Skip to main content

Seasonal variations in the nucleic acid content and RNA:DNA ratio of the gonad of the scallopPecten maximus

Marine Biology volume 105, pages 191–195 (1990)Cite this article

Abstract

The RNA and DNA contents of the male and female portions of the gonad of the hermaphroditic marine bivalve molluscPecten maximus L. have been monitored throughout an annual reproductive cycle, from October 1985–September 1986, for a population from the Baie de Seine (Normandy, France). The DNA content of the male gonad was consistently 5 to 10 times greater than that of the female gonad, whilst the RNA content was lower. This underlines the basic premise that spermatogenesis involves the production of large numbers of small gametes, whereas oogenesis involves the production of few, large, synthetically active gametes. The RNA:DNA ratio is a good indicator of sexual maturation in the male gonad. Two peaks of RNA:DNA ratio were observed for the female gonad, possibly corresponding to gonad restoration and vitellogenesis.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Literature cited

  • Båmstedt, U., Skjoldal, H. R. (1976). Studies on the deep-water pelagic community of Korsfjorden, Western Norway. Adenosine phosphates and nucleic acid inEuchaeta norvegica (Copepoda) in relation to its life cycle. Sarsia 60: 63–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergeron, J. P., Alayse-Danet, A. M. (1981). Aspartate transcarbamylase de la coquille Saint-JacquesPecten maximus L. (mollusque lamellibranche): méthode de dosage et variation de l'activité dans le manteau et la gonade. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 50: 99–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergeron, J. P., Buestel, D. (1979). L'aspartate transcarbamylase, indice de l'activité sexuelle de la coquille Saint-Jacques (Pecten maximus L.). Premiers résultats. In: Naylor, E., Hartnoll, R. G. (eds.) Cyclic phenomena in marine plants and animals. Pergamon Press, Oxford, p. 301–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Besnard, J.-Y. (1988). Etude des constituants lipidiques dans la gonade femelle et les larves dePecten maximus L. (mollusque lamellibranche). Thése doctorale, Université de Caen

  • Bulow, F. J. (1987). RNA-DNA ratios as indicators of growth in fish: a review. In: Summerfelt, R. C. Hall, G. E. (eds.) Age and growth of fish. Iowa State University Press, Iowa, p. 45–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Bulow, F., J., Zeman, M. E., Winningham, J. R., Hudson, W. F. (1981). Seasonal variations in RNA-DNA ratios and in indicators of feeding, reproduction, energy storage, and condition in a population of bluegill,Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque. J. Fish Biol. 18: 237–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Church, R. B., Robertson, F. W. (1966). A biochemical study of the growth ofDrosophila melanogaster. J. exp. Zool. 162: 337–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Comely, C. A. (1974). Seasonal variations in the flesh weights and biochemical content of the scallopPecten maximus L. in the Clyde Sea area. J. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 35: 281–295

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagg, M. J., Littlepage, J. L. (1972). Relationships between growth rate and RNA, DNA, protein and dry weight inArtemia salina andEuchaeta elongata. Mar. Biol. 17: 162–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapuscinski, J., Skoczylas, B. (1977). Simple and rapid fluorimetric method for DNA microassay. Analyt. Biochem. 83: 252–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelley, N. R., Ashwood-Smith, M. J., Ellis, D. V. (1982). Duration and timing of spermatogenesis in a stock of the musselMytilus californianus. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 62: 509–519

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang, C. A., Lau, H. Y., Jefferson, D. J. (1965). Protein and nucleic acid changes during growth and aging in the mosquito. Biochem. J. 95: 372–377

    Google Scholar 

  • Leick, V. (1968). Ratios between contents of DNA, RNA and protein in different micro-organisms as a function of maximal growth rate. Nature, Lond. 217: 1153–1155

    Google Scholar 

  • Lone, K. P., Ince, B. W. (1983). Cellular growth responses of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) fed different levels of dietary protein, and an anabolic steroid ethylestrenol. Gen. comp. Endocr. 49: 32–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowry, O. H., Rosenbrough, N. J., Farr, A. L., Randall, R. J. (1951). Protein measurements with Folin-phenol reagent. J. biol. Chem. 193: 265–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubet, P. (1959). Recherches sur le cycle sexuel et l'emission des gamètes chez les Mytilidae et les Pectinidae (moll. bivalves). Revue Trav. Inst. (scient. tech.) Pêch. marit. 23: 387–548

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubet, P. (1986). The reproductive strategy of marine bivalve molluscs. Adv. Invertebrate Reprod. 4: 401–408

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubet, P., Albertini, L., Robbins, I. (1986). Recherches expérimentales au cours de cycles annuels sur l'action gonadotrope exercée par les ganglions cérébroïdes sur la gamétogenèse femelle chez la mouleMytilus edulis L. (Mollusque bivalve). C. r. hebd. Séanc. Acad. Sci., Paris 303: 575–580

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubet, P., Besnard, J.-Y., Faveris, R., Robbins, I. (1987). Physiologie de la reproduction de la coquille Saint-Jacques (Pecten maximus L.). Océanis 13: 265–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, J. (1958). The breeding of the scallopPecten maximus L. in Isle of Man waters. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 36: 473–492

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathieu, M., Bergeron, J. P., Alayse-Danet, A. M. (1982). L'aspartate transcarbamylase, indice d'activité gametogénétique chez la mouleMytilus edulis L. Int. J. Invertebrate Reprod. (Amsterdam) 5: 337–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Munro, H. N., Fleck, A. (1966). Recent developments in the measurement of nucleic acids in biological materials. Analyst, Lond. 91: 78–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Pease, A. K. (1976). Studies of the relationship of RNA/DNA ratios and the rate of protein synthesis to growth in the oyster,Crassostrea virginica. Tech. Rep. Fish. mar. Serv. Can. 622: 1–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Regnault, M., Luquet, P. (1974). Study by evolution of nucleic acid content of prepuberal growth in the shrimpCrangon vulgaris. Mar. Biol. 25: 291–298

    Google Scholar 

  • Skjoldal, H. R., Båmstedt, U. (1976). Studies on the deep-water pelagic community of Korsfjorden, Western Norway. Adenosine phosphates and nucleic acids inMeganyctiphanes norvegica (Euphausiacea) in relation to the life cycle. Sarsia 61: 1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Sulkin, S. D., Morgan, R. P., II., Minasian, L. L., Jr. (1975). Biochemical changes during larval development of the xanthid crabRhithropanopeus harrisii. II. Nucleic acids. Mar. Biol. 32: 113–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutcliffe, W. H., Jr. (1965). Growth estimates from ribonucleic acid content in some small organisms. Limnol. Oceanogr. 10: 253–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutcliffe, W. H., Jr. (1969). Relationship between growth rate and ribonucleic acid concentration in some invertebrates. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 27: 606–609

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, R. J. (1977). Blood chemistry, biochemical composition, and the annual reproductive cycle in the giant scallop,Placopecten magellanicus, from Southeast Newfoundland. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 34: 2104–2116

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, R. J. (1984). The reproductive cycle and physiological ecology of the musselMytilus edulis in a subarctic, nonestuarine environment. Mar. Biol. 79: 277–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Vickers, D. H., Mitlin, N. (1966). Changes in nucleic acid content of the boll weevilAnthonomus grandis Bodeman during its development. Physiol. Zoöl. 39: 70–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, D. A., Hetzel, E. W. (1985). Use of RNA:DNA ratios as an indicator of nutritional stress in the American oysterCrassostrea virginica. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 25: 199–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, D. A., Martin, F. D. (1985). The effect of starvation on RNA-DNA ratios and growth of larval striped bass (Morone saxatalis). J. Fish Biol. 27: 479–486

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Zoologie, Université de Caen, F-14032, Caen cédex, France

    I. Robbins, P. Lubet & J. -Y. Besnard

Authors
  1. I. Robbins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Lubet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. -Y. Besnard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by J. M. Pérès, Marseille

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Robbins, I., Lubet, P. & Besnard, J.Y. Seasonal variations in the nucleic acid content and RNA:DNA ratio of the gonad of the scallopPecten maximus . Mar. Biol. 105, 191–195 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01344286

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01344286

Keywords

  • Nucleic Acid
  • Seasonal Variation
  • Acid Content
  • Bivalve
  • Reproductive Cycle