Biotechnology applied to fish reproduction: tools for conservation

This review discusses the new biotechnological tools that are arising and promising for conservation and enhancement of fish production, mainly regarding the endangered and the most economically important species. Two main techniques, in particular, are available to avoid extinction of endangered fish species and to improve the production of commercial species. Germ cell transplantation technology includes a number of approaches that have been studied, such as the transplantation of embryo-to-embryo blastomere, embryo-to-embryo differentiated PGC, larvae to larvae and embryo differentiated PGC, transplantation of spermatogonia from adult to larvae or between adults, and oogonia transplantation. However, the success of germ cell transplantation relies on the prior sterilization of fish, which can be performed at different stages of fish species development by means of several protocols that have been tested in order to achieve the best approach to produce a sterile fish. Among them, fish hybridization and triploidization, germline gene knockdown, hyperthermia, and chemical treatment deserve attention based on important results achieved thus far. This review currently used technologies and knowledge about surrogate technology and fish sterilization, discussing the stronger and the weaker points of each approach.

A perspective on physiological studies supporting the provision of scientific advice for the management of Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

The inability of physiologists to effect change in fisheries management has been the source of frustration for many decades. Close collaboration between fisheries managers and researchers has afforded our interdisciplinary team an unusual opportunity to evaluate the emerging impact that physiology can have in providing relevant and credible scientific advice to assist in management decisions. We categorize the quality of scientific advice given to management into five levels based on the type of scientific activity and resulting advice (notions, observations, descriptions, predictions and prescriptions). We argue that, ideally, both managers and researchers have concomitant but separate responsibilities for increasing the level of scientific advice provided. The responsibility of managers involves clear communication of management objectives to researchers, including exact descriptions of knowledge needs and researchable problems. The role of the researcher is to provide scientific advice based on the current state of scientific information and the level of integration with management. The examples of scientific advice discussed herein relate to physiological research on the impact of high discharge and water temperature, pathogens, sex and fisheries interactions on in-river migration success of adult Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and the increased understanding and quality of scientific advice that emerges. We submit that success in increasing the quality of scientific advice is a function of political motivation linked to funding, legal clarity in management objectives, collaborative structures in government and academia, personal relationships, access to interdisciplinary experts and scientific peer acceptance. The major challenges with advancing scientific advice include uncertainty in results, lack of integration with management needs and institutional caution in adopting new research. We hope that conservation physiologists can learn from our experiences of providing scientific advice to management to increase the potential for this growing field of research to have a positive influence on resource management.

Elevation of plasma cortisol during the spawning migration of landlocked kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka kennerlyi)

Kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka kennerlyi ), a landlocked subspecies of sockeye salmon, exhibited hypothalamic-pituitary interrenal (HPI, adrenal homologue) axis activation and an increase in plasma cortisol concentration up to 639 +/- 55.9 ng/ml in association with upstream migration in the upper Colorado River even though they were not exposed to a change in salinity and lengthy migration. Kokanee salmon were collected at various stages of migration and concomitant sexual maturation. The pattern of cortisol elevation in kokanee is similar to that in ocean-run sockeye salmon (O. nerka nerka). The presence of plasma cortisol elevation in an upstream migrating, landlocked Pacific salmon suggests that stressors previously considered to cause the cortisol increase, such as long-distance migration and changes in salinity, may not be primary causes of the HPI axis activation.

Changes in plasma hormone levels during loss of hypoosmoregulatory capacity in mature chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) kept in seawater

Returning chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in northern Honshu Island, Japan, complete gonadal maturation while in the bay. Mature fish caught in the bay failed to survive in seawater for more than a week, whereas they adapted to fresh water efficiently. Mortality in seawater seems to be due primarily to an increased plasma osmolality. Maladaptation to seawater was more pronounced in the fish caught deep in the bay than those caught outside the bay, and also greater in females than in males. In close correlation with the increased plasma osmolality and electrolyte concentrations, plasma levels of cortisol and growth hormone increased in the fish kept in seawater. Cortisol and growth hormone may be secreted in response to the increased plasma osmolality and would not be the direct cause of the maladaptation to seawater. Plasma prolactin remained low in the seawater fish, indicating that the increased secretion of prolactin, a freshwater-adapting hormone, is not the cause of maladaptation to seawater either. On the other hand, when the fish caught in the river were kept in fresh water, an increase in plasma prolactin concentrations was seen, particularly in females, whereas no significant change was seen in plasma cortisol and growth hormone. Concentrations of 17 alpha,20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one in the female and of testosterone in both the male and female were extremely high in the bay fish and decreased slightly but significantly after 7 days in fresh water. The gonadal steroids may have inhibitory effects on osmoregulation in the mature salmon in seawater.

Cytological Changes in the Pituitary Gland of the Adult Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) after Gonadectomy

Effects of gonadectomy on the cytological structure of the pituitary gland of sockeye salmon were investigated. Castration of fully grown, but sexually immature, fish appeared to prevent differentiation of any periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) positive cells. On the other hand, castration of mature sockeye induced degranulation of this cell type. These cells later disintegrated. Although the acidophil cells of the proximal pars distalis in the immature castrates showed an apparent increase in number, those in the gonadectomized ripe fish exhibited marked hyperplasia and hypertrophy. In view of the "rejuvenation," including the considerable increase in body weight that occurs after castration of sexually ripe sockeye, it is thought that the changes in the acidophils noted in this experiment may reflect an increased production of growth hormone. Where the gonadectomy was incomplete it was noted that very small remnants of gonad were able to induce, or maintain, all the external secondary characteristics of full sexual maturity. The pituitary of these fish exhibited cytological features intermediate between those of the controls and the complete castrates.

The Sodium, Potassium, and Water Content of the Flesh of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in Relation to Sexual Development and Starvation

The influence of feeding on the changes that occur in the skeletal muscle content of sodium, potassium, and water in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) during sexual development and spawning has been investigated. Feeding has little, if any, effect on the changes. Thus it appears that the period of starvation these fish undergo during their spawning migration under natural conditions is not the major cause of the degeneration of their skeletal muscle, but rather that these changes are associated in some manner with the development of the gonads, presumably through the mediation of hormones.

2-Phenoxyethanol as a General Anaesthetic for Sockeye Salmon

The dose–response relationship of 2-phenoxyethanol, as a general anaesthetic, in adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) has been investigated. At 11 °C the effective dose (ED50) and lethal dose (LD50) were approximately 43 and 130 ml/100 Imperial gal, respectively. The therapeutic ratio [Formula: see text] was more than 3, indicating a good margin of safety. At a lowered aquarium temperature of 4 °C the anaesthetic effects of 2-phenoxyethanol were potentiated. ED50 and LD50 at this temperature were approximately 25 and 130 ml/100 gal of water, respectively. The therapeutic ratio was more than 5, indicating that the margin of safety was increased by the decrease in temperature.