Regulation of 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone Production during Induced Oocyte Maturation and Ovulation in Amur Sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii)

In several teleosts, 17α, 20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) has been identified as a maturation-inducing steroid. DHP is synthesized from 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) by 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 12-like (hsd17b12L). Along with 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-4 isomerase (3β-HSD), 17α-hydroxylase and C17-20 lyase are associated with 17OHP production. This study aimed to determine the roles of Amur sturgeon hsd3b, P450c17-I (cyp17a1), and P450c17-II (cyp17a2) in 17OHP production and to examine their enzyme activity and mRNA expression pattern during oocyte maturation. In the sturgeons used in this study, hsd3b encoded 3β-HSD, cyp17a1 catalyzed 17α-hydroxylase production with C17-20 lyase activity, and cyp17a2 processed 17α-hydroxylase activity alone. In the ovarian follicles of individuals that underwent induced ovulation, hsd3b mRNA levels increased rapidly, cyp17a1 expression was downregulated, and cyp17a2 expression was upregulated during oocyte maturation. Finally, an in vitro study revealed that salmon pituitary extract (SPE) stimulation rapidly induced hsd3b expression, whereas cyp17a1 expression was downregulated. In vitro, cyp17a2 expression did not rapidly increase with SPE stimulation. This rapid upregulation of hsd3b during oocyte maturation was first observed in teleosts. It was suggested that hsd17b12L expression is upregulated after 17OHP production, which is regulated by hsd3b, cyp17a1, and cyp17a2, resulting in DHP production.

Prospects of studies on the yeast flora of sturgeons for monitoring of their state in aquaculture

Seasonal changes in abundance and species composition of the yeast flora from organs of juvenile sturgeons were traced during their growing in the warm-water ponds of Luchegorsk Research Station of the Pacific Fish. Res. Centre (TINRO) in 2008-2009. The fungal community of the sturgeons was represented by whey, brewers, and wine yeasts, mostly with probiotic properties. Naganishia albida, Papiliotrema laurentii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Trichomonascus ciferrii , and fungi of the genus Candida were found in the intestines and gills of kaluga and siberian sturgeon juveniles, but they came from the water and are usual for microflora of cages for fish cultivation. Cryptococcus neoformans and Ogataea angusta were found in the water only. Rhodotorula mucilaginosa , Cystobasidium minuta and fungi of the genus Hanseniaspora were associated with the sturgeon organs. Generally the yeast heterotrophic microbiota in the cages showed inhibitory effect against mould and enterobacteria. Colonization of the sturgeon mucous membranes by yeasts had seasonal dynamics that definitely affected on local immunity of the juveniles. Complete elimination of the yeasts from the sturgeon mucous membranes should be considered as a predictor of worsening of their physiological state and anti-epizootic measures are necessary in this case.