Abstract
The influence of some environmental parameters in the regulation of hatching of halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) embryos is reported. The progress of hatching was observed when light, oxygen and turbulence were varied. Environmental parameters influenced the induction of hatching, while the exit mechanism of halibut embryos was unaltered. Light arrests hatching of halibut eggs, and transfer of such eggs to darkness resulted in rapid and synchronous hatching. Hatching under different oxic conditions shows that better oxygen availability does not postpone the time of hatching in halibut. Oxygen seems therefore to have a minor role in the regulation of hatching in halibut. Induction of hatching was delayed under hypoxic conditions (15 mm Hg) compared to higher oxygen levels, but this probably reflects a minimal oxygen level needed for metabolism during hatching. Non-stationary water conditions delayed hatching for 1.5 d both in eggs incubated in turbulence, and in eggs subjected to turbulence at the time of hatching. Turbulence had an immediate inhibitory effect on hatching, but this inhibition was reversible under stationary conditions, under which hatching resumed after 150 to 250 min. We conclude that hatching in halibut occurs after sensory input from environmental factors which are integrated by the embryo before proceeding to hatch.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Berezovsky, V. A., Goida, E. A., Mukalov, I. O., Sushko, B. S. (1979). Experimental study of oxygen distribution in Misgurnis fossilis eggs. Fiz. Zh. (Kiev) 25: 379–389
Blaxter, J. H. S. (1988). Pattern and variety in development. In: Hoar, W. S., Randall, D. J. (eds.) Fish physiology, Vol. XI, Part A. Academic Press, Inc., London, p. 1–58
Brännäs, E. (1987). Influence of photoperiod and temperature on hatching and emergence of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Can. J. Zool. 65: 1503–1508
Cotelli, F., Andronico, F., Brivio, M., Lamia, C. L. (1988). Structure and composition of the fish egg chorion (Carassius auratus). J. Ultrastruct. molec. Struct. Res. 99: 70–78
DiMichele, L., Powers, D. A. (1984). The relationship between oxygen consumption rate and hatching in Fundulus heteroclitus. Physiol. Zöol. 57: 46–51
DiMichele, L., Taylor, M. H. (1980). The environmental control of hatching in Fundulus heteroclitus. J. exp. Zool. 214: 181–187
Hagenmaier, H. E. (1972). Zum Schlüpfprozess bei Fischen. II. Gewinnung und Charakterisierung des Schlüpfsekretes bei der Regenbogenforelle (Salmo Gairdneri RICH). Experientia 28: 1214–1215
Hagenmaier, H. E. (1973). The hatching process in fish embryos: the structure, polysaccharide and protein cytochemistry of the chorion of the trout egg, Salmo Gairdneri (RICH). Acta histochem. 47: 61–69
Haug, T. (1990). Biology of the Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L., 1758). Adv. mar. Biol. 26: 1–70
Helvik, J. V. (1992). Biology of hatching. PhD thesis, Univ. of Bergen, Bergen. ISBN 82-7558-007-2
Helvik, J. V., Oppen-Berntsen, D. O., Flood, P. R., Walther, B. T. (1991a). Morphogenesis of the hatching gland of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). Wilhelm Roux Arch. dev. Biol. 200: 180–187
Helvik, J. V., Oppen-Berntsen, D. O., Walther, B. T. (1991b). The hatching mechanism in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). Int. J. devl. Biol. 35: 9–16
Helvik, J. V., Walther, B. T. (1992). Photo-regulation of the hatching process of halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) eggs. J. exp. Zool. 263: 204–209
Hemple, G. (1979). Early life history of marine fish. The egg stage. Washington Sea Grant Publ. Univ. of Washington Press, Seattle
Ishida, I. (1985). Hatching enzyme: past, present and future. Zool. Sci. 2: 1–10
Jelmert, A., Rabben, H. (1987). Upwelling incubators for eggs of the Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.). Int. Counc. Explor. Sea. Comm. Meet. F: 20: 1–8
Luczynski, M. (1984). Temperature and electric shock control the secretion of chorionase in Coregoninae embryos. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 78 A: 371–374
Lønning, S., Kjørsvik, E., Haug, T., Gulliksen, B. (1982). The early development of the halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), compared with other marine teleosts. Sarsia 67: 85–91
O'Brien, R. N., Visaisouk, S., Raine, R., Alderdice, D. F. (1978). Natural convection: a mechanism for transporting oxygen to incubating salmon eggs. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 35: 1316–1321
Oppen-Berntsen, D. O., Bogsnes, A., Walther, B. T. (1990a). The effects of hypoxia, alkalinity and neurochemicals on hatching of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) eggs. Aquaculture, Amsterdam 86: 417–430
Oppen-Berntsen, D. O., Helvik, J. V., Walther, B. T. (1990b). The major structural proteins of cod (Gadus morhua) eggshells and protein crosslinking during teleost egg hardening. Devl Biol. 137: 258–265
Rombough, P. J. (1988). Respiratory gas exchange, aerobic metabolism, and effects of hypoxia during early life. In: Hoar, W. S., Randall, D. J. (eds.) Fish physiology, Vol. VI, Part A. Academic Press, Inc., New York, p. 59–161
Schoots, A. F. M., Meijer, R. C., Denucé, J. M. (1983). Dopaminergic regulation of hatching in fish embryos. Devl Biol. 100: 59–63
Schoots, A. F. M., Stikkelbroeck, J. J. M., Bekhuis, J. F., Denucé, J. M. (1982). Hatching in teleostean fishes: fine structural changes in the egg envelope during enzymatic breakdown in vivo and in vitro. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 80: 185–196
Taylor, M. H., DiMichele, L., Leach, G. J. (1977). Egg stranding in the life cycle of the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus. Copeia 397–399
Trifonova, A. N. (1937) La physiologie de la différenciation et de la croissance. I. L'equilibre Pasteur-Mayerhof dans le développement des poissons. Acta. zool., Stockh. 18: 375–445
Yamagami, K. (1988). Mechanisms of hatching in fish. In: Hoar, W. S., Randall, D. J. (eds.) Academic Press, Inc., New York, p. 447–499
Yamagami, K., Hamazaki, T. (1985). Influence of light on hatching of medaka embryos. Zool Sci. 2: 928 a
Yasumasu, S., Iuchi, I., Yamagami, K. (1989a). Purification and partial characterization of high choriolytic enzyme (HCE), a component of the hatching enzyme of the teleost, Oryzias latipes. J. Biochem., Tokyo 105: 204–211
Yasumasu, S., Iuchi, I., Yamagami, K. (1989b). Isolation and some properties of low choriolytic enzyme (LCE), a component of the hatching enzyme of the teleost, Oryzias latipes. J. Biochem., Tokyo 105: 212–218
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by T. Fenchel, Helsingør
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Helvik, J.V., Walther, B.T. Environmental parameters affecting induction of hatching in halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) embryos. Marine Biology 116, 39–45 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350729
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350729