Temporal profile of beta follicle-stimulating hormone, beta luteinizing hormone, and growth hormone gene expression in the protandrous hermaphrodite, gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata.
The temporal profile of betaFSH, betaLH, and growth hormone (GH) gene expression was measured throughout the periods of gonadal development, spawning, and post-spawning in the protandrous hermaphrodite gilthead seabream (sb), Sparus aurata (L.). Sampling was carried out monthly, covering a 8-31 month fish age. Pituitary RNA was extracted individually. The levels of betaFSH, betaLH, and GH mRNA were measured by dot blot hybridization using sb betaFSH, betaLH, and GH cDNA as probes and analyzed by computing densitometer (values standardized using individuals' beta-actin pituitary mRNA levels). All three genes, betaFSH, betaLH, and GH were expressed throughout the year, with seasonal variations. However, transcript levels of betaLH were consistently higher than those of betaFSH. During the spawning season (which lasts for about 4 months), the mRNA levels of both betaFSH and betaLH subunits increased dramatically. betaFSH peaked at the start of the spawning season for both males and females, and was significantly higher in males. As for betaLH transcripts, a statistical interaction between sex and date was observed. No significant differences between males and females were found for GH. The pattern of GH expression levels was found to be correlated to that of betaLH.
Meiri
Iris
I
Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Center for Mariculture, P.O. Box 1212, Eilat, 88112, Israel. imeiri@ocean.org.il
Knibb
Wayne R
WR
Zohar
Yonathan
Y
Elizur
Abigail
A
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000235:genetics*; D037101:Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012098:Reproduction; D021541:Sea Bream / Q000378:metabolism*; D012621:Seasons; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D037201:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit; D037101:Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013006:Growth Hormone