NEW JERSEY ACADEMY FOR AQUATIC SCIENCES
Research Application: Spawning control and broodstock management
Description of research: The New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences promotes the understanding, appreciation and protection of aquatic life and habitats through research, education and youth development programs. The Academy is active in species survival and conservation efforts. Research focuses on the study of the reproductive processes of aquatic animals to provide alternative means for breeding, or aquaculture. Currently a comprehensive study is being undertaken on the reproductive biology of Apogonidae, a large family of marine and mostly coral reef associated fishes. Research is in progress on the origin and direct development (lack of a planktonic dispersing larval stage) within this group and its phylogenetic significance. Other species the Academy studies are jellyfish, sea ravens, gobies, and the Bangaii cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni).
Lead researcher(s): Dr Alejandro A. Vagelli
Contact details: Director of Science & Conservation, New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103. Tel:(856) 361-1026; Fax:(856) 365-3318
Website: NJAAS
UTRECHT UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, DEPT BIOLOGY
Research Group: Endocrinology & Metabolism
Research Application: Puberty control
Description of research: Regulation of testis maturation, in particular of spermatogonial stem cell activity and spermatogenesis, by endocrine and paracrine signalling mechanisms. Identity and role of hormone / growth factor receptors in the regulation of spermatogenesis.
Lead researcher(s): Jan Bogerd (molecular biology) and Rüdiger W. Schulz (morphology, physiology)
Contact details: Utrecht University, Dept Biology, Postbus 80058, 3508 TB Utrecht, Netherlands
Institute website: http://www.bio.uu.nl/enmeta
HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH, INSTITUTE OF AQUACULTURE
Research Group: Reproductive biology
Research Application: Sex control, puberty control, spawning control, broodstock management
Description of research: The study of reproductive biology and endocrinology in finfish. The identification of reproductive dysfunctions occuring in male and female brood fish in captivity. The development of pharmacological methods for the control of reproduction, induction of spawning and improvement of sperm quality in commercially important cultured fish. A major application of this research is the development of controlled-release delivery systems (implants) for agonists of the neuropeptide gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRHa). Species of interest include the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), shi drum (umibrina cirrosa), dusky grouper (Epiniephelus marginatus), greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) and atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus).
Lead researcher(s): Constantinos C. MYLONAS
Contact details: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Aquaculture, Ex US Military Base of Gournes, PO Box 2214, Iraklion, Crete 71003.
Website:www.hcmr.gr
NATIONAL AGRONOMY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (INRA) - SCRIBE
Research Group: Fish Reproduction
Research Application: Fertility control, broodstock management
Description of Research: The research is directed towards:
(a)Cryobiology of fish spermatozoa and embryonic cells; biotechnologies for regenerating fish genomes; development of genetic analysis tools adapted to cryoconservation and regeneration. The application of this research is orientated towards the creation and management of cryobanks for freezing fish sperm and embryos, with the aim of :(i)conserving fish genetic resources for fish farming purposes; (ii)conserving genetic resources for endangered fish species. This second objective follows an approach that considers not only the conservation of the species themselves, but also the protection and restoration of the natural environment.
(b)Genomic analysis of oocyte maturation and egg quality in fish; understanding the molecular mechanisms triggering oocyte/follicle competence acquisition and egg quality. The effects of endocrine disrupters on oocyte maturation and egg quality are also being studied. This research has important practical applications to the fish farming industry: (i)synchronising egg production during the reproductive season in order to obtain homogenous cohorts of fry; (ii)obtaining eggs out of the reproductive season, to ensure a regular supply of fry throughout the year; (iii)controlling egg quality in all types of farming conditions.
Lead Researcher(s): (a)Cathérine LABBE, Pierre-Yves LE BAIL; (b)Julien BOBE
Contact Details: INRA-SCRIBE, Campus Scientifique de Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes cedex.
Institute Website: http://w3.rennes.inra.fr/scribe
NATIONAL TAIWAN OCEAN UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF AQUACULTURE
Scientific Interest: Endocrine physiology, stress physiology and immunity, gamete physiology, gonad physiology
Description of research: The focus is on important marine aquaculture species, such as the black porgy and the grouper. Key research areas are: fish reproductive physiology, sex differentiation and sex change in fish, reproductive endocrinology and reproduction in coral, hormone regulation in fish, maturation mechanisms in fish, environmental physiology and immunity in fish, and the reproductive physiology of prawns.
Lead researcher(s): Ching Fong CHANG
Contact details: Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan 20224
Website:National Taiwan Ocean University
TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF MARINE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, DEPT OF MARINE BIOSCIENCES
Research Group: Fish physiology
Research Application: Fertility control, spawning control, broodstock management
Description of research: Development of surrogate broodstock technology in fish by germ cell transplantation; one of the final objectives of this study is to make surrogate mackerel recipients produce bluefin tuna gametes. Cryopreservation of fish germ cells; since there is no cryopreservation technique for fish eggs and embryos currently available, this will be a breakthrough for preservation of fish genetic resources. In vitro culture of fish germ cells in order to use them as an alternative to ES cells. Analysis of endocrine control of fish germ cell proliferation and differentiation.
Lead researcher(s): Goro YOSHIZAKI
Contact details: Tokyo University of Marine Science & Technology, Dept of Marine Biosciences, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 108-8477 Japan.
Website: http://www2.kaiyodai.ac.jp/seibutsuHP/english/index.html
IRTA SANT CARLES DE LA RAPITA
Research discipline: CONTROL OF REPRODUCTION WITH BIO-TECHNOLOGIES & HUSBANDRY
Research application: Spawning control
Description of research: To apply and adjust available bio-technologies to control reproduction and obtain the spawning of good quality eggs. Activities include: acclimatisation of wild broodstock; manipulation of environmental parameters, holding systems and nutrition in order to obtain maturation to advanced stages, vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis; determination of stage of maturity; hormone induced spawning; environmentally controlled spawning; determination of egg and larval quality. The team is currently working on the meagre (Argyrosomus regius), Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata).
Lead researcher(s): Neil Duncan, Alicia Estevez, Cristobal Aguilera
Contact details: IRTA Sant Carles de la Rapita, Crta. Poble Nou, km. 5.5, AP200, 43540 Sant Carles de la Rapita, Tarragona, Spain. Tel. +34 977745427, Fax. +34 977744138.
Website: www.irta.cat
