Plasma thyroxine levels in freshwater perch: influence of season, gonadotropins, and gonadal hormones

Gonadal steroid fluctuations and reproduction results of European grayling (Thymallus thymallus L.) from broodstock farmed in a recirculation aquaculture system

The initial experiment of this study was conducted to determine whether sex steroid concentrations varied before, during and after the reproductive season of European grayling (Thymallus thymallus L.) farmed broodstock confined in a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS). The results indicated that the plasma sex steroid (testosterone - T, progesterone - P₄ and estradiol - E₂) concentrations varied (P < 0.05) during these reproductive periods. There were greater concentrations of T, P₄ and E₂ before and during the grayling reproductive season indicating there are important functions of these steroid hormones associated with gonadal maturation, gamete production and reproductive behavior during the spawning period. In the second experiment of this study, the effectiveness of European grayling controlled reproduction treatment regimens was analyzed and there were 34.69 % and 68.18 % having ovulations in the 2 and 3-year-old broodfish, respectively. Of the embryos developing to the eyed-egg stage, there were 3.70 % and 6.87 % derived from eggs of 2- and 3-year-old grayling females, respectively. Proportions of embryos developing from the eyed-egg stage to hatching were 38.1 % and 52.1 % from eggs of 2- and 3-year-old grayling females, respectively, when there was culturing in a RAS. The results indicate that with grayling broodfish there is greater efficacy in induction of reproduction when there is imposing of the controlled reproduction treatment regimen on 3- rather than 2-year-old broodfish.

Effect of short-term intermittent exposure to waterborne estradiol on the reproductive physiology of the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)

The objective of this study was to determine how the short-term exposure to a supraphysiological concentration of waterborne 17β-estradiol (E₂) influences on melatonin (Mel) and thyroxine (T₄) concentrations in plasma and E₂ and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) concentrations in plasma and gonads in both sexes of round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) during the pre-spawning, spawning, late spawning and non-spawning phases. The experimental protocol was based on short-term, repeated exposures of fish to a supraphysiological dose of waterborne E₂. Mel level was unchanged on exposure to E₂ during the investigated phases, and its role in determining a time frame for spawning in both sexes of round goby seems to be stable in those conditions. T₄ and sex steroids (E₂ and 11-KT) were sensitive to the exposure of E₂, and those changes influence gonads by accelerating oocyte development, ovulation and regression and inhibiting spermatogenesis in this species. The results demonstrate that the physiological responses of fish in all investigated phases were altered over a short window of exposure, indicating that short-term exposure to a supraphysiological dose of E₂ may impact fish in the wild. Furthermore, round goby can be recommended as a very suitable model for studying endocrine disruptors, which is sensitive to even short exposure to E₂.

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.

Assessing impacts of precocious steroid exposure on thyroid physiology and gene expression patterns in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

The thyroid gland is sensitive to steroid hormone signaling, and many thyroid disrupting contaminants also disrupt steroid hormone homeostasis, presenting the possibility that thyroid disruption may occur through altered steroid hormone signaling. To examine this possibility, we studied short-term and persistent impacts of embryonic sex steroid exposure on thyroid physiology in the American alligator. Alligators from a lake contaminated with endocrine disrupting contaminants (Lake Apopka, FL, USA) have been shown to display characteristics of thyroid and steroid hormone disruption. Previous studies suggest these alterations arise during development and raise the possibility that exposure to maternally deposited contaminants might underlie persistent organizational changes in both thyroidal and reproductive function. Thus, this population provides a system to investigate contaminant-mediated organizational thyroid disruption in an environmentally-relevant context. We assess the developmental expression of genetic pathways involved in thyroid hormone biosynthesis and find that expression of these genes increases prior to hatching. Further, we show that nuclear steroid hormone receptors are also expressed during this period, indicating the developing thyroid is potentially responsive to steroid hormone signaling. We then explore functional roles of steroid signaling during development on subsequent thyroid function in juvenile alligators. We exposed alligator eggs collected from both Lake Apopka and a reference site to 17β-estradiol and a non-aromatizable androgen during embryonic development, and investigated effects of exposure on hatchling morphometrics and thyroidal gene expression profiles at 5 months of age. Steroid hormone treatment did not impact the timing of hatching or hatchling size. Furthermore, treatment with steroid hormones did not result in detectable impacts on thyroid transcriptional programs, suggesting that precocious or excess estrogen and androgen exposure does not influence immediate or long-term thyroidal physiology.

Estrogen-regulated expression of P450arom genes in the brain and ovaries of adult female Indian climbing perch, Anabas testudineus

Cytochrome P450arom (CYP19), a product of cyp19a1 gene, catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens and is essential for regulation of reproductive function in vertebrates. In the present study, we isolated partial cDNA encoding the ovarian (cyp19a1a) and brain (cyp19a1b) P450arom genes from adult female perch, Anabas testudineus and investigated their regulation by estrogen in vivo. Results demonstrated that cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b predominate in ovary and brain respectively, with quantity of both attuned to reproductive cycle. To elucidate estrogen-regulated expression of cyp19a1b in brain and cyp19a1a in ovary, dose- and time-dependent studies were conducted with estrogen in vitellogenic-stage fish in the presence or absence of specific aromatase inhibitor fadrozole. Results demonstrated that treatment of fish with 17β-estradiol (E2; 1.0 μM)) for 6 days caused significant upregulation of cyp19a1b transcripts, aromatase B protein, and aromatase activity in brain in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Ovarian cyp19a1a mRNA, aromatase protein, and aromatase activity, however, was less responsive to E2 than brain. Treatment of fish with an aromatase inhibitor fadrozole for 6 days attenuated both brain and ovarian cyp19a1 mRNAs expression and stimulatory effects of E2 was also significantly reduced. These results indicate that expression of cyp19a1b in brain and cyp19a1a in ovary of adult female A. testudineus was closely associated to plasma E2 levels and seasonal reproductive cycle. Results further show apparent differential regulation of cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b expression by E2/fadrozole manipulation.

Construction, De-Novo Assembly and Analysis of Transcriptome for Identification of Reproduction-Related Genes and Pathways from Rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton)

Rohu is a leading candidate species for freshwater aquaculture in South-East Asia. Unlike common carp the monsoon breeding habit of rohu restricts its seed production beyond season indicating strong genetic control over spawning. Genetic information is limited in this regard. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of genomic-resources. We identified 182 reproduction-related genes previously by Sanger-sequencing which were less to address the issue of seasonal spawning behaviour of this important carp. Therefore, the present work was taken up to generate transcriptome profile by mRNAseq. 16 GB, 72 bp paired end (PE) data was generated from the pooled-RNA of twelve-tissues from pre-spawning rohu using IlluminaGA-II-platform. There were 64.97 million high-quality reads producing 62,283 contigs and 88,612 numbers of transcripts using velvet and oases programs, respectively. Gene ontology annotation identified 940 reproduction-related genes consisting of 184 mainly associated with reproduction, 223 related to hormone-activity and receptor-binding, 178 receptor-activity and 355 embryonic-development related-proteins. The important reproduction-relevant pathways found in KEGG analysis were GnRH-signaling, oocyte-meiosis, steroid-biosynthesis, steroid-hormone biosynthesis, progesterone-mediated oocyte-maturation, retinol-metabolism, neuroactive-ligand-receptor interaction, neurotrophin-signaling and photo-transduction. Twenty nine simple sequence repeat containing sequences were also found out of which 12 repeat loci were polymorphic with mean expected-&-observed heterozygosity of 0.471 and 0.983 respectively. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses of 13-known and 6-unknown transcripts revealed differences in expression level between preparatory and post-spawning phase. These transcriptomic sequences have significantly increased the genetic-&-genomic resources for reproduction-research in Labeo rohita.

Differential expression of procollagen lysine 2-oxoglutarate 5-deoxygenase and matrix metalloproteinase isoforms in hypothyroid rat ovary and disintegration of extracellular matrix

Hypothyroid-induced reproductive malfunction in both the sexes is a common phenomenon of global concern. In an attempt to characterize the differentially expressed genes that might be responsible for these disorders, we have identified a number of clones in hypothyroid rat ovary by subtractive hybridization. One such clone is procollagen lysyl hydroxylase2 (Plod-2), the key enzyme for the first step of collagen biosynthetic pathway, which was down-regulated in hypothyroid condition. We have also demonstrated the reduced expression of other isoforms of Plods, namely Plod-1 and -3 in hypothyroid rat ovary. The current studies are the first of their kind to report that thyroid hormone regulates the Plod gene in rat ovary. Moreover, we have shown the up-regulation of matrix-degrading enzyme(s), matrix metalloproteinase(s) in the hypothyroid rat ovary, whereas the tissue-inhibitory metalloproteinase is down-regulated. Finally, the results of the present studies indicate that in hypothyroid condition, collagen biosynthesis in ovary seems to be disturbed with concomitant enhancement in collagen degradation, resulting in disintegration of overall ovarian structure.

Cdc2-Cyclin B–Induced G2 to M Transition in Perch Oocyte Is Dependent on Cdc251

The G2 to M phase transition in perch oocytes is regulated by maturation promoting factor (MPF), a complex of Cdc2 and cyclin B. In Anabas testudineus, a fresh water perch, 17 alpha,20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, the maturation inducing hormone (MIH), induced complete germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) of oocytes at 21 h. An unusual cyclin, p30 cyclin B, has been identified in oocyte extract using both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Surprisingly, Cdc2 could not be identified, although a Northern blot with Cdc2 cDNA demonstrated expression of the gene. Purification of MPF through an immunoaffinity column followed by SDS-PAGE showed three proteins, Cdc2, cyclin B, and a 20 kDa fragment, indicating earlier failure in immunodetection may be due to the interference by this fragment. In uninduced oocytes, p30 cyclin B was present, and its expression was increased by MIH. MIH increased p30 cyclin B accumulation at 3 h, a high level which was maintained between 9 and 21 h, but an effective increase in GVBD and H1 kinase activation could only be observed between 15 and 21 h. This delay in active MPF formation was found to be related to the activation of Cdc25, phosphorylation of which was detected at 12 h, and a substantial increase occurred during 15-18 h. Sodium orthovanadate, a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, inhibited H1 kinase activity and GVBD, suggesting the requirement of Cdc25 activity in MPF activation. Our results show occurrence of pre-MPF in uninduced oocytes and its conversion to active MPF requires dephosphorylation by Cdc25, the existence of which has not yet been shown in fish.

Thyroid hormone-induced protein (TIP) gene expression by 3,5,3(')-triiodothyronine in the ovarian follicle of perch (Anabas testudineus, Bloch): modulation of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Delta(5)-Delta(4)-isomerase enzyme by TIP

Our previous reports had shown that 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T(3)) induced the generation of a 52-kDa monomer protein, i.e., TIP (thyroid hormone-induced protein) in the perch ovarian follicle. TIP, in turn, increased progesterone formation by stimulating Delta(5)-3beta-HSD activity (3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Delta(5)-Delta(4) isomerase) [Eur. J. Endocrinol. 134 (1996) 128-135; Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 113 (1999) 212-220]. In the present investigation, perch ovarian follicles were incubated in the absence (control) or the presence of T(3) or gonadotropin (GTH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). RNAs were isolated and allowed to hybridize with a radiolabeled TIP oligonucleotide probe prepared on the basis of the N-terminal 17-amino-acid sequence of TIP. Only RNA from T(3)-incubated follicles hybridized with the probe, while RNA from control or GTH- or hCG-incubated follicles did not hybridize with the probe. The transcript size of TIP mRNA was approximately 1.8 kb. mRNA isolated from T(3)-incubated ovarian follicles subjected to in vitro translation and Western blot analysis clearly identified a 52-kDa protein which was not found with the mRNA from the control follicles. However, both TIP and GTH stimulated progesterone secretion from perch ovarian follicles in vitro. GTH stimulation of Delta(5)-3beta-HSD was due to the stimulation of enzyme protein synthesis as a more than twofold increase in Delta(5)-3beta-HSD occurred in response to GTH. But TIP did not stimulate synthesis of Delta(5)-3beta-HSD protein. However, in vitro incubation of Delta(5)-3beta-HSD enzyme with TIP in the presence of NAD and substrate (pregnenolone) greatly stimulated enzyme activity, while incubation with GTH had no effect, indicating a modulation of Delta(5)-3beta-HSD protein from a less active to a more active state by TIP. This has been supported by another observation, in which TIP (52 kDa) and Delta(5)-3beta-HSD (45 kDa) incubation resulted in a complex of 99 kDa. This suggests a protein-protein interaction in the process of Delta(5)-3beta-HSD activation by TIP. The present work, therefore, shows some new and interesting aspects of thyroid hormone regulation of the reproductive control mechanism.

Seasonal variations and maturity stages in relation to differences in serum levels of gonadal steroids, vitellogenin, and thyroid hormones in the common dentex (Dentex dentex)

Seasonal variations in serum concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (E(2)), vitellogenin (Vg), testosterone (T), 11 ketotestosterone (11-KT), and thyroid hormones (T(4), l-thyroxine; and T(3), 3,5, 3'-triiodo-l-thyronine) were investigated during the first, second, and third reproductive cycles in intensively reared populations of common dentex, Dentex dentex, and correlated with gonadal development and spawning. In females, there were baseline E(2) values (<0.10 ng/ml) and negligible Vg concentrations during the postspawning and pregametogenesis period (June to December), and these increased thereafter to peak during the spawning period. Maximum T(3) and T(4) serum concentrations were found around spawning. There was a positive correlation during vitellogenesis and final maturation between Vg and T(3) (r(2) = 0.366). In addition, Vg and T(3) concentrations were statistically higher in the stages of vitellogenesis and final maturation than at the other stages (P<0.001). Minimum T(3) and T(4) concentrations (October) coincided with the decrease in water temperature and the associated decrease in the daily feeding rate and the specific growth rate. In males, as in females, seasonal changes in serum levels of T and 11-KT were well correlated with gonadal development. The presence of males in the stage of completed spermiogenesis in December coincided with the surge in both androgens and this increase lasted until the end of the spawning period. There were no significant differences in serum T(3) and T(4) levels among the maturity stages. The observed seasonal changes in serum gonadal steroids and Vg reflected the pattern of oocyte development and the spawning behavior of common dentex and were typical of the patterns described in most multiple spawners studied to date. Thyroid hormones may enhance early ovarian development and stimulate vitellogenesis in female dentex.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulates thyroid activity in a freshwater murrel, Channa gachua (ham.), and Carps, Catla catla (ham.) and Cirrhinus mrigala (ham.)

Injections of mammalian GnRH (mGnRH), salmon GnRH (sGnRH), and a homologous murrel, Channa punctatus, GnRH (cGnRH) to a murrel, Channa gachua, and a carp, Catla catla, at a dose of 1 microg/250 g body wt significantly increased plasma thyroxine (T4) levels above control. Piscine GnRHs (sGnRH and cGnRH) had significantly greater stimulatory effects compared with mGnRH. To observe whether this stimulatory effect by GnRHs is direct or indirect, thyroid follicles were isolated from hypobranchial muscles of freshwater murrel, C. gachua and incubated (1 x 10(6) follicles/well) in vitro at 30 degrees C for 2 h without hormone and for 3 h with hormones. Addition of these three GnRHs separately at a concentration of 1 microg/well stimulated T4 secretion; sGnRH and cGnRH caused greater secretion of T4 into the medium compared with mGnRH. Specificity of GnRH action in vitro was assessed by using anti-GnRH antibody which significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited GnRH-augmented T4 secretion. To gain further insight, 125I uptake by thyroid follicles and formation of [125I]T4 from this radioiodine pool was monitored in the presence or absence of sGnRH. sGnRH greatly augmented 1251 uptake by the follicles which resulted a fourfold increase in [125I]T4 formation out of this pool of 125I compared with the control. The results indicate GnRH stimulation of thyroid hormone formation and release in these teleosts suggesting a possible different mode of regulation of thyroid hormone secretion in teleosts.

A thyrotropin-like molecule from the pituitary of an Indian freshwater murrel: comparison of its biological activity with other thyrotropins

Murrel pituitary thyrotropin-like molecule (mTSH) was purified to homogeneity with the help of a convenient and sensitive in vitro assay system where addition of this material to the thyroid follicle incubation stimulated thyroxine (T(4)) secretion into the medium. Pituitary extract of a freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus, was solvent extracted to obtain glycoprotein enriched fraction. This was subjected to Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and eluate of void volume (peak I) showed strong TSH activity (as reflected from T(4) secretion) which was further purified by using concanavalin A-Sepharose, FPLC Mono Q and immunoaffinity chromatography. Purified mTSH gave a single band in PAGE, and SDS PAGE revealed two dissimilar subunits, alpha and beta. Addition of increasing concentrations of mTSH, Indian carp TSH (cTSH) and bovine TSH (bTSH) to in vitro murrel thyroid follicle incubations caused a linear increase in thyroxine (T(4)) release into the medium, effect was highest with mTSH and lowest with bTSH. However, in in vivo experiments, injections of increasing doses of mTSH to murrel elevated plasma T(4) level in a linear manner while bTSH gave a biphasic response. Addition of mTSH and bTSH to rat or goat thyroid epithelial cell incubations equally stimulated T(4) release into the medium, while cTSH had significantly less effect. Binding affinity (K(a)) and receptor occupancy (B(max)) of mTSH to murrel thyroid follicular membrane preparation was considerably higher in comparison to cTSH or bTSH whereas both mTSH and bTSH had nearly similar K(a) and B(max) with rat thyroid epithelial cell membrane preparation. Findings indicate that mTSH is a more potent TSH as compared to carp and bovine TSH in murrel and has equipotent biological activity as bTSH on rat and goat thyroid.

Differential regulation of Leydig cell 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5-delta4-isomerase activity by gonadotropin and thyroid hormone in a freshwater perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch)

Leydig cells were isolated from the perch testes belonging to the pre-spawning stage by collagenase treatment and mechanical separation followed by percoll gradient. They were incubated in vitro either for 5 h or at different times in the absence (control) or presence of piscine gonadotropin (GTH, 2 microg (1 x 10(6) cells)(-1)) or 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3, 50 ng (1 x 10(6) cells(-1)) or T3-induced protein (TIP, 2 microg (1 x 10(6) cells)(-1)). 3Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5-delta4-isomerase (3beta-HSD) activity was determined by the conversion of [3H]delta5-dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to [3H]delta4-androstenedione or [3H]delta5-pregnenolone to [3H]delta4-progesterone (P4) or by spectrophotometric estimation of NADH formation from NAD. T3 significantly increased (P < 0.01) both delta5-DHEA to delta4-androstenedione and delta5-pregnenolone to delta4-P4 conversion in Leydig cells indicating stimulation of 3beta-HSD activity. T3 stimulation of 3beta-HSD activity could be inhibited by cycloheximide (50 microg ml(-1)) suggesting the involvement of T3-induced protein (TIP) which was isolated and purified earlier in this laboratory from goat Leydig cells [15]. Addition of TIP or GTH significantly stimulated Leydig cell 3beta-HSD activity (P < 0.01). However, there was a difference between TIP and GTH stimulation in time kinetic study where TIP enhanced 3beta-HSD activity at 1 h (P < 0.05), reached its peak at 3 h (P < 0.01) and then plateaued till 8 h. GTH, on the other hand, did not show any stimulation of 3beta-HSD activity for 2 h, stimulation was marked only at 3 h (P < 0.05), reached a peak at 6 h (P < 0.01) and then leveled off. Determination of Km and Vmax of the enzyme showed an increase in the velocity of reaction by GTH with unaltered Km. TIP increased both velocity and affinity of the enzyme. GTH significantly increased the synthesis of 3beta-HSD protein at 3 h (P < 0.01) reaching maximal stimulation at 6 h which clearly coincided with the enzyme activity. In contrast, TIP had no effect on 3beta-HSD protein synthesis, but its direct addition to 3beta-HSD enzyme preparation in vitro caused significant augmentation of the enzyme activity (P < 0.01) suggesting thereby its modulatory effect on the enzyme. Results, therefore, show that although both T3 and GTH stimulated perch testicular Leydig cell 3beta-HSD activity, T3 effect was not direct but mediated via TIP and there is a clear distinction between GTH and TIP stimulation. GTH increased the enzyme activity by stimulating 3beta-HSD protein synthesis while TIP acts directly on the enzyme modulating it from less active to more active state.

Thyroid hormone regulation of perch ovarian 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5-delta4-isomerase activity: involvement of a 52-kDa protein

Ovarian follicles were collected from perch belonging to the prespawning (vitellogenic) stage and incubated in vitro for 5 h in the absence (control) and presence of 3, 5, 3'-triiodothyronine (T3). Addition of increasing concentrations of T3 from 12.5 to 100 ng/ml caused a linear increase of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5-delta4-isomerase (3 beta-HSD) activity to 50 ng and then it leveled off indicating a saturation of enzyme activity with 50 ng T3. T3 stimulation of 3beta-HSD activity could be blocked by cycloheximide indicating the involvement of T3-induced protein (TIP) isolated and purified earlier from this laboratory. Addition of fish TIP purified from perch ovarian follicle (fTIP) or rat granulosa cell TIP to ovarian follicular incubation at a dose of 5 microg/ml significantly increased (P < 0.01) 3beta-HSD activity. To observe whether TIP acts directly on the enzyme or not, 3beta-HSD from perch ovarian follicle was purified to homogeneity by the following steps: (i) Sephadex G 75 gel filtration, (ii) DEAE-Sephacel chromatography, and (iii) NAD-affinity column chromatography. Purified 3beta-HSD gave a clear single band on an SDS gel and its molecular weight is 45 kDa. Addition of fTIP to an assay mixture containing purified 3beta-HSD resulted in a fourfold increase of the enzyme activity. fTIP alone did not show enzyme activity when incubated with the radiolabeled substrate. Addition of T3 (50 ng) to the 3beta-HSD assay mixture had no effect on the enzyme activity. Determination of Vmax and Km of the purified enzyme in the absence (control) and presence of fTIP demonstrated a considerable increase of 3beta-HSD affinity and rate of enzyme reaction.

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.

Purification of putative thyroid hormone receptor from the ovarian nuclei of fresh water perch, Anabas testudineus

Perch ovarian putative T3 (3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyroxine) receptor was purified to 580-fold by extracting the ovarian nuclear preparation with 0.4 M KCl, gel filtration on Sephadex G-25, DEAE-Sephacel chromatography and FPLC Superose 6 chromatography. To monitor the T3 binding protein at each purification step, aliquots from each peak protein fractions were incubated with (125)I-T3 (0.16 pmol to 3.2 nmol) in the absence or presence of 500-fold excess of unlabelled T3. Maximum binding capacity (Bmax) obtained from the Scatchard plot analysis was estimated to determine the extent of purification at each step. Purified putative T3 receptors showed a single band in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) indicating homogeneity of the putative receptor protein. The molecular weight of the putative T3 receptor protein, as determined on a FPLC Superose 6 column, was 50 kD. Treatment of putative T3 receptor protein with β-mercaptoethanol followed by SDS-PAGE resulted in two subunits of 26 and 31 kD. Purification increased the specific activity of the receptor, but did not alter its affinity. Analogue specificity of the purified receptor corresponded to that of the crude nuclear preparation. Triiodothyroacetic acid (Triac) and T3 equally competed in inhibiting radiolabelled T3 binding while thyroxine (T4) was a poor competitor. T3 receptor antiserum crossreacted with the receptor protein. (125)I-labelled receptor protein binding with its antiserum was inhibited by increasing logarithmic concentrations of unlabelled receptor. In contrast to earlier reports on hepatic T3 receptor, which is a monomer, present investigation demonstrated T3 binding protein in the perch ovary to be a heterodimer held together by disulphide bond.

Effects of thyroid hormone on gonadotropin-induced steroid production in medaka, Oryzias latipes, ovarian follicles

Blood and ovarian samples were collected at intervals of 4h prior to spawning time from medaka (Oryzias latipes) that were maturationally synchronized with artificial photoperiod (14h light: 10h dark). Plasma estradiol-17β (E2) levels increased rapidly from 16h before spawning and peaked at 8h before spawning. Follicle-enclosed oocytes (ovarian follicles) at different stages of development were isolated from the ovaries and used to study the in vitro effects of thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine; T3) on pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (GTH)-induced E2 production. GTH at a concentration of 100 IU/ml stimulated E2 production by ovarian follicles collected between 32 and 16h before spawning. At 32h before spawning, T3 (5 ng/ml) administered along with GTH (100 IU/ml) resulted in a 3.5 fold increase in E2 production, compared with GTH administered alone. These results suggest that T3 can act on ovarian follicles directly to modulate GTH-stimulated E2 production in the medaka.

17beta-Estradiol releases thyroxine from the thyroid follicles of a teleost, Channa gachua (Ham.)

To observe a direct effect of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on thyroid activity, thyroid follicles were isolated from hypobranchial muscles of a freshwater murrel, Channa gachua. Thyroid follicles were incubated (5 X 10(6) follicles/well) in vitro at 30 degrees for 2 hr without hormone and then 3 hr with E2 or bovine thyroid-stimulating hormone (bTSH). Addition of 10 and 100 ng of E2 to thyroid follicles resulted in 2- and 3-fold increases in thyroxine (T4) release. When 100 ng of bTSH was added to check the isolated follicular function, it stimulated T4 release to more than 3-fold. Increasing doses of E2 from 1 to 100 ng caused a dose-dependent stimulation of T4 release, while a 1000-ng dose reduced T4 release compared to 100 ng. When thyroid follicles of this experiment were lysed by sonication and T4 content was determined, it corroborated the profile of T4 release in response to varied E2 doses. E2 was ineffective in increasing 125I uptake by the follicles, while bTSH elevated it by 45% over the control. Incubation of varied concentrations of [3H]estradiol with cytosol and nuclear fractions of thyroid follicles in the presence of a 100-fold excess of diethylstilbestrol showed saturable specific binding of E2.

Failure to relate thyroid hormones and in vitro 5'-monodeiodination activity to oocyte development and sex steroids in the giant swamp frog Dicroglossus occipitalis at the equator

Females of the giant swamp frog Dicroglossus occipitalis were captured in Zaïre close to the equator in the course of 1 month. During this period, females with fully developed eggs were found, together with females of which the eggs were still in the first developmental stages. A close relationship was established between the maturation of the eggs and the studied gonadal factors: the gonadosomatic index, the oviduct weight, plasma estradiol-17 beta (E2) concentrations, plasma testosterone concentrations, and the total ovarian E2 concentrations. At the level of the thyroidal axis, the studied factors (plasma thyroxine (T4), plasma triiodothyronine (T3), plasma T3/T4 ratio, T4 and T3 concentrations, and the T3/T4 ratio in the thyroids and the 5'-monodeiodination activity (5'-D-activity) in the skin and kidney homogenates) did not show parallel changes with the maturation process of the eggs. These results indicate that no causal relation has to exist between the annual variation in thyroid hormones and the annual reproductive patterns as found in frogs from the tropical or temperate climatic region.

Estradiol-17 beta silastic implants in female Rana ridibunda depress thyroid hormone concentrations in plasma and the in vitro 5'-monodeiodination activity of kidney homogenates

Estradiol-17 beta containing silastic tubings were implanted in female Rana ridibunda. Preliminary data, concerning in vitro incubations of such tubings in saline media, revealed that high concentrations of estradiol were released out of the tubings in the incubation medium. Compared to control-implanted frogs, the frogs that had the estradiol tubings implanted for 30 days showed a significant increase of the plasma estradiol concentration, the ovarian estradiol concentration, and the weight of the oviduct. Plasma triiodothyronine (T3) levels, plasma thyroxine levels, and the in vitro T3 production in the kidney homogenates were significantly decreased. These results indicate that high estradiol levels not only influence the gonadal axis, but also cause important effects on the thyroidal axis.

The relationship between T3 production and energy balance in salmonids and other teleosts

Extrathyroidal T4 5'-monodeiodination, demonstrated in several teleost species, generates T3 which binds more effectively than T4 to putative nuclear receptors and is probably the active thyroid hormone. T4 to T3 conversion is sensitive to the physiological state and provides a pivotal regulatory link between the environment and thyroid hormone action. T3 generation is enhanced in anabolic states (positive energy balance or conditions favoring somatic growth; food intake or treatment with androgens or growth hormone) and is suppressed in catabolic states (negative energy balance or conditions not favoring somatic growth; starvation, stress, or high estradiol levels associated with vitellogenesis). In fish, as in mammals, thyroidal status may be finely tuned to energy balance and through T3 production regulate energy-demanding processes, which in fish include somatic growth, development and early gonadal maturation.

Purification and properties of pituitary gonadotropic hormone from Indian teleosts: freshwater murrel (Channa punctatus) and carp (Catla catla)

Gonadotropic hormone (GtH) from the pituitaries of two widely different Indian teleosts, a freshwater murrel and a carp, was purified by solvent fractionation, Sephadex G-100 gel filtration, affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose (Con A-Sepharose), and immunoaffinity chromatography. Elution profile from gel filtration showed three peaks in both cases, peak I and II were clearly separated in murrel but not in carp. Peak II demonstrated strong GtH activity in both murrel and carp but this activity could also be detected in peak I and III of carp. TSH activity was restricted to peak I in murrel and was distributed in all three peaks in carp. Chromatography on Con A-Sepharose was useful in harvesting carp glycoprotein hormones, but gave no advantage in murrel. A pure homogenous GtH from murrel and carp could be obtained by using immunoaffinity chromatography. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of murrel and carp GtH showed a single discrete band. Determination of molecular weight (MW) by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration indicated that murrel and carp GtH were 42,000 and 40,000 Da, respectively. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of murrel and carp GtH revealed two dissimilar subunits, alpha and beta. MW of murrel and carp alpha-subunits were 18,000 and 16,000 while those of beta were 27,000 and 26,000 Da, respectively. Comparison of electrophoretic patterns of murrel and carp GtH alpha and beta with ovine LH subunits reveal distinct teleostean GtH subunits.

Thyroid hormone binds to human corpus luteum

A high affinity, low capacity 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) specific binding was detected in the nuclei preparation from human corpus luteal nuclei by using an in vitro thyroid hormone binding assay. The bound hormone was efficiently separated from free hormone by the use of 40% polyethylene glycol. Under standardized assay conditions of pH 8.6 at 37 degrees C and a 2-h incubation time, the binding in the corpus luteal nuclei was saturable with Kd 4.94 x 10(-10) M with low maximum binding capacity (1.70 p mol/mg DNA). Competitive binding studies with hormone analogues indicated that T3 binding to corpus luteal nuclei is hormone-specific. Findings indicated a direct effect of thyroid hormone on the human corpus luteum.

Short-term treatment with testosterone increases plasma 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine and hepatic L-thyroxine 5'-monodeiodinase levels in arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus

Testosterone (T), methyl testosterone (MT), and testosterone propionate (TP) (0.5 mg/100 g body wt in 40 microliter peanut oil) or peanut oil alone were injected (ip) on Days 0 and 3 into immature arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). Charr were sampled on Days 7 and 12 and plasma testosterone, L-thyroxine (T4), 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3), and hepatic microsomal T4 5'-monodeiodinase (T4 5'D) measured. Plasma androgen levels were elevated by all androgen treatments to levels similar to those observed in spawning salmonids. Plasma T3 was significantly increased by all forms of testosterone on Days 7 and 12. T4 levels remained unchanged or significantly decreased on Day 7, with no significant differences on Day 12. T4 5'D activity was increased on both Days 7 and 12 in the experimental groups due to increases in the Vmax (1.3 to 5.9 X control groups) with negligible changes in the Km. In conclusion, T, MT, and TP all stimulate thyroidal status by increasing plasma T3 levels in part as a result of increased hepatic T4 5'D activity.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone as a potent stimulator of the thyroidal axis in ranid frogs

Plasma concentrations of T4, measured by radioimmunoassay, were raised significantly 2 and 4 hr after intravenous injection of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in Rana ridibunda (1 and 10 micrograms on 2 consecutive days) and in Rana esculenta (10 micrograms). A dose of 1 microgram LHRH was not so effective as 50 micrograms synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) when injected in Rana ridibunda in November. However 10 micrograms LHRH was equipotent to 50 micrograms TRH. In February somewhat less than half of the Rana temporaria group was responsive to LHRH. There is no clear indication that fluctuating plasma T3 concentrations were caused by LHRH or TRH. Preinjection levels of T3 and T4 were higher during the breeding season (April) in R. esculenta (resp. 35.4 +/- 1.4 pg/ml; 744 +/- 134 pg/ml; n = 22) compared to the basal concentrations in the very closely related Rana ridibunda (November) (resp. 15.2 +/- 1.1; 162 +/- 24 pg/ml; n = 28). Four days after removal of the pars distalis plasma T4 concentrations were significantly decreased in Rana esculenta, whereas T3 could stay longer in circulation. T3 and T4 content of the thyroids was not altered by the short-term hypophysectomy. Injection of 10 micrograms LHRH had no influence on plasma T4 nor testosterone concentrations in these frogs, contrary to the sham-ectomized animals in which plasma testosterone remained elevated longer than T4. The results suggest that the stimulatory effect of intravenous injected LHRH on thyroid (and gonadal) activity in the frog is primarily mediated through the hypophysis. They also point to a possible correlation between the gonadal and thyroidal axis.

The influence of short-term 17 beta-estradiol treatment on plasma T3 levels and in vitro hepatic T4 5'-monodeiodinase activity in immature rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

To determine the effects of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) on aspects of thyroid function, immature rainbow trout were intraperitoneally injected with estradiol benzoate (0.5 mg/100 g) on Days 0 and 3 and sampled on Days 7 and 12. This protocol created plasma E2 concentrations during the first 7 days comparable to those during naturally induced vitellogenesis. Control trout received peanut oil alone. Plasma levels of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) were significantly depressed on Day 7 but returned to levels by Day 12. Plasma thyroxine (T4) levels were not altered consistently by E2 treatment. Hepatic microsomal T4 5'-monodeiodinase (5'D) activity responsible for conversion of T4 to T3 was significantly depressed on Day 7 but returned to control levels by Day 12. Lineweaver-Burke plots showed that the lower hepatic 5'D resulted from a 10-fold decrease in Vmax, indicating a lower enzyme concentration. A slight reduction in Km was also observed. These results confirm that high E2 levels, comparable to those in vitellogenesis, depress plasma T3 levels in trout and show that, at least in part, this effect is the result of a decrease in the amount of functional hepatic 5'D.

Seasonal patterns in serum levels of thyroid hormones and sex steroids in relation to photoperiod-induced changes in spawning time in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

Serum levels of thyroid hormones (T4 = L-thyroxine and T3 = 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine) were measured and correlated with previously published levels of 17 beta-estradiol, testosterone (T), and Ca2+ (index of vitellogenin) in four groups of female trout held for 1-3 years at 8.5-9.0 degrees on a ration of 0.5% of body weight day-1 under different constant photoperiod regimes. In group 1, trout under a regimen of 18L:6D became sexually mature (SM) in April/May and then SM again in September/October; in group 2, trout under a regimen of 6L:18D became SM in January/February; in group 3, trout under a regimen of 6L:18D became SM in March/April; in group 4 trout under a regimen of 18L:6D followed by 10L:14D became SM in September/October. In all groups, regardless of the photoperiod-induced changes in spawning time, serum T3 exceeded T4 and both serum T3 and T4 patterns showed a consistent relationship with the sequence of steroid hormone changes and spawning time. Thyroid hormone levels were high during previtellogenesis but fell as sex steroids and serum Ca2+ increased. T3 and T4 were lowest before spawning when sex steroids were at their peak and then increased sharply following spawning as sex steroid levels declined. Peak serum T coincided with ovulation and usually preceded the postreproductive surge in serum T3 and T4. The hypothesis is discussed that T3 enhances early ovarian development, but as energy-demanding vitellogenesis proceeds T3 formation is suppressed, thereby curtailing growth and favoring energy partition to the ova.

In vitro effects of thyroid hormones on gonadotropin-induced estradiol-17 beta secretion by ovarian follicles of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

Ovarian follicles isolated from rainbow trout during early exogenous vitellogenesis were used to study the in vitro effects of thyroid hormones on salmon gonadotropin (GtH)-induced estradiol-17 beta (E2) secretion. Triiodothyronine (T3) alone did not alter E2 secretion but T3 in the presence of GtH (0.5 micrograms/ml) modified E2 secretion according to a biphasic dose-response curve. Maximum E2 secretion occurred at 1.9 x 10(-8) M T3; a concentration of 3.0 x 10(-7) M was inhibitory. T3 was more potent in stimulating GtH-induced E2 secretion than thyroxine. The stimulatory and inhibitory effects of T3 were consistent over a range of GtH concentrations (0.1-1.0 micrograms/ml). Cycloheximide (0.1-10 microM) decreased E2 secretion by GtH-treated follicles in a dose-dependent manner, but failed to overcome all the stimulatory effects of T3. Time course studies with follicles incubated with GtH, GtH + T3, GtH + cycloheximide, or GtH + T3 + cycloheximide indicated that T3 stimulation of GtH-induced E2 secretion occurs within 6 hr. It is concluded that thyroid hormones amplify the effects of GtH on E2 secretion by isolated ovarian follicles; at least a part of this effect does not require de novo protein synthesis.

Reproductive cycle, thyroxine and corticosterone in females of the giant swamp frog Dicroglossus occipitalis at the equator

Females of the giant swamp frog Dicroglossus occipitalis were captured in the tributaries of the Zaïre River near Kisangani, a town situated close to the equator (00 degree 31' N) with virtually constant conditions as to photoperiod, temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity. An annual variation in the reproductive capacity of this species could be demonstrated. A reproductive quiescence with a low gonadal somatic index (GSI), undeveloped eggs, and minimal plasma concentrations of estradiol-17 beta (E2) and progesterone (P4) was found from October to January. E2 and P4 and thyroxine (T4) contents of the thyroids were positively correlated with GSI and egg size. Plasma T4 concentrations, however, were negatively correlated with GSI, whereas variations in corticosterone correlated only with E2. No correlation between plasma concentrations of glucose and GSI or all other hormonal parameters could be found. It is concluded that during egg maturation, increased amounts of E2 and P4 are produced. The observed variations in thyroidal and plasma T4 may be the result of an activation of thyroid function by the peripheral conversion of T4 into triiodothyronine.

Annual cycle of plasma thyroid hormone levels in the toad, Bufo japonicus

Plasma thyroxine (T4) of the toad, Bufo japonicus formosus, was monitored monthly from March, 1981 to February, 1982. Toads were captured at Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, and individual blood samples were collected from the heart soon after capture in the field. The plasma T4 levels were minimal in November for males (0.096 ng/ml) and in December for females (0.038 ng/ml). Levels increased during the resting stage in winter and reached a peak in March, about 1 week before the breeding migration, in both males (0.48 ng/ml) and females (0.66 ng/ml). After breeding occurred in early April, the T4 levels fell rapidly to nearly the minimum in females (0.088 ng/ml) and to an intermediate level in males (0.26 ng/ml). During summer, the T4 levels were low (between 0.1 and 0.3 ng/ml) but were significantly higher than the minimum in both sexes. Males showed significantly higher T4 levels than females in January, April, October, and December. Changes in plasma T4 levels around the breeding period were studied in greater detail with toads collected in March at Shiki, Saitama Prefecture. Extremely high levels of T4 (1.72 ng/ml) were detected in both male and female toads collected in the breeding pond, showing a secondary rise of the T4 level at arrival at the breeding pond. Plasma triiodothyronine (T3) levels followed patterns similar to those of T4, although the concentrations of T3 were extremely low (between undetectable level and 116 pg/ml). The initial rise of the thyroid hormone level in winter may be related to energy metabolism at the low temperature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ultrastructural changes in the parrotfish thyroid afterin vitro stimulation with bovine thyrotropin

Six groups of thyroid glands ofScarus dubius were examined and compared by electron microscopy after anin vitro culture for 4h with graded doses of bovine thyrotropin (bTSH). Five doses of bTSH were used encompassing the full range of the dose-response curve developed for this tissue. Upon electron microscopic examination, micrographs were taken randomly and at the same magnification, and three intracellular inclusions were quantified. The relative surface density of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and the relative surface area of lysosomes and engulfed colloid droplets were recorded for each group. Three treatment groups, (1) control, no bTSH, (2) tissues exposed to 1 mIU/ml bTSH, and (3) tissues exposed to 2 mIU/ml bTSH, did not differ from each other in the quantified organelles nor in general appearance. Overall, these three groups were similar in appearance to the ultrastructure described in other teleosts except for a lack of flagellated cells. Compared to the first three groups, treatment with 5 mIU/ml bTSH, increased the density of rER, and the proportion of cell area occupied by lysosomes and engulfed colloid. This group also possessed either more microvilli or pseudopods at the lumenal surface of the follicular epithelium. After exposure to 10 mIU/ml bTSH there was an even greater increase in surface density of rER, and in surface area occupied by lysosomes and engulfed colloid droplets. The apical portion of this group was highly irregular, commonly displaying pseudopods. Group (6), (20 mIU/ml), showed a decline in cytoplasm in comparison to group (5) with many epithelial cells breaking apart. A few cells in this group were still intact but contained huge engulfed colloid droplets which extended from the basal to apical borders. This first detailed description suggests that the teleost thyroid gland undergoes ultrastructural changes with exogenous TSH stimulation in a manner similar to that seen in higher vertebrates.

Binding of thyroid hormone to isolated ovarian nuclei from a freshwater perch, Anabas testudineus

High affinity, low capacity 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) specific binding was detected in the pure nuclei preparation from ovarian tissue of freshwater perch by employing an in vitro thyroid hormone binding assay. Under standardized assay conditions of pH 7.0 at 30 degrees and 1 hr incubation time, the binding in the ovarian nuclei was saturable with a Kd 9.1 X 10(-9) M. For comparison, a Scatchard analysis of T3 binding to perch hepatic nuclei was done and a higher Kd value (16.89 X 10(-9) M) with twofold increase in maximum binding capacity (MBC 8.882 and 4.312 pmol/mg DNA in liver and ovary, respectively) was observed. Competitive inhibition studies showed ovarian T3 binding to be hormone specific with relative binding affinities comparable to T3 binding in other systems. T3 binding to the nuclear preparation from tail kidney and brain tissue of perch was considerably lower in comparison to liver and ovarian nuclei. Functional relevance of T3 binding to perch ovarian nuclei was tested by incubating ovarian tissue in vitro with T3. T3 significantly (P less than 0.001) increased protein synthesis in comparison to control.