养殖鱼类生殖内分泌调控相关功能基因的研究和应用

新型的神经内分泌因子kisspeptin与GnIH(gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone)对哺乳动物的生殖轴起着直接而相反的调控作用,kisspeptin刺激脑垂体促性腺激素(GtH,gonadotropin)的合成与释放,而GnIH抑制GtH的合成与释放。然而,在鱼类中,相关研究甚少。本研究室利用比较基因组学技术,通过同线性分析结合分子生物学手段,在斑马鱼(Danio rerio)、金鱼(Carassius auratus)中克隆得到了kisspeptin(kiss1、kiss2)与GnIH以及它们相关受体的基因cDNA序列。氨基酸序列同源比对结果显示:在脊椎动物中,kisspeptin的核心肽相对保守,而GnIH的核心肽在不同物种中则有较大的差异。比较基因组分析显示kisspeptin与GnIH基因在鱼类、两栖类、鸟类和哺乳类都维持着保守的同线性结构;并且,同线性的结果表明,鱼类kiss1与kiss2基因来源于早期的基因组复制,在漫长的进化过程中,哺乳类丢失了kiss2基因。通过配体受体结合实验,证明2种kisspeptins均能激活其相关受体GPR54(GPR54a、GPR54b),启动下游通路,但却存在一定的配体-受体选择性差异。金鱼、斑马鱼组织表达模式研究显示:kisspeptins与GnIH以及它们相关受体在生殖相关组织或区域(下丘脑、垂体、性腺)均有丰富的表达,提示kisspeptins与GnIH可能参与鱼类的生殖调控。通过化学合成金鱼kisspeptins与GnIH的核心肽,在体注射成熟的雌性金鱼,发现kiss1能显著刺激金鱼LH的分泌,并且能诱导金鱼排卵,而kiss2不能;在高剂量的状况下,GnIH亦能有效抑制金鱼LH的分泌。然而,在离体实验中,2种kisspeptin与GnIH对金鱼垂体细胞LH的分泌均没有显著的影响,提示kisspeptins与GnIH对金鱼的LH调控可能发生于下丘脑水平。以上结果表明:与哺乳动物相类似,在鱼类生殖轴中也存在kisspeptins与GnIH的正负调控系统。本文侧重对这项研究以及相关的研究成果进行归纳与分析,旨为深入探讨鱼类生殖内分泌调控相关功能基因提供参考。     

Rapid, nongenomic steroid actions initiated at the cell surface: lessons from studies with fish

In addition to the classic mechanism of steroid action mediated by binding to nuclear receptors, there is a growing body of evidence that steroids also exert rapid, nongenomic actions that are initiated at the cell surface by binding to specific steroid membrane receptors. However, the lack of information on the molecular structures of any steroid membrane receptors has impeded development of this alternative model of steroid hormone action. One of the best characterized models of nongenomic steroid action is the progestin induction of oocyte maturation (OM) in fish and amphibians via activation of plasma membrane progestin receptors (mPRs) on oocytes. Investigations of the marked changes in mPR abundance during OM in fishes have provided the first clear evidence of hormonal regulation of steroid membrane receptors and its physiological importance. Recently, a novel gene was discovered in the ovaries of spotted seatrout whose protein has the characteristics of an mPR and the intermediary in the progestin induction of oocyte maturation in this species. The putative mPR is also detected on seatrout sperm by Western blot analysis and is likely the mPR previously characterized in this species that mediates progestin initiation of sperm hyperactivity. Both structural and functional studies suggest the seatrout mPR is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). Subsequently, thirteen structurally-related cDNAs were identified in other vertebrate species, and several of them were also shown to have characteristics of mPRs. The discovery of the molecular structure and likely orientation in the plasma membrane of this new class of steroid membrane receptors provides a plausible mechanistic explanation of how steroids acting at the cell surface can cause rapid intracellular responses. Membrane receptors for estrogens (mER) and androgens (mAR) have also been characterized in teleost gonads. In addition, the first clear evidence for endocrine disruption of a nongenomic steroid action by binding to a membrane steroid receptor was obtained with the seatrout mPR. Thus fish are valuable models for investigating nonclassical steroid actions and their interference by environmental contaminants.     

Regulation of forebrain and midbrain GnRH neurons in juvenile teleosts

Three molecular species of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) mRNA-containing neuronal populations (terminal nerve: salmon-GnRH; preoptic area: seabream-GnRH; midbrain: chic- ken-GnRH-II) have been localized in teleosts. While the termi- nal nerve GnRH neurons originate from the olfactory placode, a separate intracerebral source of origin for preoptic and midbrain neurons is possible. The preoptic GnRH neurons are regulated by gonadal steroids and gonadal maturation, however, the regulation and role of terminal nerve and midbrain GnRH neurons in teleosts reproduction is speculative and debatable.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors: neuroendocrine regulators and neuromodulators

Several lines of evidence support the idea that more than one gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) subtype exists to accommodate the presence of multiple GnRH forms seen in vertebrate species. The development of pituitary endocrine cells, GnRH-Rs type IA (GfA), IB (GfB) and type III in the pituitary and their synchronization with the establishment of GnRH1-3 regulatory pathways reflect a neuroendocrine function for the GnRH-Rs. Based on developmental, morphological and biochemical evidence it can be hypothesized that GnRH1 regulates gonadotrophs through GnRH-R type IA, GnRH2 regulates prolactin secretion through GnRH-R type IB and GnRH3 regulates growth hormone secretion through GnRH-R type III. Therefore, the three native GnRH variants in advance teleost like tilapia might have their respective cognate receptors, each being capable of regulating different and, to some degree the same pituitary endocrine cells. In the brain, the expression pattern of GnRH-R type IB and type III parallels the distribution of GnRH2 and GnRH3 fiber network, which suggests their role in neuromodulation and reproductive behavior.     

Kisspeptin对鱼类生殖轴的调控机制研究

Kisspeptin(简称Kiss或者Kp)是由KISS1/Kiss1基因编码的一种下丘脑神经肽,通过其受体KissR(也称作GPR54)的介导参与了多种生理过程,如抑制肿瘤转移和参与生殖调控。目前,尽管在鲤形目(Cypriniformes)、鲈形目(Perciforms)、鲽形目(Pleuronectiforms)、鲀形目(Tetraodontiforms)、颌针目(Beloniforms)、鲉形目(Scorpaeniformes)、鲑形目(Salmoniformes)及鳕形目(Gadiformes)等多种鱼类中均鉴定出了kiss/kissr基因,但Kiss/KissR系统在鱼类生殖调控中的精确作用及其分子机制尚未完全阐明。尤其是在鱼类中存在2种kiss及3种kissr基因,Kiss/KissR系统对鱼类生殖调控的作用方式更加复杂。本文简要总结鱼类Kiss及其受体的研究进展,并对Kiss的生理学功能、信号转导机制以及kiss/kissr表达调控研究进行概括讨论,旨在加深对鱼类Kiss/KissR系统的认识和了解,为后续研究指明方向。     

Pituitary gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor activity in goldfish and catfish: seasonal and gonadal effects

The goldfish pituitary contains two classes of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) binding sites, a high affinity/low capacity site and a low affinity/high capacity site (Habibiet al. 1987a), whereas the catfish pituitary contains a single class of high affinity GnRH binding sites (De Leeuwet al. 1988a). Seasonal variations in pituitary GnRH receptor binding parameters, and the effect of castration on pituitary GnRH receptor binding were investigated in goldfish and catfish, respectively. In goldfish, GnRH receptors undergo seasonal variation with the highest pituitary content of both high and low affinity sites occurring during the late stages of gonadal recrudescence. The observed changes in pituitary GnRH receptor content correlate closely with responsiveness to a GnRH agonistin vivo in terms of serum gonadotropin (GTH) levels. In catfish, castration results in a two-fold increase in pituitary GnRH receptor content, which can be reversed by concomitant treatment with androstenedione, but not by the non-aromatizable androgen 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione; changes observed in GnRH receptor content correlate with variations in serum GTH levels and responsiveness to a GnRH agonist. In summary, the present study provides a clear evidence for seasonal variation in pituitary GnRH receptor activity in goldfish, and demonstrates a gonadal feedback mechanism regulating GnRH receptor activity in the catfish pituitary.     

GnIH多肽对半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)下丘脑生殖相关基因表达的影响

本研究首次通过下丘脑离体孵育的方法研究促性腺激素抑制激素(Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone,GnIH)多肽对半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)下丘脑中生殖相关基因的表达调控.研究结果显示,tsGnIH-1促进了gnrh2和gnih的表达,对gnrh3和kiss2的表达无影响;tsGnIH-2抑制了gnrh3的表达,对gnrh2、kiss2和gnih的表达无影响.GnIH多肽对生殖相关基因的不同调控表明同一前体蛋白编码的不同GnIH多肽在生殖调控中的作用不尽相同.本研究结果增加了对GnIH参与鱼类生殖调控机制的认识,为深入研究奠定了基础.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and gonadotropin in goldfish and masu salmon

Reproductive activities in vertebrates are regulated by an endocrine system, consisting of the brain-pituitary-gonad axis. In teleosts, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the brain stimulates gonadotropin (GTH) release in the pituitary gland, but because of lack of the portal vessel, it is not known when and how much GnRH is released for the regulation of GTH release. There are multiple molecular types of GnRH in teleosts and several distinct populations of GnRH neurons in the brain. However, we do not know which types and populations of GnRH neurons regulate reproductive activities. Here we summarize our recent studies on GnRH and GTH in masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou and goldfish Carassius auratus. Immunocytochemistry showed the location and molecular types of GnRH neurons. Salmon (sGnRH) and chicken-II GnRH (cGnRH-II) neuronal fibers were widely distributed in the brain of both masu salmon and goldfish. Only sGnRH fibers were observed in the pituitary of masu salmon, whereas both sGnRH and cGnRH-II fibers were observed in the goldfish pituitary, indicating that species specific GnRH profiles are involved in the regulation of pituitary function in teleosts. A series of experiments in masu salmon and goldfish suggest that among GnRH neuron populations GnRH neurons in the ventral telencephalon and the hypothalamus regulate GTH release, and that GnRH of the terminal nerve origin is not essential to gonadal maturation and ovulation. The biological function of other GnRH neurons remains unkown. Two GTHs appear to be characteristic of teleost; however, regulation of reproduction by these GTHs is a question that remains to be elucidated. In salmonid species, it is proposed that GTH I stimulates early gonadal development, whereas GTH II acts in later stages. When GTH expression was examined in goldfish, both GTH I and II mRNA levels in the pituitary gland showed increases in accordance with gonadal development, unlike the sequential expression of GTH subunits in salmonids. The expression of these GTH subunit mRNAs were affected by water temperature, starvation, and steroid hormones in goldfish, but in what manner these two GTHs regulate gonadal development remains to be clarified.     

GnRH systems in masu salmon and barfin flounder

Multiple forms of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) exist in teleost fish. A salmonid fish, masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou has salmon GnRH (sGnRH) and chicken GnRH-II (cGnRH-II). sGnRH neurons were scattered from the olfactory nerve through the ventral telencephalon (VT) and the preoptic area (POA). sGnRH but not cGnRH-II was detected in the pituitary. sGnRH mRNA levels in the VT and the POA increased during gonadal maturation, suggesting that sGnRH neurons in these areas are involved in gonadal maturation. sGnRH neurons were first detected in a cluster near the olfactory epithelium 40 days after fertilization. sGnRH neurons were not detected in the brain by the olfactory epithelia lesion, suggesting that sGnRH neurons are derived from the olfactory epithelium. A pleuronectiform fish, barfin flounder Verasper moseri has sGnRH, cGnRH-II and seabream GnRH (sbGnRH). sGnRH and cGnRH-II-immunoreactive fibers were observed throughout the brain, but not in the pituitary. sbGnRH neurons were located in the POA and sent fibers to the pituitary, indicating that sbGnRH is involved in GTH secretion. Judging from the location of neuronal somata and their projections, it is indicated that three GnRH systems exist in the barfin flounder; the TN-, the MT- and the POA-GnRH system. However, in masu salmon, clear anatomical identification of the TN- and the POA-GnRH system is difficult, because the GnRH neurons located in the ventral forebrain are consecutive and the GnRH form produced in these neurons is the same (sGnRH). Thus, it is suggested in masu salmon that sGnRH neurons are derived from the olfactory epithelium, migrate into the brain and play different roles according to the location in the brain.     

The maturation of the salmon GnRH system and its regulation by gonadal steroids in masu salmon

Pituitary gonadotropin (GTH) secreting cells and brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secreting neurons are known to be subjected to feedback control by gonadal steroid in teleosts. In masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou, salmon GnRH (sGnRH) neurons in the ventral telencephalon (VT) and the preoptic area (POA) are involved in the control of GTH cells because sGnRH synthesis in these areas is activated with gonadal maturation. In this study, we attempted to clarify mechanisms of feedback control of sGnRH neurons by gonadal steroids. We examined the effects of 17-methyltestosterone (MT) on sGnRH synthesis in yearling and 2-year-old female fish (which were immature during experimentation in May), and the effects of castration on sGnRH synthesis in underyearling precocious male fish in August. sGnRH synthesis in the POA, but not in the VT, was increased by MT administration in 2-year-old females only, indicating higher sensitivity to MT in the preoptic sGnRH neurons. Castration increased sGnRH synthesis in the VT but not in the POA. These results suggest that sGnRH neurons in the VT and those in the POA are differentially regulated by gonadal steroids.     

Role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the regulation of reproduction: study based on catfish model

Significance of NPY in the regulation of GnRH–LH axis was evaluated. Considerable NPY immunoreactivity was seen in the components like olfactory system, basal telencephalon, preoptic and tuberal areas, and the pituitary gland that serve as neuroanatomical substrates for processing reproductive information. Close anatomical association as well as colocalizations of NPY and GnRH were seen in the olfactory receptor neurons, olfactory nerve fibers and their terminals in the glomeruli, ganglion cells of nervus terminalis, medial olfactory tracts, fibers in the ventral telencephalon and pituitary. In the pituitary, NPY fibers seem to innervate the GnRH as well as LH cells. Intracranial administration of NPY resulted in significant increase in the GnRH immunoreactivity in all the components of the olfactory system. In the pituitary, NPY augmented the population of GnRH fibers and LH cells. HPLC analysis showed that salmon GnRH content in the olfactory organ, bulb, preoptic area+telencephalon and pituitary was also significantly increased following NPY treatment. NPY may play a role in positive regulation of GnRH throughout the neuraxis and also up-regulate the LH cells in the pituitary.     

The existence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunoreactivity in the ovary and the effects of GnRHs on the ovarian maturation in the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon

Immunocytochemical localization using antibodies against five isoforms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), namely, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), salmon (s)GnRH, octopus (oct)GnRH, lamprey (l)GnRH-I, and lGnRH-III, showed that only lGnRH-I immunoreactivity (ir-lGnRH-I) was localized in follicular cells of proliferative, vitellogenic, and mature ovaries. The effects of exogenous GnRHs on the ovarian maturation cycle of Penaeus monodon were compared by treating female broodstocks with LHRH, sGnRH, and lGnRH-I. The cycle of ovarian maturation in both eyestalk-ablated and eyestalk-intact shrimp administered with the three isoforms of GnRH was significantly shorter than that of the control animals. Moreover, administrations of all GnRH isoforms showed similar numbers of spawned eggs and the percentage of successful fertilization as in the control animals. These findings suggest that GnRHs may be highly conserved peptides that play an important role in inducing the ovarian maturation in the shrimp.     

Extrapituitary gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) binding sites in goldfish

In teleosts, as in other vertebrates, the secretion of pituitary gonadotropin (GTH) is mediated by the hypothalamic decapeptide, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Recent findings in teleosts indicate that GnRH receptors are not restricted to the pituitary gonadotropes and are also associated with somatotropes as well as being present in a number of other tissues. In the present study, we provide novel information on GnRH binding in a number of extrapituitary tissues in goldfish. However, we do not intend to provide full characterization of GnRH binding sites in various extrapituitary tissues in goldfish as this would clearly be outside the scope of this paper. In this study we examined GnRH binding in a number of extrapituitary tissues in goldfish and observed specific binding in ovary, testis, brain, liver and kidney. No specific GnRH binding was observed in muscle, skin, gut, gill and heart. In general, the present findings together with the results of other studies carried out in our laboratory demonstrate that mature goldfish ovary and testis contain two classes of GnRH binding sites, high affinity/low capacity and low affinity/high capacity sites with binding characteristics similar to those of the pituitary GnRH receptors. The brain of goldfish was also found to contain two classes of GnRH binding sites, a super-high affinity/low capacity and a low affinity/high capacity sites. Furthermore, study of goldfish liver and kidney demonstrated the presence of a single class of GnRH binding sites with characteristics different from those of pituitary, ovary, testis and brain. Overall, it is evident that goldfish contains a family of GnRH binding sites which can be classified into four groups based on binding affinities: 1) A class of high affinity binding sites present in the pituitary, ovary and testis, 2) a class of super high affinity sites so far only detected in the brain, 3) a class of intermediate-affinity GnRH binding sites in the liver and kidney, and 4) a class of low affinity binding sites present in all the tissues containing specific GnRH binding sites except for liver and kidney.     

GnRH及其受体在2种真骨鱼消化系统中存在的免疫细胞化学证据

用链霉亲和素—生物素化过氧化物酶复合物(strept avidin biotin—peroxidase complex，SABC)免疫细胞化学方法，使用促性腺激素释放激素(gonadotropin—releasing hormone，GnRH)，促性腺激素释放激素受体(gonadotropinreleasing hormone receptor，GnRHR)2种抗血清对黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)和鲇(Silurus asotus)的食道、贲门、胃底、幽门、前肠、中肠、后肠和胰中的免疫活性内分泌细胞进行了定位。结果表明：在鲇的食道、胃、肠、肠固有膜、肠肌间神经丛、胰腺和胰岛中均存在着GnRH和GnRHR免疫活性阳性反应；黄颡鱼消化系统中除了在食道和胰岛中未见GnRH和GnRHR的免疫活性阳性反应外，其他部位均有阳性反应，而且GnRH和GnRHR分泌细胞的分布模式相类似。说明胃肠道中GnRH分泌细胞可能以自分泌或旁分泌方式参与消化功能的调节。本研究首次证实在鱼类的消化系统中存在着GnRH及其受体的免疫活性内分泌细胞，可为GnRH功能的多样性等研究领域提供新的形态学依据。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) gnrh2基因克隆、组织分布及卵巢成熟过程中表达分析

为了研究下丘脑神经肽促性腺激素释放激素(Gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2,GnRH2)在半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)卵巢成熟过程中的生理作用,本研究通过RT-PCR及RACE方法获得了半滑舌鳎GnRH2全长cDNA序列;通过实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)对gnrh2 mRNA的组织分布以及卵巢成熟过程中的时空表达特性进行了分析.结果显示,半滑舌鳎GnRH2全长cDNA序列为538 bp(不包括polyA尾),其中,5'非编码区(Untranslated region,UTR)为154 bp,3'UTR为126 bp,开放阅读框(Open reading frame,ORF)为258 bp,编码85个氨基酸的前体多肽,其分子量及等电点分别为9.69 kDa和8.55.GnRH2前体多肽由信号肽、GnRH2十肽、酶切位点(GKR)以及GnRH相关肽共4部分组成.序列比对分析发现,GnRH2在鱼类中同源性极高,尤其是十肽(QHWSHGWYPG)在所有硬骨鱼类中完全相同.半滑舌鳎GnRH2与鲈形目同源性最高(89.41％-90.5 9％),其次为鲽形目、鲑形目和鲍形目(78.82％-85.88％),与鲤形目同源性最低(61.18％-71.76％).gnrh2 mRNA主要在脑中表达,在垂体及其他外周组织中表达量极低.此外,组织学分析显示,半滑舌鳎卵巢发育共分为5个时期(Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ和Ⅵ期).在卵巢成熟过程中,脑gnrh2 mRNA表达量在卵黄生成期(Ⅲ期)显著性增加,达到峰值;随后表达量急剧下降,在成熟期(Ⅴ期)达到最小值;在排卵后期(Ⅵ期)又显著性增加.然而,在卵巢成熟过程中,垂体gnrh2 mRNA表达量在卵黄生成后期(Ⅳ期)显著性降低,随后在成熟期(Ⅴ期)有所增加,但在排卵后期(Ⅵ期)又急剧下降.上述研究结果表明,脑GnRH2可能参与了半滑舌鳎卵巢发育过程.     

Existence of multiple isoforms of GnRH ligands and receptors in the dwarf gourami, Colisa lalia

GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of reproductive functions. We have identified genes encoding three GnRH precursors and three GnRH receptors (GnRHRs) in the dwarf gourami, Colisa lalia. All of their mRNAs were expressed in all the organs examined in the present study. The cloned GnRHR genes were divided into two distinct lineages: types 1 and 2.     

GnRH isoforms expression in relation to the gonadal cycle and to dominance rank in the Gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata

The manner in which behavior influences the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) axis in hermaphroditic fishes is not understood. The Gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, is a protandrous hermaphrodite with a complex gonadal cycle consisting of a quiescent, pre-spawning, spawning, and post-spawning stage. On two separate experiments, I used real-time quantitative PCR to measure the mRNA expression of three GnRH isoforms in homogenized seabream whole-brain extracts. In the first experiment, I measured the levels of GnRH-1, GnRH-2, and GnRH-3 mRNA throughout the gonad cycle. All three GnRH mRNAs increase around the peak of the spawning season (December). GnRH-3 mRNA expression is also elevated in August, which coincides with the beginning of gonad differentiation. All three GnRH mRNAs have the lowest expression levels in the month of September. There was no difference between males and females in the expression levels of any of the three GnRH mRNA. In the second experiment, I measured individual dominance ranks in six groups of fish, three during quiescence and three during spawning. GnRH-1 mRNA expression was positively correlated with dominance rank only during the quiescent period. The more dominant fish tended to have higher GnRH-1 mRNA expression. The existence of a quiescent-only correlation between GnRH-1 mRNA and dominance rank suggests a mechanism by which activation of gonad maturation could occur first in the most dominant ambisexual fish.     

Characterization of molecular variants of GnRH, induction of spermiation and sex reversal using salmon GnRH-A and domperidone in the protogynous diandric fish, Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, (Teleostei, Synbranchidae)

This paper studies the molecular variants of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) present in the brain of the protogynous swamp eel, Synbranchus marmoratus, and the effects of the administration of salmon GnRH analogue (sGnRH-A) and the dopamine receptor antagonist, domperidone (DOM) on final maturation and gamete release in this species. Evidence for the presence of two GnRH variants, sGnRH and cIIGnRH were obtained by reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and radioimmunoassay with different antisera. The effects of treatment with sGnRH-A+DOM were checked by three ways: oocyte and milt release by stripping, histological analysis of the gonadal tissue, and androgen serum levels at different times throughout the experiment. In males, spermiation was induced after three weeks of treatment. In the female group, sGnRH-A+DOM did not induce ovulation at the end of the experiment. Histological analysis of the gonads from the female group showed evidence of sex reversal. All the treated fish had elevated androgen serum levels from the third week, with respect to control fish. In all cases, serum estradiol levels were undetectable. These results suggest that treatment with sGnRH analog and DOM induce sex reversal in female and spermiation in males. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of different synthetic gonadotrop-releasing hormone analogues and their combinations with an anti-dopaminergic compound on the reproduction performance of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus L.)

In this study, three synthetic gonadotrop-releasing hormones (GnRH) (azagly-nafarelin; des-Gly¹⁰-( d -Ala⁶)-LH-RH; and des-Gly¹⁰-( d -Phe⁶)-LH-RH) either alone or in combination with metoclopramide were used to induce reproduction of sterlet. The GnRH analogues were applied in a single dose of 40 μg kg⁻¹ of female and 20 μg kg⁻¹ of male body weight. Metoclopramid was administered in a simultaneous injection of 10 and 5 mg kg⁻¹ of body weight for females and males respectively. There were no significant differences in the ovulatory responses of females; ovulation rates varied between 57% and 80%, and at the temperature of 15.5–16.0 °C about 30–34 h were required for final maturation, when eggs of 17.3±1.3% of body weight were stripped. However, the fertilization rates of the des-Gly¹⁰-( d -Phe⁶)-LH-RH-treated groups were significantly lower than that in the other treatment. In males, the combination of the above peptidergic hormones with metoclopramide gave significantly better results than their single application. The results demonstrate that the final stage of gamete maturation in sterlet may be achieved by several hormonal means. The possibility of using new GnRH analogues without dopamine antagonists yields new perspectives for induced breeding of sturgeons, which have particular importance in the light of meat and roe (caviar) production for human consumption.