Gene Expression and Phenotypic Assessment of Egg Quality across Developmental Stages of Atlantic Cod throughout the Spawning Season.

Egg quality in fishes is commonly determined by fertilisation success and cleavage patterns as a phenotypic outcome of underlying regulatory mechanisms. Although these phenotypic estimators of egg quality are useful in farming conditions, these "good quality" egg batches do not always translate to good larval growth and survival. The identification of genes involved in embryonic development may help find links between genetic factors of maternal origin and egg quality. Herein, the relative expression of seven stage-specific developmental genes of Atlantic cod was analysed using quantitative PCR to understand the function during embryogenesis and its relationship with egg quality. Genes ccnb2 and pvalb1 showed significant differential expression between developmental stages and significant upregulation from blastula and somite stages, respectively. The comparison of spawning batches showed that the relative gene expression of genes ccnb2, acta, tnnt3 and pvalb1 was significantly higher from the middle of the spawning season where phenotypic quality estimators establish the best egg quality. Moreover, a positive significant correlation was observed between quality estimators based on egg morphology and the genetic expression of genes acta and acta1 during somitogenesis. This study suggests that the combination of quality estimators, genetics and batch timing could help optimise reproductive protocols for commercial stocks of Atlantic cod.

Long-Term Influence of PCB- and PBDE-Spiked Microplastic Spheres Fed through Rotifers to Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Larvae.

Omnipresent microplastics (MPs) in marine ecosystems are ingested at all trophic levels and may be a vector for the transfer of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) through the food web. We fed rotifers polyethylene MPs (1-4 µm) spiked with seven congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and two congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). In turn, these rotifers were fed to cod larvae from 2-30 days post-hatching (dph), while the control groups were fed rotifers without MPs. After 30 dph, all the groups were fed the same feed without MPs. Whole-body larvae were sampled at 30 and 60 dph, and four months later the skin of 10 g juveniles was sampled. The PCBs and PBDEs concentrations were significantly higher in MP larvae compared to the control larvae at 30 dph, but the significance dissipated at 60 dph. Expression of stress-related genes in cod larvae at 30 and 60 dph showed inconclusive minor random effects. The skin of MP juveniles showed disrupted epithelial integrity, fewer club cells and downregulation of a suite of genes involved in immunity, metabolism and the development of skin. Our study showed that POPs were transferred through the food web and accumulated in the larvae, but that the level of pollutants decreased once the exposure was ceased, possibly related to growth dilution. Considering the transcriptomic and histological findings, POPs spiked to MPs and/or MPs themselves may have long-term effects in the skin barrier defense system, immune response and epithelium integrity, which may potentially reduce the robustness and overall fitness of the fish.

EST-Microsatellite Types and Structural Scenarios in European Hake Fisheries.

A fishery's structure and connectivity are priors to its effective management. A successful description of such processes depends on both the sampling design and the choice of adequate genetic markers. EST markers are perfusing the studies of marine metapopulations and are believed to provide access to functional polymorphisms. However, the assumed adaptive role of outlier EST loci might not be generalizable. EST-microsatellites represent the upper polymorphic boundary in these regions because of their high mutation rate. We have subclassified the polymorphisms of EST-microsatellites to assess their structural contribution in the European hake, a paradigmatic and highly mobile marine species (HMMS). Because of the counterbalanced forces between directional markers (15%) and balanced markers (23%), the whole marker set offers the same structural situation as the one observed with neutral markers (62%), i.e., k = 2 gene pools. In contrast to outlier EST- microsatellites, neutral EST subsets allow one to measure crucial population phenomena for fisheries' management. The high inter-population divergence of outlier EST-microsatellites is compatible with drifted post-selection genomic regions rather than with ongoing local selective pressures. The structural scenario in hake is explainable by a limited gene flow across the Almería-Oran Front (AOF) and by the within-basin IBD pattern of connectivity plus drift-related demographic events. This study highlights how polymorphic properties of EST-microsatellite types can be useful to address mutually excluding research tasks in fisheries, i.e., to address its evolutionary history (directional markers or FAPS: Fossil Adaptive Polymorphic Systems); to delineate management units (neutral markers or NAPS: Non Adaptive Polymorphic Systems); or to ensure sustainability (balanced markers or APS: Adaptive Polymorphic Systems).

Phylogenetic prospecting for cryptic species of the genus Merluccius (Actinopterygii: Merlucciidae).

Hakes of the genus Merluccius include 11 valid species as well a number of rare morphotypes suspected to be "cryptic species". Concatenated nucDNA ITS1-rDNA and mtDNA cyt b sequences plus nested ITS1Nes sequences allowed to ascribe 14 specimens of nine rare morphotypes from the South Pacific and the South Atlantic to the phylogenetic backbone of this genus. Bayesian analyses pointed to M. bilinearis and M. albidus as the oldest species of the genus and the New World cluster, respectively. The phylogenetic status of M. angustimanus from the upper Gulf of California suggests its hybrid origin between M. gayi and M. productus from about 0.25 MYA, although an ever since confinement of a subset of those species cannot be ruled out. The molecular phylodiagnostic test suggests a common origin of all rare morphotypes and the absence of cryptic hake species in the Southern Cone. The molecular background of the morphotypes distributed between the Western Pacific South of New Zealand and the western Atlantic South of Argentina is compatible with their hybrid origin between M. gayi and both, M. australis or M. hubbsi, respectively.

La agonía de la espera: en reposo hacia la maternidad / The agony of waiting: the bed rest to motherhood

Este artículo describe las vivencias de las mujeres en reposo hospitalario por rotura prematura de membranas pretérmino (RPMP) y sus necesidades para mejorar la práctica clínica. Objetivo: Explorar la experiencia de las mujeres gestantes en reposo hospitalario por RPMP. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio cualitativo, con enfoque fenomenológico. Recogida de datos: Observación y entrevistas individuales a gestantes hospitalizadas por RPMP en el Hospital «Gregorio Marañón», en la planta de Obstetricia de Alto Riesgo, entre las semanas 24 y 31 de gestación. Resultados: El tratamiento expectante ante la RPMP, que se basa fundamentalmente en el reposo en cama y la hospitalización, supuso para las gestantes del estudio una gran carga emocional, manifestada por niveles elevados de ansiedad y estrés, preocupación y miedo, en relación con la pérdida fetal o la salud perinatal, así como tristeza, labilidad emocional e incertidumbre ante la experiencia vivida. Se manifestó en la mujer la sensación de pérdida de la capacidad funcional, de dependencia y de pérdida del control de su vida, con sentimientos de inutilidad y disminución de la autoestima, así como un fuerte sentimiento de culpa constante y duelo anticipado. Conclusiones: El reposo hospitalario tras la RPMP implica una situación de crisis emocional. Comprender las necesidades de las mujeres con embarazos de alto riesgo por parte de los profesionales mejorará la calidad de la atención, y puede ayudar a disminuir los niveles de estrés en este periodo vulnerable y a afrontar la maternidad. El papel del equipo sanitario que acompaña a la mujer durante este camino consiste en tratar de impedir que esta experiencia quede marcada de forma traumática. Así, se podrían orientar programas y políticas sociosanitarias para promocionar y proteger la salud en las mujeres hospitalizadas con gestaciones de alto riesgo (AU)

This article describes the experiences of women with preterm premature rupture of amniotic membranes (PPROM) during bed rest in hospital and investigates their needs to improve clinical practice. Objetive: To investigate pregnant women's experience when they are resting in hospital in cases of preterm premature rupture of membranes. Methodology: This is a qualitative, descriptive, observational approach with a phenomenological focus. Data collection: Observation and individual interviews with pregnant women who are in the high risk obstetrics ward in "Gregorio Marañón" Hospital with PPROM. They will be between 24 and 31 weeks pregnant. Results: This study shows that in the non-interventional management of PPROM, which is based primarily on bed rest and admission into hospital,the mother can be emotionally charged showing high levels of anxiety and stress, worry and fear, in relation to fetal loss or perinatal health and sadness, emotional liability and uncertainty about the experience. It manifested in women the sense of loss of functional capacity, dependency and loss of control of her life, mainly by feeling worthless and having low self-esteem, experiencing a strong sense of guilt and grief. Conclusions: Bed rest in hospital for women with PPROM involves emotional crisis. Understanding the needs felt by women with high-risk pregnancies by healthcare professionals will improve the quality of care and can help reduce stress levels during this vulnerable period, and help them cope with motherhood. It is the responsibility of the healthcare professionals to care for women during this period and avoid the experience being traumatic (AU)