Expression of Sox5, Sox8 and Sox9 genes in golden pompano trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus 1758) larvae during ontogeny and in response to water temperature

Sox5, Sox8, and Sox9 genes in golden pompano larvae were cloned and analyzed in this study. In the first trial, the expression of Sox genes during ontogeny of fish larvae in the first 18 days was examined, after which the expression of Sox genes in tissues was evaluated on 18 days post hatching (DPH). Subsequently, the response of Sox genes to water temperature (23, 26, and 29^oC) on day 12 DPH and 18 DPH were compared. The expression levels of Sox8, Sox9a, and Sox9b peaked around 2 DPH before first feeding during fish ontogeny, and remained at low levels from 3-18 DPH. The expressions of Sox5 and Sox9a were affected by water temperature on 12 DPH and 18 DPH, while the expression of Sox8 was not affected by water temperature on 12 DPH and 18 DPH. The expression of Sox9b was affected by water temperature on 12 DPH. This study detected gene expression of Sox5, Sox8, and Sox9 at the early stage of development of golden pompano larvae. The time dependent expression of Sox genes in fish larvae is important for the understanding of bone ontogeny of fish larvae in early life.