Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Aquatic Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 40372

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
Interests: fish reproduction; fish gametogenesis; fish spermatogenesis; fish oogenesis; fish reproductive cycles; fish reproductive dysfunctions; fish sexual maturity; fish growth.

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Guest Editor
Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Center for Marine Research, 19013 Crete, Greece
Interests: fish gametogenesis, reproductive cycles and puberty; reproductive dysfunctions of fish under rearing conditions; spawning induction methods; sperm quality

Special Issue Information

Many wild fish populations are subjected to an alarming decline due to fishery overexploitation, natural habitat degradation or climate change. At the same time, the market demand for fish products for human consumption increases constantly and at a high rate. In this scenario, effective management of threatened fish stocks along with sustainable development of the aquaculture industry is mandatory. The knowledge of the reproductive biology of fishes is a prerequisite for both the adoption of sound fishery regulation measures and the successful introduction of new species in the aquaculture industry. Knowledge of reproductive traits such as sexual maturity, reproductive cycles, spawning grounds and behavior, spawning frequency, and fecundity is important for the implementation of proper fishery management regulations.

The commercial production of a number of fish species in aquaculture requires the control of reproductive processes in captive broodstocks of either wild-caught or captivity-produced breeders. However, many fishes reared in captivity exhibit reproductive dysfunctions that prevent them from reproducing reliably and efficiently. The study of gametogenesis, sexual maturity, reproductive cycles, and reproductive potential of wild and cultured fishes is essential to address these reproductive dysfunctions using both environmental and hormonal manipulations.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together original research studies and review papers on basic and applied aspects of fish reproduction, both in the wild and in captivity. Studies regarding the reproductive biology of overexploited fish species, possibly using new and multidisciplinary approaches, as well as studies making use of classical and innovative technologies for the reproduction control of new/emerging aquaculture fish species, are particularly welcome.

Prof. Aldo Corriero
Dr. Constantinos C. Mylonas
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • fish
  • reproduction
  • gametogenesis
  • reproductive physiology
  • sexual maturity
  • reproductive cycle
  • fecundity
  • reproductive dysfunctions
  • reproduction control

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

10 pages, 1480 KiB  
Communication
Chorion Alterations in Eyed-Stage Salmonid Eggs Farmed in La Araucanía, Chile: A Retrospective Study
by Iván Valdebenito, Elías Figueroa, Matías Valdebenito and Luis Paiva
Animals 2021, 11(8), 2427; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082427 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3522
Abstract
The chorion is the primary envelop that protects the fish embryo against mechanical actions, pathogens, and abrupt changes in physical and chemicals conditions of the incubation medium. During embryo development, chorion alterations are not rare, but the occurrence of these is scarcely reported. [...] Read more.
The chorion is the primary envelop that protects the fish embryo against mechanical actions, pathogens, and abrupt changes in physical and chemicals conditions of the incubation medium. During embryo development, chorion alterations are not rare, but the occurrence of these is scarcely reported. Increased frequency of chorion alterations can result in increased embryo mortality and thus decreased reproductive performance and losses for fish farms. In this study, we characterize different chorion alterations observed in samples collected over 14 years from 12 salmon and trout farms located in the region of La Araucanía in southern Chile, which sent live eyed-stage embryos (‘eyed-eggs’) for quality analysis to our laboratory. We found soft chorion as the most common alteration observed, being present in the whole 14-year series analyzed in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) and affecting up to 35.0% of the samples examined in a year. This alteration also affected up to 20.0 and 5.7% of Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) samples analyzed in a year, respectively. We also found an increase of other chorion alterations, including perforated and white-spotted chorion in Atlantic and Coho Salmon, in the last 8 years. Among the three species, Rainbow Trout exhibited fewer chorion alterations. As the embryonated eggs analyzed here were obtained from broodstocks maintained under standard industrial conditions, these alterations might be linked to changes in environmental conditions affecting the incubation water that need to be further investigated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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19 pages, 1268 KiB  
Article
What Goes Wrong during Early Development of Artificially Reproduced European Eel Anguilla anguilla? Clues from the Larval Transcriptome and Gene Expression Patterns
by Pauline Jéhannet, Arjan P. Palstra, Leon T. N. Heinsbroek, Leo Kruijt, Ron P. Dirks, William Swinkels and Hans Komen
Animals 2021, 11(6), 1710; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061710 - 8 Jun 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6438
Abstract
In eels, large variations in larval mortality exist, which would impede the viable production of juvenile glass eels in captivity. The transcriptome of European eel larvae was investigated to identify physiological pathways and genes that show differential regulation between non-viable vs. viable larvae. [...] Read more.
In eels, large variations in larval mortality exist, which would impede the viable production of juvenile glass eels in captivity. The transcriptome of European eel larvae was investigated to identify physiological pathways and genes that show differential regulation between non-viable vs. viable larvae. Expression of genes involved in inflammation and host protection was higher, suggesting that non-viable larvae suffered from microbial infection. Expression of genes involved in osmoregulation was also higher, implying that non-viable larvae tried to maintain homeostasis by strong osmoregulatory adaptation. Expression of genes involved in myogenesis, neural, and sensory development was reduced in the non-viable larvae. Expression of the major histocompatibility complex class-I (mhc1) gene, M-protein (myom2), the dopamine 2B receptor (d2br), the melatonin receptor (mtr1), and heat-shock protein beta-1 (hspb1) showed strong differential regulation and was therefore studied in 1, 8, and 15 days post-hatch (dph) larvae by RT-PCR to comprehend the roles of these genes during ontogeny. Expression patterning of these genes indicated the start of active swimming (8 dph) and feed searching behavior (15 dph) and confirmed immunocompetence immediately after hatching. This study revealed useful insights for improving larval survival by microbial control and salinity reduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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14 pages, 4152 KiB  
Article
Influence of Environmental Temperature and Hormonal Stimulation on the In Vitro Sperm Maturation in Sterlet Acipenser ruthenus in Advance of the Spawning Season
by Viktoriya Dzyuba, Jacky Cosson, Maria Papadaki, Constantinos C. Mylonas, Christoph Steinbach, Marek Rodina, Vladimira Tučkova, Otomar Linhart, William L. Shelton, David Gela, Sergii Boryshpolets and Borys Dzyuba
Animals 2021, 11(5), 1417; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051417 - 15 May 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2724
Abstract
Sturgeon sperm maturation occurs outside the testes during the transit of testicular spermatozoa (TS) through the kidneys and the Wolffian ducts. A method of in vitro TS maturation in sterlet Acipenser ruthenus was used to investigate the effects of temperature and hormonal stimulation [...] Read more.
Sturgeon sperm maturation occurs outside the testes during the transit of testicular spermatozoa (TS) through the kidneys and the Wolffian ducts. A method of in vitro TS maturation in sterlet Acipenser ruthenus was used to investigate the effects of temperature and hormonal stimulation of spermiation on the ability of TS to complete this process. Spermatozoa motility parameters after in vitro maturation of testicular sperm, concentrations of sex steroid hormones and testis morphology were studied in three groups of sterlet: (1) after overwintering in ponds (OW), (2) adapted to spawning temperature (ST), and (3) adapted to spawning temperature with hormonal induction of spermiation (ST-HI). Blood plasma concentrations of testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone and 17,20β-dihydroxy-pregnenolone increased significantly after hormonal induction of spermiation (group ST-HI). In all groups, TS were not motile. After in vitro sperm maturation, motility was up to 60% only in group ST-HI. The data suggest that the ability of TS to be matured in vitro was not related to the environmental temperature, while hormonal stimulation of spermiation during the spawning season was an absolute requirement for optimal in vitro maturation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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30 pages, 11408 KiB  
Article
Multi-Parametric Portfolio to Assess the Fitness and Gonadal Maturation in Four Key Reproductive Phases of Brown Trout
by Diana Santos, Eduardo Rocha, Fernanda Malhão, Célia Lopes, José F. Gonçalves and Tânia V. Madureira
Animals 2021, 11(5), 1290; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051290 - 30 Apr 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2676
Abstract
Brown trout is an environmental freshwater sentinel species and is economically important for recreational fishing and aquaculture. Despite that, there is limited knowledge regarding morpho-physiological variations in adults throughout the reproductive cycle. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the fitness and gonadal maturation [...] Read more.
Brown trout is an environmental freshwater sentinel species and is economically important for recreational fishing and aquaculture. Despite that, there is limited knowledge regarding morpho-physiological variations in adults throughout the reproductive cycle. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the fitness and gonadal maturation of cultured adult brown trout in four reproductive phases (spawning capable—December, regressing—March, regenerating—July, and developing—November). The systematic evaluation of males and females was based on biometric, biochemical, and hormonal parameters, along with a histomorphological grading of gonads and the immunophenotype location of key steroidogenic enzymes. The total weight and lengths reached the lowest levels in December. Gonad weights were higher in December and November, while the opposite pattern was found for liver weights. The lowest levels of cholesterol and total protein were also noted during those stages. The 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and testosterone (T) for males, and estradiol (E2) and T for females, mostly explained the hormonal variations. The immunohistochemistry of cytochrome P450c17 (CYP17-I), aromatase (CYP19), and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) showed sex and site-specific patterns in the distinct reproductive phases. The sex- and season-specific changes generated discriminative multi-parameter profiles, serving as a tool for environmental and aquaculture surveys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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14 pages, 2775 KiB  
Article
New Evaluation of Postovulatory Follicle Degeneration at High-Temperature Regimes Refines Criteria for the Identification of Spawning Cohorts in the European Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)
by Rosalia Ferreri, Marco Barra, Antonella Gargano, Salvatore Aronica, Angelo Bonanno, Simona Genovese, Paola Rumolo and Gualtiero Basilone
Animals 2021, 11(2), 529; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020529 - 18 Feb 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1689
Abstract
Accurate stock assessment estimates of fish resources are essential in fishery management. Wide fluctuations in abundance arising from variations in reproductive success are characteristic of many marine fish populations, including multiple spawner species. The proportion of females spawning per day is crucial in [...] Read more.
Accurate stock assessment estimates of fish resources are essential in fishery management. Wide fluctuations in abundance arising from variations in reproductive success are characteristic of many marine fish populations, including multiple spawner species. The proportion of females spawning per day is crucial in the application of egg production methods for spawning biomass evaluation and, usually, is assessed by postovulatory follicle (POF) method. Describing each degeneration stage of POF based upon its histological features allows for obtaining an aging key for postovulatory follicles. The commercially valuable European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) was selected as a case study, which breeds during the summer in temperate waters (24 °C–25 °C). A collection of ovary slides, sampled in the central Mediterranean Sea during the spawning peak, provided a 24 h cycle coverage. These observations allowed us to evaluate the duration of each POF stage at water temperature experienced by anchovy in the study area. Present results demonstrated the POF degeneration progress at a faster rate than reported by previous investigations, carried out in cooler oceanic waters. Furthermore, the present study displayed the presence of two anchovy spawning cohorts sampled along a 24-h cycle. Therefore, this study not only provides useful insight for more accurate POF degeneration evaluation in temperate waters, but also suggests that current estimates should be complemented with validation studies according to different temperature regimes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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10 pages, 1196 KiB  
Article
Multiple-Phase Biometric Relationships and Sexual Maturity in the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus (Osteichthyes: Scombridae)
by Giambattista Bello, Nicoletta Santamaria and Aldo Corriero
Animals 2021, 11(2), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020390 - 3 Feb 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2135
Abstract
Most fish undergo distinct growth phases during ontogenesis. An extremely important passage from the juvenile to adult phase occurs at the onset of sexual maturity, which shows in body proportion and/or growth rate changes. These can be detected as change-points in biometric relationships. [...] Read more.
Most fish undergo distinct growth phases during ontogenesis. An extremely important passage from the juvenile to adult phase occurs at the onset of sexual maturity, which shows in body proportion and/or growth rate changes. These can be detected as change-points in biometric relationships. In this paper, the Atlantic bluefin tuna was analyzed to verify whether its somatic proportions show any sign of discontinuity during growth, i.e., whether any change-points may be detected in its somatic proportions. This fish has never been examined in this respect, and single-phase models, which are indeed easier to both compute and apply, are used in stock analyses. The following somatic relationships were analyzed in Atlantic bluefin tuna captured in the Mediterranean Sea between 1998 and 2010: “fork length–weight” regression, the von Bertalanffy growth equation, and “first dorsal spine cross section surface–fork length” regression. All of the examined relationships were found to be best modelled by multiple-phase regression equations, and all of them showed a change-point within the range of 101–110 cm fork length, which corresponds to 3–4 years of age. The present results, based on reproductive state-independent analyses, corroborate the disputed hypothesis that Atlantic bluefin tuna from the eastern stock in fact reproduce for the first time at this age. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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15 pages, 3450 KiB  
Article
The Role of Transcription Factors in Gonad Development and Sex Differentiation of a Teleost Model Fish—Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
by Maciej Kamaszewski, Marek Skrobisz, Maciej Wójcik, Kacper Kawalski, Adrian Szczepański, Patryk Bujarski, Hubert Szudrowicz, Andrzej Przemysław Herman and Jakub Martynow
Animals 2020, 10(12), 2401; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122401 - 15 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3443
Abstract
The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is one of the world’s most popular ornamental fish. Due to lecithotrophic viviparous, it is commonly used in toxicological studies and environmental monitoring. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of gonad development and differentiation during [...] Read more.
The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is one of the world’s most popular ornamental fish. Due to lecithotrophic viviparous, it is commonly used in toxicological studies and environmental monitoring. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of gonad development and differentiation during guppy ontogenesis. The study mainly focused on the role and localization of potential specific sex markers and transcription factors: Sox9, Dmrt1, Erβ. For histological analysis, guppies of both sexes were collected at 1, 60, and 360 dph (day post-hatching). The gonads morphology and immunohistochemistry detection of mentioned markers localization were performed. The expression of Sox9 protein was compared between sexes. Histological analysis revelated all types of male germinal cells in 60 dph guppy’s testes. Maturated oocytes were visible in the ovaries of 360 dph fish. The Sox9 expression varied in spermatocytes and spermatids, from cellular to nuclear localization, and was higher in ovaries. Dmrt1 was detected in all testes groups and 360 dph ovaries. The Erβ was observed in both sexes at 60 and 360 dph. For the first time, the localization of transcription factors in guppy during ontogenesis was traced. The Sox9 designation as a factor regulating the development of germinal cells in adult guppies may facilitate the analysis of xenobiotics’ influence on fish’s reproductive system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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14 pages, 1924 KiB  
Article
Dietary ARA Improves COX Activity in Broodstock and Offspring Survival Fitness of a Model Organism (Medaka Oryzias latipes)
by Agata Kowalska, Maciej Kamaszewski, Marta Czarnowska-Kujawska, Piotr Podlasz and Radosław K. Kowalski
Animals 2020, 10(11), 2174; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112174 - 21 Nov 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2116
Abstract
A 3-week feeding trial was conducted in medaka broodstock (age five months) to examine the effect of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) level (range: 4–23 mg g−1 of total fatty acids (TFAs)) on fertility, cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, egg size, sperm motility parameters, hatching [...] Read more.
A 3-week feeding trial was conducted in medaka broodstock (age five months) to examine the effect of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) level (range: 4–23 mg g−1 of total fatty acids (TFAs)) on fertility, cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, egg size, sperm motility parameters, hatching rate and weight of hatch, survival and growth of larvae. After spawn induction and dietary exposure to 4 mg ARA g−1 TFA, broodstock were fed a diet containing ARA in the amounts: 4 (continued, as control), 5, 14 and 23 mg g−1 TFA. COX1 activity in the liver and the number of COX2-positive cells in the ovaries was increased in females fed the diets containing the two highest amounts of ARA. The highest sperm motility parameters were observed in males fed a diet containing 23 mg ARA g−1 TFA. The hatchability rate and bodyweight of hatchlings were higher in the group obtained from broodstock fed a diet containing 23 mg ARA g−1 TFA (79% and 0.66 mg fish−1, respectively) compared with 4 mg ARA g−1 TFA (50% and 0.40 mg fish−1). The average mortality of offspring obtained from this group at 7 days post hatching was significantly higher than that of all other groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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18 pages, 1371 KiB  
Article
Histological Evaluation of Gonad Impairments in Russian Sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) Reared in Recirculating Aquatic System (RAS)
by Małgorzata Rzepkowska, Dobrochna Adamek-Urbańska, Magdalena Fajkowska and Marek Łukasz Roszko
Animals 2020, 10(8), 1439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081439 - 18 Aug 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3240
Abstract
The aim of the study was to raise an issue concerning gonadal impairments in sturgeon reared in recirculating aquatic systems (RAS). In the present study, an in-depth histological evaluation in terms of gonadal pathologies was performed on over-4-year-old (1600 days post-hatching) Russian sturgeon [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to raise an issue concerning gonadal impairments in sturgeon reared in recirculating aquatic systems (RAS). In the present study, an in-depth histological evaluation in terms of gonadal pathologies was performed on over-4-year-old (1600 days post-hatching) Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) reared under indoor RAS. A female-biased sex ratio, intersex occurrence, ovarian fat overgrowth, T-cell infiltration and follicle atresia were the most commonly observed disorders in the analyzed gonads. The combined processes of oocyte autophagy and follicular cell apoptosis were engaged in follicular atresia; however, atretic follicles showed a varied morphology, whereas oogonia and oocytes in the early stages of meiosis, as well as spermatogonia, underwent degeneration by apoptosis. The most severe pathology was observed in females with abundant intra-ovarian fat deposition. The extremely fatty ovaries were noted to lose the majority of ovarian follicles, which directly leads to fish sterility. The identified impairments might be related to estrogenic endocrine disruption, as feminization and unspecific vitellogenin synthesis were detected, although the sources of the observed pathologies can be diverse. Therefore, the presented research lays the groundwork for further studies on reproductive disorders in this prized and endangered fish species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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10 pages, 824 KiB  
Article
Preliminary Identification of Candidate Genes Related to Survival of Gynogenetic Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Based on Comparative Transcriptome Analysis
by Konrad Ocalewicz, Artur Gurgul, Marcin Polonis and Stefan Dobosz
Animals 2020, 10(8), 1326; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081326 - 31 Jul 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2892
Abstract
In the present research, the eggs from four rainbow trout females were used to provide four groups of gynogenetic doubled haploids (DHs). The quality of the eggs from different clutches was comparable, however, interclutch differences were observed in the gynogenetic variants of the [...] Read more.
In the present research, the eggs from four rainbow trout females were used to provide four groups of gynogenetic doubled haploids (DHs). The quality of the eggs from different clutches was comparable, however, interclutch differences were observed in the gynogenetic variants of the experiment and the survival of DH specimens from different groups varied from 3% to 57% during embryogenesis. Transcriptome analysis of the eggs from different females exhibited inter-individual differences in the maternal genes’ expression. Eggs originating from females whose gynogenetic offspring had the highest survival showed an increased expression of 46 genes when compared to the eggs from three other females. Eggs with the highest survival of gynogenetic embryos showed an up-regulation of genes that are associated with cell survival, migration and differentiation (tyrosine-protein kinase receptor TYRO3-like gene), triglyceride metabolism (carnitine O-palmitoyltransferase 1 gene), biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fat (3-oxoacyl-acyl-carrier-protein reductase gene), early embryogenic development (protein argonaute-3 gene, leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 3-like gene), 5S RNA binding (ribosome biogenesis regulatory protein homolog) as well as senescence and aging (telomerase reverse transcriptase, TERT gene), among others. Positive correlation between the genotypic efficiency and egg transcriptome profiles indicated that at least some of the differentially expressed genes should be considered as potential candidate genes for the efficiency of gynogenesis in rainbow trout. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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16 pages, 2149 KiB  
Article
Meagre Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801) Stem Spermatogonia: Histological Characterization, Immunostaining, In Vitro Proliferation, and Cryopreservation
by Rosa Zupa, Nicola A. Martino, Giuseppina Marzano, Maria E. Dell’Aquila and Aldo Corriero
Animals 2020, 10(5), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10050851 - 14 May 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3171
Abstract
The meagre, Argyrosomus regius, is a valued fish species of which aquaculture production might be supported by the development of a stem germ cell xenotransplantation technology. Meagre males were sampled at a fish farm in the Ionian Sea (Italy) at the beginning [...] Read more.
The meagre, Argyrosomus regius, is a valued fish species of which aquaculture production might be supported by the development of a stem germ cell xenotransplantation technology. Meagre males were sampled at a fish farm in the Ionian Sea (Italy) at the beginning and end of the reproductive season. Small and large Type A undifferentiated spermatogonia were histologically identified in the germinal epithelium. Among the tested stemness markers, anti-oct4 and anti-vasa antibodies labeled cells likely corresponding to the small single Type A spermatogonia; no labeling was obtained with anti-GFRA1 and anti-Nanos2 antibodies. Two types of single A spermatogonia were purified via density gradient centrifugation of enzymatically digested testes. Testes from fish in active spermatogenesis resulted in a more efficient spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) yield. After cell seeding, meagre SSCs showed active proliferation from Day 7 to Day 21 and were cultured up to Day 41. After cryopreservation in dimethyl-sulfoxide-based medium, cell viability was 28.5%. In conclusion, these results indicated that meagre SSCs could be isolated, characterized, cultured in vitro, successfully cryopreserved, and used after thawing. This is a first step towards the development of a xenotransplantation technology that might facilitate the reproduction of this valuable species in captivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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Review

Jump to: Research

29 pages, 4801 KiB  
Review
Spotted Wolffish Broodstock Management and Egg Production: Retrospective, Current Status, and Research Priorities
by Nathalie Rose Le François, José Beirão, Joshua Superio, Bernard-Antonin Dupont Cyr, Atle Foss and Sylvie Bolla
Animals 2021, 11(10), 2849; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102849 - 29 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3825
Abstract
The first artificially fertilized spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) eggs hatched in Norway in the mid-1990s as this species was considered by Norwegian authorities to be a top candidate species for cold-water aquaculture in the North Atlantic regions. Previous research conducted in [...] Read more.
The first artificially fertilized spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) eggs hatched in Norway in the mid-1990s as this species was considered by Norwegian authorities to be a top candidate species for cold-water aquaculture in the North Atlantic regions. Previous research conducted in Norway (since 1992) and Canada (since 2000), focused on identifying key biological parameters for spotted wolffish cultivation which led, respectively, to the rapid establishment of a full commercial production line in northern Norway, while Québec (Canada) is witnessing its first privately driven initiative to establish commercial production of spotted wolffish on its territory. The control of reproduction can be viewed as a major requirement to achieve the development of performant strains using genetic selection tools and/or all-year-round production to bring about maximal productivity and synchronization among a given captive population. Although the basic reproduction aspects are more understood and controlled there are still some challenges remaining involving broodstock and upscaling of operations that limit the achievement of a standardized production at the commercial level. Quality of gametes is still considered a major constraint and it can be affected by multiple factors including nutrition, environmental conditions, handling practices, and welfare status. Internal insemination/fertilization and the protracted incubation period are challenging as well as the establishment of a health monitoring program to secure large-scale operations. The profound progress achieved in the control of reproduction, sperm handling, and cryopreservation methods for this species is presented and discussed. In this review, we also go into detail over the full range of up-to-date cultivation practices involving broodstock and identify areas that could benefit from additional research efforts (i.e., broodstock nutrition, health and welfare, scaling-up egg and larval production, genetics, and development of selective breeding programs). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproduction of Wild and Cultured Fish)
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