Differential distribution and response to experimental sexual maturation of two forms of brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in the European eel,Anguilla anguilla

Using specific radioimmunoassays for the two GnRH molecular forms present in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla, (mGnRH and cGnRH II), we compared their distributions in the pituitary and different parts of the brain of female silver eels, as well as the modifications of their levels in experimentally matured female eels (treated with carp pituitary extract). In control eels, mGnRH levels were higher than cGnRH II levels in the pituitary, olfactory lobes and telencephalon, di- and mesencephalon, while the opposite was found in the posterior part of the brain (met- and myelencephalon). Experimental sexual maturation of the gonads significantly increased mGnRH levels in the pituitary and anterior parts of the brain; such a positive effect was not observed on the low cGnRH II levels, which were, in contrast, reduced. These data indicate that the positive feedback of gonadal hormones on GnRH, that we previously demonstrated, would specifically affect the mGnRH form. The differential distribution and control of mGnRH and cGnRH II suggest that these two forms have different physiological roles in the eel. The large increase in mGnRH during sexual maturation suggests the prime implication of this form in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction.     

鸡促性腺激素释放激素对鸡卵泡颗粒细胞孕酮分泌的影响

用不同剂量鸡促性腺激素释放激素(cGnRH-Ⅰ和 cGnRH-Ⅱ)单独或与鸡 LH(cLH)协同处理短期(3h)培养的鸡卵泡颗粒细胞,以观察鸡 GnRH 对颗粒细胞孕酮分泌的影响。结果表明:随着卵泡的成熟,孕酮分泌量逐渐增加,到 F_1卵泡时增加最明显;在本实验所用剂量范围内,鸡 GnRH 对颗粒细胞孕酮分泌有促进作用,其中 GnRH-Ⅰ对 F_1至 F_4卵泡颗粒细胞孕酮分泌都有明显促进作用,GnRH-Ⅱ使 F_2至 F_4卵泡颗粒细胞孕酮分泌量有增加,而对F_3卵泡颗粒细胞作用最明显,用鸡 GnRH 预处理30min 能加强鸡 LH 对鸡卵泡的颗粒细胞孕酮分泌的促进作用,其中 GnRH-Ⅱ的促进作用更明显。     

Evaluation of cGnRH IIa for induction spawning of two ornamental Epalzeorhynchos species

The administration of exogenous hormones for induction spawning of captive fish is a common practice throughout the finfish aquaculture industry. Induced spawning protocols for ornamental cyprinids commonly rely on sGnRH IIIa, commercially available as Ovaprim. In this study, the efficacy of an alternative spawning aid, cGnRH IIa, was evaluated relative to Ovaprim, in two commonly cultured ornamental Cyprinids: the Redtail Sharkminnow Epalzeorhynchos bicolor and the Rainbow Shark E. frenatum. Broodstock of each species were injected with either a positive control (0.5 µl/g Ovaprim), a negative control (propylene glycol) or one of three doses of cGnRH IIa (50, 100, or 200 µg/kg). Following spawning aid injection, ovulation success, fecundity, fertilization success, embryo diameter, hatch success and larval notochord length were evaluated. Ovulation success (82 ± 8%) was statistically similar to the positive control group for all experimental doses of cGnRH IIa in E. bicolor, while 50 and 100 µg/kg cGnRH IIa doses resulted in significantly higher ovulation success (100.0% and 83.0% respectively) than the positive control (17.0%) in E. frenatum. All other parameters did not vary significantly among treatments. These results indicate cGnRH IIa can be successfully used as a spawning aid in both species.     

Adaptive responses of calcium and phosphate homeostasis in goats to low nitrogen intake: renal aspects

In a previous study, in goats, we showed that apart from variations in dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus intake, also low dietary nitrogen (N) intake altered plasma concentrations of hormones, which regulate Ca and phosphate (P_i) homeostasis. These hormonal responses in goats were in accordance with findings in monogastric animals and humans with low protein intake. In the aforementioned studies, alterations of electrolyte transport in the kidneys were also observed. However, whether renal electrolyte transport in goats is also involved in the adaptation of Ca and P_i homeostasis to low N intake remains unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether in addition to the hormonal changes, as observed in our former study, renal Ca transport and renal P_i transport were also altered by low N intake in goats. Therefore, in kidney samples from the goats used in our former study, the protein expression of Ca and P_i transporters and of related regulatory proteins was examined. Furthermore, the uptake of P_i into isolated brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) was detected. The results showed that the protein amount of the renal sodium‐dependent P_i transporter NaPi IIa was elevated, and concomitantly, protein expression of its upstream regulators, the parathyroid hormone receptor and the extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 was decreased. However, P_i uptake into renal BBMV was not enhanced. Furthermore, protein expression of the renal Ca channel, the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 5 (TRPV5) and of the vitamin D receptor was not influenced by dietary N reduction. We conclude that regulation of renal P_i transporter expression in goats is involved in the adaptation of electrolyte homeostasis to low N intake.