• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1097-1103
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• 2017

For the artificial induction of the sexual maturation of Anguilla japonica, salmon pituitary extract (SPE) is continuously injected into females, and the eggs obtained from artificial sexual maturation are artificially fertilized with sperms and hatched. However, repeated injection of SPE in the abdominal cavity causes tremendous stress in females, which may prevent their complete sexual maturation and reduce the immune system function, ultimately resulting in death. In addition, the poor quality of the ovulated eggs can reduce the hatching and survival rate of larvae. In the present study, sexual maturation of females was induced by inserting an osmotic (OS) pump containing hormone analogs known to effectively induce sexual maturation into the abdominal cavity of female eels, and the effect of the OS pump on the induced sexual maturation was investigated. Our study results showed that the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was significantly higher in the fish subjected to SPE injection than those subjected to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa), and methyl testosterone (MT) injections, either separately or in combination. In addition, a histological analysis showed that the oocytes in the SPE OS pump groups were more mature (entered the nuclear shift stage) than those in the other groups. These results suggest that an osmotic pump containing hormone analogs can be used to induce sexual maturation in female A. japonica artificially.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.770-776
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• 2017

This study investigated the effects of recombinant eel gonadotropin hormone (rJeGTH) produced in silkworms, with and without a carboxyl-terminal peptide from equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), on the induction of sexual maturation in female eels Anguilla japonica. Experiments were conducted both in vivo and in vitro. In in vitro trials, germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) induction did not significantly differ between rJeFSH and $rJeFSH{\cdot}eCG$ treatments and the control group. However, previous studies did find that rJeLH and $rJeLH{\cdot}eCG$ treatments induced GVBD in female eels. Our in vitro exploration of $estradiol-17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) levels in immature ovarian tissues revealed significantly higher $E_2$ levels in the group treated with $rJeFSH{\cdot}eCG$ $1{\mu}g/mL$ than in the control group. In contrast, the in vivo experiments showed no effect of recombinant hormones on the sexual maturation of feminized eels. Previous studies and our own in vitro results have clearly shown that rJeGTH and $rJeGTH{\cdot}eCG$ have a positive effect on the sexual maturation of feminized eels. To develop the activity of rJeGTH in vivo, further studies should confirm circulation time and activity of these hormones in eels' bloodstream, modify the structure of the recombinant gene, and implement additional glycosylation.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2011

Even though ark shell, Scapharca broughtonii is commercially important species, its artificial seed production is not yet fully developed. This study was carried out to understand the effect of three microalgal species on gonadal development and sex maturation of S. broughtonii in terms of broodstock management and food organism. Isochrysis galbana, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Tetraselmis tetrathele were supplied to S. broughtonii broodstock in single or mixed. And condition index, gonadal development, sexual maturation and survival of the broodstock were analysed. After 45 rearing days, frequency of ripe stage of gonadal phases, rate of induced sexual maturation and survival of S. broughtonii broodstock fed mixed diet with 3 microalgal species or single diet of T. tetrathele were the highest.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 2009

Artificial induction of maturation by heating of the hard clam, Meretrix petechiails (Lamarck) broodstock was investigated from 25 May to 30 June in 2008. We experimented maturation by keeping the breeding water temperature at 20, 25 and $30^{\circ}C$ and as the natural water temperature and found the following results. In case of the female, maturation was the quickest in the experiment group of $30^{\circ}C$ and the maturation tended to be slower as the water temperature was lower. The similar trend was displayed among the male. At experiment completion, maturation induction rate was found to be the highest at 46.0% in the experiment group of $30^{\circ}C$ followed by 35.0% in the experiment group of $15^{\circ}C$, 18.0% in the experiment group of natural water temperature and 12.0% in the experiment group of $20^{\circ}C$. During the period of the experiment, the survival rate was of 90% or more in all groups.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2004

Reproductive cycle, the condition index, sex ratio of the Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas were investigated by histological and morphometric data. The specimens were collected in the two oyster farms of Geoje and Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, from November 1995 to October 1996. Growth of shell length in two regions was similar, but growth of total weight of the oyster in Namhae was faster than that in Geoje oyster farm. The spawning periods in female and male clams were from July to October in Geoje and from June to October in Namhae oyster farm. Ripe oocytes were approximately 50 m in diameter. The reproductive cycle of in females and males in Geoje and Namhae oyster farms can be divided into five successive stages: early developing, late developing, ripe, partially spawned and spent/inactive. Monthly changes in gonad developmental phases showed somewhat different patterns between female and male clams except for the spawning period. On the whole, however, monthly changes in the gonad developmental phases showed a similar pattern in the same sex. The sex ratios of females to males in Geoje and Namhae oyster farms were not significantly different from a 1:1 sex ratio ($x^2$ = 0.55 (p > 0.05) in Geoje and $x^2$ = 0.27 ( p > 0.05) in Namhae). Artificial induction of maturation by heating of adult oysters (two-year-old) was investigated from 17 January to 18 March in 1996. Maturity at the fixed water temperature group of $20^{\circ}C$ was 80%, it showed the highest maturity of experimental groups cultured for five weeks. The survival (%) of Crassostrea gigas in the raised water temperature experimental groups (15, 20, $25^{\circ}C$) were over 98.5%, as similar to the control group (100%). But, the survival of C. gigas in the fixed water temperature experimental groups (15, 20, 25, $30^{\circ}C$) were decreased with the increase of the water temperatures. In the fixed water temperature experimental group of $30^{\circ}C$, the survival was 51.1%. Base on these results, the fixed water temperature of $20^{\circ}C$ was the best condition for artificial induction of sexual maturation.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.175-182
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• 2006

Artificial induction of maturation by heating of the ark shell, Scapharca broughtonii (Schrenck) broodstock was investigated from 10th March to 21th May in 2004. Maturity at the fixed water temperature group of $23^{\circ}C$ was 60.5％, and it was the highest in maturity among experimental groups cultured for seven weeks. The proportions of organism surviving to start of S. broughtonii in the raised water temperature experimental groups (20 and $23^{\circ}C$) were over 90.5％, as similar to the control group (natural water temperature, 84.8％). But, the proportions of organism surviving to start of S. broughtonii in the fixed water temperature experimental groups (20, 23, and $26^{\circ}C$) were decreased with the increasing of the water temperature. In the fixed water temperature experimental groups of $26^{\circ}C$, the survival was 18.1％. Base on these results, the fixed water temperature of $20^{\circ}C$ (accumulated water temperature; $1,295^{\circ}C$) was the best condition for artificial induction of sexual maturation.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.34.1-34.13
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• 2018

Sexual maturity ($L_{50}$), the length at which 50% of fish in a size class are mature, is a key aspect of domestication of new fish species because it guides the procedure for identification of appropriate broodstock size for artificial spawning. In this study, the $L_{50}$ was determined for 1083 Barbus altianalis samples obtained from Lake Edward and the Upper Victoria Nile. Gonads of freshly killed samples were examined macroscopically and verified with standard histological procedures for the maturation stages that were used to determine $L_{50}$. Oocytes and spermatogenic cell sizes were compared for fish obtained from both water bodies. Results indicated that there were no variations in macro gonad features observed for fish from Lake Edward and Upper Victoria Nile. Similarly, there were no significant differences in oocyte sizes (P > 0.05) between the two populations but significant differences in spermatogenic cell sizes were noted (P < 0.05) except for spermatozoa (P > 0.05). This however did not suggest peculiar differences between the two populations for staging the gonads. Consequently, no staging variations were suggested for both populations in determination of $L_{50}$. Sexual maturity was found in the same class size of fork length (FL) 20-24.9 cm and 35-39.9 cm for males and females from both water bodies, respectively. At this FL, however, males were too small, and for good selection of vigor broodstocks for spawning and conservation purposes, they are better picked from class size of 30-34.9 cm FL and above. These findings were crucial for integration of appropriate breeding size in spawning protocol by farmers and fisheries scientists conserving wild B. altianalis populations.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.170-180
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• 1987

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of HCG and trout pitutary on sexual maturation and ovulation in the Korean loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus. Sexual maturation was observed in the fish treated with 250＋125 IU HCG within 2-4 days following injections. Total ovary weight and GSI were significantly greater in the hormone-treated fish than in the control fish. Furthermore, in the hormone-treated fish body weight increased by about 4-9 percent in 2 days. The water content of the ovulated eggs of the fish treated with 250＋125 IU HCG was also greater than that in the control. Changes in both macroscopic & microscopic appearnce of Korean loach ovaries are describled, as well as changes in the gonadosomatic index. Oocytes pass through seven cytologically changes in the relative stages. By examining these stages, it was found that oogenesis occures in two broad phases. The previtellogenic phasebegins as a new oogonia continues to arise following spawning. These rapidly develop into early perinucleolus oocytes, which in turn develop into resting stage oocytes. Most oocytes remain in this stage when they develop into late perinucleolus oocytes. The vitellogenic phase begins as these late perinucleolus oocytes become transformed into early maturing oocytes through the accumulation of yolk. The cytoplasm completely fills with yolk as oocytes reach the late maturing stage. Shortly before spawning the final hyaline stage of developing is reached. Changes in the microscopic appearances of the ovaries were well correlated with changes in both gonadosomatic index and macroscopic appearance.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2016

This study describes results on sexual maturation and characteristics of natural spawned eggs to develop a method for the production of stable, healthy fertilized eggs from captive-reared yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi. A total of 59 yellowtail kingfish were captured off the coast of Jeju Island, after which the broodstock was cultured in indoor culture tank ($100m^3$) until they were 6.1-14.9 kg in body weight. As part of the rearing management for induced sex maturation, the intensity of illumination was maintained at 130 lux. The photoperiod (light/dark; L/D) was set to a 12 L/12 D from October 2013 to January 2014, and 15 L/9 D from February 2014 to June 2014. Feeds comprised mainly EP (Extruded Pellets), with squid cuttlefish added for improvement of egg quality, and was given from April to June 2014. The first spawning of yellowtail kingfish occurred in May 3, 2014, at a water temperature of $17.0^{\circ}C$. Spawning continued until June 12, 2014, with the water temperature set at $20.5^{\circ}C$. Time of spawning was 26 times at this period. The total number of eggs that spawned during the spawning period was $4,449{\times}10^3$. The buoyant rate of spawning eggs and fertilization rate of buoyant eggs during the spawned period were 76.1% and 100%, respectively. The diameters of the egg and oil globule were $1.388{\pm}0.041mm$ and $0.378{\pm}0.029mm$, respectively, which was higher in early eggs than in those from late during the spawned period.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2000

Artificial gonadal maturation and spawning inducement of striped knife-jaw Oplegnathus fasciatus were studied. Effects of water temperature and photoperiod under different regims on gonadal activity and maturation of three years old O. fasciatus were investigated histologically. In experiment I (Exp. I), water temperature was gradually increased from $14.5^{\circ}C$ to $21.0^{\circ}C$ and photoperiod was also gradually increased from 10 : 30 L to 15 : 30 L from December 1996 to February 1997 and this conditions were maintained till April. In experiment II (Exp. II), water temperature was increased in the same way from Exp. I and photoperiod was controlled as natural condition till early March and then increased to 15 : 30 L immediately. Control fish were reared in net-cage culture system in the sea from December 1996 to April 1997. Gonadal activity was initiated by increasing water temperature in both Exp. I and II from January. In Exp. I, gonadal maturation and spawning were induced from February when water temperature and photoperiod reached at $21.0^{\circ}C$ and 15 : 30 L, respectively. In Exp. II, complete gonadal maturation was not induced until early March but after treated by compensatory long photoperiod (15 : 30 L), the gonad was matured and subsequently spawning occurred.