Patterns of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in serum and follicle-bound oocytes of the tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, during oogenesis

Effects of short-term water velocity stimulation on the biochemical and transcriptional responses of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Since 2011, ecological operation trials of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) have been continuously conducted to improve the spawning quantity of the four major Chinese carp species below the Gezhouba Dam. In particular, exploring the effects of short-term water velocity stimulation on ovarian development in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) is essential to understand the response of natural reproduction to ecological flows. We performed ovary histology analysis and biochemical assays among individuals with or without stimulation by running water. Although there were no obvious effects on the ovarian development characteristics of grass carp under short-term water velocity stimulation, estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were elevated. Then, we further explored the ovarian development of grass carp under short-term water velocity stimulation by RNA sequencing of ovarian tissues. In total, 221 and 741 genes were up- or downregulated under short-term water velocity stimulation, respectively, compared to the control group. The majority of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in pathways including ABC transporters, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, ECM-receptor interaction, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Important genes including gpr4, vtg1, C-type lectin, hsd17b1, cyp19a1a, cyp17a1, and rdh12 that are involved in ovarian development were regulated. Our results provide new insights and reveal potential regulatory genes and pathways involved in the ovarian development of grass carp under short-term water velocity stimulation, which may be beneficial when devising further ecological regulation strategies.

Evolution of thyroid hormone distributor proteins in fish

In plasma, thyroid hormone (TH) is bound to several TH distributor proteins (THDPs), constituting a TH delivery/distribution network. Extensive studies of THDPs from tetrapods has proposed an evolutionary scenario concerning structural and functional changes in THDPs, especially for transthyretin (TTR). When assessing, in an evolutionary context, the roles of THDPs as a component constituting part of the vertebrate thyroid system, the data from fish THDPs are critical. In this review the phylogenetic distributions, spatiotemporal expression patterns and binding properties of THDPs in fish are described, and the question of whether the evolutionary hypotheses proposed in tetrapod THDPs can be applied to fish THDPs is assessed. The phylogenetic distributions of THDPs are highly variable among fish groups. Analysis in this review reveals that the evolutionary hypotheses proposed in tetrapod THDPs cannot be applied to fish THDPs, and that the role of plasma lipoproteins as THDPs grows in importance in fish groups. In primitive fish, zinc is an import factor in TH binding to TTR, and high zinc content may facilitate the acquisition of high TH binding activity during the early evolution of TTR. Finally, the possible roles of THDPs in the vertebrate thyroid system are discussed.

Misbalance of thyroid hormones after two weeks of exposure to artificial light at night in Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis

Artificial light at night (ALAN) can affect the physiology and behavior of animals because it alters the natural rhythm of light and darkness. Thyroid hormones (TH) are partially regulated by the light information of photoperiod and are involved in metabolic adjustments to daily and seasonal changes in the environment, such as larval and juvenile development, somatic growth and reproduction. ALAN can change photoperiodic information and might thereby lead to changes in thyroid metabolism, but so far research on this topic is scarce. Therefore, we tested in two different experiments the effects of nocturnal illumination at a wide range of light intensities on TH in plasma of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis). Total 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) was significantly affected by ALAN and reduced at the highest tested intensity of 100 lx after only two weeks of exposure. Although total L-thyroxine (T4) was not significantly affected, the ratio of T3 to T4 tended to slightly decrease at 100 lx. In a second low-light experiment ALAN did not have clear effects on T3, T4 or the ratio of T3 to T4 at intensities between 0.01 lx and 1 lx. The results show first signs of endocrine disruption in thyroid metabolism after a relatively short ALAN exposure of two weeks under high-intensity streetlight conditions. Misbalanced thyroidal status can have serious implications for metabolic rates as well as developmental and reproductive processes.

The Role of the Thyroid Axis in Fish

In all vertebrates, the thyroid axis is an endocrine feedback system that affects growth, differentiation, and reproduction, by sensing and translating central and peripheral signals to maintain homeostasis and a proper thyroidal set-point. Fish, the most diverse group of vertebrates, rely on this system for somatic growth, metamorphosis, reproductive events, and the ability to tolerate changing environments. The vast majority of the research on the thyroid axis pertains to mammals, in particular rodents, and although some progress has been made to understand the role of this endocrine axis in non-mammalian vertebrates, including amphibians and teleost fish, major gaps in our knowledge remain regarding other groups, such as elasmobranchs and cyclostomes. In this review, we discuss the roles of the thyroid axis in fish and its contributions to growth and development, metamorphosis, reproduction, osmoregulation, as well as feeding and nutrient metabolism. We also discuss how thyroid hormones have been/can be used in aquaculture, and potential threats to the thyroid system in this regard.

Thyroid function of steatitis-affected Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus from a sub-tropical African reservoir

Thyroid function and nutritional indicators were measured in obese, steatitis-affected Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus from Loskop Reservoir (LR), South Africa. Plasma thyroid hormones (especially T3) and thyroid follicle histomorphology revealed high levels of activity in every aspect of the thyroid cascade measured in fish from LR compared to a reference population of steatitis-free fish. Concurrent measurements of nutritional state including plasma lipids, liver lipid content and hepatocyte size showed that fish from LR had significant energy stores indicative of abundant nutritional intake. There were distinct sex and seasonal differences, with the highest plasma lipids and T3 levels observed in steatitis-affected females during spring and summer. Positive correlations were observed between plasma lipids (especially cholesterol) and T3 concentrations in fish from both populations, indicating a link between lipid metabolism and thyroid function. There was no direct evidence of thyroid disruption, but this cannot be ruled out until further research determines the factors that underlie the homeostatic shift leading to elevated plasma and liver lipids and T3 levels in steatitis-affected tilapia.

Corticosteroids deeply depress the in vitro steroidogenic capacity of Eurasian perch ovary at the end of the reproductive cycle

Corticosteroids play positive or negative role in the reproductive mechanisms of many fish species but the physiological contexts relating to such biphasic actions are not well defined. In the present study we investigated to what extent corticosteroids (cortisol-Co, 11-deoxycorticosterone-DOC) hormones may interfere with the steroidogenic capacity of Eurasian perch ovarian tissues, and we tested whether the negative effects of corticosteroids may be mitigated by potential stimulating endocrine factors, namely insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or thyroid hormones (Triidothyronine-T3, thyroxine-T4). Ovarian tissues from six maturing fish at late vitellogenesis developmental stage (LVO) or at the start of the final meiotic oocyte maturation (FMO) were incubated during 6h in Cortland medium containing various endocrine compounds. Both corticosteroids drastically suppressed aromatase activity (AA) and sex-steroid production, namely 17-β estradiol (E2), 17α-20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and testosterone (T). HCG significantly prevented the suppression of both AA and sex-steroid production by low and high cortisol doses, but a lesser AA protection was observed in the case of DOC. The protection of DHP and T productions by HCG from the negative effects by the two corticosteroids was higher at FMO than at LVO stage. IGF or thyroid hormone treatments were lesser effective or ineffective in mitigating the suppression of AA or sex-steroid production by cortisol. The results suggest that an increase in cortisol or DOC such as after mild or high stress intensity may inhibit drastically the ovarian steroidogenic capacity whatever the final oocyte maturation stage in percid fish by hampering AA and sex-steroid production. That inhibition may be partly mitigated by gonadotropins but not IGF nor thyroid hormones, especially at final meiotic oocyte maturation stage.

Pathophysiological aspects of thyroid hormone disorders/thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies and reproduction

BACKGROUND

Thyroid hormone disorders and thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies (TPO-Ab) in women are associated with subfertility and early pregnancy loss. Here, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on the pathophysiology of these associations.

METHODS

A review of the literature in the English language was carried out. Relevant studies were identified by searching Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register from 1975 until March 2014.

RESULTS

From a total of 6108 primary selected articles from the literature search, 105 articles were selected for critical appraisal. Observational data indicate that altered thyroid hormone levels are associated with disturbed folliculogenesis, spermatogenesis, lower fertilization rates and lower embryo quality. Triiodothyronine (T3) in combination with FSH enhances granulosa cell proliferation and inhibits granulosa cell apoptosis by the PI3K/Akt pathway. T3 is considered a biological amplifier of the stimulatory action of gonadotrophins on granulosa cell function. T3 increases the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), MMP-2, MMP-3, fetal fibronectin and integrin α5β1T3 in early placental extravillous trophoblasts. Thyroid hormone transporters and receptors are expressed in the ovary, early embryo, endometrium, uterus and placenta. No other data explaining the associations could be retrieved from the literature. The presence of TPO-Ab is negatively associated with spermatogenesis, fertilization and embryo quality, but no data are available on the potential pathophysiological mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONS

Thyroid hormone disorders and TPO-Ab are associated with disturbed folliculogenesis, spermatogenesis, fertilization and embryogenesis. The pathophysiology of these associations remains largely unknown, as evidence is limited and includes studies using small sample sizes, and often restricted to animal models. There are no studies on the pathophysiology underlying the association between TPO-Ab and reproduction. The available evidence, although limited, supports a role of thyroid hormone in fertility and early pregnancy. This justifies clinical intervention studies on the effects of thyroid hormone supplementation in women with subclinical hypothyroidism and in women prone to develop hypothyroidism due to the presence of TPO-Ab. In addition, more research is needed to identify the underlying mechanisms. This would be of particular interest in women undergoing IVF to pinpoint the effects of thyroid hormone on different parameters of reproduction.

Environmental factors affecting thyroid function of wild sea bass (Dicentrarchuslabrax) from European coasts

Thyroid functional status of wild fish in relation with the contamination of their environment deserves further investigation. We here applied a multi-level approach of thyroid function assessment in 87 wild sea bass collected near several estuaries: namely the Scheldt, the Seine, the Loire, the Charente and the Gironde. Thyroxine (T(4)) and triiodothyronine (T(3)) concentrations in muscle were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. The activity of hepatic enzymes involved in extrathyroidal pathways of thyroid hormone metabolism, viz. deiodination, glucuronidation and sulfatation were analyzed. Last, follicle diameter and epithelial cell heights were measured. We observed changes that are predicted to lead to an increased conversion of T(4)-T(3) and lowered thyroid hormone excretion. The changes in the metabolic pathways of thyroid hormones can be interpreted as a pathway to maintain thyroid hormone homeostasis. From all compounds tested, the higher chlorinated PCBs seemed to be the most implicated in this perturbation.

Reproductive biomarkers to identify endocrine disruption in Clarias gariepinus exposed to 4-nonylphenol

The present study investigated the hormones concentrations and gonads alterations of Clarias gariepinus caused by sublethel concentrations of 4-nonylphenol (0, 0.05, 0.08 and 0.1 mg/l). The changes in the activities of the hormones after exposure to these sublethel doses of 4-nonylpenol referred to endocrine disruption in Clarias gariepinus in association with histopathological changes in reproductive tissues. The levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), total thyroxine (T4), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone concentrations significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the treated fish in comparison with control. 17-β-estradiol increased significantly (P<0.05) with 4-nonylphenol concentrations increase. Reduction in the gonadosomatic index was evident with increase of sublethal doses of 4-nonylphenol. The histopathological changes of NP-treated were recorded in gonads of Clarias gariepinus reflecting their sensitivity to NP-estrogenic like effects.

The hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis in teleosts and amphibians: endocrine disruption and its consequences to natural populations

Teleosts and pond-breeding amphibians may be exposed to a wide variety of anthropogenic, waterborne contaminants that affect the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Because thyroid hormone is required for their normal development and reproduction, the potential impact of HPT-disrupting contaminants on natural teleost and amphibian populations raises special concern. There is laboratory evidence indicating that persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, pharmaceutical and personal care products, agricultural chemicals, and aerospace products may alter HPT activity, development, and reproduction in teleosts and amphibians. However, at present there is no evidence to clearly link contaminant-induced HPT alterations to impairments in teleost or amphibian population health in the field. Also, with the exception of perchlorate for which laboratory studies have shown a direct link between HPT disruption and adverse impacts on development and reproductive physiology, little is known about if or how other HPT-disrupting contaminants affect organismal performance. Future field studies should focus on establishing temporal associations between the presence of HPT-disrupting chemicals, the occurrence of HPT alterations, and adverse effects on development and reproduction in natural populations; as well as determining how complex mixtures of HPT contaminants affect organismal and population health.

Thyroid hormone profile during annual reproductive cycle of diploid and triploid catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Triploid fishes generally show sterility along with retarded gonadal development and aneuploid gametes. In teleosts, thyroid hormones influence seasonal adaptations and annual events such as reproduction. In addition, thyroid hormone deposition in matured ova is important for reproductive success as the role of thyroid hormones in early development and metamorphosis is well established. The present study deals with measurements of free and total thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in the plasma of triploid and diploid catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) in a complete reproductive cycle. Accumulations of total T4 and T3 within the oocytes have also been measured during the spawning period from fishes of both ploidy groups. No difference of plasma free hormones was noticed between the diploids and triploids of both the sexes in any period of reproductive cycle, although, seasonal variations were noted in both the groups. A significant decrease in the total thyroid hormone levels was noticed in plasma of the diploids in the spawning period compared to triploid fish. During the same period, accumulation of THs was significantly higher in the oocytes of diploids than that of the triploids. Thyroid gland structure also revealed a higher state of activity in the female diploids than the triploids during spawning period. Lower activity of thyroid tissue, higher levels of THs in plasma, and lower accumulation of maternally derived hormones in the oocytes of triploid females during spawning period may be associated with sterility of triploids.

Thyroid hormone modulation of ovarian recrudescence of air-breathing catfish Clarias gariepinus

In the present study, thiourea-induced thyroid hormone depletion and thyroxine (T(4)) 'overdose' were used as a strategy to understand the influence of thyroid hormones on ovarian recrudescence of juvenile (3-months-old), immature (8-months-old) and adult (1-year-old) air-breathing catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Thiourea-induced thyroid hormone depletion in juvenile catfish impaired ovarian development, but no significant effect was observed in immature catfish and during late stage of ovarian recrudescence of mature catfish. T(4) treatment in females undergoing late stages of ovarian recrudescence induced rapid oocyte growth by promoting its early entry into maturational phase as evident from the presence of more number of vitellogenic and post-vitellogenic follicles, decrease in aromatse immunoreactivity and reduced estradiol-17beta levels. Hence, thyroid hormones have an important role to play during early stages of ovarian development and vitellogenesis of catfish and also indicating that thyroid has a stage dependent effect on ovary.

Transthyretin in fish: state of the art

Relatively little is known about thyroid hormone-binding proteins in fish and, until recently, the thyroid hormones (THs), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), had only been found in fish plasma bound to albumin and lipoproteins. Recently, transthyretin (TTR) was cloned in a teleost fish, the sea bream (sb); it is composed of 130 amino acids and shares 47-54% sequence similarity with other vertebrate TTR and binds preferentially T3. Homology modelling of sbTTR based upon the crystallographic structure of TTR in human, rat and chicken reveals similar monomer-monomer and dimer-dimer interfaces and a conserved tetrameric structure. In sbTTR, a single amino acid substitution in the thyroid hormone binding site (Ser 117 in human by Thr in sea bream) may explain the higher affinity of this tetramer for T3 rather than T4. The principal site of production of TTR in the sea bream is the liver but transcripts are also present in the intestine, brain, skin, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, testis, gills and pituitary (in descending order of abundance). The function of TTR in fish remains to be studied but we have recently carried out studies which suggest it may be involved in TH balance during food shortage.

Estrogen and thyroid hormone receptor interactions: physiological flexibility by molecular specificity

The influence of thyroid hormone on estrogen actions has been demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro. In transient transfection assays, the effects of liganded thyroid hormone receptors (TR) on transcriptional facilitation by estrogens bound to estrogen receptors (ER) display specificity according to the following: 1) ER isoform, 2) TR isoform, 3) the promoter through which transcriptional facilitation occurs, and 4) cell type. Some of these molecular phenomena may be related to thyroid hormone signaling of seasonal limitations upon reproduction. The various combinations of these molecular interactions provide multiple and flexible opportunities for relations between two major hormonal systems important for neuroendocrine feedbacks and reproductive behaviors.

Thyroid hormones in growth and development of fish

The thyroid hormones (THs), thyroxine (T(4)) and triiodothyronine (T(3)) are products of the thyroid gland in all vertebrates. Their role in early development and metamorphosis is well established in mammals and amphibians, respectively, and recently several studies in fish have highlighted the importance of THs during flatfish metamorphosis. THs are present in high quantities in fish eggs and are presumably of maternal origin. During embryogenesis the concentration of T(4) and T(3) in the eggs decrease until endogenous production starts. Thyroid hormone receptors (TR) have been isolated from several teleosts and in common with tetrapods two receptor isoforms have been identified, TR alpha and TR beta. Both the receptors are expressed in early embryos and larvae of the Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), zebrafish (Danio rerio) and seabream (Sparus aurata) although a different temporal pattern is apparent. The role of THs and TRs in fish embryogenesis, larval development and during metamorphosis will be discussed.

Type II iodothyronine deiodinase is preferentially expressed in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver and gonads

It is well admitted that thyroid hormones (TH) play a role in the development of vertebrates. The major secretory product of the thyroid is a pro-hormone, T(4), which is activated in peripheral tissues by outer ring deiodination to T(3). We have isolated from rainbow trout testis, a full length cDNA encoding type II iodothyronine deiodinase (rtD2). The cDNA was 2410 nucleotides long and coded for a polypeptide of 264 amino acids including a selenocysteine residue. The predicted molecular weight of rtD2 was 29.3 kDa and the isoelectric point 8.71. The deduced amino acids sequence showed 80% identity with Fundulus heteroclitus D2 (fhD2) but only 68-69% identity with rat, mouse, and human D2. The 3' UTR contained a putative selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) similar to that described in human cDNA. The rtD2 gene was isolated and the gene structure was similar to that described in human with two exons separated by a large intron. We studied rtD2 gene expression by Northern blot analysis using total RNA extracted from testis, ovary, and other tissues. We found a high expression of a 3 kb transcript in liver and in gonads. A lower expression was also detected in posterior kidney. In testis, rtD2 mRNA expression was dependent on spermatogenic stages: it increased at the onset of spermatogenesis. Our results show that the structural characteristics of the D2 protein and gene have been highly conserved during evolution. The rtD2 mRNA expression in the gonads suggests that rtD2 may be a key factor regulating local supply of active T(3) during rainbow trout gametogenesis.

Entry of thyroid hormones into tilapia oocytes

The patterns of entry of thyroid hormones into live tilapia oocytes were examined by incubating ovarian follicles in L-15 medium containing 125I-labeled thyroxine (T4) or 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3). As judged from HPLC profiles, radioactivity in extracts of follicles immersed in T3 was identified to reside in T3, while most of the radioactivity in the extract of T4 immersed follicle was not associated with T4. Radioactivity of T3 immersed follicles reached a constant level after 18 h of incubation. Entry of T3 into the oocytes was non-saturable within the range of 0.5-5000 ng/ml of T3 in the incubation medium, suggesting the absence of specific mechanisms for T3 entry into the oocyte. Presence of female plasma at a level of 20% of incubation medium inhibited the T3 entry into the oocytes by approximately 80%. When follicles were back-transferred to medium without T3, only 15% of T3 in the oocyte disappeared within the following 24 h. From our results, we conclude that free T3 seems to enter oocytes freely across the membranes by diffusion, and that T3 in the oocytes may bind to some molecules in the oocyte. However, during egg formation in vivo, contribution of free T3 entry into the oocytes did not seem to be significant when considering the free T3 ratio in female plasma.

Incorporation and metabolism of cortisol in oocytes of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

The entry and metabolism of 3H-cortisol in oocytes were investigated using isolated follicles of the tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) in order to examine the mechanisms of incorporation of maternal hormones into oocytes. The composition of 3H-labeled steroids in the oocyte was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. A significant amount of cortisol was converted to cortisone and an unidentified molecule by the follicular layer. The contents of 3H-cortisol and 3H-cortisone in the oocyte reached an equilibrium level within 12 hr, whereas the content of the unidentified metabolite continued to increase for 36 hr. The total content of the incorporated cortisol and its metabolites was proportional to cortisol in the medium over the concentration range of 5 ng/ml to 5 microg/ml. The amounts of cortisone and the unidentified molecule increased proportionally when the concentration of cortisol in the medium was lower than 500 ng/ml, whereas they reached a plateau when the concentration of cortisol exceeded 500 ng/ml. Cortisol entry was reversible, because 90% of cortisol and cortisone in the oocyte was lost within 18 hr when the medium was changed to that without 3H-cortisol. On the other hand, 50% of the unidentified molecule was preserved at the end of the incubation. In conclusion, the entry of cortisol into the oocyte was considered to be nonspecific and due probably to simple diffusion. However, a considerable amount of cortisol (50-70%) was specifically converted to cortisone and another unidentified molecule during passage through the follicular layer.

Vitellogenin association and oocytic accumulation of thyroxine and 3, 5,3'-triiodothyronine in gravid Fundulus heteroclitus

The association of the thyroid hormone (TH) thyroxine (T(4)) and its metabolically active metabolite 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T(3)) with serum vitellogenin (VTG) in gravid female and estrogenized male (E2+) Fundulus heteroclitus was investigated. In in vivo, time-course experiments, sera from gravid female fish exposed to [(125)I]T(4) showed time- and dose-dependent increases in total [(125)I]TH content. The [(125)I]T(4):[(125)I]T(3) ratio was also affected by dose and time. In analysis of sera from female fish, >80% of detected radioactivity was associated with VTG (approximately 35%) and a second chromatographic peak (approximately 45%), a lipoprotein fraction possibly consisting of high-density lipoproteins. In experiments comparing estrogenized versus control male fish, the presence of VTG significantly increased the overall quantity and altered the profile of serum protein-associated [(125)I]TH. When serum VTG was present in the very large quantities typical of male fish treated with high doses of E2, the majority (59-70%) of detected radioactivity was associated with VTG. Both [(125)I]T(4) and [(125)I]T(3) were detected in extracts from oocytes collected during the in vivo female study. The total TH content and [(125)I]T(4):[(125)I]T(3) ratios in these extracts presented an accumulation profile that mirrored, in a delayed manner, the profiles observed in sera data. Furthermore, this accumulation was related to oocyte maturational state (i.e., size) and, correspondingly, VTG uptake. Together, these data suggest an important role for VTG as a vector of maternal transfer for both T(4) and T(3).

Contrasting effects of estrogen on transthyretin and vitellogenin expression in males of the marine fish, Sparus aurata

A partial cDNA encoding for the C-terminus of vitellogenin (VTG) was cloned from liver of Sparus aurata male treated with 17beta-estradiol (E(2)). E(2) treatment of S. aurata males resulted in increased synthesis and secretion of VTG protein into the plasma, determined by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a time-dependent manner. While VTG mRNA was induced by E(2) treatment, transthyretin (TTR) mRNA levels were reduced. These data provide the first demonstration that estrogen exhibits contrasting effect on VTG and on TTR gene expression in teleosts.

Thyroid hormone and estrogen regulate brain region-specific messenger ribonucleic acids encoding three gonadotropin-releasing hormone genes in sexually immature male fish, Oreochromis niloticus

The present study was undertaken to determine whether T3, estrogen, and 11-ketotestosterone could alter a specific population of GnRH-containing neurons, as indicated by a change in messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in sexually immature male tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Two weeks after castration, fish were assigned to four treatment groups. One group served as the control (sesame oil); a single ip injection of (T3; 5 microg/g), estradiol benzoate (EB; 5 microg/g), or 11-ketotestosterone (KT; 5 microg/g) was administered to the remaining three groups. Twenty-four hours after the injection, brains were collected and processed for in situ hybridization histochemistry using 35S-labeled 30-mer antisense oligonucleotide probes complementary to the GnRH-coding region of chicken II, salmon, and seabream GnRH. Computerized image analysis was performed to quantify mRNA concentrations, neuronal numbers, and neuronal size of the terminal nerve-nucleus olfactoretinalis, preoptic, and midbrain GnRH neurons. KT had no effect on any of the above neuronal parameters examined for salmon or seabream GnRH. Neither T3, EB, nor KT was effective to induce changes in midbrain chicken GnRH II mRNA concentrations, neuronal numbers, and neuronal size, indicating that an as yet unknown regulatory mechanism may operate midbrain GnRH neurons. T3 specifically suppressed the concentration of terminal nerve salmon GnRH mRNA, and EB significantly increased preoptic seabream GnRH neuronal numbers. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that thyroid hormone, by suppressing terminal nerve GnRH expression, promotes inhibition of sexual maturation. Furthermore, the failure of KT, a nonaromatizable androgen, to influence preoptic GnRH neurons emphasizes that an estrogenic pathway, at the onset of sexual maturation, is responsible for the recruitment of additional preoptic GnRH neurons that are fundamental to reproduction and behavior.

Thyroid hormone-dependent metamorphosis in a direct developing frog

The direct developing anuran, Eleutherodactylus coqui, lacks a tadpole, hatching as a tiny frog. We investigated the role of the metamorphic trigger, thyroid hormone (TH), in this unusual ontogeny. Expression patterns of the thyroid hormone receptors, TRalpha and TRbeta, were similar to those of indirect developers. TRbeta mRNA levels increased dramatically around the time of thyroid maturation, when remodeling events reminiscent of metamorphosis occur. Treatment with the goitrogen methimazole inhibited this remodeling, which was reinitiated on cotreatment with TH. Despite their radically altered ontogeny, direct developers still undergo a TH-dependent metamorphosis, which occurs before hatching. We propose a new model for the evolution of anuran direct development.

Changes in serum concentrations and pituitary content of the two prolactins and growth hormone during the reproductive cycle in female tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, compared with changes during fasting

Patterns of change in serum concentrations and pituitary content of GH and two tilapia prolactins (PRL177 and PRL188) were examined during the reproductive cycle of female tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, adapted to fresh water and to seawater. Changes in these hormones during fasting were examined to elucidate whether changes observed during brooding could be attributed to a reduction in feeding during brooding. Serum concentrations of GH increased prior to pituitary content during the brooding phase of the reproductive cycle. In contrast, pituitary content of GH increased prior to serum concentrations during fasting. There was no consistent pattern of change in serum or pituitary PRL levels during the reproductive cycle, among experiments. Serum concentrations of PRL177 were elevated in all fasted fish, whereas PRL188 was elevated during fasting in males but not females. The increases in the serum concentration of PRLs and GH, and in the pituitary content of GH in response to fasting support the notion that these hormones are involved in the regulation of the use of metabolic substrates in tilapia. We conclude that reduced food intake during brooding may contribute to changes in serum and pituitary levels of the PRLs and GH observed during the reproductive cycle. Nevertheless, differences between changes in serum and pituitary GH during brooding and fasting suggest GH has actions in reproduction, and changes in GH during brooding are not only in response to fasting.

Relationship between hepatic deiodination of thyroxine and early oocyte development in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

We examined the relationship between five stages of ovarian growth and development and hepatic microsomal thyroxine (T4) deiodinating activity in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, held in the laboratory at 11.5°C. Thyroxine outer-ring deiodination (T4ORD) activity, which forms biologically active 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), was low when the gonadosomatic index (GSI = (ovary mass X 100) / body mass) was below 0.2 (stage I, previtellogenesis), but rose sharply between GSI values of 0.2 and 0.3 (stage II), when oocyte Balbiani activity, RNA synthesis, and endogenous vitellogenesis were maximal. Hepatic T4ORD activity was again low during exogenous vitellogenesis at GSI values of 0.3-12, which correspond to stages III-V. Hepatic T4 inner-ring deiodination (T4IRD), which forms biologically inactive 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine, was detected only at stage II. Plasma T3 concentrations were significantly higher at stage II than at stage IV (primary yolk globule formation). Our data indicate changes in systemic thyroidal status at stage II and are consistent with a role for T3 in early oogenesis in trout. Enhanced hepatic T3 production at the late Balbiani stage may be required for oocyte development.

3,5,3'-Triiodothyronine (T3) clearance and T3-glucuronide (T3G) appearance kinetics in plasma of freshwater-reared male tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus

Distribution and metabolism of the thyroid hormone 3,5, 3'-l-triiodothyronine (T3) were studied in several ways to gain insights into these processes in the warm water fish tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus. Trace doses of 125I-labeled T3 (T*3)1 were injected intraarterially, extraarterially, or intraperitoneally in freshwater-reared male tilapia to explore plasma clearance kinetic responses to these different input modalities. Multicompartmental analysis of the plasma clearance data indicated a kinetic distribution of T*3 much like that reported for the rat and human, with about 2% of total body T*3 in plasma, 5% in rapidly exchanging tissues such as kidney and liver, and 93% in slowly exchanging tissues such as muscle. However, plasma clearance rates (PCR, 5.37 mL/h . 100 g body wt) and plasma appearance rates (PAR3 = PCR x [T3] plasma = 36.3 ng/h . 100 g body wt) were quite different than these indices in rat and human and 5 to 50 times larger than values reported for rainbow trout. On a whole-body basis, normalized for body weight, the tilapia we studied produced and accumulated much more T3 than rat, human, or rainbow trout. Enzymatic and chromatographic analyses of the plasma clearance data samples indicated substantial production of labeled glucuronide, but not sulfate, conjugates of iodothyronines (TiG) of unknown origin appearing in plasma. The TiG appeared beginning a few hours postinjection, peaked at 6 hours, and yielded a predicted steady-state TiG level of 8.3% of the T3 level in plasma. In contrast, in published studies, no conjugates were detected in rainbow trout plasma from 2 to 24 h after iv injection of T*3, T*4, or reverse-T*3, although conjugates of all were present in bile. To our knowledge, although T3 and T4 sulfate conjugates are present in the sera of several mammals, this is the first quantification of iodothyronine glucuronides reported in blood of any species under normal conditions. This might have physiological significance for the tilapia, with T3G providing a reversible storage form of T3 in blood, as has been suggested for sulfate conjugates of T3 and T4 in blood of several mammals.

Thyroid hormones in brown trout (Salmo trutta) reproduction and early development

Gravid brown trout (Salmo trutta) females were injected with various doses of a synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa), given with or without an injection of triiodothyronine (T3), in order to investigate the potential of T3 (a) to enhance the stimulatory effect of GnRHa on ovulation, and (b) to enhance the growth and survival of the produced progeny. From the time the hormonal treatments were initiated until ovulation was detected 5-38 days later, endogenous plasma T3 levels increased from an average of 3.6 to 11.6 ng ml(-1). Injection with 20 mg T3 kg(-1) body weight, further elevated plasma T3 levels at ovulation (16.0 ng ml(-1). Mean time to ovulation was reduced significantly in fish injected with 10 μg kg(-1) of GnRHa, whereas treatment with lower doses was ineffective. Injection with T3 did not enhance the ovulatory response of brown trout to GnRHa. Unfertilized eggs obtained from T3-injected females had a higher T3 content, suggesting a transfer of T3 from the maternal circulation into the oocytes. Maternal T3 injection had no effect on egg fertilization rates, embryo survival to eyeing and hatching, or the prevalence of abnormal larvae at the time of hatching. Length and weight gain of the progeny during yolk absorption was also not influenced by maternal T3 treatment. At the completion of yolk-sac absorption, progeny from females injected with T3 had a higher prevalence of skeletal abnormalities than controls. The results suggest that in teleosts like brown trout, which have high endogenous circulating T3 levels, treatment of females with T3 does not enhance responsiveness to GnRHa and it has the potential for deleterious effects on their offspring.

Thyroid hormone concentrations in the gonads of wild chum salmon during maturation

Changes in gonadal and plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones were examined at various stages of maturation in chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) caught in the Bering Sea and the Bay of Alaska. Plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) were less than 5 ng ml(-1), and those of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyroxine (T3) were less than 2 ng ml(-1) I in both males and females, regardless of the degree of sexual maturity or the gonadosomatic index (GSI).There was no clear relationships between circulating thyroid hormone levels and tissue levels. The ovarian T4 concentrations were undetectable (less than 0.2 ng g(-1)) or less than 2 ng g(-1) when GSI was lower than 1%, but increased thereafter and reached a plateau of 8-10 ng g(-1) when GSI became 2%. The ovarian T3 concentrations were about 5 ng g(-1) when GSI was 1%, increased to a maximum level (20 ng g(-1)) when GSI was about 2%, and decreased to a constant level of 10 ng g(-1) thereafter. The T4 and T3 content in single oocyte increased proportionally to the oocyte volume, indicating a constant incorporation of the hormones into the oocyte.The T4 concentrations in the testis were 1 ng g(-1) or less regardless of the GS1. On the other hand, the T3 concentrations were highest (15 ng g(-1)) when the GSI was less than 1%, decreased thereafter when spermatocytes appeared in the testis, and became about 5 ng g(-1) I in testes containing spermatozoa, raising the possibility of a role for T3 during early gamete and/or gonad maturation of testes.