• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1330-1335
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• 2009

Although beneficial effects of dietary plant proteins on lipid metabolism are well documented, not much information exists on the influence of different seafood proteins on the lipid metabolism. The present study evaluated the effect of 2 marine proteins (tuna protein and scallop ovary proteins) in comparison to casein and soy protein in male Wistar rats. The concentration of total lipids in the plasma of rats fed experimental diets was significantly lower from that of control (278.2 mg/dL) group (p<0.05); and, the liver lipid content was not significantly different (p>0.05). Fecal excretion of cholesterol and bile acids was significantly higher in marine proteins and soy protein fed groups compared to casein only fed control (6.1 and 6.4 mg/day, respectively) group (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the mRNA concentrations of different transcriptional factors (p>0.05).

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.276-285
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• 2009

Despite great commercial interest, relatively little has been described about molecular mechanism of bivalve reproduction. We investigated genes involved in ovarian maturation of the Yesso scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. GSI index and histological analysis revealed that maturation of ovary begin in February and spawning period is from April to June which is similar to the previous study in the East Sea. As result of combination analysis of differential display RTPCR (DDRT-PCR) and histological examination, vitellogenin (Vg), ferritin (Ft) and ADT/ATP carrier protein (ACC) were identified as differently expressed genes in maturating ovary. Endpoint RT-PCR results showed that Vg is ovary-specific genes whereas Ft and ACC are expressed ubiquitously suggesting that Vg can be good molecular markers for ovarian development and sex determination in bivalves. Quantitative PCR results revealed that Vg were expressed highest during growth stage and appears to play a major role in oocyte maturation. On the contrary, expression of Ft was highest after spawning stage, which suggests that up-regulation may be involved in spawning and inactive stages in which the scallops recover from spawning. In addition, high level of the mitochondrial gene, ACC, may play a role in energy metabolism in maturating oocytes. Isolation and molecular studies of these key genes will expand our knowledge of the physiological changes from various exogenous factors including temperature, salinity, pH, even or numerous endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during reproductive cycle. In addition, further study of these genes implicates various industrial applications including the stable seed production, increased food quality, or economic aquaculture system.