诺氟沙星(Norfloxacin)对蛋白核小球藻(Chlorella pyrenoidosa)生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响

以蛋白核小球藻(Chlorella pyrenoidosa)为实验材料,研究了喹诺酮类药物诺氟沙星(Norfloxacin,NFLX)对小球藻生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响.结果表明,NFLX对小球藻的96hEC50为30.78mg·L-1,属于低毒.NFLX暴露对小球藻谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)具有显著影响,当NFLX浓度高于30mg·L-1时,小球藻GST活性受到显著诱导,并随NFLX浓度增加而显著升高,而小球藻CAT活性随NFLX暴露浓度的升高表现出先诱导后抑制现象.NFLX对谷胱甘肽(GSH)和7-乙氧基-异吩唑酮-脱乙基酶(EROD)的影响较弱.在低浓度NFLX暴露下,GST和CAT可作为NFLX暴露的生物标记物.     

基于发光细菌法和鱼类暴露实验评价6种化学消油剂的遗传毒性

为评价海洋溢油应急处置中所使用的消油剂的环境安全性,分别以发光细菌Acinetobacter sp.Rec A和海水青鳉(Oryzias melastigma)幼鱼为受试生物,对6种化学消油剂的遗传毒性进行检测.结果显示,采用发光细菌法仅检测到HLD-501(常规型)在浓度较高(500 mg/L和1 000 mg/L)时表现出一定水平的遗传毒性,其等效应的丝裂霉素C(MMC)浓度分别为0.039 mg/L和0.032 mg/L.在彗星实验中,6种消油剂对海水青鳉幼鱼细胞的DNA损伤率从高到低依次为RS-II(浓缩型)、RS-I(浓缩型)、HLD-501(常规型)、富肯-2(常规型)、RS-I(常规型)和微普(常规型),然而HLD-501(常规型)处理的3级损伤率最高,其遗传毒性最大.综上,采用两种不同营养级的受试生物对6种化学消油剂遗传毒性检测结果的相关度较好;本研究可为消油剂用于处理实际海洋溢油污染的环境安全性评价提供参考.     

全氟辛酸(PFOA)对菲律宾蛤仔体内酶活性的影响

采用半静态毒性实验方法,将菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)分别暴露于0.2、2、20μg·L-1的全氟辛酸(perfluorooctanoic acid,PFOA)中,在处理后第1、3、6、10、15、21天分别取样,测定整体组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)、7-乙氧基异吩噁唑酮脱乙基酶(EROD)活性和过氧化脂质(LPO)含量。酶活性分析结果显示:PFOA对菲律宾蛤仔组织SOD、CAT和POD活性均呈现先促进后抑制的作用;低浓度组SOD活性在暴露第1天达到最高,显著高于对照组(P<0.01);中高浓度组SOD活性在暴露第6天达到最低;暴露1~15 d,低浓度组CAT活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);高浓度组CAT活性在暴露第6天得到显著诱导,其余时间基本处于抑制状态;中浓度组POD活性在暴露第3天即达到最高,高浓度组POD活性基本一直处于抑制状态;随着PFOA暴露时间的延长,菲律宾蛤仔组织LPO含量呈现了先降低后升高的趋势;各浓度组中EROD的活力都显著被诱导(P<0.01),与处理浓度呈正相关;中高浓度组的GST活性在胁迫期间变化比较显著,呈现诱导-抑制的变化规律。研究表明,PFOA暴露能够引起菲律宾蛤仔组织抗氧化酶和生物转化酶的变化,可以与其他敏感性指标一起作为指示早期海洋PFOA污染的生物标志物。     

底泥浸出液对脊尾白虾抗氧化解毒酶及相关基因表达的影响

以脊尾白虾(Exopalaemon carinicauda)糠虾幼体为实验材料,研究底泥浸出液对抗氧化解毒酶和基因表达的影响。用长江口水域的底泥浸出液与过滤海水按等比例间距稀释成4个体积浓度水平(1∶4,1∶2,1∶1,1.5∶1),以过滤海水为对照组,每一个浓度组设3个平行样本,进行20 d的毒性实验。结果表明:实验进行20 d,底泥浸出液对糠虾幼体肌肉组织CAT酶活性有一定的诱导作用,浸出液浓度与CAT酶活性表现出正相关的剂量效应关系。实验开始10 d,不同浸出液胁迫下,GST酶活性均出现增加受到诱导,实验20 d后,GST酶活性下降受到抑制作用,但不同浸出液浓度胁迫下抑制和诱导效应关系不明显。虾类肌肉组织3种基因(CAT、GSTD和HSP70)表达量基本都表现为实验开始10 d时升高,而实验20 d后表达量下降,仅为10 d数值的百分之一左右,表明底泥浸出液对CAT、GSTD和HSP70的3种基因的mRNA转录水平表达在一定时间内有一定的诱导作用,但胁迫时间过长时,则产生较明显的抑制作用。     

低浓度铅暴露对鲫鱼肝脏抗氧化系统的影响

研究了鲫鱼幼体 (Carassiusauratus)在低浓度铅的长期 ( 4 0d)暴露实验中 ,鲫鱼抗氧化系统所产生的生理生化反应 .结果表明 ,在本实验的剂量范围内 ,铅对鲫鱼肝脏内过氧化氢酶 (CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)的活性 (在暴露浓度达到 0 2mg·l- 1时 )表现为诱导作用 ;而铅对谷胱甘肽硫转移酶 (GST)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶 (GSH Px)的活性在低浓度时 ( 0 0 1mg·l- 1)被抑制 ,其中暴露浓度在 0 2mg·l- 1时GSH Px被进一步抑制 .在实验范围内 ,GSH含量无明显变化 .另外 ,对于低浓度铅的长期暴露 ,鲫鱼肝脏中的GST和GSH Px较CAT和SOD敏感 ,可考虑作为水生生态系统中铅低浓度长期暴露的一种生物检测指标 .     

铜及其EDTA配合物对彭泽鲫鱼肝脏抗氧化系统的影响

选择幼龄彭泽鲫鱼为材料,研究Cu^2 及其配合物Cu—EDTA低浓度长期暴露(40d)对鲫鱼肝脏抗氧化防御系统的影响．结果表明,两种形态的铜对鲫鱼肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)均表现出抑制作用;Cu^2 在低浓度时对超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)有诱导,而Cu-EDTA的诱导作用在浓度较高时才表现出来．对于谷胱甘肽转硫酶(GST)的影响是在低浓度有诱导,高浓度抑制．     

双酚A对紫背浮萍生长和光合色素及抗氧化系统影响

以紫背浮萍为实验对象,探究双酚A(bsiphenol A, BPA)对其生长、光合色素含量、抗氧化系统和渗透压调节物质的影响。结果表明,不同浓度(0、1、5、20和50 mg·L~(-1))BPA连续暴露7 d后,与对照组相比,随暴露浓度升高,紫背浮萍湿重和叶绿素含量呈现先显著增加后降低的趋势;暴露组过氧化氢(H_2O_2)含量和抗超氧阴离子自由基活性显著降低;丙二醛(MDA)含量在20和50 mg·L~(-1)组显著升高;暴露组抗氧化酶活性包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)均低于对照组;谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量在高浓度组显著升高,20 mg·L~(-1)组可溶性糖含量显著升高,可溶性蛋白含量在中高浓度组显著增加。研究表明,中低浓度BPA会提高紫背浮萍光合色素含量,有机物积累增多,促进其生长;但随BPA浓度不断升高,紫背浮萍体内产生氧化损伤,抗氧化酶活性及叶绿素含量降低,生长受到抑制。本研究结果将为BPA污染控制及对水生植物生态毒性效应评价提供理论基础。     

十溴二苯乙烷对草鱼幼鱼肝脏和肌肉组织氧化应激效应的影响

十溴二苯乙烷(DBDPE)是目前在全球范围内广泛使用的新型溴代阻燃剂,其环境风险已引起广泛关注,但目前仍缺乏针对水生生物的毒性研究数据。作者通过饲料中添加十溴二苯乙烷暴露的方式对草鱼幼鱼进行长期暴露实验,研究500、1 000和3 000 mg·kg~(-1)三个饲料添加剂量暴露组和1个对照组长期暴露对草鱼幼鱼肝脏和肌肉组织中氧化应激酶(SOD、CAT和GSH-PX)活性和抗氧化物质(GSH)含量的影响。结果显示:暴露8周后,随着DBDPE暴露水平的升高,草鱼幼鱼肝脏组织中氧化应激酶(SOD、CAT和GSH-PX)和抗氧化物质(GSH)均表现出低浓度诱导及高浓度抑制的效应。500和1 000 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组草鱼幼鱼肝脏组织中SOD、CAT和GSH-PX活性和GSH含量均显著高于对照组(P0.05),且均在500 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组达到最高。3 000 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组SOD、CAT和GSH-PX活性和GSH含量低于500和1 000 mg·kg~(-1)暴露组,但与对照组无显著性差异(P0.05)。草鱼幼鱼肌肉组织中氧化应激酶活性变化甚微,3个浓度剂量组肌肉组织中SOD、CAT活性和GSH含量以及500 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组GSH-PX活性与对照组均无显著性差异(P0.05)。研究成果表明DBDPE暴露影响草鱼幼鱼肝脏组织的抗氧化防御系统,可以诱导草鱼幼鱼产生氧化应激效应。     

硫化物胁迫对日本沼虾呼吸代谢和能量代谢酶的影响

研究了硫化物暴露后日本沼虾细胞色素氧化酶(CCO)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)、延胡索酸还原酶(FRD)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)4种呼吸代谢酶及能量代谢酶-精氨酸激酶(AK)活性的变化规律.将日本沼虾暴露于0.6 mg·L~(-1)、2mg·L~(-1)的2个硫化物质量浓度组和不含硫化物的对照组水体中,暴露后0、2、12、24、48 h和解除暴露后48 h取肝胰腺和肌肉组织进行酶活性分析.结果显示:肝胰腺和肌肉组织SDH和CCO活性随硫化物质量浓度升高或暴露时间延长而显著降低(P<0.05).FRD、LDH和AK活性随硫化物质量浓度升高或暴露时间延长而显著升高(P<0.05).解除硫化物暴露后48 h,各质量浓度组酶活性与对照组无显著差异.上述酶活性还存在组织差异,肝胰腺呼吸代谢酶活性高于肌肉中相应酶活性,而AK活性与此相反.结果表明,硫化物胁迫导致日本沼虾有氧呼吸代谢减弱,无氧呼吸代谢增强,并动用其能量贮存物质磷酸精氨酸,产生更多ATP以适应外界不良环境.     

双酚AF对雄性斑马鱼卵黄蛋白原水平与芳香化酶基因表达的影响

双酚AF(4,4'-六氟-2-二酚,BPAF)对生物有机体具有内分泌干扰作用。为研究低剂量BPAF对水生生物的效应,本研究选择成年雄性斑马鱼为研究对象,考察了0.005、0.05和0.5 mg·L~(-1)3种浓度BAPF暴露30 d对血浆中卵黄蛋白原(VTG)含量、2种卵黄蛋白原基因(vtg~(-1)和vtg-3)表达和2种芳香酶基因(cyp 19a与cyp 19b)表达的影响。结果表明:在0.005 mg·L~(-1)浓度暴露30 d后,血浆中VTG含量显著升高,随着暴露浓度的升高,促进作用不显著;BPAF暴露对不同组织中的4种基因存在不同的影响,0.005 mg·L~(-1)BPAF暴露可诱导脑部cyp19b、肝脏中cyp19a和性腺中vtg~(-1)、vtg-3和cyp19b基因表达;0.5 mg·L~(-1)BPAF暴露可导致肝脏中vtg~(-1)、vtg-3、性腺中cyp19a等基因显著上调。实验结果表明,BPAF具有雌性激素样效应,可诱导雄性斑马鱼体内部分组织卵黄蛋白原基因和芳香酶基因的表达。BPAF可引起斑马鱼血浆中的VTG含量的上升,从而干扰由VTG所参与的下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴与免疫系统的正常生理过程。     

阿曼原油和溢油分散剂对斑马鱼(Danio rerio)胚胎形态发育的毒性效应

为研究经溢油分散剂(GM-2)处理阿曼原油对硬骨鱼类形态学发育毒性,将斑马鱼胚胎作为受试生物,采用半静态暴露方法,观察0~120 hpf(hour post-fertilization)斑马鱼胚胎的致死率、孵化率和畸形率,并应用斑马鱼胚胎发育毒性试验形态学得分系统(General Morphology Score(GMS)System)评估阿曼原油暴露诱导的斑马鱼胚胎形态发育毒性。结果显示,相较于水溶组分(water-accommodated fractions,WAF),加入GM-2后的化学增强型水溶组分(chemically enhanced water-accommodated fractions,CEWAF)水样中总石油烃(total petroleum hydrocarbons,TPH)浓度显著增加,由(5.233±0.213)mg·L-1增至(292.989±11.905)mg·L-1;120 hpf时,WAF和CEWAF组的致死率均有不同程度的升高,100%WAF的致死率为30.2%±2.8%,而≥40%CEWAF的致死率均已超过半数致死率,其半数致死浓度LC50为153.318 mg·L-1;通过对GMS分析,WAF和CEWAF暴露均会在不同程度上导致斑马鱼胚胎发育显著延迟,主要表现在鱼鳔未形成、心率异常、血液循环停滞和行动(胸鳍摆动、尾部摆动等)迟缓,且均能显著延迟胚胎孵化甚至造成胚胎不孵化;由畸形率可知,阿曼原油具有较强的致畸性,以心包水肿、背部弯曲和尾部弯曲最显著。由结果可知,经GM-2处理后的阿曼原油(CEWAF)比未处理的阿曼原油(WAF)对斑马鱼胚胎产生更严重的毒性效应。     

Effects of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons on the gill functions and ciliary activities of a marine bivalve

The effects of long-term exposure to low levels of water-accommodated fractions of Kuwait Crude oil, or to shortterm exposure to chemically dispersed oil, on the gill performance of the clam Venus verrucosa were investigated. Reduced pumping activities of the lateral cilia as well as interference with the normal beating activities of the eulaterofrontal cirri led to reduced clearance rates and retention efficiencies of food particles less than 6 m in diameter. On the other hand, frontal ciliary activities were significantly accelerated, while any retained oil droplets were conducted to the mouth region as food particles. The activities of terminal and sensory cilia were also enhanced and mucus production increased. The significance of these responses to the clam's energy budget is discussed.     

Effects of seasonality and population density on the reproduction of the Indo-Pacific echinoid<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Echinometra mathaei</Emphasis> in Kenyan coral reef lagoons

Reproduction in the widely distributed tropical sea urchin Echinometra mathaei (de Blainville) was examined in three Kenyan reef lagoons that differed in substrate cover and E. mathaei population density. Histological examination of the gonads and gonad index measurements for 3 years showed a seasonal reproductive cycle with gametogenesis commencing in July, when temperature and light are at their lowest, and spawning commencing in December and peaking in February to May, when temperature and light reach their annual maxima. Monthly gonad indices correlated significantly with seawater temperature and light intensity. Male urchins had mature gametes for a longer period (8 months) than females (6 months), possibly an adaptive strategy that increases the probability of fertilization. Lunar periodicity was not observed, as male and female gonads were full of gametes on all days of the lunar cycle during the period of spawning. The peak in spawning activity coincides with the peak in phytoplankton abundance, which could ensure high food availability for the planktonic larvae. Gonad weights were significantly higher relative to urchin weight at the reef having the largest mean sizes and lowest population of urchins, indicating availability of food resources for growth and reproduction. E. mathaei at the reef with the highest density had the smallest urchins and high relative gonad sizes, indicative of a tradeoff between growth and reproduction when food is limited.Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe     

十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)及消油剂对刺参幼参的急性毒性

为探究表面活性剂对海洋棘皮动物的影响,测定了十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)和消油剂对刺参(Stichopus japonicas )幼参的急性毒性。结果显示,SDBS对刺参幼参的72 h-LC₅₀和96 h-LC₅₀分别为2.50和1.71 mg·L^-1;消油剂对刺参幼参的96 h-LC₅₀为7 498.94 mg·L^-1。刺参幼参相对于多刺裸腹溞(Moina macrocopa )和脊尾白虾仔虾(Palaemon carincauda )对SDBS的敏感性较高,相对于安氏伪镖水蚤(Pseudodiaptomus annandalei )对SDBS的敏感性则较低,SDBS对刺参幼参的毒性明显大于十二烷基磺酸钠(SDS),消油剂的96 h-LC₅₀ 远远大于SDBS和SDS,毒性非常小,但这仅是对刺参幼参而言,大多数研究忽视了消油剂自身对生物体存在的影响,因此这方面的研究工作还需要继续开展。     

Changes in sea urchin populations after the destruction of kelp beds

In St. Margaret's Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, there are large areas in which sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) have eliminated beds of kelp (Laminaria spp.). Sites were identified where destruction of kelp beds had taken place 1, 2, 3, 3.5 and 4 years ago. With increase of time since kelp disappearance, the sea urchins showed decreased growth rate, reduced gonad size, but an increase in numbers resulting from high recruitment rates in the first two years after kelp bed destruction. These sea urchin populations, by their browsing, effectively prevent the regeneration of kelp. There is, as yet, no evidence of the sea urchin populations being starved out to allow the kelp to return.     

乙酸铜对银鲳幼鱼急性毒性及抗氧化酶活性的影响

为评价乙酸铜对银鲳的安全性及毒性效应,采用静水急性暴露实验,研究了8个乙酸铜浓度梯度(0、0.150、0.206、0.282、0.387、0.531、0.729、1.00 mg·L~(-1))对银鲳幼鱼的急性毒性,以肝脏和鳃组织的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶(GSH—PX)以及谷胱甘肽巯基转移酶(GST)活性为指标研究乙酸铜对银鲳幼鱼的毒理作用,并进行安全评价。结果表明,高浓度乙酸铜会对银鲳幼鱼产生了较大的毒性,48 h和96 h-LC_(50)分别为0.898 mg·L~(-1)、0.264 mg·L~(-1),安全质量浓度为0.026 mg·L~(-1);不同浓度乙酸铜胁迫下银鲳幼鱼组织中的SOD、CAT、GSH-PX和GST活性均表现为低浓度被诱导而高浓度受抑制的规律,与乙酸铜浓度呈抛物线型剂量效应关系,此外,肝脏中4种抗氧化酶活性普遍高于鳃组织。研究发现,乙酸铜胁迫对抗氧化酶的影响,可以反映银鲳幼鱼机体的受损状况,其中SOD可较灵敏地指示早期低浓度的铜污染。     

Incidence,occurrence and distribution of the nematode Echinomermella matsi in its echinoid host,Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis,in northern Norway

The incidence, occurrence and distribution of the nematode Echinomermella matsi (Jones and Hagen) in its host, the echinoid Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis Müller, were examined in Norwegian waters from Nordmre (63° N) to the Russian border (70° N) in a range of habitats (e.g. kelp cover and community type) from 1982 to 1992. The results are used to examine the likely influence of the parasite on fitness (individual growth and gonad production) and its potential in regulating the population size of its echinoid host. The nematode infections are restricted to areas between Vikna (Vega) and middle Troms, with the highest prevalence (40 to 88% infected) in the Bodø area, the focus of the distribution. The prevalence rates are similar on kelp beds and barren grounds. No difference in growth rates between infected and noninfected sea urchins was found. Nematode-infected sea urchins in kelp bed populations had gonads weighing about one-sixth of those of equivalent uninfected individuals. This indicates that nematodes are really parasites causing reduced reproductive capacity. Areas with high prevalence (>40% infected) of nematodes had low sea urchin densities. High nematode intensities were found in the areas with high prevalence. The mean abundance in high prevalence areas was highest (eight nematodes) in the 4-to 7-yr-old age group and decreased to zero among the oldest age groups. The ratio of variance/mean abundance was also highest among 5-to 8-yr-old sea urchins. At highly and slightly infected locations, the relationships between the log of the variance and the log of the mean abundance of parasites were 1.35 and 1.69, respectively. Measurements of the frequency distribution of nematodes in sea urchins and the corresponding estimates of the negative binomial distribution showed significantly higher counts in estimated than observed subpopulations exceeding 20 nematodes per sea urchin. These results may explain nematode-induced sea urchin mortality. The low density of the host in the Bodø area, which had high prevalence, may be a result of increased host mortality caused by nematodes, by lower recruitment because of reduced gonad production, or by other factors. Low prevalence among older sea urchins may be caused by nematodeinduced host mortality or by cycles in infection. However, studies on the life cycle of the nematode and long term investigations of host density and nematode intensity/prevalence will be needed before any true conclusions can can be drawn.     

Effects of mercury graded doses on redox status,metallothionein levels and genotoxicity in the intestine of sea cucumber Holothuria forskali

Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous and a major environmental metal pollutant in the aquatic ecosystem. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of mercury graded doses exposure on oxidative stress, redox status, metallothionein levels and genotoxicity in the intestine of sea cucumber Holothuria forskali. Specimens were exposed for 96?h to three concentrations of Hg (40, 80 and 160?µg/L). Exposure of H. forskali to Hg promoted oxidative stress with an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels. An increase of glutathione (GSH), vitamin C (ViteC) and non-protein thiols (NPSH) contents was also observed. Additionally, antioxidant activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased especially with the highest doses of Hg indicating a great defense of the antioxidant system. Our investigation revealed an increase in total Metallothionein (MT) content which was more pronounced at the sharpest concentrations of Hg. A significant decline of AChE activity was also observed. In the intestine of Hg-treated H. forskali genotoxicity was confirmed by DNA degradation.     

Annual reproductive cycle of the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, in differing habitats in Nova Scotia, Canada

We monitored the reproductive cycle of Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (OF Müller) between April 1993 and August 1995 in kelp beds, barren grounds and grazing fronts at both a wave-exposed and a sheltered site along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. Gonad index and histological analyses showed that S. droebachiensis has an annual reproductive cycle that is synchronous across sites and habitats, and between females and males. Spawning occurs in March/April of each year but a small proportion of sea urchins in the study populations also spawned in fall 1995. During most of the year, sea urchins in kelp beds and grazing fronts have a higher gonad index than those in barren grounds. Gonad indices also tended to be higher at the wave-exposed than the sheltered site. Interannual variability in peak gonad index was significant in the barren grounds at the wave-exposed site and in the grazing front at the sheltered site. The gametogenic cycle is characterized by six stages based on the abundance of nutritive and germinal/gametic cells. Nutritive phagocytes are abundant after spawning and replaced by increasing numbers of germinal and gametic cells as the gametogenic cycle progresses. The temporal patterns of abundance of each cell type were similar among habitats indicating that the gonads were qualitatively similar despite large differences in gonadal mass. The quantity of gut contents (ratio of food volume to body volume) was similar among habitats, but the quality (percentage of organic material) tended to be higher in kelp beds and grazing fronts than in barren grounds suggesting that differences in gonad index of S. droebachiensis in different habitats are related to differences in diet. The high density of sea urchins in grazing fronts combined with their high fecundity suggests that they make the greatest contribution, per unit area, to the overall larval pool. Received: 20 May 1997 / Accepted: 21 January 1998     

Effects of temperature and food ration on gonad growth and oogenesis of the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

To assess the effects of both temperature and food ration on gonad growth and oogenesis of the green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (O.F. Müller), individuals collected December 1996 (winter experiment) and June 1997 (summer experiment) were maintained for 3 months in one of four experimental treatments: (1) 3 °C and fed ad libitum (high ration), (2) 3 °C and fed one-seventh of the maximum ration (low ration), and (3) 12 °C and fed the high ration; (4) 12 °C and fed the low ration. All individuals were fed an artificial diet and exposed to only 1 h of light every day. At the end of both experiments, mean gonad indices of sea urchins fed the high ration had increased significantly (11–24% and 6–19% in the winter and summer experiments, respectively), while the gonad indices of individuals fed the low ration did not change. At the high ration (both experiments), the increase in gonad index of sea urchins occurred primarily as the result of a significant increase in the mass of nutritive phagocytes, as revealed by histological analyses. Primary oocytes were significantly larger in individuals held at 3 °C than at 12 °C throughout the winter experiment, regardless of food ration; during the summer experiment, primary oocytes were significantly larger in individuals receiving the high ration, regardless of the temperature at which they were held. These results suggest that: (1) food availability is the most important factor regulating energy storage and the relative size of gonads throughout the year, (2) temperature affects the rate of growth and maturation of primary oocytes during the later stages of oogenesis, and (3) once gametogenesis has been initiated, mature ova will be produced, even under conditions of low food availability. Conditions of high food availability in summer and low temperature in winter would thus favor reproductive output in sea urchin populations. Received: 1 March 2000 / Accepted: 4 October 2000