Molecular characterization, cellular localization, and gene expression studies of the mRNAs coding for the gonadotropin subunits and the gonadotropin receptors of, and the plasma profiles of three sex steroids in Astyanax altiparanae (Teleostei, Characiformes)

• Grant number: 13/18297-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2014
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Aquaculture
• Principal Investigator: Maria Ines Borella
• Grantee: Lázaro Wender Oliveira de Jesus
• Supervisor: Jan Bogerd
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Utrecht University (UU), Netherlands
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/19268-8 - Molecular cloning and expression of follicle stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing hormones (LH) and profiles of sex steroids during gonadal differentiation and reproductive cycle of the Characiform Astyanax altiparanae, BP.DR

Abstract

Fish gonadotropins (Fsh and Lh) and their receptors (Fshr and Lhr) play crucial roles in regulating the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis. Gonadotropins are secreted by the gonadotropic cells in the pituitary, are transported through the bloodstream, and -upon reaching the gonads- promote the activation of their cognate receptors, triggering events that will result in the control of gonadal steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. Knowledge about the endocrine control of reproduction in South American teleosts is still scarce, especially regarding to the structure, patterns of expression and functions of these hormones, their receptors and the activity of the cell types implicated. In this direction, this proposal aims to complement a PhD project in progress that aims to characterize the relevant molecules of the HPG axis in Astyanax altiparanae, a Characiform that presents economic and ecological importance, and that has been increasingly used as a biological model. We propose to (1) analyze the possible duality of gonadotropic cells; (2) the cellular expression of fshb and lhb during gonadal differentiation and the reproductive cycle; (3) clone, characterize and evaluate the expression levels of lhr and fshr in the testes and ovaries as well (4) quantify serum levels of sex steroids in males and females during the annual reproductive cycle in captivity. So, we intend to expand the knowledge about the organization and activity of the HPG axis in South American teleosts, using as a model a species of Characiform and with different methodological approaches. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE JESUS, LAZARO WENDER O.; BOGERD, JAN; VIECELI, FELIPE M.; BRANCO, GIOVANA S.; CAMARGO, MARILIA P.; CASSEL, MONICA; MOREIRA, RENATA G.; YAN, CHAO Y. I.; BORELLA, MARIA I.. Gonadotropin subunits of the characiform Astyanax altiparanae: Molecular characterization, spatiotemporal expression and their possible role on female reproductive dysfunction in captivity. General and Comparative Endocrinology, v. 246, p. 150-163, MAY 15 2017. (14/23451-0, 11/19268-8, 13/18297-0)