Characterization of neuroepithelial cells and expression of c-fos in central areas following hypoxic exposure in the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

• Grant number: 12/23776-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2013
• End date: September 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Compared Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Francisco Tadeu Rantin
• Grantee: Vivian Maria Zeraik
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In fish, environmental hypoxia is detected by O2 chemoreceptors, mainly located in the gills and orobranchial cavity, which trigger cardiorespiratory adjustments. The neuroepithelial cells (NECs), found in fish gill arches, are morphologically similar to the mammals O2 chemoreceptors and have been reported as putative O2 sensitive cells. The aim of the present study is to verify the distribution of NECs in respiratory surface of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Fish will be held in 1,000 L tanks filled with constant aerated water at 25 ± 1oC and fed daily with commercial food pellets. Immunohistochemistry technique will be used to perform NECs characterization, presence of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT), dense-cored vesicles (DCVs) and innervation patterns. Moreover, fish will be submitted to acute hypoxia to evaluate changes in NECs and the expression of c-fos protein will be analyzed in fish brains to examine the central areas activated during hypoxia in this fish species.