected for increased growth rates. The reproducibility of AFLP was excellent. These characteristics of the catfish AFLP markers make them highly useful for genetic analysis of catfish, especially for construction of genetic linkage and quantitative trait loci maps, and for marker-assisted selection. Received: 10 September 1997 / Accepted: 10 December 1997     

The histogenesis of the lymphoid organs in the carp Cyprinus carpio L. and the ontogenetic development of allograft reactivity

A functional T cell population matures rapidly in the carp, Cyprinus carpio L. At 22 ± 1° C, the thymus first appears at two days post-hatch and becomes actively lymphopoietic by day 5. The kidney, which contains haemopoietic tissue at day 2, shows differentiating lymphoid cells by day 6–8. The spleen first appears at day 5 but develops more slowly than the kidney.
Lymphocytes are capable of effecting allograft rejection as early as day 16 post-hatch but the number of cells invading a skin allograft is low if the graft is applied in the first month of life. Thereafter the numbers increase rapidly, possibly correlated with the large increase in lymphocytes in the pronephric and mesonephric kidneys at this time.     

Spawning and season affect lipid content and fatty acid composition of ovary and liver in Japanese catfish (Silurus asotus)

The influences of spawning and season on lipid content, lipid classes, and fatty acid composition were assessed in ovary and liver of wild and cultured Japanese catfish (Silurus asotus). The lipid content (7.3+/-1.6 g/100 g wet wt.) of ovary from wild catfish at spawning was higher than that at post-spawn. However, no influence of spawning on the lipid content of liver was observed. Docosahexaenoic acid [DHA, C22:6(n-3)] in ovary lipids was 12.3+/-0.5% of total fatty acids. The percentage of n-7 monounsaturated fatty acids in triacylglycerol from the ovary and liver in the spawning season was high. Percentages of C22:6(n-3) in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine from ovary were higher during spawning than after spawning. No significant differences were observed in the lipid content of ovary and liver from cultured catfish between seasons (summer vs. winter). Content of arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) in ovary and liver from cultured catfish was higher in summer than in winter. There were differences in lipid classes of ovary and liver by spawning and season. These results suggest that the lipid metabolism in Japanese catfish is greatly influenced by spawning and season.     

不同色板对柑橘园蓟马的诱集效果及蓝板的诱捕效果

通过对黄色、蓝色、深蓝色、白色、红色、绿色、紫色、灰色、黑色和粉红色10种不同颜色色板对柑橘园蓟马的诱集效果的比较试验表明,柑橘园蓟马对蓝色和深蓝色色板趋性最大,与其它8种颜色色板之间有着极显著差异(P<0.01)。蓝色色板对蓟马在东南西北4个不同方位中的诱捕作用研究表明,南面方位诱集的蓟马数量最多,与西、北两个方位之间有着显著差异(P<0.05)。当平均株高为220cm时,挂板高度分别为60、120、180和240cm,高度为120cm时诱集的蓟马数量最多,与其它3个高度之间存在显著差异。色板间距分别为2、3、4和5m时,结果表明间距为4m和5m时每板诱集的蓟马数量较多,与其它间距之间有着显著差异。从上午8点到下午6点每间隔2h的5个时间段中,各时间段之间没有显著差异。在蓝色色板的小区防治试验中,在挂板3、6和12d后,诱捕效果分别达到41.5%,53.9%和37.7%。     

The effects of age and visual experience on potentiation of responses in slices from the chick forebrain.

A single coronal slice, containing the intermediate part of the medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV) was cut from the left forebrain of a series of domestic chicks and maintained in vitro. Records were made of field responses evoked in the IMHV by local electrical stimuli. Two 1-min periods of 5 Hz stimulation, separated by 10 min, were used in attempts to induce persistent potentiation of the responses (PPR) to test stimulation at 0.1 Hz. In dark-hatched chicks the probability of producing PPR is much higher in slices from chicks aged 2-5 days post-hatch than in those from either younger or older birds. As an independent measure of plasticity in dark-hatched chicks, the probability of eliciting unit responses to repeated stimulation of remote sites in the slice at 3.3 Hz was analysed. This probability was greater in slices from chicks aged 2-5 days than in those from either younger or older birds. In light-hatched chicks the probability of inducing PPR is significantly higher during the first day post-hatch, than in dark-hatched chicks of this age. The probability of producing PPR in slices from light-hatched chicks aged 2-3 days is less than that in slices from either younger or older birds. It is clear that both the age and past experience of the domestic chick affect the neurophysiological properties of slices of brain, tested in vitro.     

Effects of Protoceratium reticulatum yessotoxin on feeding rates of Acartia hudsonica: A bioassay using artificial particles coated with purified toxin

Paralytic shellfish toxins produced by dinoflagellates are known to deter copepod grazing. Dinoflagellate species, including Protoceratium reticulatum, also produce disulfated polyether yessotoxins that were previously referred to as diarrheic shellfish toxins. However, the role of yessotoxins in predator–prey relationships is not yet clear. In the present study, the effects of purified yessotoxin (YTX) on feeding activities of Acartia hudsonica (Copepoda, Calanoida) were experimentally investigated. Polystyrene fluorescent microspheres (10 μm in diameter) colored bright blue or yellow-green were coated with cell extracts of P. reticulatum that do not produce yessotoxins. The bright blue microspheres were further coated with YTX, and the yellow-green microspheres were used as the reference. The microspheres were then given to the copepods separately or in combination to measure clearance rates and feeding selectivity. A. hudsonica was found to feed on the yellow-green microspheres without YTX at twice the rate of the bright blue microspheres with YTX. We also confirmed that microsphere color per se did not affect the feeding rates. The bright blue microspheres adsorbed 1.8–43.3 pg of YTX per microsphere, which is similar to the cell-specific yessotoxin content of toxic P. reticulatum found in natural environments. These results suggest that production of yessotoxin is advantageous for P. reticulatum by deterring predation by copepods.     

Dynamics of manganese,cadmium, and lead in experimental power plant ponds

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of heated power plant water on the uptake and retention of manganese, cadmium and lead in selected aquatic invertebrates, channel catfish, green sunfish, and aquatic macrophytes and to study the distribution of manganese, cadmium and lead in sediments and water of experimental power plant ponds.The study was accomplished by placing fingerling channel catfish and green sunfish in holding pens in two ponds, one an experimental pond and one a control pond. Whole fish and selected organs of channel catfish and green sunfish were analyzed during the study. The experimental pond received heated power plant water and was maintained 4–6° C above ambient temperature during the study. Sediments, water, Odonata nymphs, tubificid annelids, snails, leeches, fingernail clams and duckweed were also analyzed for the metals.A typical distribution profile for manganese, cadmium and lead in power plant cooling ponds was developed.