High levels of docosahexaenoic acid are present in eight New World silversides (Pisces: Atherinopsidae)

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the most critical and least available omega-3 fatty acid in the Western human diet. Currently, the source of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) is mainly dependent on wild fisheries, making this resource unsustainable in the foreseeable future. In recent years, a high rate of biosynthesis and accumulation of DHA has been discovered in a freshwater species (Chirostoma estor) belonging to the Atherinopsidae family. Interest in evaluating fatty acid composition in other members of the family has emerged, so this study compiles original data of flesh composition of eight atherinopsid species from freshwater and brackish environments, either wild or cultured. High levels of DHA (16 to 31%) were found in all analyzed members of the family, except in C. grandocule, independently of their habitat or origin. The analyzed species of the Jordani group (C. estor, C. promelas and C. humboldtianum) showed high DHA and low EPA levels (<0.5%) as previously reported for cultured C. estor. The low trophic niche of these atherinopsids and their fatty acid accumulation capabilities are factors that make these species noteworthy candidates for sustainable aquaculture.(AU)

O ácido docosahexaenóico (DHA) é o ácido graxo ômega-3 mais importante e menos disponível na dieta humana ocidental. Atualmente, a fonte de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados de cadeia longa ômega-3 (LC-PUFA) depende principalmente da pesca extrativista, tornando esse recurso insustentável em um futuro próximo. Nos últimos anos, uma alta taxa de biossíntese e acúmulo de DHA foi descoberta em uma espécie de água doce (Chirostoma estor) pertencente à família Atherinopsidae. Deste modo, surgiu o interesse em avaliar a composição de ácidos graxos em outros membros da família. Portanto, este estudo compila dados originais da composição de carne de oito espécies de aterinopsídeos de ambientes de água doce e salobra, selvagens ou cultivadas. Altos níveis de DHA (16 a 31%) foram encontrados em todos os membros da família analisados, exceto em C. grandocule, independentemente de seu habitat ou origem. As espécies analisadas do grupo Jordani (C. estor, C. promelas e C. humboldtianum) apresentaram altos níveis de DHA e EPA baixos (<0,5%), como relatado anteriormente para C. estor cultivado. O baixo nicho trófico desses aterinopsídeos e sua capacidade de acumulação de ácidos graxos são fatores que tornam essas espécies notáveis candidatas à aquicultura sustentável.(AU)

Cambios morfológicos en la ontogenia temprana de Chirostoma riojai / Morphological changes in the early ontogeny of Chirostoma riojai

El charal de Toluca Chirostoma riojai es un pez de alto valor cultural e ictiológico. Los trabajos sobre esta especie se enfocan en el tipo de alimentación o forman parte de revisiones taxonómicas y son pocos los estudios sobre los cambios morfológicos durante su ontogenia. Se evaluó la figura de C. riojai mediante morfometría geométrica desde su eclosión hasta los 90 días de vida. Los ejemplares se cultivaron en condiciones controladas y fueron fijados 171 organismos pertenecientes a 11 intervalos de edad incluidos en cinco fases: embrión libre, apterolarva, pterolarva, juvenil y adulto. Se usaron seis puntos anatómicamente homólogos en una primera configuración de marcas y en una segunda se delinearon dos contornos (dorsal y ventralmente) de la región anterior. Un análisis de componentes principales mostró una fuerte diferenciación en su figura durante la transición larva-juvenil, en tanto un análisis de variables canónicas señaló diferencias significativas (ps<0.001) entre los 11 grupos de edad. La regresión lineal entre el logaritmo del tamaño centroide y las distancias procustes muestran que los organismos mantienen un cambio de figura constante hasta el término del periodo larvario, punto en el que el periodo juvenil comienza y las modificaciones en su figura disminuyen. La descripción del desarrollo temprano de C. riojai sin considerar el desarrollo de las aletas, muestra que la característica con el mayor cambio es el desplazamiento del poro anal, seguido por el alargamiento de la región cefálica. El tamaño y la figura de C. riojai durante su vida temprana pueden servir para diferenciar faces de desarrollo y ser utilizada en otras especies hermanas para evaluar si su figura es específica en cada fase. Los cambios morfológicos de C. riojai durante su vida temprana se pueden describir de forma gradual hasta el periodo larval y saltatoria en el cambio a juvenil.

Toluca silverside Chirostoma riojai is a fish with high cultural and ictiological values. Studies on this species have focused on the type of diet or as part of taxonomic reviews, while few reports are known on the morphological changes during its ontogeny. In this study the shape of C. riojai was evaluated by means of geometric morphometrics from hatchings up to 90 days-old individuals. Specimens of C. riojai were cultivated in controlled conditions, and 171 organisms there fixed, belonging to 11 age intervals included within five phases: free embryo, apterolarva, pterolarva, juvenile, and adult. There were used six landmarks in an initial configuration, and in a second configuration there were outlined two contours (dorsal and ventral) on the anterior region. A principal component analysis showed a strong differentiation in the shape during the transition larva-juvenile, for both an analysis of canonical variables found significant differences (ps<0.001) between the 11 age groups. The linear regression between the logarithm of the size centroid and procustes distances, showed that the individuals maintain a constant change in shape up to the end of the larval phase, at which time the youth stage begins and the changes in its shape decreases. The description of the early development of C. riojai without considering the development of the fins, shows that feature with greatest change is the movement of the anal pore, followed by the lengthening of the cephalic region. The size and shape of C. riojai during its early life could serve to differentiate developmental phases and could be used with other sister species to assess whether their shape is specific in each phase. The morphological changes of C. riojai during his early life could be described in a gradual form up to the the larval period, while saltatory in the change to juvenile.

Caracterización de la curva de crecimiento en dos especies de pez blanco Chirostoma estor, C. promelas y sus híbridos / Characterization of the growth curve in two species of silverside Chirostoma estor, C. promelas and their hybrids

The objective of the present study was to estímate growth curve parameters of length and weight in whitefish Chirostoma estor (EE), blacknose silverside Chirostoma promelas (PP) and their reciprocal hybrids (EP and PE) up to 300 days of age from a complete diallel cross under culture conditions in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. The length was measured monthly from hatching, while the weight was measured monthly from 120 days of age. The total number of each observation (samples) was analyzed for length 1006 (26), 771 (22), 513 (22) and 421 (21) for groups EP, PE, PP and EE, respectively. Total number of observations (samples) was analyzed for weight 630 (16), 521 (14), 263 (13) and 256 (13) for groups EP, PE, PP and EE, respectively. The growth curves for weight and length were estimated using nonlinear regression models. The group EE reached an estimated weight of 7.89 g at 300 days of age, 65% higher than the PP (4.78 g) and 57 % higher than the average of their hybrids (P < 0.01); EE had a length of 9.31 cm (14%) larger than PP (7.97 cm) and 13% larger than the average of their hybrids (P < 0.01). The four groups showed a positive allometric growth with values of 3.20 to 3.3 (P < 0.05). The results of this study are the first comparative estimates of growth characteristics up to 300 days of age for these species and their hybrids in captivity.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue estimar parámetros de las curvas de crecimiento del peso y la longitud en el pez blanco Chirostoma estor (EE), el pez blanco pico negro Chirostoma promelas (PP) y de sus híbridos recíprocos (EP y PE) hasta los 300 días de edad a partir de un cruzamiento dialélico completo bajo condiciones de cultivo en Morelia, Michoacán, México. La longitud se midió mensualmente desde la eclosión, mientras que el peso se midió mensualmente a partir de los 120 días. Los números totales de observaciones (muestras) analizadas para longitud fueron 1006 (26), 771 (22), 513 (22) y 421 (21) para los grupos EP, PE, PP y EE, respectivamente. Los números totales de observaciones (muestras) analizadas para peso fueron 630 (16), 521 (14), 263 (13) y 256 (13) para los grupos EP, PE, PP y EE, respectivamente. Las curvas de crecimiento para peso y longitud se estimaron con modelos de regresión no lineal. El grupo EE alcanzó un peso estimado de 7.89 g a los 300 días de edad, 65% mayor que el de PP (4.78 g) y 57% mayor que el promedio de los híbridos (P < 0.01); EE tuvo una longitud de 9.31 cm (14%) mayor que PP (7.97 cm) y 13% mayor que la del promedio de los híbridos (P < 0.01). Los cuatro grupos, mostraron un crecimiento de tipo alométrico positivo con valores de 3.2 a 3.3 (P < 0.05). Los resultados de este estudio son las primeras estimaciones comparativas de las características de crecimiento hasta los 300 días de edad para estas especies y sus híbridos en cautiverio.

Oocyte structure and ultrastructure in the Mexican silverside fish Chirostoma humboldtianum (Atheriniformes: Atherinopsidae)

the structural and ultrastructural features of gonads from endemic Mexican fish have received scarce attention. This study describes the histological and ultrastructural characteristics of the oocyte in Chirostoma humboldtianum. The ovary is asynchronic, and as such, most phases of oocyte development are found in the same ovary. The complete process of oogenesis was divided in five stages: oogonium and folliculogenesis, primary growth, cortical alveoli and lipid inclusions, vitellogenesis and maturation. The presence of big filaments, which appear at the end of primary growth, induces some common follicular adaptation. During primary growth, abundant ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria are grouped in the cytoplasm. At the end of this stage, the Z1 layer of the chorion is developed, while microvilli start to be evident as well. In the cortical alveoli and lipid droplets phase, intense PAS positive vesicles, some of them containing nucleoid material, are observed in the peripheral cytoplasm and the lipid droplets take a more central position. In vitellogenesis, the proteic yolk accumulates in a centripetal way while the chorion is completely formed. In maturation, the germinal vesicle migrates to the animal pole, meiosis is restored, and there is nuclear breakdown. The oocyte increases its size and holds some oil droplets and a big fluid mass of yolk. On the outside, filaments surround the oocyte completely. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (4): 1825-1835. Epub 2008 December 12.

Los aspectos estructurales y ultraestructrurales de las gónadas de peces mexicanos endémicos han sido poco estudiados. En el presente trabajo reportamos las características histológicas y ultraestructurales del ovocito de Chirostoma hulmboldtianum. El ovario es de tipo asincrónico, por ende, la mayoría de las fases del desarrollo del ovocito pueden ser encontradas en el mismo ovario. El desarrollo del ovocito fue dividido en cinco etapas: ovo-gonia y foliculogénesis, crecimiento primario del ovocito, inclusiones lipídicas y gránulos corticales, vitelogénesis y maduración. La presencia de grandes filamentos que aparecen al final de la etapa de crecimiento primario, inducen adaptaciones foliculares. Durante el crecimiento primario, en el citoplasma se encuentran abundantes ribosomas, retículo endoplásmico rugoso y agrupamientos de mitocondrias. Al final de esta etapa, inicia el desarrollo de la capa Z1 del corion, comenzando a ser evidentes las microvellosidades del ovocito. Durante la etapa de inclusiones lipídicas y gránulos corticales, vesículas PAS positivas, algunas de ellas con material nucleoide, se ubican en la periferia del ovocito, mientras que las que contienen material graso toman una posición más central en la célula. Durante la vitelogénesis se presenta una acumulación de vitelo protéico en un sentido centrípeto; durante esta etapa, el corion está completamente formado. En la maduración, la vesicular germinal migra hacia el polo animal, se reinicia la meiosis y se rompe la envoltura nuclear. El ovocito incrementa su tamaño y en el citoplasma se pueden observar algunas gotas de grasa y el vitelo se presenta como una gran masa acuosa. En el exterior, los filamentos rodean completamente al ovocito.

Oocyte structure and ultrastructure in the Mexican silverside fish Chirostoma humboldtianum (Atheriniforme: Atherinopsidae)

The structural and ultrastructural features of gonads from endemic Mexican fish have received scarce attention. This study describes the histological and ultrastructural characteristics of oocyte from Chirostoma humboldtianum. The ovary is asynchronic, and as such, most phases of oocyte development are found in the same ovary. The complete process of oogenesis was divided in five stages: oogonium and folliculogenesis, primary growth, cortical alveoli and lipid inclusions, vitellogenesis, and maturation. The presence of big filaments, which appear at the end of primary growth, induces some common follicular adaptation. During primary growth, abundant ribosomes, the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria are grouped in the cytoplasm. At the end of this stage, the Z1 layer of the chorion is developed, while microvilli start to be evident. In the cortical alveoli and lipid droplets phase, intense PAS positive vesicles, some of them containing nucleoid material, are observed in the peripheral cytoplasm and the lipid droplets take a more central position. In vitellogenesis, the proteic yolk accumulates in a centripetal way while the chorion is completely formed. During maturation, the germinal vesicle migrates to the animal pole, meiosis is restored, and there is nuclear breakdown. The oocyte increases its size and holds some oil droplets and a big fluid mass of yolk. On the outside, filaments completely surround the oocyte. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (3): 1371-1380. Epub 2008 September 30.

Desarrollo ovárico y su relación con las concentraciones séricas de 17β-estradiol y 17α-hidroxi- 4-pregnen-3-ona en hembras de primera maduración de pez blanco, Chirostoma humboldtianum (Atheriniformes: Atherinopsidae) / Association between ovarian development and serum concentrations of 17β-estradiol and 17α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one in first maturation females of the shortfin silverside fish, Chirostoma humboldtianum (Atheriniformes: Atherinopsidae)

The first reproductive cycle of 50 females of the shortfin silverside, Chirostoma humboldtianum (Valenciennes) in culture conditions was analyzed. Ovarian developmental stages, gonadosomatic (GI) and hepatosomatic (HI) indexes were described. Histo-logical description of the ovaries and quantification of estradiol serum levels (E2) and 17α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17-P4) by radioinmune assay were performed. Results showed a first reproductive season longer than six months. Females initiated spawning at the age of one year. Four ovarian maturation stages (I to IV) were determined during the spawning season and one (V) during the non-spawning season, the last one showed a non-defined pattern of development. The GI and HI indexes values indicate a positive lineal relation to body-weight only during the reproductive season (r² = 0.74 and r² = 0.86, P < 0.05, respectively). Histological analysis of the ovaries indicated that the species correspond to the pattern described as group-synchronous with multiple spawnings. The follicular population showed reproductive activity during the first stages of maturation with a predominant population of pre-vitellogenic follicles. As the ovarian maturation increased, the presence of all the follicular developmental stages was observed, with a tendency of an increase of vitellogenic and mature follicles. The concentration of circulating sexual steroid hormones of estradiol (E2) and 17α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17-P4) were high during stage I (2.5 ± 0.7 ng/m L and 2.4 ± 0.3 ng/mLfor E2 and 17-P4, respectively); a decrease was observed during stage II, and the highest values were observed in stage IV (7.6 ± 2.1 ng/mL for E2 and 1.8 ± 0.9 ng/mL for 17-P4). The same pattern was observed during non-spawning season (ANOVA P < 0.05), these results are the first findings on the reproductive physiology of the shortfin silverside fish, suggesting an early steroidogenic activity in immature females. Furthermore, the species maintains its hormonal capacity during the post-spawning season, as it is supported by their follicular composition. The aforementioned will allow to have a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in their reproductive processes and to improve the mechanisms utilized to control their reproduction and for the production of eggs and larvae in culture conditions.

Se analizó el primer ciclo reproductivo de 50 hembras de pez blanco, Chirostoma humboldtianum (Valenciennes), en condiciones de cultivo. Se describieron los estadios de desarrollo ovárico y los índices gonadosomático (IG) y hepatosomático (IH). Se realizó una descripción histológica de los ovarios y se midieron los niveles séricos del estradiol (E2) y de la 17α-hidroxi -4-pregnen-3-ona (17-P4) por radioinmunoanálisis. Los resultados mostraron una primera época reproductiva de más de seis meses. Las hembras iniciaron sus desoves a la edad de un año. Se identificaron cuatro estadios de maduración ovárica (estadios I al IV) en la época de desoves y uno más (V) en la época no reproductiva, este último no tuvo un patrón de desarrollo definido. Los valores de los índices IG e IH mostraron una relación lineal positiva con el peso corporal únicamente en la época reproductiva (r² = 0.74 y r² = 0.86, P < 0.05, respectivamente). El análisis histológico de los ovarios indicó que la especie se clasifica como sincrónica por grupos múltiples. Los primeros estadios de maduración gonadal fueron caracterizados por ovarios cuyas poblaciones foliculares estuvieron compuestas predominantemente por folículos previtelinos. Conforme avanzó el proceso de maduración, se observaron todos los estadios de desarrollo folicular, con tendencia al incremento de folículos vitelinos y maduros. Durante el estadio I, las concentraciones de las hormonas esteroides sexuales circulantes de estradiol (E2) y de la 17α-hidroxi-4-pregnen-3-ona (17-P4) fueron altas (2.5 ± 0.7 ng/mL de E2 y 2.4 ± 0.3 ng/mL de 17-P4), se observó un decremento durante el estadio II y los valores más altos se registraron en el estadio IV (7.6± 2.1 ng/mL de E2 y 1.8 ± 0.9 ng/mL de 17-P4). Este mismo patrón fue observado durante la época de no desoves (ANDEVA P < 0.05); estos resultados son los primeros hallazgos en la fisiología reproductiva del pez blanco, los cuales sugieren una temprana actividad esteroidogénica en hembras inmaduras, además de que esta especie conserva su capacidad hormonal en la época posdesove, sustentada en su composición folicular. Lo anterior ayudará para comprender mejor los mecanismos involucrados en los procesos reproductivos y servirá de base para lograr su reproducción controlada y la obtención de huevos y larvas en condiciones de cultivo.