Kisspeptin regulates the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis gene expression during sexual maturation in the cinnamon clownfish, Amphiprion melanopus.
Kisspeptins (Kiss) have been recognized as potent regulators of reproduction in teleosts, and Kiss is suggested to be a key regulator of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis (HPG). However, its regulatory role on reproduction in fish remains unclear. Therefore, to investigate the role of Kiss on fish reproduction, this study aimed to test differences in the hormones of the HPG axis, Kiss as neuropeptides, and sex steroids on the sexual maturation of paired cinnamon clownfish, Amphiprion melanopus, following treatment with Kiss. We investigated the actions of sex maturation hormones, including HPG axis hormones and sex steroid hormones, such as gonadotropin-releasing hormones, gonadotropin hormones (GTHs), GTH receptors, estrogen receptors, and vitellogenin in the pituitary, gonads, and liver following treatment with Kiss. The expression levels of HPG axis genes increased after the Kiss injection. In addition, the levels of plasma 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, estradiol-17β, and 11-ketotestosterone increased. These results support the hypothesis that Kiss play important roles in the regulation of the HPG axis and are most likely involved in gonadal development and sexual maturation in cinnamon clownfish.
Division of Marine Environment and BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 606-791, Republic of Korea.
Na Na
NN
Kim
Division of Marine Environment and BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 606-791, Republic of Korea.
Hyun Suk
HS
Shin
Division of Marine Environment and BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 606-791, Republic of Korea.
Young Jae
YJ
Choi
Division of Marine Environment and BioScience, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 606-791, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: choic@kmou.ac.kr.
Cheol Young
CY
Choi
D006907:17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006066:Gonads / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology*; D059648:Kisspeptins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011967:Receptors, Gonadotropin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood
D006062:Gonadotropins; D059648:Kisspeptins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011967:Receptors, Gonadotropin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006907:17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; C003600:11-ketotestosterone
Cinnamon clownfish; Estrogen receptor; HPG axis; Kisspeptin; Sexual maturation