Analysis of germ cell proliferation, apoptosis, and androgenesis in the Lake Van fish (Chalcalburnus tarichi) during testicular development

Cyclooxygenases of ovoviviparous black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii): Cloning, tissue distribution and potential role in mating and parturition

Prostaglandins are a series of unsaturated fatty acids that play critical roles in regulating reproductive events. The prostaglandins endoperoxide H synthases-1/2 (PGHS-1/2; also named cyclooxygenases-1/2, COX-1/2) catalyse the commitment step in prostaglandin synthesis. However, the of the cox genes in teleosts, especially ovoviviparous teleosts, is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the potential role of cox genes in mating and parturition behaviour using black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) as a model species. Two transcripts, cox1 and cox2, were cloned. The phylogenetic analysis results revealed that both cox genes were closely related to mammalian coxs. qPCR analyses of their tissue distribution showed that cox1 was mainly expressed in the heart in both sexes, while cox2 was mainly expressed in the testis and ovary. Detection of cox expression in samples from reproductive-related stages further showed that both cox genes may play important roles in mating and parturition processes. In situ hybridization further detected positive cox mRNA signals in the testis and ovary, where they are known to be involved in mating and parturition behaviour. These data suggest that cox1 and cox2 are crucial in inducing mating, gonad regeneration and parturition behaviour.

Stress responses of testicular development, inflammatory and apoptotic activities in male zebrafish (Danio rerio) under starvation

Food deprivation is a severe stress across multiple fields and challenged to organismal development and immune system. Here, adult male zebrafish were used to investigate the starvation stress on organismal development, spermatogenesis, testicular inflammation and apoptosis. Results showed that the biological indexes, blood parameters, and RNA/DNA ratio in testis dramatically decreased after 1-3 weeks of starvation. The testicular architecture was impaired and the spermatogenesis was retarded with increased proportions of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, and decreased proportion of spermatozoa in the starved fish. The mRNA expressions of amh and sycp3 were downregulated, the retinoic acid content increased at later stage of starvation through the transcriptional regulation of aldh1a2 and cyp26a1. Besides, the immune response was elevated with upregulated mRNA and protein expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, which indicated the inflammation of opportunistic risk in testis. The apoptotic activity was stimulated, accompanied by differentially upregulated expressions of baxa, casp9, casp3, casp2, and decreased ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in the attenuate testis. Taken together, our findings revealed that the stress responses of testicular development, inflammatory and apoptotic activities in male zebrafish under starvation and pointed out the susceptibility of fish gonad to food fluctuation.

Expression analysis of microRNAs and their target mRNAs of testes with high and low sperm motility in domestic pigeons (Columba livia)

Sperm motility is one of the most important indicators to evaluate poultry fertility. In order to explore key molecular regulation roles related to sperm motility, we employed testicular RNA sequencing of pigeon. A total of 705 known and 385 novel microRNAs were identified. Compared with the low sperm motility group, four upregulated and two downregulated miRNAs in the high sperm motility group were identified. A total of 3567 target mRNAs were predicted and four target mRNAs were selected to validate by qPCR. The miRNA-mRNA interaction network analysis, indicated that mmu-miR-183-5p /FOXO1 and PC-3p-244994_31/CHDH pairs might affect sperm motility. GO and KEGG annotation analysis showed that target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were related to serine/threonine kinase activity, ATP binding, Wnt and MAPK signaling pathway. The study provided a global miRNAs transcriptome of pigeon and a novel insight into the expression of the miRNAs in testes that associated with sperm motility.

An investigation on systematic history and distribution areas of tarek (Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814))

This study aimed to determine the distribution area of tarek (Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814)) and to define how it must be called according to the scientific name by evaluating its previous studies made by various systematisers and their reports on its distribution, and by comparing literature knowledge. The taxonomic characteristics of the collected samples were evaluated and several measurements and counts were taken on the samples; analfin origin 0-4 scales behind dorsal fin-base; 72-91 lateral line scales; 21-29 gill rakers; 7½-10 branched dorsal-fin rays and 10-12½ branched anal-fin rays. Body and caudal peduncle was moderately compressed. Body was covered by overlapping scales. Tarek has five different populations in the Basin. They are Van, Erçek, Nazik and Aygır Lakes and Koçköprü Dam Lake populations. The main living area of the tarek population is Lake Van; however, between May and June, mature individuals of tarek enter to tributaries of Van Lake. Some of them are Karasu, Bendimahi, Deliçay, Zilan, Karmuç, Sapur, Yanıkçay, Gevaş, Engil, Kurubaş and Akköprü Streams. At the end of study, it was concluded that tarek should be called as Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814) and it is an endemic fish species distributed only in Van Lake Basin.

Variable occurrence of apoptosis in the testes of diploid and sterile allotetraploid Cobitis (Teleostei, Cobitidae) males during the reproductive cycle

Cobitis species exist in both diploid and diploid-polyploid (d-p) populations, but mostly occur in the latter. They are considered an important model organism to study the biology and physiology of natural hybrid and polyploid vertebrates. Indeed, polyploidization causes a huge stress for in terms of cell physiology and alters spermatogenesis in polyploid fish. The most extensively studied mode of germ cell death during spermatogenesis in vertebrates is apoptosis. The aim of this study was to examine caspase-3 immunoexpression in the testes of Cobitis taenia from a diploid population as well as C. taenia and sterile tetraploid Cobitis from d-p populations before, during and after spawning. The obtained results suggest a different performance of apoptosis in the testes of C. taenia from the two studied populations and seems to be conditioned by their role as the only sperm donors in d-p populations. Moreover, apoptosis was an active cell death process in the testes of tetraploid Cobitis.

Effects of starvation and refeeding cycles on spermatogenesis and sex steroids in the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Food restriction is part of the life cycle of many fish species; however, nutritional deficiency may negatively influence gametogenesis and gonadal maturation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of food restriction on the spermatogenesis of Nile tilapia. For this, adult males were submitted to starvation and refeeding cycles (alternating periods of starvation and feeding) for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. After 7 days of starvation, glycaemic and lipid levels were significantly reduced, followed by reduction of plasma testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT). In addition, reduced proliferation of spermatogonia and increased apoptosis of spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa was observed in starvation groups. In the refeeding groups, the sex steroids and the proportion of germ cells had no significant alterations compared to the control group, except for spermatozoa. In this sense, the present study suggests that starvation after 7 days progressively reduces T and 11-TK, resulting in damage to the production of spermatogenic cells, while refeeding may delay spermatogenesis but does not lead to testicular impairment.

Estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects of the herbicide tebuthiuron in male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Tebuthiuron is a phenylurea herbicide widely used in agriculture that can reach the aquatic environments, possibly posing negative effects to the aquatic biota. Phenylurea herbicides, such as diuron, are known to cause estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects in fish, but no such effects were yet reported for tebuthiuron exposure. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate if tebuthiuron, at environmentally relevant concentrations (100 and 200ng/L) and after 25days of exposure have estrogenic and/or anti-androgenic effects on male of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), through the evaluation of plasmatic testosterone (T) and estradiol (E₂) levels, brain aromatase (CYP19) levels (western-blot), and by evaluating the histology of the testicles. When compared to the control group, plasmatic T levels decreased about 76% in the animals exposed to 200ng/L of tebuthiuron, while E₂ levels increased about 94%, which could be related to a significant increase (77%) in CYP19A1 levels, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of androgens into estrogens. Histological analyses of the testicles also demonstrated that tebuthiuron at both tested concentrations caused a decrease in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and in the diameter of the lumen. Therefore, the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was reduced by 36% % in the animals exposed 200ng/L to tebuthiuron. Indeed, the relative frequency of spermatocytes and spermatids increased respectively 73% (200ng/L) and 61% (100ng/L) in the tebuthiuron exposed animals, possibly due to the impairment of sperm release into the lumen, that was decreased 93% (200ng/L) in the treated animals compared to the control. These results confirm that tebuthiuron causes estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects in Nile tilapias at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Seasonality of reproduction in male spotted murrel Channa punctatus: correlation of environmental variables and plasma sex steroids with histological changes in testis

The present study was undertaken to develop a comprehensive understanding of how environmental cues and sex steroids relate with cyclic changes in spermatogenesis in freshwater spotted snakehead Channa punctatus that is nutritious and economically important. The seasonal histological changes in testis and annual profile of gonadosomatic index (GSI) of C. punctatus delineated the testicular cycle into four phases: regressed (December-March), preparatory (April-June), spawning (July and August) and postspawning (September-November). Among environmental variables, correlation and regression analyses exhibited an important relationship between photoperiod and testicular weight while role of rainfall was seen confined to spawning. The seasonal profile of plasma sex steroids when correlated with cyclic changes in spermatogenesis in spotted snakehead, testosterone (T) seems to be involved in controlling the major events of spermatogenesis from renewal of stem cells to spawning of spermatozoa. Another important androgen prevalent in teleosts, 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), was high during preparatory phase, suggesting that 11-KT in addition to T plays an important role in progression of spermatogenesis and spermiation in C. punctatus. However, 11-KT was not seen to be associated with milt production and release of spermatozoa during spawning. Plasma profile of estradiol-17β (E2) during different reproductive phases revealed the involvement of E2 in repopulation of stem cells during postspawning phase and in maintaining quiescence of testis during regressed phase.

Alterations in histology and antioxidant defense system in the testes of the lake Van fish (Alburnus tarichi Güldenstädt, 1814)

Recent reports have demonstrated gonadal abnormalities in the Lake Van fish (Alburnus tarichi) from Lake Van caused by increasing pollution. In the present study, the fish was collected from an area of Lake Van receiving mainly sewage treatment plant effluent at prespawning period (April) and from a river (Karasu) which is close to the polluted area of the lake and where the fish migrates at spawning period (May). Collected specimens were examined for testicular alterations, gonadosomatic index (GSI), condition factor (CF), and antioxidant defense system biomarkers based on comparison with a reference lake (Erçek) and a reference freshwater inlet (Memedik River). Histological examinations of the testes of fish from the polluted area and the connected river showed various alterations consisting of macrophage aggregates, vacuolation, pyknosis, germ cell degeneration, seminiferous tubule dilation, disorganization of tubules, reduced spermatozoa, and fibrosis. A lower GSI and CF were also observed. Moreover, alterations in the antioxidant system biomarkers were determined in the testis tissues of fish from the Lake Van and Karasu River, indicating oxidative stress. These results suggest that the abnormalities in the testes are causally related to the increased oxidative stress, and pollution in Lake Van may have adversely affected the reproductive health of the lake Van fish.

Relation between increased oxidative stress and histological abnormalities in the ovaries of Alburnus tarichi in Lake Van, Turkey

Recent studies have shown reproductively arrested gonad development in female Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814) (Cyprinidae) from the eastern coastline of Lake Van, Turkey, due to increasing pollution. In the reproductively arrested females (RAF), oocytes were developmentally blocked and arrested at the previtellogenic stage and gonadosomatic indices (GSI) were very low, while reproductively non-arrested females (RNF) found at the same site displayed relatively normal ovarian development and higher GSI. The present study investigated various oxidative stress biomarkers in the ovaries of RAF and RNF collected from a polluted site at Lake Van at the mid-vitellogenic phase, compared with reference fish from a non-polluted site (Lake Erçek). Ovarian total protein content, biometric indices, and histology were also evaluated. The oxidative stress biomarkers used were levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione (GSH), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). High levels of LPO and GSH and activities of SOD, GPx and GST were found in the ovaries of RAF compared with the reference fish. GSH content and activities of GPx and GST were also higher in the RNF. The total protein content and biometric indices decreased significantly in the RAF compared with the RNF and reference fish. The histology of the ovaries revealed atresia, melano-macrophage centers, encapsulated follicle cysts, and severe fibrosis in the RAF. The results of this study suggest that abnormalities in the ovaries of A. tarichi are causally related to increased oxidative stress as a result of pollution.

Ca(2+) and caspases are involved in hydroxyl radical-induced apoptosis in erythrocytes of Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

There are young erythrocytes and mature erythrocytes in the peripheral blood of fish. The present study explored the apoptosis in hydroxyl radical ((·)OH)-induced young and mature erythrocytes of Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). Carp erythrocytes from the peripheral blood were separated into the young fraction, the intermediate fraction and the mature fraction using fixed-angle centrifugation. The erythrocytes in three age fractions were treated with the caspase inhibitors (zVAD-fmk) in physiological carp saline (PCS) or Ca(2+)-free PCS in the presence of 40 μM FeSO4/20 μM H2O2. The results showed that the (·)OH-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and DNA fragmentation are caspase dependent in carp erythrocytes. Furthermore, the ROS generation, PS exposure and DNA fragmentation in the more young fraction are more dependent on the caspase activity. This suggested that the caspases are involved in the (·)OH-induced apoptosis in the young erythrocytes of fish. Results also indicated that Ca(2+) is involved in (·)OH-induced calpain activation, PS exposure and DNA fragmentation in carp erythrocytes. Moreover, the calpain activation, DNA fragmentation and PS exposure in the more mature fraction are more dependent on the levels of Ca(2+). This revealed that (·)OH-induced apoptosis is Ca(2+) dependent in the mature erythrocytes of fish. Taken together, there might be two apoptosis pathways in fish erythrocytes: one is the caspase-dependent apoptosis in the young erythrocytes and the other is the Ca(2+)-involved apoptosis in the mature erythrocytes.

Anti-androgenic activities of diuron and its metabolites in male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) is a widely used herbicide which has been frequently detected in surface waters throughout the world. In vivo bioassay guided fractionation studies indicated that diuron may have estrogenic activity augmented by biotransformation. This study evaluated the effects of diuron and three of its metabolites on plasma hormone concentrations and spermatogenesis of the freshwater fish Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Sexually mature male fish were exposed for 25 days to diuron, as well to its metabolites 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA), 3,4-dichlorophenylurea (DCPU) and 3,4-dichlorophenyl-N-methylurea (DCPMU), at concentrations of 200ng/L. Testosterone levels were decreased by diuron, but had limited effects on gonadal histology. Diuron metabolites, however, caused significant decreases in testosterone and in 11-ketotestosterone, gonadosomatic index, diameter of seminiferous tubules and in the mean percentages of germ cells (spermatids and spermatozoa). We conclude that these metabolites have antiandrogenic activity to male Nile tilapia, potentially causing reproductive impairment in male fish.