Thyroid hormones and the relation to the reproductive-somatotropic axis and their possible role in embryonic development in response to maternal stress in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

• Grant number: 19/22997-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date until: June 01, 2020
• End date until: January 29, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Inland Water Fishery Resources
• Principal Investigator: Rafael Henrique Nóbrega
• Grantee: Maira da Silva Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/13097-1 - Development of testicular organoids as a model for studying fish spermatogenesis and develop innovative aquaculture applications, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

In vertebrates thyroid hormones are involved in the regulation of various physiological processes such as growth, metabolism, behavior, stress and reproductive system. In reproduction, our previous results (FAPESP 2017/15793-7; FAPESP BEPE 2018/15319-6) showed strong evidence between thyroid hormones and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in Zebrafish. In addition, thyroid hormones are also important for embryonic development, although high doses of these can be impared to growth and cause mortality. Based on this, the present project will have as objectives: 1) evaluate the molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction of thyroid hormones with Fsh; 2) investigate if a maternal stress increases plasma and ovarian levels of thyroid hormones; and 3) the possible increase in these hormones affects the development of the offspring. To response these objectives, testicular culture, RNAseq, GapmeR technology, histomorphometry, ELISA and gene expression techniques will be employed. Thus, it is expected that the results obtained in this project may generate knowledge about the regulation of thyroid hormones in fish testicular function. Finally, to evaluate the possible involvement of thyroid hormones in maternal stress and their impacts on embryonic development. Overall, this project will contribute to the reproductive physiology of teleost fish, including species of zootechnical interest. (AU)