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Updated: Aug 1, 2025
Eyestalk Ablation to Increase Ovarian Maturation in Mud Crabs
Published on: March 31, 2023
Molecular Characterization Related to Ovary Early Development Mechanisms after Eyestalk Ablation in Exopalaemon
Shaoting Jia1, Jitao Li1,2, Jianjian Lv1,2
1National Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China.
Abstract:
Eyestalk ablation is an effective method to promote ovarian development in crustaceans. Herein, we performed transcriptome sequencing of ovary and hepatopancreas tissues after eyestalk ablation in Exopalaemon carinicauda to identify genes related to ovarian development. Our analyses led to the identification of 97,383 unigenes and 190,757 transcripts, with an average N50 length of 1757 bp. In the ovary, four pathways related to oogenesis and three related to oocyte rapid growth were enriched. In the hepatopancreas, two vitellogenesis-associated transcripts were identified. Furthermore, short time-series expression miner (STEM) and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses revealed five terms related to gamete generation. In addition, two-color fluorescent in situ hybridization results suggested that dmrt1 might play a vital role in oogenesis during the early stage of ovarian development. Overall, our insights should support future studies focusing on investigating oogenesis and ovarian development in E. carinicauda.
Insights
Eyestalk ablation in shrimp (Exopalaemon carinicauda) promotes ovarian development by influencing key genes. This study identifies crucial genetic pathways and the dmrt1 gene involved in shrimp oogenesis and growth.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Crustacean Aquaculture
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Eyestalk ablation is a known method to stimulate ovarian maturation in crustaceans.
- Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying this process is crucial for aquaculture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genes and pathways involved in ovarian development in Exopalaemon carinicauda following eyestalk ablation.
- To elucidate the molecular basis of enhanced oogenesis and rapid oocyte growth.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptome sequencing of ovary and hepatopancreas tissues.
- Bioinformatic analyses including unigene and transcript assembly, pathway enrichment (GO), and time-series expression mining (STEM).
- Two-color fluorescent in situ hybridization for gene validation.
Main Results:
- Identification of 97,383 unigenes and 190,757 transcripts.
- Enrichment of oogenesis and oocyte growth pathways in the ovary.
- Discovery of two vitellogenesis-associated transcripts in the hepatopancreas.
- Identification of five gamete generation-related terms via STEM and GO analyses.
- Dmrt1 gene suggested to play a key role in early oogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Eyestalk ablation significantly impacts gene expression related to ovarian development in E. carinicauda.
- The study provides a valuable genetic resource for understanding crustacean oogenesis.
- Dmrt1 is a potential key regulator in early ovarian development.
