Expression and localization of aquaporin 1b during oocyte development in the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica)

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underling hydration during oocyte maturation, we characterized the structure of Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) novel-water selective aquaporin 1 (AQP1b) that thought to be involved in oocyte hydration. The aqp1b cDNA encodes a 263 amino acid protein that includes the six potential transmembrane domains and two Asn-Pro-Ala motifs. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed transcription of Japanese eel aqp1b in ovary and testis but not in the other tissues. In situ hybridization studies with the eel aqp1b cRNA probe revealed intense eel aqp1b signal in the oocytes at the perinucleolus stage and the signals became faint during the process of oocyte development. Light microscopic immunocytochemical analysis of ovary revealed that the Japanese eel AQP1b was expressed in the cytoplasm around the yolk globules which were located in the peripheral region of oocytes during the primary yolk globule stage; thereafter, the immunoreactivity was observed throughout the cytoplasm of oocyte as vitellogenesis progressed. The immunoreactivity became localized around the large membrane-limited yolk masses which were formed by the fusion of yolk globules during the oocyte maturation phase. These results together indicate that AQP1b, which is synthesized in the oocyte during the process of oocyte growth, is essential for mediating water uptake into eel oocytes

The first success of glass eel production in the world: basic biology on fish reproduction advances new applied technology in aquaculture

The eel has long been esteemed as an important food fish in the world, especially in Japan, and has been used as an experimental fish for many fields of fish physiology. However, the decreases in eel resources have been a serious concern in recent years. The catches of glass eels as seedlings for aquaculture have shown a long-term decrease in both Europe and East Asia. To increase eel resources, the development of techniques for artificial induction of maturation and spawning and rearing their larvae have been eagerly desired. Recent progress of reproductive physiology of fish, especially mechanisms of oocyte maturation and ovulation in female and of spermatozoa maturation in male, facilitate to establish techniques for hormonal induction of maturation and spawning in sexually immature eels. With persistent effort to development of rearing techniques of larvae, we have first succeeded to produce glass eel. These applied techniques are may contribute to understand the basic reproductive physiology of the eel

Histological characteristics of the oocyte chorion in wild post-spawning and artificially matured Japanese eels Anguilla japonica

To describe the histological characteristics of the oocyte chorion in wild adult and artificially matured Japanese eels, we investigated changes in chorion thickness during artificially induced oogenesis and compared the chorion thickness and ultrastructure between wild and artificially matured eels. In artificially maturing eels, the chorion thickness and volume increased significantly with increasing follicle diameter, peaking at approximately 450 A mu m; beyond this point, the chorion thinned significantly, whereas there were no significant changes in volume. A significant positive correlation was observed between the number of salmon pituitary extract (SPE) injections and chorion thickness. In wild post-spawning adult eels, chorion thickness varied among individuals, and two had chorions that were significantly thinner than those of artificially matured eels. Ultrastructural examination revealed electron-dense layers in the chorions of wild post-spawning adult eels, as was seen in artificially matured eels. This result is inconsistent with our hypothesis that the formation of an electron-dense layer is unique to artificially maturing eels due to repeated SPE injections. These results suggest that the formation cycle of the chorion might be affected by SPE injections in artificially maturing eels, whereas that of wild eels might be synchronized with behavioral and/or environmental fluctuations that occur during the oceanic spawning migration