Ovarian opioids and the reproductive cycle of the frog Rana esculenta

Celebrating 50+ years of research on the reproductive biology and endocrinology of the green frog: An overview

This issue is dedicated to the late Professor Giovanni Chieffi, and this article is an overview of the research on Comparative Endocrinology of reproduction using Rana esculenta (alias Pelophylax esculentus) as a model system. Starting from the early 1970s till today, a large quantity of work have been conducted both in the fields of experimental endocrinology and in the definition of the diffuse neuroendocrine system, with a major focus on the increasing role of regulatory peptides. The various aspects investigated concerned the histological descriptions of principal endocrine glands of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, the localization and distribution in the HPG of several different substances (i.e. neurosteroids, hypothalamic peptide hormones, pituitary gonadotropins, gonadal sex steroids, and other molecules), the determination of sex hormone concentrations in both serum and tissues, the hormone manipulations, as well as the gene and protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes and their respective receptors. All together these researches, often conducted considering different periods of the annual reproductive cycle of the green frog, allowed to understand the mechanism of cascade control/regulation of the HPG axis of R. esculenta, characterizing the role of different hormones in the two sexes, and testing the hypotheses about the function of single hormones in different target organs. It becomes evident from the review that, in their simplest form, several features of this species are specular as compared to those of other vertebrate species and that reproduction in this frog species is either under endogenous multi-hormonal control or by a wide array of different factors. Our excursus of this research, spanning almost five decades, shows that R. esculenta has been intensively and successfully used as an animal model in reproductive endocrinology as well as several field studies such as those involving environmental concerns that focus on the effects of endocrine disruptors and other environmental contaminants.

Mu opioid receptor in spermatozoa, eggs and larvae of gilthead sea bream (Sparus Aurata) and its involvement in stress related to aquaculture

In aquaculture, unfavourable conditions experienced during early development may have strong downstream effects on the adult phenotype and fitness. Sensitivity to stress, leading to disease, reduced growth and mortality, is higher in larvae than in adult fish. In this study, conducted on sea bream (Sparus aurata), we evidenced the presence of the mu opioid receptor in gametes and larvae at different developmental stages. Moreover, we evaluated the possibility of reducing the effects of artificially produced stress, altering temperature, salinity and pH, by naloxone (an opioid antagonist) and calcium. Results evidenced that mu opioid receptor is present in larvae and in gametes of both sexes and that, during larval growth, its expression level changes accordingly; furthermore, naloxone/calcium association is efficacious in increasing the survival period of treated larvae compared to controls. We conclude that in sea bream rearing, the use of naloxone/calcium against stress can improve fish farming techniques by reducing larval mortality and consequently increasing productivity.

Beta-endorphin disrupts seasonal and FSH-induced ovarian recrudescence in the lizard Mabuya carinata

Administration (ip) of an opioid peptide, beta-endorphin (beta-EP) (0.1, 0.5, or 1 microg beta-EP/day/lizard for 30 days) during seasonal recrudescence phase of the ovarian cycle inhibited ovarian recrudescence as shown by the absence of vitellogenic follicles in the ovary in contrast to their presence in treatment controls in the lizard Mabuya carinata. In the germinal bed, treatment of 0.1 microg beta-EP did not affect primordial follicles, whereas their mean number was significantly lower in lizards treated with 0.5 or 1 microg beta-EP compared to those of treatment controls. There was also suppression of oviductal development as shown by a significantly lower relative weight of the oviduct and regressed oviductal glands in lizards treated with all the dosages of beta-EP compared to treatment controls. In another experiment, administration of FSH (10 IU FSH/alternate day/lizard for 30 days) during the regression phase of the ovarian cycle induced development of vitellogenic follicles, whereas the treatment controls showed only previtellogenic follicles. In addition, there was a significant increase in the ovarian and oviductal weights compared to initial and treatment controls. However, simultaneous administration of similar dosage of FSH and beta-EP (0.5 microg/day/lizard) did not induce ovarian recrudescence as shown by the absence of vitellogenic follicles in the ovary and significantly lower weight of the ovary and the oviduct and the mean number of oogonia, oocytes, and primordial follicles compared to those of FSH-treated lizards. The results indicate that beta-EP inhibits seasonal as well as FSH-induced ovarian recrudescence. Inhibitory effect of beta-EP on follicular development despite FSH administration implies its effect at the ovarian level in M. carinata. While adversely affecting the ovarian follicular development, beta-EP did not affect the adrenal gland as there was no significant variation in the mean nuclear diameter of the adrenocortical cells of treatment controls and beta-EP-treated lizards. Furthermore, administration of beta-EP caused a significant decrease in the mean number of islands of white pulp of the spleen indicating its adverse effect on immunity.

Expression of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) in the cerebral ganglion and ovary of a protochordate

The distribution of neurones expressing POMC mRNA in the cerebral ganglion of the protochordate ascidian, Styela plicata, was investigated using a non-radioactive in situ hybridization technique. Nerve cell bodies of mono and bipolar types expressing POMC mRNA, were observed mainly in the outer layer of the ganglion. Discrete groups of neurones containing POMC mRNA were also localized in the inner portion of the ganglion, and few small monopolar perykaria expressing POMC mRNA were visible at the emergence of the main nerve trunks. POMC mRNA labeling was also found at level of the cytoplasm of previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes, and of follicular cells. Our results demonstrate the expression of one or more genes in the cerebral ganglion and ovary, that may be similar to one or more regions of the mammalian POMC gene. Therefore POMC-related molecules seem to be involved in neuromodulatory pathways and regulatory mechanisms of the oogenesis of ascidians.

Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) expression and immunolocalization of POMC-related peptides in the ovary of Protopterus annectens, an African lungfish

Antisera against adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha MSH) and beta-endorphin were used to localize pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides in the ovary of the African lungfish Protopterus annectens by immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactivity was observed in the granulosa and the internal theca of the vitellogenic follicles. No immunoreactivity was observed in immature follicles. Using human POMC cDNA as the hybridization probe POMC-like mRNA was identified in situ in cells of the granulosa and internal theca of the vitellogenic follicles. No labeling was observed in primordial follicles. The demonstration in the same cells of POMC mRNA and POMC-related peptides immunoreactivity indicates a local production of the opiate hormones.

In vitro effects of beta-endorphin on testicular release of androgens in the lizard Podarcis sicula Raf

The effects of the proopiomelanocortin-derived opioid peptide, beta-endorphin (beta-EP), and of the opioid antagonist, naloxone (NAL), on both basal and pituitary-stimulated androgen secretion from superfused quiescent and active testes were assessed in the adult lizard, Podarcis sicula. In the absence of the homologous pituitary, in vitro treatment with beta-EP and/or NAL did not affect basal secretion of androgens from quiescent and active testes. Conversely, in the presence of the homologous pituitary, treatment with beta-EP brought about a decrease in androgen secretion in active testes, but no effect on quiescent ones. Naloxone counteracted the inhibitor effect of beta-EP in active testes, and enhanced maximal pituitary-stimulated secretion of androgens in quiescent but not in active testes. The effects produces by beta-endorphin and naloxone were reversible. These results suggest that, in this lizard, opioids might be involved in the control of androgen release. The lack of effect of beta-EP and naloxone when added directly to the testes seems to suggest that the opioid agonist and antagonist act on androgen release by modulating pituitary gonadotrophin output.

Immunocytochemical localization and biochemical characterization of melanotropin-like peptides in the gonads of a protochordate

The compound gonads of the protochordate ascidian Styela plicata were investigated by immunocytochemistry, HPLC, and radioimmunoassay to verify the presence of melanotropin-like peptides, alpha-MSH-like immunoreactivity is localized in the follicular cells and in the perinuclear cytoplasm of different types of ovaric follicles, as well as in the spermatogonia and spermatocytes of testicular lobules. The ascidian immunoreactive peptides occurring in the gonads consist of alpha-MSH and ACTH(1-13)-NH2 and their amounts are higher in summer than in winter.

Detection and localization of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-like material in the frog, Rana esculenta, ovary

GnRH-like material has been identified using HPLC followed by RIA in the ovary of Rana esculenta. During the reproductive cycle three immunoreactive GnRH peaks were eluted. One of them coeluted with s-GnRH, the other two forms between GnRH and cII-GnRH. During the recovery phase s-GnRH immunoreactivity disappears. By immunocytochemistry, cII-GnRH immunostaining was localized to granulosa cells while s-GnRH was present in the perinuclear zone of the oocytes.

Ovarian melanotropic peptides and adaptation in two teleostean species: Sparus aurata L. and Dicentrarchus labrax L

The ovarian tissue of Dicentrarchus labrax and Sparus aurata displays two immunoreactive peaks that correspond to the elution time of human des-acetyl alpha-MSH [ACTH(1-13)-amide] and human alpha-MSH. In view of the close identity between the primary structure of fish and human alpha-MSH, these data demonstrate that two MSH-related peptides are present both in sea bream and sea bass ovary. alpha-MSH-like immunoreactivity was found within both granulosa and thecal layers of mature follicles, as well as in the cytoplasm of oogonia of sea bream and sea bass ovary. Gonadal content of ACTH(1-13)-amide and alpha-MSH display differences with regard to season, showing the highest peptide levels in reproductive animals. Moreover, the alpha-MSH content is significantly higher in the ovary of fish farm animals, whereas that of ACTH(1-13)-amide prevails in wild fish ovary.

Endogenous opiates: 1992

This paper is the fifteenth installment of our annual review of research concerning the opiate system. It includes papers published during 1992 involving the behavioral, non-analgesic, effects of the endogenous opiate peptides. The specific topics this year include stress; tolerance and dependence; eating; drinking; gastrointestinal and renal function; mental illness and mood; learning, memory, and reward; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; seizures and other neurological disorders; electrical-related activity; general activity and locomotion; sex, pregnancy, and development; immunological responses; and other behaviors.