Changes in RNA, DNA, protein contents and growth of turbot Scophthalmus maximus larvae and juveniles

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Authors: Tong, X. H., Liu, Q. H., Xu, S. H., Li, J., Xiao, Z. Z., Ma, D. Y., Li, J, Chinese Acad Sci, Ctr Biotechnol R&D, Inst Oceanol, Qingdao 266071, Peoples R China
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Metamorphosis; Rna:Dna Ratio; Fisheries; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Scophthalmus maximus; Turbot
• Online Access: http://ir.qdio.ac.cn/handle/337002/1674; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02692.x

The growth potential of turbot Scophthalmus maximus larvae and juveniles was studied using nucleic acid-based indices and protein variables. The experiment was carried out from 4 to 60 days post hatching (dph). A significant increase in instantaneous growth rate during metamorphosis and retarded growth rate during post-metamorphic phase were observed. Ontogenetic patterns of DNA, RNA and protein all showed developmental stage-specific traits. The RNA:DNA ratio decreased up to 12 dph, then increased rapidly till 19 dph and fluctuated until 35 dph followed by a decline to the end. The RNA:DNA ratio was positively correlated with growth rate of juveniles during the post-metamorphic phase, whereas this ratio was not a sensitive indicator of growth during the pre-metamorphic phase and metamorphosis. The protein:DNA ratio showed a similar tendency to the RNA:DNA ratio. Changes of DNA content and protein:DNA ratio revealed that growth of S. maximus performed mainly by hyperplasia from 4 to 12 dph and hypertrophy until 21 dph during the pre-metamorphic larval phase. Growth was dominantly hypertrophical from the early- to mid-metamorphosing phase and hyperplastic thereafter. The results show that the DNA content and protein:DNA ratio can evaluate growth rates of larval and juvenile S. maximus on a cellular level. The growth potential of turbot Scophthalmus maximus larvae and juveniles was studied using nucleic acid-based indices and protein variables. The experiment was carried out from 4 to 60 days post hatching (dph). A significant increase in instantaneous growth rate during metamorphosis and retarded growth rate during post-metamorphic phase were observed. Ontogenetic patterns of DNA, RNA and protein all showed developmental stage-specific traits. The RNA:DNA ratio decreased up to 12 dph, then increased rapidly till 19 dph and fluctuated until 35 dph followed by a decline to the end. The RNA:DNA ratio was positively correlated with growth rate of juveniles during the post-metamorphic phase, whereas this ratio was ...