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Background. The majority of the European populations of the Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio, consist predominantly of females reproducing by gynogenesis but include a small portion of males. Mechanisms for the occurrence of males in natural populations and their functions are still unclear. The aims of this study were to show the ploidy level by karyotype, some taxonomic characteristics by analysis of morphology, and the reproductive potential by histology of gonads of Prussian carp individuals of a certain age from two types of naturally existing unisexual triploid and a diploid-polyploid populations. Materials and methods. In total 31 specimens from three different populations inhabiting the Vistula River basin, the Baltic Sea watershed, have been analyzed. Kidneys were used to prepare chromosome slides using standard procedures. Air-dried slides were stained with Giemsa solution. For each fish, 23 metric characteristics of the body were measured. Selected meristic characteristics (external and internal) were determined. The gonads were fixed in buffered formalin or in Bouin's solution; histological sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (HE). The developmental stages of germ cells and gonads were determined according to Rinchard and Kestemont and Billard. Results. All individuals of two populations were triploid females with high chromosomal variability from 150 to 160 chromosomes (and microchromosomes). Among individuals of the third population, males and females of 2n = 100 and one triploid male 3n = 160 (151-162) chromosomes were detected. The individuals from analyzed populations differed in the number of: branched rays in the dorsal fin, lateral line scales, serration in dorsal D and anal A fin rays, and vertebrae. Gonad histology of the ovaries indicated the females were mature at the age of 3. Testes morphology of diploids and one triploid male indicated their reproductive abilities. Conclusion. The results of the study confirmed the tendency to increase the number of males in C. gibelio populations. In several or some populations apart from diploid males a small number of fertile triploid males occur. High chromosomal variability within the females from unisexual populations may be influenced by their different mode of origin. The future research should be focused on karyological identification of other C. gibelio populations to explain the origin of triploid males and their role in reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reduction of epidermal club cells and an increase of goblet cells were found in Carassius gibelio during spawning when compared to postspawning. A significantly lower proportion of club cells at spawning was found in diploid males and triploid females than in diploid females. It could be linked to male efforts to avoid a fright reaction and the potential adoption of this strategy by gynogenetic females, or alternatively to a higher parasite infection or immunosuppression during spawning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ivity of proteinases of the content of intestines (chyme) of the benthos-eater crucian carp Carassius carassius fed different diets during prolonged exposure to water is studied. In the process of exposure of the chyme to water, the activity of proteinases decreases. Activity of glycosidases may increase, maximally during the first three days of exposure. This phenomenon suggests the important role of enzymes of the enteral microflora in processes of destruction of protein and carbohydrate components of the suspension and especially of organic detritus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of increasing concentrations of Zinc sulfate (Zn SO4x7H2O) on the hystostructure of Gibelio carp gills was investigated. Changes were observed even in the lowest concentration (0.1 mg.1-1) - degenerating, cirulation and hyperplastic processes. With the increasing of the Zinc concentration, the hyperplasic processes were predominant over the degenerating and cirulation ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The gynogenetic population of Prussian carp Carassius gibelio in Lake Pamvotis (north-west Greece) included a small percentage of males (2–3%). Cytogenetic analysis revealed heterogeneity of the population at the ploidy level: all females were triploid (modal chromosome number 156–162 chromosomes) while the males were either triploid (modal number 156–158 chromosomes) or tetraploid (modal number 200–214 chromosomes). Morphometric analysis revealed significant differences in body shape among these three groups. The males were more slender than females, while the triploid males could be discriminated from the tetraploid by the morphology of their caudal peduncle. The males attained a significantly lower asymptotic standard length ( LS) (25·04 cm) than females (29·75 cm) and had lower exponent b of the LS and mass relationship. Under laboratory conditions, intraspecific crossings of C. gibelio males with females could give viable all-female offspring; in comparison with goldfish Carassius auratus males, the fertility of the C. gibelio males was generally reduced but remained highly variable among individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which identifies the estimated risk associated with cyanobacteria Microcystins (MCYST) in 13 lakes in Greece. It analyzes the MCYST distribution in water and its bio-accumulations on the tissues of Carassius gibelio fish. It reports that MCYST can endanger the health of livestock, fish, and humans in different exposure routes. The study has collected several fish and examined water samples from the lakes. It adds that MCYST were analyzed through water dissolving and cell-binding in suspended matter. It also emphasizes the importance of using general linear model (GLM) in assessing the differences between lakes and tissues relative to MCYST concentrations.

Carassius RFamide (C-RFa) is a brain-gut peptide, isolated originally from the brain of a teleost fish, Japanese crucian carp ( Carassius auratus langsdorfii). It is a novel FMRFamide-related peptide sharing homologies with mammalian prolactin-related peptide. We observed the localization of C-RFa-like immunoreactivity (C-RFa-IR) in the stomach, intestine, and pancreas of Japanese butterfly ray using an immunohistochemical technique. In the whole gastrointestinal tract, C-RFa-IR was observed in smooth muscle cells, and in the Meissner’s and Auerbach’s plexus ganglia. Furthermore, in the stomach C-RFa-IR was also observed at the bottom of the fundic glands in both the body and pyloric region. In the intestine C-RFa-IR was observed in epithelial cells at the tip of mucosal folds. In the pancreas, C-RFa-IR was observed in islet cells. Thus, we suggest that ray C-RFa may have functional roles in both peripheral neurotransmission and endocrine function of the gastroenteropancreatic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the effects of polybrominated diphenyl ether compounds (PBDEs), BDE-47 and BDE-99 on carassius aurats were discussed. The reproductive capacity viability and proliferation percent decreased with increasing BDE-47and BDE-99 concentrations (p<0.05), presenting a dose-dependent manner. Physiological biomarkers such as cholesterol (CHL), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and vitamin were studied to reveal the toxicological effects of BDE-47 and BDE-99 exposure. CHL levels generally decrease with increasing BDE-47 exposure. However, there were no significant differences between the samples and the control. As to BDE-99, the CHL level decreased as compared with the control level when the BDE-99 concentrations reached 20 µg/L (p<0.05). The degree of inhibition of the AChE increased with the increase of DE-47and BDE-99 concentrations. The EROD activity during 72 hours' exposure significantly increased to 20 µg/L for BDE-47 (p<0.05), however, EROD activity was not significantly different at different concentrations of BDE-99 (p<0.05). Carassius aurats hepatocytes reacted to the BDE-47 exposure with increasing EROD activities in the dose dependent manner. Although at lower concentrations, the induced effects of BDE-47 and BDE-99 were not significantly different, though BDE-47 showed strong induced effects on the EROD activity with increasing concentrations in carassius aurats hepatocytes. In contrast, BDE-99 did not influence EROD activity consistently. The VA level of carassius aurats was significantly different from that of the controls for BDE-99 (p<0.001), as far as the VA level was significantly lower of carassius aurats than the controls for BDE-47 (p<0.001). CHL, AChE, EROD, and VA levels in carassius aurats were differently affected by BDE-47 and BDE-99 exposures, therefore, they would be good indicators for exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research on the effects of alien fish species on the native fish fauna of the Czech Republic. Researchers found out that the non-native species have affected the native ichthyofauna in terms of ecological, biological, properties, biodiversity, as well as health. Species like Carassius gibelio lower the occurrence and numbers of indigenous carassius population and contributed to the decreasing numbers of Tinca tinca, Leucaspius delineatus, and other native cyprinid fish. The study also revealed that compared to other non-native fish species, Pseudorasbora parva and Ameiurus nebulosus have a much weaker and limited impact on native fish fauna, while Ctenopharyngodon idella have caused heavy losses in cultures of Cyprinus carpio.

Background: Global motion detection is one of the most important abilities in the animal kingdom to navigate through a 3-dimensional environment. In the visual system of teleost fish direction-selective neurons in the pretectal area (APT) are most important for global motion detection. As in all other vertebrates these neurons are involved in the control of slow phase eye movements during gaze stabilization. In contrast to mammals cortical pathways that might influence motion detection abilities of the optokinetic system are missing in teleost fish. Results: To test global motion detection in goldfish we first measured the coherence threshold of random dot patterns to elicit horizontal slow phase eye movements. In addition, the coherence threshold of the optomotor response was determined by the same random dot patterns. In a second approach the coherence threshold to elicit a direction selective response in neurons of the APT was assessed from a neurometric function. Behavioural thresholds and neuronal thresholds to elicit slow phase eye movements were very similar, and ranged between 10% and 20% coherence. In contrast to these low thresholds for the optokinetic reaction and APT neurons the optomotor response could only be elicited by random dot patterns with coherences above 40%. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a high sensitivity for global motion in the goldfish optokinetic system. Comparison of neuronal and behavioural thresholds implies a nearly one-to-one transformation of visual neuron performance to the visuomotor output. In addition, we assume that the optomotor response is not mediated by the optokinetic system, but instead by other motion detection systems with higher coherence thresholds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carassius auratus is a primary freshwater fish with bisexual diploid and unisexual gynogenetic triploid lineages. It is distributed widely in Eurasia and is especially common in East Asia. Although several genetic studies have been conducted on C. auratus, they have not provided clear phylogenetic and evolutionary descriptions of this fish, probably due to selection bias in sampling sites and the DNA regions analysed. As the first step in clarifying the evolutionary entity of the world's Carassius fishes, we attempted to clarify the phylogeny of C. auratus populations distributed in East Asia. Results: We conducted a detailed analysis of a large dataset of mitochondrial gene sequences [CR, 323 bp, 672 sequences (528 sequenced + 144 downloaded); CR + ND4 + ND5 + cyt b, 4669 bp in total, 53 sequences] obtained from C. auratus in East Asia. Our phylogeographic analysis revealed two superlineages, one distributed mainly among the Japanese main islands and the other in various regions in and around the Eurasian continent, including the Ryukyus and Taiwan. The two superlineages include seven lineages with high regional specificity that are composed of endemic populations indigenous to each region. The divergence time of the seven lineages was estimated to be 0.2 million years ago (Mya) by a fossil-based method and 1.0-1.9 Mya by the molecular clock method. The antiquity and endemism of these lineages suggest that they are native to their respective regions, although some seem to have been affected by the artificial introduction of C. auratus belonging to other lineages. Triploids of C. auratus did not form a monophyletic lineage but were clustered mostly with sympatric diploids. Conclusions: The results of the present study revealed the existence of two superlineages of C. auratus in East Asia that include seven lineages endemic to each of the seven regions examined. The lack of substantial genetic separation between triploids and diploids indicates that triploids are not composed of a single independent lineage. The ancient origins and evolutionary uniqueness of the seven lineages warrant their conservation. An overall phylogenetic framework obtained from the present study will be of use for estimating the phylogenetic relationships of Carassius fishes on the Eurasian continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primers were developed for single-tube genotyping of four genera, Cyprinus, Carassius, Gnathopogon, and Ischikauia. Most of the six species in Lake Biwa belonging to these four genera (one is a native Japanese common carp) are endangered, and two of the six are important fisheries resources. However, many aspects of their reproductive ecology are unclear, because these species spawn similar looking eggs on similar substrates during the same time of year. The molecular method developed here enabled efficient and cost-effective genus-level identification of such eggs, providing a breakthrough for developing effective conservation strategies for these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the involvement of the mitochondria playing the role of a calcium store in the control of calcium exchange in cerebellar neurons of a fish species tolerant to hypoxia, crucian ( Carassius gibelio). In our experiments we used an ionophore, CCCP, that blocked accumulation of calcium by the above organelles. The intracellular concentration of free Ca2+ ([Ca2+] і) was measured using a calcium-sensitive dye, Fura-2AM, and the microfluorescent technique. We found that cerebellar neurons of Carassius gibelio possess a well-expressed system clearing the cytoplasm from excessive Ca2+, and the mitochondria are actively involved in this process. Under conditions of suppression of the process of accumulation of calcium by the mitochondria under the action of CCCP, the amplitude of calcium transients increased by about 50%. In addition, the decay phase of depolarization-induced intracellular calcium transients was slowed down considerably. Therefore, our experiments are indicative of the significant role of the mitochondria in the control of calcium dynamics in cerebellar neurons of Carassius gibelio in the course of functional activity of these cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carassius carp is one of the most popular freshwater fish as a source of food and aesthetic enjoyment from historical times. However, the species status of this group is controversial owing to extreme morphological variation and various ploidy levels, and therefore, many regional groups still remain to be reconsidered. The taxonomy of the Carassius fish in the Korean Peninsula, previously identified as C. auratus langsdorfi, has long been in doubt because several river basins were isolated from each other by the sea to such an extent that the strong geographic structure of the population may have influenced this fish group distributed over whole peninsula. Here, we suggest some clues to resolve the taxonomic entity of Carassius fish in South Korea using mitochondrial genetic variation in a comparison with those from nearby regions with a view to establishing the phylogeography and genetic structure of population. We found three monophyletic phylogroups (pgA, pgB, and pgC), which interestingly do not relate to C. auratus langsdorfi. Geographically, pgA and pgB were observed only in the westward rivers (WWRs) and southward rivers (SWRs), respectively, except for some marginal locations between the two river groups. pgA, including the haplotypes from Weihai, northern China, shared a common ancestry with C. gibelio. pgC may be a lineage that has been introduced, as shown by the result that it belongs to same clade as goldfish. It is likely that pgB has undergone a distinct evolutionary process after separation from pgA and the population of northern mainland China. Our results suggest the need of further taxonomic studies to elucidate the status of these groups and to assign an adequate taxonomic category to each. And, therefore, pgA and pgB, regardless of taxonomic level, deserve conservation as endemic groups in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two cystatins (cst-I and cst-II) were purified from crucian carp eggs by acidification and subsequent ion exchange and molecular sieve chromatography. The molecular masses of cst-I and cst-II analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were 11.9 and 14.4 kDa, respectively, under reducing conditions and 13.5 and 12.7 kDa, respectively, under non-reducing conditions. The cst-I and cst-II molecules were stable after 30 min of incubation at 60 and 50°C, respectively. There was no significant loss in the inhibitory activity of either cst in the pH range 4–11. These two cystatins were able to affect the proteolysis of papain, cathepsin L, and bromelain, but they were unable to inhibit cathepsin B and trypsin. The partial N-terminal amino acid sequences of both cst inhibitors were homologous and that of cst-I was recognized as NH2-AGIPGGLVDADINDADVQ. This latter fragment shared 88.9% identity to common carp cystatin and 44.4–55.6% to cystatins of other aquatic animals. Based on these results, we conclude that the two cst inhibitors are members of family II cystatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated microcystin (MC) production by three Microcystis aeruginosa strains in response to different kairomone concentrations (indirect exposure: 0%, 10%, 25%, and 50%) of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Carassius gibelio langsdorfi. The MC production was significantly different among control and three kairomone treatment levels. MC production was higher with increasing concentration of kairomones and the peak intracellular and extracellular MC contents showed clear dose-dependent response ( p < 0.05). This study provides the first indirect evidence of increased MC production of M. aeruginosa in response to increasing kairomone concentrations released by phytoplanktivorous and omnivorous fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological changes in erythrocytes of Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) during long-term exposition of copper and recovery period were studied. We examined the percent of normal erythrocytes, deformed erythrocytes and dividing cells in the blood smears. It was found that influence of long-term exposition in concentration of 0.05 and 0.1 mg/l rose up rate of deformed erythrocytes and these changes disappeared during recovery period. We found different morphological changes in the erythrocytes like tearing to peaces of cell membrane and changes in size and form of cells and their nucleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the role of Naﰦ exchanger (NCX) and Ca2+ATPase of the plasma membrane (РМСА), known to be the most important intracellular systems controlling calcium exchange in cerebellar neurons of a fish species tolerant to hypoxia, Carassius gibelio. In our experiments, we used the corresponding blockers of these transport systems, ions of lithium and lanthanum. The intracellular Ca2 concentration ([Ca2] і ) was measured using a calcium-sensitive dye, Fura-2AM, and a microfluorescence technique. We found that neurons of the Carassius cerebellum possess an effective system of cleaning of the cytoplasm from excessive Ca2, which is provided by both NCX and РМСА functioning in the plasma membrane. Under conditions of the blockade of functioning of РМСА using lanthanum, the basal Ca2 level in the cells increased, on average, by 31.4% with respect to the control, independently of the duration of test depolarizations. After switching off of the NCX functioning by the replacement of sodium ions in the extracellular solution by lithium ions, the Ca2 level in the cell increased by 36.6% with respect to the control (also independently of the duration of depolarization). The obtained data indicate that the functioning of РМСА and NCX in Carassius cerebellar neurons significantly influences the intracellular calcium exchange providing the maintenance of an adequate basal Ca2 level in these neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the impact of Copper2+-loaded silicate (CLS) on the growth performance and microflora of crucian carp Carassius auratus in China. For the study, researchers used bentonite as the primary ingredient of the silicate sample and 225 native wild crucian carp at an average initial body weight of 20 grams. Researchers found that lactobacilli counts of the intestine significantly grew. They also found that CLS initiated an antimicrobial activity in vitro, which may aid in protecting the intestinal mucosa from invasion of pathogenic bacteria and their toxins.

The ichthyofaunal changes in Lake Eğirdir between 1915 and 2007 were reviewed. It was understood that the most drastic change in the ichthyofauna of Lake Eğirdir occurred in 1955 with the introduction of pike-perch (Sander lucioperca), and that the process of change continued with the addition of Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) in 1996 and big scale sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) in 2003. Today, there are 15 fish taxa (10 native, 5 non-native) in Lake Eğirdir. It was determined that, among the endemic species of Lake Eğirdir, Handlirsch's minnow (Pseudophoxinus handlirschi) is extinct (EX), Ereğli minnow (Hemigrammocapoeta kemali) disappeared, and Eğirdir minnow (Pseudophoxinus egridiri) and Eğirdir barb (Capoeta pestai) are critically endangered (CR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three morphologically and genetically distinct forms of the genus Carassius were collected from the Ob River system, Kazakhstan, Central Asia; Carassius carassius, Carassius gibelio gibelio and an unknown stock tentatively referred to as Carassius gibelio sub-species M. The last mentioned had 33–41 gill rakers, being intermediate between the other two forms (23–27 in C. carassius and 44–49 in C. g. gibelio), and five scales in the upper transverse series, less than in the others. It also had a relatively larger erythrocyte suggesting triploidy and an mtDNA haplotype distinct from all other known crucian carps. Comparative mtDNA phylogenetic analysis suggested that C. gibelio gibelio in the Ob River system was introduced from China and the Amur River, the same possibly being true for European C. gibelio gibelio based on published haplotypes. C. gibelio sub-species M is thought to be more widely distributed in central Asia, probably extending as far west as European Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clock genes are known to be the molecular core of biological clocks of vertebrates. They are expressed not only in those tissues considered central pacemakers, but also in peripheral tissues. In the present study, partial cDNAs for 6 of the principal clock genes (Period 1-3 and Cryptochrome 1-3) were cloned from a teleost fish, the goldfish (Carassius auratus). These genes showed high homology (approximately 90%) with the respective cDNAs of zebrafish (Danio rerio), the only other teleost from which clock genes have been cloned. The daily expression pattern of each gene in retina, gut, and liver of goldfish was investigated using quantitative RT-PCR and cosinor analysis. All clock genes analyzed in the retina showed circadian rhythmicity; however, only Per 2-3 and Cry 2-3 were rhythmic in goldfish liver and gut. The amplitude and phase of the expression in liver and gut were different from those found in goldfish retina. Such differences suggest that other cues, such as feeding time, may contribute to the entrainment of oscillators in goldfish liver and gut. Our results support the use of goldfish as a teleost model to investigate the location and functioning of the circadian oscillators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responses of direction-selective (DS) ganglion cells (GCs) were recorded extracellularly from their axon terminals in the superficial layer of tectum opticum (TO) of immobilized cyprinid fish Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782). Excitatory receptive field (ERF) sizes of six types of DS GCs (ON and OFF cells, each of three distinct preferred directions) were evaluated on the basis of four different methods. In Method 1, the ERF width was calculated as a product of duration of spike train, generated in response to contrast edge moving across the ERF in preferred direction, and the velocity of the stimulus movement. The duration of spike train was estimated either as an interval between the first and the last spikes, or on the basis of the width of bell-shaped post-stimulus histogram of spike response according to its standard deviation. More precise size and position of the ERF can be outlined with edges moving in many different directions. So, in Method 2 diameter of the ERF was calculated on the basis of a mean distance of position of spike appearance from the center of ERF. Method 3 — ERF tracing by small contrast spot moving on several parallel tracks allowed estimation of the ERF width by number of spikes along each track and the ERF length by the duration of spike train. When tracing in two mutually orthogonal projections, the method also permitted calculation of the value of the temporal delay in the network from the same experiment. Canonical method (Method 4) used the ERF mapping with contrast spots flickering sequentially in different places of stimulation area. The length, width and orientation of the ERF were evaluated according to the two-dimensional equivalent of the standard deviation for this data set. All applied methods gave consistent estimates of ERF sizes — mean values of ERF sizes for all four procedures ranged between 4° and 4.8°. These angle values corresponded to retinal area of approximately 300 μm. Small ERFs of the fish DS GCs measured in the current study, indicate that the fish DS units should be classified as "fast" DS units, and are most likely involved in the detection of small objects moving in the surrounding environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated how fibers in the anterior lateral line nerve of goldfish, Carassius auratus, respond to water motions generated by an object that was moved alongside the fish. Motion direction was from anterior to posterior or opposite, object diameter was between 0.1 and 4 cm and the distance between object and fish varied between 1 and 6 cm. Fibers exhibited monophasic responses characterized by a transient increase in discharge rate, biphasic responses consisting of an increase followed by a decrease in discharge rate or vice versa, or triphasic responses characterized by a rate increase followed by a decrease and again an increase or by the inverse pattern. In two-thirds of the fibers response patterns depended on object motion direction. Of these, about 60% responded to a reversal of motion direction with an inversion of the response pattern. Our results differ from previous data obtained from posterior lateral line nerve fibers in the relative proportions of the observed response patterns, and by a much smaller proportion of fibers that exhibited a direction-dependent response. These differences can be explained by the fact that the spatial orientations of the neuromasts on the head are more heterogenuous than on the trunk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Microsatellites have become the preferred molecular markers for strain selection and genetic breeding in fish. In this study a total of 105 microsatellites were isolated and identified in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) by microsatellite sequence searches in GenBank and other databases and by screening and sequencing of positive clones from the genomic library enriched for AG and GATA repeats. Moreover, nineteen microsatellites were randomly selected to design locus-specific primer pairs, and these were successfully used to identify and discriminate different cultured strains of gibel carp including strains A, D, L, and F. Three different types of microsatellite pattern were distinguished by the number and length of fragments amplified from the 19 primer pairs, and some microsatellite primer pairs were found to produce different microsatellite patterns among strains and strain-specific fragments. In addition, some duplicated alleles were also detected in two microsatellite patterns. Therefore, the current study provides direct molecular markers to discriminate among different cultured strains for selective breeding and aquaculture practice of gibel carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy crucian carp ( Carassius auratus) were treated by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of crude cyanobacterial extracts at two doses, 50 and 200 μg MC-LR equiv kg−1 BW. High mortality (100%) was observed within 60 h post injection in the high-dose group. In the treated fish, activities of four plasma enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), all showed substantial increases, with both dose and time-dependent effects. These increases of enzyme activity indicate severe impairment occurred in the liver of crucian carp over time. Plasma concentrations of energy-related biomolecules including glucose (GLU), cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride (TG), and total protein (TP) showed marked changes in the high-dose group, possibly a nutritional imbalance correlated with the liver injury caused by intraperitoneal exposure to crude cyanobacterial extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous work showed that goldfish learn to avoid a region of an aquarium where they receive a discrete shock to the flank. This avoidance is reduced if another fish is present next to the shock zone, suggesting fish trade-off avoidance against a tendency to associate [Dunlop, R., Millsopp, S., Laming, P., 2006. Avoidance learning in goldfish (Carassius auratus) and trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and implications for pain perception. App. Anim. Behav. Sci. 97 (2–4), 255–271]. Only shock intensity was adjusted in those experiments, here we report results where a requirement for food was also altered. Fish were trained to feed at a region of the aquarium where subsequently they would receive a discrete shock to the flank. One experimental group had different shock intensities applied, whereas in the other group shock intensity was consistent but food deprivation was varied. We show the number of feeding attempts and time spent in the feeding/shock zone decreased with increased shock intensity and with increased food deprivation the number and the duration of feeding attempts increased as did escape responses as this zone was entered. These data suggest that goldfish balance their need for food against avoidance of an acute noxious stimulus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Wild-captured 16 diploid, five triploid and one tetraploid Prussian carp Carassius gibelio males produced motile haploid, aneuploid (1·5n) and haploid to aneuploid (> 2n) sperm, respectively, in similar concentration and with the lowest percentage of live spermatozoa in sperm for the tetraploid male (mean ±s.d. 83·03 ± 1·76%; P < 0·05) compared to diploid and triploid males (97·37 ± 1·11% and 96·70 ± 1·45%; P > 0·05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new member of the inward-rectifier K+ channel subfamily Kir2 was isolated and characterised from the crucian carp (Carassius carassius) heart. When expressed in COS-1 cells this 422 amino acid protein produced an inward-rectifying channel with distinct single-channel conductance, mean open time and open probability. Phylogenetic sequence comparisons indicate that it is not homologous to any known vertebrate Kir channel, yet belongs to the Kir2 subfamily. This novel crucian carp channel increases the number of vertebrate Kir2 channels to five, and has therefore been designated as ccKir2.5 (cc for Carassius carassius). In addition to the ccKir2.5 channel, the ccKir2.2 and ccKir2.1 channels were expressed in the crucian carp heart, ccKir2.1 being present only in trace amounts (<0.8% of all Kir2 transcripts). Whole-cell patch clamp in COS-1 cells demonstrated that ccKir2.5 is a stronger rectifier than ccKir2.2 or ccKir2.1, and therefore passes weakly outward current. Single-channel conductance, mean open time and open probability of ccKir2.5 were, respectively, 1.6, 4.96 and 4.17 times as large as that of ccKir2.2. ccKir2.5 was abundantly expressed in atrium and ventricle of the heart and in skeletal muscle, but was a minor component of Kir2 in brain, liver, gill and kidney. Noticeably, ccKir2.5 was strongly responsive to chronic cold exposure. In fish reared at 4°C for 4 weeks, ccKir2.5 mRNA formed 59.1±2.1% and 65.6±3.2% of all cckir2 transcripts in atrium and ventricle, respectively, while in fish maintained at 18°C the corresponding transcript levels were only 16.2±1.7% and 23.3±1.7%. The increased expression of ccKir2.5 at 4°C occurred at the expense of ccKir2.2, which was the main Kir2 isoform in 18°C acclimated fish. A cold-induced increase in the slope conductance of the ventricular lx1 from 707±49 to 1001±59 pSpF-1 (P<0.05) was thus associated with an isoform shift from ccKir2.2 towards ccKir2.5, suggesting that ccKir2.5 is a cold-adapted and ccKir2.2 a warm-adapted isoform of the inward-rectifying K+ channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the differences in the spawning sites among Cyprininae fishes in Lake Biwa, we conducted periodic sampling of larvae and juveniles at three sites (irrigation ditch, St. 1; river, St. 2; and satellite lake, St. 3). On the basis of species/subspecies identification by using RAPD analysis, we examined the species composition of the larvae and juveniles at these three sampling sites. The number of specimens was 616, 68, and 117 at St. 1, St. 2, and St. 3, respectively. Based on morphological and genetic identification, the specimens were found to include nine fish species/subspecies, namely, Carassius auratus grandoculis, Carassius cuvieri, Carassius auratus langsdorfii, Cyprinus carpio, Sarcocheilichthys sp., Silurus asotus, Oryzias latipes, Odontobutis obscura obscura, and Rhinogobius sp. The species composition at the three sites also differed. Among the Cyprininae fishes, C. auratus grandoculis, C. auratus langsdorfii, and Cyprinus carpio were found in abundance at St. 1; C. cuvieri was not collected from St. 1 but was found at the other two sites, particularly St. 3. Among the other fishes, Rhinogobius sp. was collected at St. 1 and St. 3, whereas the other four occurred only at St. 1. These results suggest that the selection of spawning sites by C. cuvieri differs to a certain extent from that of the other Cyprininae fishes, and the irrigation ditch in the lake is an important habitat for the larvae and juveniles of native fish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Pamvotis is a tertiary natural shallow lake located in the NW of Greece. For biogeographical reasons, it historically contained only four fish species: two endemics ( Phoxinellus epiroticus, Squalius pamvoticus), one native to the West Greece ( Barbus albanicus) and the ubiquitous Anguilla anguilla. These species were almost exclusively present in the lake before 1920, forming remarkable commercially exploited populations. From the 1930s through the 1990s, 20 species were introduced into the lake for purposes of eutrophication control or to enhance the fishery. These introductions, some of them accidental have led to the apparent decline, even loss, of the native species. During the last three decades the fish fauna of the lake has shifted from the native, clear-water species to a predominance of introduced species, mainly those adapted for turbid eutrophic water ( Rutilus panosi, Cyprinus carpio and Carassius gibelio, and several Asian cyprinids). The current fish assemblage in the lake is dominated by introduced species particularly the Mosquitofish ( Gambusia affinis) and the Lourogobios ( Economidichthys pygmaeus) in the littoral zone, the benthopelagic allogynogenetic Prussian carp ( C. gibelio), and the opportunistic Trichonis roach ( R. panosi), in the pelagic zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation in three different clones of the invasive sperm-dependent, cyprinid fish Carassius gibelio were examined in Lake Pamvotis (north-west Greece). Differences between the clones were found in their proportion in the population, in their age structure, in the time of arrival to their spawning grounds and in the coefficients of the von Bertalanffy growth equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the quality of reclaimed water, the estrogenicity of effluent from a sewage treatment plant and of reclaimed water treated with coagulation-sedimentation-filtration using the effluent as raw water was assessed using vitellogenin (VTG) as a biomarker. After a three-week exposure, significant (p < 0.05) induction of VTG occurred in female crucian carp (Carassius carassius) exposed continuously to the secondary effluent and reclaimed water with different dilutions (12.5, 25, 50, and 100% for secondary effluent; 50 and 100% for reclaimed water); no induction of VTG was detected when exposed to 12.5 and 25% reclaimed water. For male fish, however, only 100% secondary effluent induced the production of VTG (mean ± standard deviation, 38.6 ± 9.8 μg/ml). When the exposure time was prolonged to three months, VTG was induced significantly in both females and males at all gradient concentrations of secondary effluent and at 50 and 100% reclaimed water. The results indicated that no obvious VTG was detected in fish exposed to reclaimed water diluted more than fourfold. Ozonation of the secondary effluent under an ozone consumption dose of 8.5 mg/L resulted in a VTG level equal to that of 12.5% secondary effluent or 50% reclaimed water. Furthermore, VTG induction reflects the cumulative effects of estrogenic activity in the secondary effluent and reclaimed water compared with the in vitro assays, in which estrogenic activities in effluent changed markedly during the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on a study about the growth, morphology and age-at-maturity of crucian carp Carassius carassius in Great Britain. The crucian carp Carassius carassius is threatened by the introduction of goldfish Carassius carassius through hybridization and by frequent misidentification of brown goldfish as crucian carp. The study showed that changes in morphological characters often associated with maturation suggest that age and size at that stage may reflect the size and age of active breeding.

The article presents the results of a study which investigated the mechanism by which microcystin-LR (MCLR) induces apoptosis in fish lymphocytes. Lymphocytes of the Carassius auratus fish were exposed in vitro to MCLR, which resulted in the elevation of reactive oxygen species and intracellular calcium, a decrease in adenosine triphosphate and rapid mitochondrial membrane potential disruption. The results are said to indicate that MCLR, the most toxic known microcystin, induces apoptosis by causing a massive calcium influx.

We investigated dioxin concentrations in freshwater fish in Japan by standardizing species to detect subtle decreasing trends of dioxin concentrations in the future with the reinforcement of regulations. The fish studied were crucian carp (Carassius auratus (gibelio) langsdorfii), an omnivorous species. Fish and sediments were collected from 14 rivers and lakes located in remote areas, agricultural areas, and small and large cities throughout Japan. The total toxic equivalent (TEQ) dioxin concentrations at the three remote sites were about 20% of the concentrations at the other 11 sites, which all had similar concentrations. The average concentrations in fish collected from these 11 sites were 0.69pgTEQg−1 wet wt. (95% CI 0.52–0.85) or 57.3pgTEQg−1 fat (95% CI 47.9–66.7). There were notable differences in congener profiles of polychlorinated p-dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) between sampling areas. A chemical mass balance method was used to estimate the proportions of dioxin contributions from different sources. The sampling areas were classified into four groups on the basis of the predominant source of dioxin contamination: a combustion group, a chlornitrofen herbicide group, a chlornitrofen and pentachlorphenol herbicide group, and a remote group. The congener profiles of dioxin like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) were almost the same in all areas and close to those in Kanechlor, which indicates that pollution from PCB products has spread throughout Japan. From samples collected during the spawning season, it was determined that about 20% of the dioxins in adult females were transferred to the eggs, resulting in higher dioxin concentrations in adult males than in females. Biota–sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) of 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDDs/DFs for crucian carp were larger than those of non-2,3,7,8-substituted congeners, and BASFs decreased with increasing number of chlorines. The BSAFs of DL-PCBs were 10 times greater than those of PCDDs/DFs, and BSAFs of mono-ortho type DL-PCBs were higher than those of non-ortho types. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Meiliang Bay is a sublake of Taihu Lake and has been polluted by domestic and industrial effluents. As part of a comprehensive risk assessment project in this region, semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were applied to evaluate the levels and potential toxic potency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in lakewater, in combination with chemical analysis and in vitro bioassay using H4IIE rat hepatoma cells. In addition, induction of hepatic ethoxyresorufin- O-deethylase (EROD) activity, in crucian carp ( Carassius auratus), caged in the vicinity of SPMD sampling sites was also used as a biomarker of exposure to PAHs and related chemicals. The caged crucian carp accumulated similar PAH profile patterns ( p < 0.001) but at lower levels compared with SPMDs on a wet-weight basis. Total concentrations of PAHs in crucian carp muscle tissues ranged from 35.6 to 69.1 ng/g after the 32-day exposure, whereas total PAHs in SPMDs ranged from 716.9 to 1007.8 ng/g. Dialysates from SPMDs exposed to Meiliang Bay water caused marked EROD activity in H4IIE cells. Toxic potency of dialysates expressed as bioassay-derived 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQ) ranged from 3.8 to 6.2 pg TCDD-EQ/g SPMD for 32-day exposure samples. A linear correlation of total amount of PAHs and in vitro TCDD-EQ of SPMD dialysates yielded an R 2 of 0.82. Empirical evidence suggests that aryl hydrocarbon receptor-active PAHs can account for about 42–56% of the potency observed. Significant induction of liver EROD activity was also observed in crucian carp caged alongside SPMDs and there was a good correlation between the results of EROD assays in vivo and in vitro ( R 2 = 0.62, p = 0.02). It is, therefore, suggested that the SPMD technique in connection with chemical analysis and specific in vitro bioassays might be a valuable tool to assess the levels and effects of bioavailable hydrophobic pollutants in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alachlor has been widely used in agriculture all over the world. It is suggested that it may be a carcinogen and also an environmental estrogen. In this paper, the physiological and biochemical perturbations of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) exposed to alachlor at different concentrations over 60 days were investigated. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) were measured. The activity of hepatic antioxidant defense and detoxifying enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) and the content of glutathione (GSH) were determined and compared with the control group. The result showed that GSI and HSI decreased significantly (P <0.05) in almost all treatments. The activities of SOD, CAT and GST were induced continuously (P <0.05), while the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) was inhibited on the whole. These changes reflect that the antioxidant systems of the tested fishes were affected. The possible defense mechanistic implications about the changes were thus discussed. Furthermore, hepatic SOD and GST were sensitive to alachlor at low concentration, indicating that they might be potential biomarkers in early detection of alachlor contamination in aquatic ecosystems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A direct interaction of lead (Pb) with kidney DNA from silver crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) has been systematically studied in vitro using multi-techniques, including UV–vis absorption, extended X-ray absorption fine structure, vacuum ultraviolet circular dichroism spectral methods and gel electrophoresis. We find that Pb is bound with four oxygen or nitrogen atoms of DNA in its fresh shell at the distances of 2.64Å. Additionally, Pb may bind to the oxygen atom of nucleic acid or nitrogen atom of base pairs of DNA in that obvious changes in the secondary structure of DNA are found after Pb treatment. However, this direct interaction of Pb with DNA do not cause DNA cleavage in vitro. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: ISG15 is one of the most strongly induced genes upon viral infection, interferon (IFN) stimulation, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, and only one copy has been found in mammals so far. Here two fish ISG15 genes, termed CaISG15-1 and CaISG15-2, have been cloned and sequenced from UV-inactivated GCHV (grass carp haemorrhagic virus)-infected and IFN-produced CAB cells (crucian carp Carassius auratus blastulae embryonic cells) by suppression subtractive hybridization. The full-length cDNA sequences of two crucian carp ISG15 encode a 155-amino-acid protein and a 161-amino-acid protein, both of which show 78.9% identity overall and possess the characteristic structures of mammalian ISG15 proteins including two tandem ubiquitin-like domains and the C-terminal canonical LRLRGG motif. In CAB cells treated with different stimuli including active virus, UV-inactivated GCHV and IFN containing supernatant (ICS), the expression of both CaISG15-1 and CaISG15-2 was upregulated but displayed different kinetics. Poly I:C and LPS were also able to induce an increase in mRNA for both genes. In CAB cells responsive to active GCHV, UV-inactivated GCHV, CAB ICS, Poly I:C and LPS, CaISG15-1 was upregulated more significantly than CaISG15-2. These results suggest that there are two ISG15 homologues in crucian carp, both of which might play distinct roles in innate immunity against viral and bacterial infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To investigate the response to starvation, gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio [12.5 ± 0.03 g (mean ± SE, n = 24)] were deprived of food at 25.8 ± 0.2°C (mean ± SE, n = 56) for 56 days. Body mass, proximate composition in whole body and muscle, and respiration were measured at 7-day intervals. Body mass decreased with prolongation of deprivation, with a significant decline recorded after 7 days deprivation. Fish lost 22% of their fresh mass and 34% of dry mass after 56 days. Fish lost 38% of the body lipid over the first 7 days, and lost body lipid at a rate of 0–11% per week over the remaining 49 days. Body protein was lost at 1–5% per week throughout deprivation. Compared with the initial composition, body lipid concentration was lower and ash concentration higher on day 7. Water as a percentage of body mass was higher after 28 days, and protein concentration lower after 42 days, than at the start of deprivation. Muscle lipid and protein concentration was lower, and % water higher, after 7 days than at the start of deprivation, whereas muscle ash concentration was relatively constant during deprivation. After 56 days, fish lost body water by 18%, body lipid by 84%, body protein by 30%, and body energy by 45%. Oxygen consumption rate dropped from day 1 to day 3, increased from day 4 to day 14, gradually decreased from day 15 to day 35, and maintained a relatively constant level from day 36 to day 56. Results of the present experiment reveal that gibel carp utilize body lipid as a major energy source in the first 7 days of food deprivation, then turn to body protein as an energy fuel when lipid reserves are heavily depleted. Oxygen consumption is maintained at a relatively low and constant level when most lipid reserves are exhausted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A late Khersonian to early Maeotian fossil assemblage from the Upper Miocene to Lower Pliocene Yalakdere Formation near Yalova city (northwestern Anatolia, Turkey) is documented. The following fish taxa, represented by pharyngeal teeth, lateral ethmoids and jaw teeth are described: Cyprinidae with Carassius sp., Tinca sp., Scardinius sp., Leuciscus sp., Barbus sp., Cobitidae with Cobitis sp., Siluridae with Silurus sp., and Esocidae with Esoxsp., Further described vertebrates are reptiles (Trionyxsp.) and small mammals (cf. Eliomys intermedius FRIANT). Additional invertebrate fauna and flora, comprising diverse gastropods, ostracods, charophytes, pollen and limnic green algae, are listed. The fossil assemblage from the Yalakdere Formation indicates fresh to slightly brackish water environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological, cytogenetic and molecular genetic identification of two specimens of Carassius langsdorfii from the upper Elbe basin is given. Probably, the species was introduced by accident with commercial fish imports. Potentially, this introduced species may be of harm to native fish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With Carassius auratus, one of the main economic fish species in Eastern China as test material, this paper studied the hydroxyl radical generation and oxidative stress in its liver under the effect of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP). Different doses of 2,4,6-TCP were injected intraperitoneally into the fishes, and the Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of hepatic free radicals, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST), levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were determined 24h after injection. The results showed that under the effects of 2,4,6-TCP, the generation of free radical that was considered to be hydroxyl radical increased significantly, the activities of antioxidant enzymes decreased, with CAT most strongly affected and followed by SOD and GST, the GSH level decreased significantly while GSSG level had little difference, resulting in a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio, and the MDA content increased significantly. All the test parameters showed that C. auratus was subjected to oxidative stress and damage when exposed to 2,4,6-TCP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The substrate specificity of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in adult Carassius auratus fish and its sensitivity to carbamate insecticides were investigated in vitro. The results showed that the order of four substrates hydrolyzed by brain AChE in C. auratus was acetylthiocholine iodide > β-methylthiocholine iodide > propionylthiocholine iodide > butyrylthiocholine iodide, and the maximum velocity ( V max) of AChE hydrolyzing acetylthiocholine iodide (ATCh) was the highest among the four substrates, and the V max values were 0.067 and 0.082 mmol min−1 mg−1 for male and female fish respectively. But their Michaelis–Menten constants ( K m) were the lowest, only 0.071 and 0.072 mmol/l respectively. Compared with other carbamate insecticides, the sensitivity of brain AChE to carbofuran was the highest and the IC50 values were 1.04 × 10−6 mol/l for females and 1.17 × 10−6 mol/l for males. The inhibitory tendencies of eserine, methomyl, and aldicarb to brain AChE were very similar, and the percentage inhibition increased with time at the concentration of 1 × 10−6 mol/l. The order of inhibition potential of the three inhibitors from the highest to the lowest was eserine, aldicarb, and methomyl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time-course changes in calcium and phosphorus contents, dry weight, and area during scale regeneration in the goldfish Carassius auratus L. were quantified. Histological observations were then conducted to understand the mutual relationship between the quantitative and morphological processes of scale regeneration. The quantitative study revealed that regenerating scales grow most rapidly in area during the first 5 days of regeneration. The gradual decrease in the area growth rate coupled with the continuous linear weight growth over the period of 5–28 days suggests a shift in growth priority from area growth to the apposition of the basal plate. Calcium and phosphorus deposition proceeded almost linearly during scale regeneration. Calcification of the bony layer preceded that of the basal plate and, after 14 days of regeneration, calcification of the basal plate started and gradually progressed. On day 28, recovery of calcium and phosphorus contents in the regenerating scales were approximatley 72% of ontogenetic scales, which is lower than the rates of area and weight regeneration (104 and 85%, respectively). Late initiation and slow progress of calcification in the basal plate is suggested to be responsible for the slow regeneration in calcium and phosphorus contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]