Catecholaminergic and cholinergic regulation of swimming motility development in free embryos of Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum.

The divergence of progeny from the same spawners of Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum into two groups by duration of embryogenesis and the level of motor activity was studied close to the end of the embryonic period. Free embryos were also studied. During the study, eggs were treated with agents, modifying the activity of catecholaminergic and cholinergic systems. 3-Hydroxytyramine and L-Tyrosine were found to exert a weak influence on embryonic motility. After hatching, these substances modify swimming performance of free embryos, approximating movements of fish at later stages. 6-Hydroxydopamine and, still more, alpha-Bungarotoxin, decrease embryonic motility and postpone the hatching. The influence of these substances on the development of embryo motility increases during early ontogenesis, as indicated by decreased concentration of the substance, necessary for adequate reaction. Neither L-Tyrosine nor 6-Hydroxydopamine influenced the divergence of the progeny into two groups. Injection of the perivitelline fluid with high concentration of hatching enzyme from pre-hatching embryos into the perivitelline space of earlier embryos was found to induce the appearance of rotation movements, typical for more advanced embryos. Changes of correlation between the miogenic and neurogenic motor activity during early development of fish are discussed.