title: The brain of teleost fish, a source, and a target of sexual steroids.
abstract: Neurosteroids are defined as steroids de novo synthesized in the central nervous system. While the production of neurosteroids is well documented in mammals and amphibians, there is less information about teleosts, the largest group of fish. Teleosts have long been known for their high brain aromatase and 5α-reductase activities, but recent data now document the capacity of the fish brain to produce a large variety of sex steroids. This article aims at reviewing the available information regarding expression and/or activity of the main steroidogenic enzymes in the brain of fish. In addition, the distribution of estrogen, androgen, and progesterone nuclear receptors is documented in relation with the potential sites of production of neurosteroids. Interestingly, radial glial cells acting as neuronal progenitors, appear to be a potential source of neurosteroids, but also a target for centrally and/or peripherally produced steroids.
authors.affiliation: Neurogenesis and Œstrogens, UMR CNRS 6026, IFR 140, Université de Rennes 1 Rennes, France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Diotel
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Do Rego
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Anglade
authors.forename: Colette
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vaillant
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vaudry
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kah