Suppression of a Novel Vitellogenesis-Inhibiting Hormone Significantly Increases Ovarian Vitellogenesis in the Black Tiger Shrimp, Penaeus monodon

In this study, a novel Crustacean Hyperglycemic Hormone-type II gene (CHH-type II) was identified and biologically characterized in a shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Based on its structure and function, this gene was named P. monodon vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone (PemVIH). The complete cDNA sequence of PemVIH consisted of 1,022 nt with an open reading frame (ORF) of 339 nt encoding a polypeptide of 112 amino acids. It was classified as a member of the CHH-type II family based on conserved cysteine residues, a characteristically positioned glycine residue, and the absence of CHH precursor-related peptide (CPRP) domain. The deduced mature PemVIH shared the highest sequence similarities with giant river prawn sinus gland peptide A. Unlike P. monodon gonad-inhibiting hormone (PemGIH), PemVIH was expressed only in the brain and ventral nerve cord, but not the eyestalks. Whole mount immunofluorescence using a newly generated PemVIH antiserum detected positive signals in neuronal cluster 9/11 and 17 of the brain, commissural ganglion (CoG), and neuronal clusters of ventral nerve cord. The presence of PemVIH-positive neurons in CoG, a part of stomatogastric nervous system, suggested a potential mechanism for crosstalk between nutritional and reproductive signaling. The role of PemVIH in vitellogenesis was evaluated using RNA interference technique. Temporal knockdown of PemVIH in female subadults resulted in a 3-fold increase in ovarian vitellogenin expression, suggesting an inhibitory role of PemVIH in vitellogenesis. This study provided novel insight into the control of vitellogenesis and additional strategies for improving ovarian maturation in P. monodon without the current harmful practice of eyestalk ablation. &nbsp;</p

Molecular evidence for genetic distinctions between Chlamydiaceae detected in Siamese crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) and known Chlamydiaceae species

Chlamydiosis, caused by Chlamydiaceae, is a zoonotic disease found in humans and several species of animals, including reptiles and amphibians. Although chlamydiosis in saltwater crocodiles has been previously reported in South Africa and Papua New Guinea, the reported strains have not been identified or confirmed. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to sequence and characterize Chamydiaceae isolated from Siamese crocodiles. Results showed the 16S ribosomal (r) RNA and the 16S/23S rRNA gene of the crocodile isolates were closely related to the genus Chlamydophila with matched identity greater than 98%. The phylogenetic tree constructed from the 16S/23S rRNA gene showed the crocodile cluster diverges far from Cp. caviae with a 100% bootstrap value. The tree based on the ompA gene loci distinguished the crocodile strains into genotypes I, II, and III. The present study is the first report on Chlamydophila detected in Siamese crocodiles that is genetically distinct from the known species of Chlamydiaceae

Optimisation and standardisation of functional immune assays for striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) to compare their immune response to live and heat killed Aeromonas hydrophila as models of infection and vaccination

Aquaculture production of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus is growing rapidly in South East Asia, especially in Vietnam. As it is a relatively new aquaculture species there are few reports evaluating its immune response to pathogens. Thus, functional assays for P.hypophthalmus were optimised to evaluate both innate and adaptive immune responses, and were then used to examine immune response following stimulation with live and heat-killed Aeromonas hydrophila. These were used as models of infection and vaccination, respectively. Four treatment groups were used, including a control group, a group injected intraperitonally (IP) with adjuvant only, a group injected with heat-killed A.hydrophila (1×109cfuml-1 mixed with adjuvant), and a group injected with a subclinical dose of live A.hydrophila. Samples were collected at 0, 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days post-injection (d.p.i.) to assess their immune response. The results indicated that challenge with live or dead bacteria stimulated the immune response in P.hypophthalmus significantly above the levels observed in control groups with respect to specific antibody titre, plasma lysozyme and peroxidase activity, and phagocytosis by head kidney macrophages at 7 or/and 14d.p.i. At 21d.p.i., total and specific antibody (IgM) levels and plasma lysozyme activity in fish injected with either live or dead A.hydrophila were significantly different to the control groups. Differential immune responses were observed between fish injected with either live or dead bacteria, with live A.hydrophila significantly stimulating an increase in WBC counts and plasma peroxidase activity at 3d.p.i., with the greatest increase in WBC counts noted at 21d.p.i. and in phagocytosis at 14d.p.i. By 21d.p.i. only the macrophages from fish injected with dead A.hydrophila showed significantly stimulation in their respiratory burst activity. This study provides basic information on the immune response in pangasius catfish that can be useful in the health control of this species