Insulin-like growth factor-I and -II in the ovary of a bony fish, Oreochromis mossambicus, the tilapia: in situ hybridisation, immunohistochemical localisation, Northern blot and cDNA sequences

Insulin-like growth factor 1 promotes the gonadal development of Pampus argenteus by regulating energy metabolism†

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf1) is known to promote ovarian maturation by interacting with other hormones. However, the limited research on the role of Igf1 in the energy metabolism supply of gonads has hindered further exploration. To explore the role of Igf1 in gonadal development of silver pomfret, we analyzed the expression levels and the localization of igf1 mRNA and protein during testicular and ovarian development of silver pomfret. The results of the study showed upregulation of Igf1 in the critical period of vitellogenesis and sperm meiosis, which was found to be mainly expressed in the somatic cells of the gonads. Upon adding E2 and Igf1 to cultured gonadal tissues, the expression of energy-related genes was significantly increased, along with the E2-enhanced effect of Igf1 in the testis. Importantly, stimulation of both ovaries and testes with E2 and Igf1 led to a remarkable increase in the expression of vitellogenesis and meiosis-related genes. Therefore, we conclude that Igf1 promotes vitellogenesis and sperm meiosis by regulating gonadal energy production. Moreover, the expression of Igf1 in gonads is significantly regulated by E2. These findings provide new insights for the research of Igf1 in fish breeding, thus allowing the regulation of energy metabolism between growth and reproduction for successful reproductive outcomes.

The Expression Pattern of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Subtype 3 (igf3) in the Orange-Spotted Grouper Epinephelus coioides and Its Function on Ovary Maturation

A new insulin-like growth factor (Igf) subtype 3 (igf3) has recently been found in the bony fish orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). However, the role of igf3 in the maturation of the ovary and sex differentiation in E. coioides is currently unknown. We examined the ovarian localization and receptor binding of the novel ortholog Igf3 using qRT-PCR, and Western blotting, combined with in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry methods. Results demonstrated the presence of igf3 mRNA and protein in mature oocytes. Furthermore, Igf3 protein expression was not detected in testis, brain, kidney and liver homogenates. The calculated molecular weight of Igf3 was 22 kDa, which was consistent with the deduced amino acid sequence from the full-length open reading frame. The immunoreactivity showed that Igf3 was strongly present in the follicle staining fully-grown stage. The igf3 mRNA expression level was significantly positively correlated with ovarian follicular maturation. Meanwhile, Igf3 increased germinal-vesicle breakdown in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In vitro, treatment of primary ovarian cells with Igf3 up-regulated significantly the mRNA expression level of genes related to sex determination and reproduction such as forkhead boxl2 (foxl2), dosage-sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia critical region on chromosome x gene 1 (dax1), cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily member 1 a (cyp19a1a), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily a member 1 a (cyp11a1a) and luteinizing hormone receptor 1 (lhr1). Overall, our results demonstrated that igf3 promotes the maturation of the ovary and plays an important role in sex differentiation in E. coioides.

Expression and cellular localization of insulin-like growth factor 3 in gonads of the seasonal breeding teleost silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus)

Insulin-like growth factor 3 plays an important role in gonad development in teleost fish. Previous studies found that igf3 was specifically expressed in gonads of silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus). Unlike in other fish, IGF3 is a membrane protein in silver pomfret, and its specific role in gonads is unclear. Herein, we explored the importance of IGF3 in oogenesis and spermatogenesis in silver pomfret by analyzing gene expression and cellular localization. During follicular development, igf3 was detected in ovaries at both mRNA and protein levels during the critical stages of vitellogenesis (IV-VI). Localization analysis detected igf3 mRNA and protein in somatic cells, including theca and granulosa cells around oocytes. Similar to cathepsin L and cathepsin K, igf3 was consistently expressed in ovaries during vitellogenesis, suggesting that it might play a key role in vitellogenesis of oocytes. During spermatogenesis, igf3 mRNA and protein levels were high in stages II, IV, and V, similar to sycp3 and dmc1, and the highest igf3 mRNA and protein levels were reached in stage VI. Furthermore, igf3 mRNA and protein were detected in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and surrounding Sertoli cells, but not in spermatozoon, indicating that IGF3 might be involved in differentiation and meiosis of spermatogonia.

Igf3: a novel player in fish reproduction†

As in other vertebrates, fish reproduction is tightly controlled by gonadotropin signaling. One of the most perplexing aspects of gonadotropin action on germ cell biology is the restricted expression of gonadotropin receptors in somatic cells of the gonads. Therefore, the identification of factors conveying the action of gonadotropins on germ cells is particularly important for understanding the mechanism of reproduction. Insulin-like growth factors (Igfs) are recognized as key factors in regulating reproduction by triggering a series of physiological processes in vertebrates. Recently, a novel member of Igfs called Igf3 has been identified in teleost. Different from the conventional Igf1 and Igf2 that are ubiquitously expressed in a majority of tissues, Igf3 is solely or highly expressed in the fish gonads. The role of Igf3 in mediating the action of gonadotropin through Igf type 1 receptor on several aspects of oogenesis and spermatogenesis have been demonstrated in several fish species. In this review, we will summarize existing data on Igf3. This new information obtained from Igf3 provides insight into elucidating the molecular mechanism of fish reproduction, and also highlights the importance of Igf system in mediating the action of gonadotropin signaling on animal reproduction.

Regulation of spermatogenesis and reproductive capacity by Igf3 in tilapia

A novel insulin-like growth factor (igf3), which is exclusively expressed in the gonads, has been widely identified in fish species. Recent studies have indicated that Igf3 regulates spermatogonia proliferation and differentiation in zebrafish; however, detailed information on the role of this Igf needs further in vivo investigation. Here, using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as an animal model, we report that igf3 is required for spermatogenesis and reproduction. Knockout of igf3 by CRISPR/Cas9 severely inhibited spermatogonial proliferation and differentiation at 90 days after hatching, the time critical for meiosis initiation, and resulted in less spermatocytes in the mutants. Although spermatogenesis continued to occur later, more spermatocytes and less spermatids were observed in the igf3-/- testes when compared with wild type of testes at adults, indicating that Igf3 regulates spermatocyte to spermatid transition. Importantly, a significantly increased occurrence of apoptosis in spermatids was observed after loss of Igf3. Therefore, igf3-/- males were subfertile with drastically reduced semen volume and sperm count. Conversely, the overexpression of Igf3 in XY tilapia enhanced spermatogenesis leading to more spermatids and sperm count. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the absence of Igf3 resulted in dysregulation of many genes involved in cell cycle, meiosis and pluripotency regulators that are critical for spermatogenesis. In addition, in vitro gonadal culture with 17α-methyltetosterone (MT) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) administration and in vivo knockout of cyp11c1 demonstrated that igf3 expression is regulated by androgens, suggesting that Igf3 acts downstream of androgens in fish spermatogenesis. Notably, the igf3 knockout did not affect body growth, indicating that this Igf specifically functions in reproduction. Taken together, our data provide genetic evidence for fish igf3 in the regulation of reproductive capacity by controlling spermatogenesis.

Insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 regulate gene expression and enzymatic activity of cyp17a1 in ovarian follicles of the yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata

There is accumulating evidence that insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), primary mediators of somatic growth, play an important role in fish reproduction. Previously, we showed that IGF-1 and IGF-2 are expressed in the ovarian follicle cells of the yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) during the vitellogenic phase, suggesting that IGFs may be involved in ovarian steroidogenesis. In this study, we examined the effects of IGF-1 and IGF-2 on gene expression and activity of steroidogenic enzymes in yellowtail ovary in vitro. IGF-1 and IGF-2 had no effect on mRNA levels of several steroidogenesis-related genes (star, cyp11a1, hsd3b, cyp17a2, and cyp19a1). However, both IGFs enhanced the transcription of cyp17a1 in vitellogenic ovaries, although such up-regulation was not found in the ovary at the pre-vitellogenic stage. The stage-dependent effects of IGFs were correlated with changes in ovarian cyp17a1 mRNA levels during the reproductive cycle: transcript abundances increased in conjunction with ovarian development. In addition, IGF-induced cyp17a1 gene expression was significantly inhibited by wortmannin, suggesting that PI3 kinase plays an essential role in IGF-mediated ovarian steroidogenesis. Furthermore, IGF-1 and IGF-2 promoted the conversion of both progesterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone to androstenedione in vitellogenic ovaries, suggesting that both IGFs stimulated 17α-hydroxylase and C_17-20 lyase activities. Taken together, these findings suggest that IGF-1 and IGF-2 act directly on follicle cells to stimulate steroid production through an increase in gene expression and enzymatic activity of cyp17a1 via induction of PI3 kinase.

Expression patterns and immunolocalisation of IGF-I and IGF-II in male and female gonads of the Neotropical characid fish Astyanax fasciatus

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays important roles in fish reproduction, but the expression pattern and cellular location of IGF-I and IGF-II during gonadal maturation are uncertain. The present study reports a stage-specific assessment of gonadal expression levels and immunolocalisation of IGF-I and IGF-II in Astyanax fasciatus, a characid fish from South America. Adult fish in different maturity stages were caught in the Furnas Reservoir, Grande River, Brazil. Gonad samples were processed for histology, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA for IGF-I and IGF-II. Ovarian levels of IGF-I were low during ripening and ripe stages, higher in totally spent, and then decreased in resting. Levels of IGF-II increased during ovarian maturation, reaching significantly higher values at stage totally spent. In males, IGF-I levels followed gonadal maturation, with higher values in ripening and ripe stages, whereas IGF-II levels showed higher values in stage ripening and partially spent. A positive correlation was found between IGF-I and gonadosomatic index (GSI) for males (r = 0.59), while females showed a negative correlation (r = - 0.43), but IGF-II showed no correlation to GSI. IGF-I was expressed mainly in oogonia nests whereas IGF-II stained the follicular cells in the perinucleolar follicles, cortical vesicles in the previtellogenic follicles, and oogonia nests. In males, IGF-I was evident in spermatogonia and spermatocytes while IGF-II stained Sertoli cells surrounding spermatids cysts and spermatogonia in late stages. Together, these findings support a hypothesis that the balance between IGF-I and IGF-II levels is important in the regulation of gonad maturation in Astyanax fasciatus.

Changes in mRNA abundance of insulin-like growth factors in the brain and liver of a tropical damselfish, Chrysiptera cyanea, in relation to seasonal and food-manipulated reproduction

Food availability can become a factor driving the reproductive activity of tropical fish, particularly when primary production within their habitats fluctuates with tropical monsoons. The present study examined the involvement of insulin-like growth factors (IGF) in controlling the reproduction of the sapphire devil Chrysiptera cyanea, a reef-associated damselfish that is capable of manipulating its reproductive activity based on food availability. We cloned and characterized the cDNAs of igf1 and igf2 and determined their transcript levels in relation to seasonal and food-manipulated reproduction. The partial cDNAs of sapphire devil igf1 and igf2 had open reading frames (ORFs) composed of 600 bp (155 amino acid residue) and 636 bp (211 aa), respectively. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that IGF1 and IGF2 of the sapphire devil were clustered into those of teleosts. The gonadosomatic index increased from March to June. Vitellogenic oocytes and ovulatory follicles were observed in ovaries from May to June, which suggests that the spawning season lasts for at least 2 months. The hepatosomatic index, but not the condition factor, increased in March and June. The transcript levels of igf1 in the brain, but not in the liver, increased in April, June (vitellogenesis) and July (post vitellogenesis). Ovarian activity during the spawning season was maintained by high food supply (HH) for 30 days, although it was suppressed in the food-restriction treatment (LL) and restored in the re-feeding treatment (LH). The transcript levels of igfs in the brain, but not in the liver, in LH were lower than those in HH and LL. Moreover, immersing fish in seawater containing estradiol-17β suppressed transcript levels of igfs in the liver, but not in the brain. We conclude that reproductive activity during the spawning season is influenced by nutritive conditions and that crosstalk exists between the reproductive and growth network in the neural and peripheral tissues, thus controlling the reproductive activity of this species.

RNA-Seq-based transcriptome analysis of reproduction- and growth-related genes in Lateolabrax japonicus ovaries at four different ages

Lateolabrax japonicus is an abundant marine aquatic fish species that is commonly cultured in East Asia due to its high commercial value. In this study, RNA-Seq analysis of L. japonicus was carried out to identify reproduction- and growth-related genes expressed in L. japonicus ovaries at different ages using Illumina sequencing technology. In total, 334,388,688 high-quality reads were obtained in four libraries, i.e., 4-year-old ovaries (4th_Ovary), 3-year-old ovaries (3rd_Ovary), 2-year-old ovaries (2nd_Ovary), and 1-year-old ovaries (1st_Ovary). The reads were then de novo assembled into 101,860 unigenes with an average unigene length of 879 bp. In total, 30,142 unigenes (29.59%) were annotated in public databases, including Nr database (Nr), Swiss-Prot, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Cluster of Orthologous Groups of proteins (COG), based on sequence similarity. Comparative analysis revealed that there were 35,749, 43,657, and 36,819 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in three comparisons (4th_Ovary versus 3rd_Ovary, 4th_Ovary versus 2rd_Ovary, and 4th_Ovary versus 1st_Ovary, respectively). In total, 24,295 DEGs were different expressed in 4th_Ovary. Enrichment and pathway analyses of the DEGs were also carried out to excavate the candidate genes related to reproduction and growth, and 402 genes that potential involved in the regulation of reproduction and growth were identified, e.g., GnRHR (GnRH receptor), GHR 2 (growth hormone receptor 2), I_LGF1R (insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor), etc. Our findings expanded the genomic resources of L. japonicus and provided fundamental information for further studies.

Evidences for involvement of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor in ovarian development of starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus)

Although gonadotrophins are major regulators of ovarian function in teleosts and other vertebrates, accumulating evidence indicates that the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis also plays an important role in fish reproduction. As a first step to understand the physiological role of the GH-IGF system in the ovarian development of starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus), the expression profiles of GH and IGF messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and plasma GH, IGF-I, estradiol-17β (E2), and testosterone (T) levels during the ovarian development were investigated. The developmental stages of ovaries were divided into five stages (II, III, IV, V, and VI) by histological analysis. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) values increased and peaked at stage IV and stage V, respectively, and then declined at stage VI. Pituitary GH mRNA levels decreased sharply at stage III and raised to top level at stage VI. The hepatic IGF-I mRNA levels ascended to maximum value at stage V and then declined significantly at stage VI. However, the hepatic IGF-II mRNA levels remained stable and increased significantly at stage VI. In contrast, the ovarian IGF-I mRNA levels increased gradually and peaked at stage VI. The ovarian IGF-II mRNA levels were initially stable and increased significantly at stage V until the top level at stage VI. Consistent with the pituitary GH mRNA levels, plasma GH levels reduced sharply at stage III and remained depressed until stage V and then raised remarkably at stage VI. Plasma IGF-I level peaked at stage V and then declined to initial level. Plasma E2 level peaked at stage IV and then dramatically descended to the basal level. Plasma T level peaked at stage V and then declined significantly back to the basal level. Based on statistical analysis, significant positive correlations between hepatic IGF-I mRNA and GSI, ovarian IGF-II mRNA and hepatic IGF-II mRNA, ovarian IGF-I mRNA and ovarian IGF-II mRNA, and plasma IGF-I and plasma T were observed, respectively. These results suggest that the GH-IGF system may be involved in the ovarian development of starry flounder; GH and IGFs appear to play distinct roles in the regulation of the ovarian development in paracrine/autocrine manners. These findings extend our knowledge of the roles of the GH-IGF axis on reproduction regulation in fish.

Feed restriction and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) affect the oocyte maturation in matrinxã Brycon amazonicus

The feeding and nutrition of breeders are crucial aspects in the reproductive process. During the maturation period, metabolic changes occur aiming at mobilizing energy for growth and follicular development. The involvement of IGF-1 in metabolic and reproductive events is important. The aim of this work was to evaluate if alternate feed restriction and re-feeding have permissive effects on in vitro actions of IGF-1 on oocytes development of matrinxã. In vivo experiments were performed during vitellogenesis period. Females (n = 60) were fed with a commercial feed (2% of biomass) and they were divided into two treatments: fish receiving food daily (control - fed), and fish submitted to cycles of 3 days of feed restriction and 2 days of re-feeding (no-fed group). For the in vitro experiments, oocytes (n = 20) were obtained from the ovaries removed at the end of the in vivo experiment and were divided into four groups: fed -IGF-1; fed +IGF-1; no-fed -IGF-1 and no-fed +IGF-1. Fish under restriction had lower body weights, decreased plasma glucose, increased triglycerides levels, and their final maturation and mature oocyte were reduced and the atresic ones were in higher number. Moreover, IGF-1, in vitro, increased the percentage of mature oocytes in fed females and decreased the atresic ones. In no-fed females, IGF-1 increased the final maturation and mature oocytes and reduced the atresic ones. This study demonstrates the importance of the feeding management of female breeders of matrinxã during the vitellogenesis period.

Changes in gene expression and cellular localization of insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 in the ovaries during ovary development of the yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata

A method of controlling the somatic growth and reproduction of yellowtail fish (Seriola quinqueradiata) is needed in order to establish methods for the efficient aquaculture production of the species. However, little information about the hormonal interactions between somatic growth and reproduction is available for marine teleosts. There is accumulating evidence that insulin-like growth factor (IGF), a major hormone related somatic growth, plays an important role in fish reproduction. As the first step toward understanding the physiological role of IGF in the development of yellowtail ovaries, we characterized the expression and cellular localization of IGF-1 and IGF-2 in the ovary during development. We histologically classified the maturity of two-year-old females with ovaries at various developmental stages into the perinucleolar (Pn), yolk vesicle (Yv), primary yolk (Py), secondary yolk and tertiary yolk (Ty) stages, according to the most advanced type of oocyte present. The IGF-1 gene expression showed constitutively high levels at the different developmental stages, although IGF-1 mRNA levels tended to increase from the Py to the Ty stage with vitellogenesis, reaching maximum levels during the Ty stage. The IGF-2 mRNA levels increased as ovarian development advanced. Using immunohistochemistry methods, immunoreactive IGF-1 was mainly detected in the theca cells of ovarian follicles during late secondary oocyte growth, and in part of the granulosa cells of Ty stage oocytes. IGF-2 immunoreactivity was observed in all granulosa cells in layer in Ty stage oocytes. These results indicate that follicular IGFs may be involved in yellowtail reproduction via autocrine/paracrine mechanisms.

Functional characterization of insulin-like growth factors in an ancestral fish species, the Shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorhynchus

Observations from the present study provide the first characterization of the GH-IGF axis in Shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorhynchus, an ancestral fish species. An initial characterization of steady-state IGF-I and IGF-II gene expression in multiple tissues was conducted using real-time RT-qPCR. Overall, the tissues had significantly different profiles of IGF-I gene expression, with the highest IGF-I expression observed in the liver. The highest IGF-II gene expression was also observed in the liver, with minimal or no detection in muscle. A comparison between IGF-I and IGF-II expression within individual tissues revealed higher levels of IGF-II than IGF-I mRNA in the spleen, stomach and trunk kidney, and higher levels of relative IGF-I mRNA expression in the intestine and muscle. The GH-IGF axis was further elucidated by observing the effects of exogenous GH on IGF-I and IGF-II expression in liver and muscle tissue. The results revealed a significant dose-dependent response of both hepatic IGF-I and IGF-II, and muscle IGF-I mRNA expression following rbGH administration. At the highest rbGH concentration (240μg/g BW), IGF-I mRNA levels in liver and muscle peaked significantly at 48h, indicating both hepatic and muscle IGF-I expression to be stimulated by GH. Hepatic IGF-II expression was also stimulated 48h following rbGH administration. Expression of IGF-II mRNA was not inducible in the muscle. Few studies have evaluated the effects of exogenous GH on IGF expression in ancestral vertebrate species, and as such, this research provides valuable insight into the evolution of the somatotropic axis in vertebrates.

Molecular characterization and transcriptional regulation by GH and GnRH of insulin-like growth factors I and II in white seabream (Diplodus sargus)

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) I and II are key regulators of development, growth and reproduction in fish. In the present study we have cloned and characterized the cDNA and genomic sequences of IGF-I and IGF-II in the white seabream (Diplodus sargus). The igf1 and igf2 genes were encoded putatively by five and four exons, respectively. Moreover, the 5'-flanking upstream region of the igf1 gene contained highly conserved regulatory elements including HNF-1α, HNF-3β, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) and the TATA box. The full-length cDNAs were 1225 and 1666 nucleotides long for igf1 and igf2, respectively. Sequence analysis identified the A-E domains as well as three spliced forms involving the E domain in exons 3-5. ORF identities were higher than 83% with respect to other fish orthologs. Expression analysis demonstrated that igf1 and its spliced forms were mostly expressed in liver, whereas the igf2 was expressed ubiquitously not detecting significant differences among the ten tissues analyzed. Hormonal treatments using the porcine GH demonstrated a sharply increase of both igf1 and igf2 mRNA levels in liver and gills at 30 min and 1h after injection. In the gonads, igf1 mRNA levels increased steadily with testis and ovary maturation. In contrast, igf2 transcript amounts were higher in immature stages (S1-S2). Hormonal treatments using GH and GnRH demonstrated that igf1 and igf2 expression were upregulated in the gonads. Overall, these data demonstrate that IGF-I and IGF-II are locally expressed in several tissues and regulated by key hormones of the somatotropic and gonadotropic axes.

Releasing prophase arrest in zebrafish oocyte: synergism between maturational steroid and Igf1

Binding of 17β-estradiol (E2) to novel G-protein coupled receptor, Gper1, promotes intra-oocyte adenylyl cyclase activity and transactivates epidermal growth factor receptor to ensure prophase-I arrest. Although involvement of either membrane progestin receptor (mPR) or Igf system has been implicated in regulation of meiosis resumption, possibility of concurrent activation and potential synergism between 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP)- and Igf-mediated signalling cascades in alleviating E2 inhibition of oocyte maturation (OM) has not been investigated. Here using zebrafish (Danio rerio) defolliculated oocytes, we examined the effect of DHP and Igf1, either alone or in combination, in presence or absence of E2, on OM in vitro. While priming of denuded oocytes with E2 blocked spontaneous maturation, co-treatment with DHP (3 nM) and Igf1 (10 nM), but not alone, reversed E2 inhibition and promoted a robust increase in germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Although stimulation with either Igf1 or DHP promoted Akt phosphorylation, pharmacological inhibition of PI3K/Akt signalling prevented Igf1-induced GVBD but delayed DHP action till 4-5 h of incubation. Moreover, high intra-oocyte cAMP attenuates both DHP and Igf1-mediated OM and co-stimulation with DHP and Igf1 could effectively reverse E2 action on PKA phosphorylation. Interestingly, data from in vivo studies reveal that heightened expression of igf1, igf3 transcripts in intact follicles corresponded well with elevated phosphorylation of Igf1r and Akt, mPRa immunoreactivity, PKA inhibition and accelerated GVBD response just prior to ovulation. This indicates potential synergism between maturational steroid and Igf1 which might have physiological relevance in overcoming E2 inhibition of meiosis resumption in zebrafish oocytes.

Oestrogen and insulin-like growth factors during the reproduction and growth of the tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and their interactions

Oestrogens and insulin-like growth factors (Igfs) play both a central role in the regulation of reproduction and growth and can interact especially in species showing a clear-cut sex-linked growth dimorphism (SGD) like in tilapia. Aromatase is essential in ovarian differentiation and oogenesis since it controls oestrogen synthesis. During tilapia sex differentiation, aromatase cyp19a1a expression increases from 9 days post-fertilization (dpf), resulting in high oestradiol level. High temperature, exogenous androgens or aromatase inhibitors override genetic sex differentiation inducing testes development through the suppression of cyp19a1a gene expression and aromatase activity. Supplementation with 17ß-oestradiol (E2) of gonadectomized juveniles induced a sustained and higher E2 plasma level than in intact or gonadectomized controls and both sexes showed reduced growth. Juvenile and mature females treated with the aromatase inhibitor 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione had 19% lower E2 plasma level compared to controls and they showed a 32% increased growth after 28 days of treatment. Altogether, these data suggest that E2 inhibits female growth leading to the SGD. Regarding Igf-1, mRNA and peptide appeared in liver at ∼ 4 dpf and then in organs involved in growth and metabolism, indicating a role in early growth, metabolism and organogenesis. Gonad igf-1 showed an early expression and the peptide could be detected at ∼ 7 dpf in somatic cells. It appeared in germ cells at the onset of ovarian (29 dpf) and testicular (52 dpf) meiosis. In testis, Igf-1 together with steroids may regulate spermatogenesis whereas in ovary it participates in steroidogenesis regulation. Igf-1 and Igf-2 promote proliferation of follicular cells and oocyte maturation. Igf-3 expression is gonad specific and localized in the ovarian granulosa or testicular interstitial cells. In developing gonads igf-3 is up-regulated in males but down-regulated in females. In contrast, bream Gh injections increased igf-1 mRNA in male and female liver and ovaries but gonadal igf-3 was not affected. Thus, local Igf-1 and Igf-2 may play crucial roles in the formation, development and function of gonads while Igf-3 depending on the species is involved in male and female reproduction. Furthermore, precocious ethynylestradiol (EE) exposure induced lasting effects on growth, through pituitary gh inhibition, local suppression of igf-1 expression and in testis only down-regulation of igf-3 mRNA. In conclusion, SGD in tilapia may be driven through an inhibitory effect due to E2 synthesis in female and involving Igfs regulation.

Molecular and cellular effects of chemicals disrupting steroidogenesis during early ovarian development of brown trout (Salmo trutta fario)

A range of chemicals found in the aquatic environment have the potential to influence endocrine function and affect sexual development by mimicking or antagonizing the effects of hormones, or by altering the synthesis and metabolism of hormones. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the effects of chemicals interfering with sex hormone synthesis may affect the regulation of early ovarian development via the modulation of sex steroid and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) systems. To this end, ex vivo ovary cultures of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) were exposed for 2 days to either 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione (ATD, a specific aromatase inhibitor), prochloraz (an imidazole fungicide), or tributyltin (TBT, a persistent organic pollutant). Further, juvenile female brown trout were exposed in vivo for 2 days to prochloraz or TBT. The ex vivo and in vivo ovarian gene expression of the aromatase (CYP19), responsible for estrogen production, and of IGF1 and 2 were compared. Moreover, 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) production from ex vivo ovary cultures was assessed. Ex vivo exposure to ATD inhibited ovarian E2 synthesis, while T levels accumulated. However, ATD did not affect ex vivo expression of cyp19, igf1, or igf2. Ex vivo exposure to prochloraz inhibited ovarian E2 production, but did not affect T levels. Further prochloraz up-regulated igf1 expression in both ex vivo and in vivo exposures. TBT exposure did not modify ex vivo synthesis of either E2 or T. However, in vivo exposure to TBT down-regulated igf2 expression. The results indicate that ovarian inhibition of E2 production in juvenile brown trout might not directly affect cyp19 and igf gene expression. Thus, we suggest that the test chemicals may interfere with both sex steroid and IGF systems in an independent manner, and based on published literature, potentially lead to endocrine dysfunction and altered sexual development.

Nutritional status and gene expression along the somatotropic axis in roach (Rutilus rutilus) infected with the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis

The tapeworm Ligula intestinalis inhibits gametogenesis of its fish host, the roach (Rutilus rutilus). We investigated whether L. intestinalis infection makes significant demands on nutritional resources and consequently manipulates the endocrine somatotropic axis of roach. Two groups of naturally infected and uninfected roach were studied: a field group (natural feeding) and a laboratory group (ad libitum food supply). In females, no significant impact of parasitization on storage substrates (glycogen, lipids, and protein) was detected, whereas in males, either lipid content of the liver (field group) or lipid of the muscle and glycogen of the liver (laboratory group) were slightly decreased. Except for the females of the field group, higher mRNA expression of growth hormone (gh) in the pituitary of infected fish was observed. Furthermore, the expression of hypophyseal somatolactin α and β (slα, slβ) was up-regulated in infected females of the field and laboratory group, respectively. In liver and muscle, mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factors (igf1, igf2) and igf receptor (igfr) remained either unchanged or were up-regulated with infection. Parasitization showed inconsistent effects on gh receptor 1 (ghr1) expression in liver and muscle, whereas ghr2 mRNA was mostly not influenced by infection. In general, the expression profile of genes involved in the somatotropic axis as well as the content of storage substances in infected roach did not resemble that of food-deprived fish either under natural or ad libitum feeding. In conclusion, the present study does not indicate starvation of L. intestinalis infected roach, and it is suggested that the inhibition of reproduction attenuated the nutritional demand of parasitization.

Insulin-like growth factor 3 regulates expression of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes and key transcription factors in the Nile tilapia gonad

Insulin-like growth factors (Igfs) are implicated in a wide variety of physiological roles in teleost gonadal development and reproduction. In the present study, igf3 mRNA expression in the tilapia ovary was found to be higher than in the testis from 5 to 40 days after hatching (dah) but was lower than that in testis from 50 to 70 dah. Consistently, Igf3 protein signal was detected in the somatic cells of XX and XY gonads from 10 dah until adulthood by immunohistochemistry, using a specific Igf3 polyclonal antibody. Incubation of ovarian and testicular cells in primary culture with recombinant Igf3 significantly increased nr5a1, foxl2, dmrt1, cyp19a1a, cyp11a1, cyp11b2, hsd3b2 , and cyp17a1 expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Promoter analysis using luciferase assays in HEK293 cells revealed that igf3 promoter activity was directly activated by Nr5a1 (Sf1) and further enhanced by Foxl2, Nr0b1a (Dax1), and Nr0b1b (Dax2) but repressed by Dmrt1 and estrogen receptor (Esr1, Esr2a, or Esr2b) along with 17beta-estradiol treatment. In addition, igf3 promoter activity was increased slightly by forskolin treatment alone but synergistically up-regulated by transfection with nr5a1. These in vitro results correlated well with the expression profile of igf3 during early gonad differentiation. Our results indicated that igf3 is involved in fish gonad steroidogenesis because of its ability to regulate the expression of foxl2, dmrt1, and nr5a1 and steroidogenic enzymes. The expression of igf3 is in turn regulated by transcription factors Foxl2, Dmrt1, and Nr5a1, as well as by 17beta-estradiol treatment.

Growth hormone (GH) treatment acts on the endocrine and autocrine/paracrine GH/IGF-axis and on TNF-α expression in bony fish pituitary and immune organs

There exist indications that the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis may play a role in fish immune regulation, and that interactions occur via tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α at least in mammals, but no systematic data exist on potential changes in GH, IGF-I, IGF-II, GH receptor (GHR) and TNF-α expression after GH treatment. Thus, we investigated in the Nile tilapia the influence of GH injections by real-time qPCR at different levels of the GH/IGF-axis (brain, pituitary, peripheral organs) with special emphasis on the immune organs head kidney and spleen. Endocrine IGF-I served as positive control for GH treatment efficiency. Basal TNF-α gene expression was detected in all organs investigated with the expression being most pronounced in brain. Two consecutive intraperitoneal injections of bream GH elevated liver IGF-I mRNA and plasma IGF-I concentration. Also liver IGF-II mRNA and TNF-α were increased while the GHR was downregulated. In brain, no change occurred in the expression levels of all genes investigated. GH gene expression was exclusively detected in the pituitary where the GH injections elevated both GH and IGF-I gene expression. In the head kidney, GH upregulated IGF-I mRNA to an even higher extent than liver IGF-I while IGF-II and GHR gene expressions were not affected. Also in the spleen, no change occurred in GHR mRNA, however, IGF-I and IGF-II mRNAs were increased. In correlation, in situ hybridisation showed a markedly higher amount of IGF-I mRNA in head kidney and spleen after GH injection. In both immune tissues, TNF-α gene expression showed a trend to decrease after GH treatment. The stimulation of IGF-I and also partially of IGF-II expression in the fish immune organs by GH indicates a local role of the IGFs in immune organ regulation while the differential changes in TNF-α support the in mammals postulated interactions with the GH/IGF-axis which demand for further investigations.

Characterization and regulation of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovary

Locally produced peptide hormones play an important role in the paracrine/autocrine regulation of ovarian development. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is one family of local factors that has not been well studied in the ovary of fish. This study characterized the zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovarian IGF system, its spatial and temporal expression and regulation by gonadotropins and steroids. Three ligands (igf2a, igf2b, igf3) and two receptors (igf1ra and igf1rb) were demonstrated in the ovary using RT-qPCR. Though it was examined, igf1 expression was not detected in the zebrafish ovary. Igf3 expression significantly decreased in the hours prior to ovulation and was confined to the follicle cells. Igf2a, igf2b and the two receptors were detected in both the follicle cells and the oocyte and were constitutively expressed in ovarian tissue across the daily ovulatory cycle. In vitro addition of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 20 IU/ml) stimulated a significant increase in igf3 expression in both midvitellogenic (MV; 0.45-0.56 mm) and full grown (FG; 0.57-0.65 mm) follicles while igf2b expression increased only in FG follicles. Treatment of follicles in vitro with 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20beta-P; 10 ng/ml) significantly decreased igf3 and igf2b expression in both MV and FG follicles. 17beta-Estradiol (E(2); 25 ng/ml) had no effect on the expression of igf3 in MV or FG follicles. Igf1rb expression did not change after treatment with hCG, 17,20beta-P or E(2). Collectively, these results demonstrate the presence of an ovarian IGF system in zebrafish that is differentially regulated by gonadotropin and steroids.

Insulin-like growth factor-3 (IGF-3) in male and female gonads of the tilapia: development and regulation of gene expression by growth hormone (GH) and 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2)

Recently, in addition to IGF-1 and IGF-2 the existence of a third form of IGF, termed IGF-3, limited to fishes, to be present only in the gonads and encoded by a separate gene has been reported. However, no further data have been presented on IGF-3. The present study on tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) uses quantitative real-time PCR specific for tilapia IGF-1 and IGF-3. The organ distribution of IGF-3 mRNA in adult fish and the early ontogeny of IGF-3 in male and female gonads were studied. The potential sensitivity of IGF-3 to GH was revealed by intraperitoneal injections of bream GH using IGF-1 as control gene. The effects of 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) exerted after feeding of high EE2 doses and exposure to low environmentally relevant EE2 doses on IGF-3 expression in testis and ovary during early development were determined. Low IGF-3 mRNA expression levels were detected in most organs studied, with the highest extra-gonadal amount in the pituitary. During development, the IGF-3 gene was significantly upregulated in male but downregulated in female gonad. Injections of GH elevated IGF-1 mRNA in male and female liver and ovary. IGF-3 did not respond to GH treatment neither in ovary nor in testis. Both EE2 treatments resulted in significant downregulations of IGF-3 mRNA in testis while ovarian IGF-3 mRNA did not respond. Thus, IGF-3 may be involved in reproduction of fishes most likely in the male gonad only. Whether IGF-3 also has some physiological significance in ovary or other organs should be the topic of further studies.

Immunohistochemical localization of IGF-I, IGF-II and MSTN proteins during development of triploid sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The cellular localization of IGF-I, IGF-II and MSTN proteins was investigated during ontogenesis of triploid sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) by an immunohistochemical approach. The results were compared with those observed in diploids. IGF-I immunostaining was mainly observed in skin, skeletal muscle, intestine and gills of both diploids and triploids. From day 30 of larval life, IGF-I immunoreactivity observed in skeletal muscle, intestine, gills and kidney was stronger in triploids than in diploids. At day 30, triploids exhibited a standard length significantly higher than the one of diploids. Although IGF-II and MSTN immunoreactivity was detectable in different tissues and organs, no differences between diploids and triploids were observed. The spatial localization of IGF-I, IGF-II and MSTN proteins detected in this study is in agreement with previous findings on the distribution of these proteins in diploid larvae and fry. The highest IGF-I immunoreactivity observed in triploids suggests a possible involvement of ploidy in their growth performance.

Zebrafish eggs used as bioreactors for the production of bioactive tilapia insulin-like growth factors

Multiple advantages-including the short generation time, large numbers of fertilized eggs, low cost of cultivation and easy maintenance favor the use of fish as bioreactors for the production of pharmaceutical proteins. In the present study, zebrafish eggs were used as bioreactors to produce mature tilapia insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) proteins using the oocyte-specific zona pellucida (zp3) promoter. The chimeric expression plasmids, pT2-ZP-tIGFs-IRES-hrGFP, in which hrGFP was used as reporter of tilapia IGFs expression, were designed to established Tg (ZP:tIGFs:hrGFP) transgenic lines for the expression of tilapia IGF-1 and IGF-2. Recombinant tilapia IGF-1 and IGF-2 were expressed as soluble forms in cytoplasm of fertilized eggs. The content level of tilapia IGF-1 and IGF-2 were 6.5 and 5.0% of the soluble protein, respectively. Using a simple Ni-NTA affinity chromatography purification process, 0.58 and 0.49 mg of purified tilapia IGF-1 and IGF-2 were obtained, respectively, from 650 fertilized eggs. The biological activity of the purified tilapia IGF-1 and IGF-2 was confirmed via a colorimetric bioassay to monitor the growth stimulation of zebrafish embryonic cells (ZF4), tilapia ovary cells (TO-2) and human osteosarcoma epithelial cells (U2OS). These results demonstrate that the use of zebrafish eggs as bioreactors is a promising approach for the production of biological recombinant proteins.

Influences of the environment on the endocrine and paracrine fish growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor-I system

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a key component of the complex system that regulates differentiation, development, growth and reproduction of fishes. The IGF-I gene is mainly expressed in the liver that represents the principal source of endocrine IGF-I but also in numerous other organs where the hormone most probably acts in an autocrine-paracrine manner. The primary stimulus for synthesis and release of IGF-I is growth hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary. Thus, in analogy to mammals, it is usual to speak of a fish 'GH-IGF-I axis'. The GH-IGF-I system is affected by changes in the environment and probably represents a target of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) that impair many physiological processes in fishes. Thus, the review deals with the influences of changes in different environmental factors, such as food availability, temperature, photoperiod, season, salinity and EDCs, on GH gene expression in pituitary, IGF-I gene expression in liver and extrahepatic sites and the physiological effects resulting from the evoked alterations in endocrine and local IGF-I. Environmental influences certainly interact with each other but for convenience of the reader they will be dealt with in separate sections. Current trends in GH-IGF-I research are analysed and future focuses are suggested at the end of the sections.

Regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro by IGF-I and insulin in common carp, Cyprinus carpio: stimulation of aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression

Regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro by recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and bovine insulin (b-insulin) was investigated in intact follicles and isolated follicular cells of carp, Cyprinus carpio at vitellogenic stage of oocyte maturation. In intact follicles, IGF-I and b-insulin stimulated testosterone and 17beta-estradiol production in vitro. In isolated theca cells, IGF-I and b-insulin stimulated testosterone production, whereas in granulosa cells, they stimulated 17beta-estradiol production when testosterone was added in the incubation medium as precursor substrate. In intact follicles and in theca cells, IGF-I and b-insulin had no effect on HCG-stimulated testosterone production. HCG-stimulated 17beta-estradiol production, however, was significantly increased by IGF-I and b-insulin. To clarify the mechanism of 17beta-estradiol production by the ovarian follicles during vitellogenic stage of carp, effects of IGF-I and b-insulin either alone or in combination with HCG on aromatase activity (conversion of testosterone to 17beta-estradiol) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) gene expression were investigated in vitro. IGF-I and b-insulin alone stimulated aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression and significantly enhanced HCG-induced enzyme activity and P450arom gene expression. Our results thus indicate that IGF-I and b-insulin alone can stimulate testosterone and 17beta-estradiol production in vitellogenic follicles of C. carpio by stimulating aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression. Evidence also provided for the modulation of HCG-induced aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression by IGF-I and b-insulin in such follicles.

Oogenesis in teleosts: how eggs are formed

One of the major objectives of the aquaculture industry is the production of a large number of viable eggs with high survival. Major achievements have been made in recent years in improving protocols for higher efficiency of egg production and viability of progeny. Main gaps remain, however, in understanding the dynamic processes associated with oogenesis, the formation of an egg, from the time that germ cells turn into oogonia, until the release of ova during spawning in teleosts. Recent studies on primordial germ-cells, yolk protein precursors and their processing within the developing oocyte, the deposition of vitamins in eggs, structure and function of egg envelopes and oocyte maturation processes, further reveal the complexity of oogenesis. Moreover, numerous circulating endocrine and locally-acting paracrine and autocrine factors regulate the various stages of oocyte development and maturation. Though it is clear that the major regulators during vitellogenesis and oocyte maturation are the pituitary gonadotropins (LH and FSH) and sex steroids, the picture emerging from recent studies is of complex hormonal cross-talk at all stages between the developing oocyte and its surrounding follicle layers to ensure coordination of the various processes that are involved in the production of a fertilizable egg. In this review we aim at highlighting recent advances on teleost fish oocyte differentiation, maturation and ovulation, including those involved in the degeneration and reabsorption of ovarian follicles (atresia). The role of blood-borne and local ovarian factors in the regulation of the key steps of development reveal new aspects associated with egg formation.

Roles of hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNF) in the regulation of reproduction in teleosts

Hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF) families are composed of liver-enriched transcription factors and upstream regulators of many liver-specific genes. HNF are involved in liver-specific gene expression, metabolism, development, cell growth and many cellular functions in the body. HNF genes can be activated or influenced by several hormones and insulin-like growth factors (IGF), and different combinations of the four HNF factors form a network in controlling the expression of liver-specific or liver-enriched genes. The functions of these factors and their interactions within the gonads of bony fishes, however, are not well understood, and the related literature is scant. Recently, several members of the HNF families have been detected in teleost gonads together with their downstream genes (IGF-I and IGF-II), suggesting that these HNF could be upregulated in vitro by steroid hormones. Thus, the hormone-HNF-IGF-gonad interaction may be an alternative axis in the reproductive mechanism that acts in concert with the conventional hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad pathway. This may help the early development and maturation of the gonad or gamete, sexual maturity or reversion and spawning-regulating mechanisms among fishes to be understood.

Insulin-like growth factors and fish reproduction

Knowledge of fish reproduction is of high relevance to basic fish biology and comparative evolution. Furthermore, fish are excellent biomedical models, and the impact of aquaculture on worldwide food production is steadily increasing. Consequently, research on fish reproduction and the potential modes of its manipulation has become more and more important. Reproduction in fish is regulated by the integration of endogenous neuroendocrine (gonadotropins), endocrine, and autocrine/paracrine signals with exogenous (environmental) factors. The main endocrine regulators of gonadal sex differentiation and function are steroid hormones. However, recent studies suggest that other hormones are also involved. Most prominent among these hormones are the insulin-like growth factors (Igfs), i.e., Igf1, Igf2, and, most recently, Igf3. Thus, the present review deals with the expression patterns and potential physiological functions of Igf1 and Igf2 in male and female gonads. It further considers the potential involvement of growth hormone (Gh) and balances the reasons for endocrine vs. autocrine/paracrine action of the Igfs on the gonads of fish. Finally, this review discusses the early and late development of gonadal Igf1 and Igf2 and whether they are targets of endocrine-disrupting compounds. Future topics for novel research investigation on Igfs and fish reproduction are presented.

Distinct organ-specific up- and down-regulation of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA in various organs of a GH-overexpressing transgenic Nile tilapia

Several lines of GH-overexpressing fish have been produced and characterized concerning organ integrity, growth, fertility and health but few and contradictory data are available on IGF-I that mediates most effects of GH. Furthermore, nothing is known on IGF-II. Thus, the expression of both IGFs in liver and various extrahepatic sites of adult transgenic (GH-overexpressing) tilapia and age-matched wild-type fish was determined by real-time PCR. Both IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA were found in all organs investigated and were increased in gills, kidney, intestine, heart, testes, skeletal muscle and brain of the transgenics (IGF-I: 1.4-4-fold; IGF-II: 1.7-4.2-fold). Except for liver, brain and testis the increase in IGF-I mRNA was higher than that in IGF-II mRNA. In pituitary, no significant change in IGF-I or IGF-II mRNA was detected. In spleen, however, IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA were both decreased in the transgenics, IGF-I mRNA even by the 19-fold. In agreement, in situ hybridisation revealed a largely reduced number of IGF-I mRNA-containing leukocytes and macrophages when compared to wild-type. These observations may contribute to better understanding the reported impaired health of GH-transgenic fish. Growth enhancement of the transgenics may be due to the increased expression of both IGF-I and IGF-II in extrahepatic sites. It is also reasonable that the markedly enhanced expression of liver IGF-II mRNA that may mimick an early developmental stage is a further reason for increased growth.

Expression of gonadotropin subunits in roach (Rutilus rutilus, Cyprinidae) infected with plerocercoids of the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda)

Plerocercoids of the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidea) have been reported to inhibit gametogenesis of their intermediate fish hosts. However, mechanistic studies are rare and the proximate cues leading to impaired reproduction still remain unknown. In the present study we investigated the effects of infection by L. intestinalis on reproductive parameters of roach (Rutilus rutilus, Cyprinidae), a common fish host of this parasite. Field studies on roach demonstrated that in both genders infection prevented gonad development. As revealed by quantitative PCR, infection was accompanied by essentially lower pituitary expression of follicle-stimulating hormone beta-subunit (FSHbeta) and luteinizing hormone beta-subunit (LHbeta) mRNA compared with uninfected roach, providing clear evidence for gonadotropin-insufficiency as the cause of arrested gametogenesis. Under controlled laboratory conditions infected roach showed lower mRNA levels of FSHbeta but not of LHbeta, despite histology revealing similar gonad stages as in uninfected conspecifics. These findings indicate the involvement of FSH rather than LH in mediating effects of infection early during gonad development in roach. Moreover, the impact of L. intestinalis on reproductive parameters of roach appeared to be independent of the parasite burden. Together, these data provide valuable information on the role of FSH and LH as mediators of parasite-induced sterilization in a vertebrate and implicate the selective inhibition of host reproduction by L. intestinalis as a natural source of endocrine disruption in fish.

Identification of two insulin-like growth factor IIs in the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica: Cloning, tissue distribution, and expression after growth hormone treatment and seawater acclimation

To better understand the role of IGFs in Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, we cloned insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) cDNAs and examined their mRNA expression in several tissues. Two eel IGF-II cDNAs, eIGF-II-1 and eIGF-II-2, were cloned from the liver. A signal peptide and a mature peptide of both preproIGF-IIs were composed of 47 amino acids (aa) and 69 aa, but they differed at 17 aa and 13 aa, respectively. The E domain of eIGF-II-1 was 49 aa longer than that of eIGF-II-2, and differed at 22 aa within 52 aa. The highest eIGF-II-1 and II-2 mRNA levels were observed in the liver, with detectable levels also found in all tissues examined. The eIGF-II-1 mRNA levels in the liver, heart, and muscle were higher in females than in males, whereas those in the stomach and intestine were lower in the females. The eIGF-II-2 mRNA levels in the liver and swim-bladder were also higher in females than in males whereas those in the stomach, spleen, and intestine were lower in the females. The eIGF-II-1 mRNA levels in the liver were higher in large compared to small glass eels, while the eIGF-II-2 mRNA levels did not correlate with body weight. Both eIGF-II mRNA levels in the liver increased after eel GH treatments in vivo and in vitro. No differences in both eIGF-II mRNA levels were observed in the gills, liver, stomach and whole kidney between seawater- and freshwater-reared eels.

Steroid hormones (17β-estradiol and hydrocortisone) upregulate hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-3β and insulin-like growth factors I and II expression in the gonads of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) in vitro

Hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNF-1alpha, -1beta and -3beta) and insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and -II), which are involved in liver-specific gene expression, metabolism, development and cell growth, have been found in the gonads of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). However, the functions of these factors and how they interact within the gonads of bony fish are not understood. In the present study, we provided experimental evidence that the expression of HNF-3beta in the gonads of tilapia, but not HNF-1alpha and -1beta, was affected in vitro by 17beta-estradiol and hydrocortisone. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed that tilapia HNF-3beta was mainly found in the nuclei of hepatocytes, the follicular granulosa cells of the ovaries, and the interstitial cells of the testes of adult tilapia. Further data were gathered at various steroid concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 nM) over various culture intervals (6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 h) and subjected to semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis. The expression of downstream genes (IGF-I and -II) followed the same temporal patterns as HNF-3beta, albeit at decreased levels for 30 and 36 h culture intervals. Both hormones upregulated HNF-3beta mRNA expression at concentrations of 0.1-10 nM, and reached optimal physiological concentrations for induction of IGFs at 1-10 nM. The identity of the PCR fragments was concurrently verified by sequencing and PCR-Southern hybridization. We inferred that HNF-3beta and IGFs may play a regulatory role in tilapia gonads during oocyte maturation and spermatogenesis.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in a growth-enhanced transgenic (GH-overexpressing) bony fish, the tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): indication for a higher impact of autocrine/paracrine than of endocrine IGF-I

Several lines of growth hormone (GH)-overexpressing fish have been produced and analysed for growth and fertility parameters. However, only few data are available on the growth-promoting hormone insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) that mediates most effects of GH, and these are contradictory. Using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, radioimmunoassay, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and radiochromatography we investigated IGF-I and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in an adult (17 months old) transgenic (GH-overexpressing) tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The transgenics showed an around 1.5-fold increase in length and an approximately 2.3-fold higher weight than the non-transgenics. Using radioimmunoassay, the serum IGF-I levels were lower (6.22 +/- 0.75 ng/ml) in transgenic than in wild-type (15.01 +/- 1.49 ng/ml) individuals (P = 0.0012). Radioimmunoassayable IGF-I in transgenic liver was 4.2-times higher than in wild-type (16.0 +/- 2.21 vs. 3.83 +/- 0.71 ng/g, P = 0.0017). No hepatocytes in wild-type but numerous hepatocytes in transgenic liver contained IGF-I-immunoreactivity. RT-PCR revealed a 1.4-times higher IGF-I mRNA expression in the liver of the transgenics (10.51 +/- 0.82 vs. 7.3 +/- 0.49 pg/microg total RNA, P = 0.0032). In correspondence, in situ hybridization showed more IGF-I mRNA containing hepatocytes in the transgenics. A twofold elevated IGF-I mRNA expression was determined in the skeletal muscle of transgenics (0.33 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.16 +/- 0.01 pg/microg total RNA, P < 0.0001). Both liver and serum of transgenics showed increased IGF-I binding. The increased IGFBP content in the liver may lead to retention of IGF-I, and/or the release of IGF-I into the circulation may be slower resulting in accumulation of IGF-I in the hepatocytes. Our results indicate that the enhanced growth of the transgenics likely is due to enhanced autocrine/paracrine action of IGF-I in extrahepatic sites, as shown here for skeletal muscle.

IGF-I is distinctly located in the bony fish pituitary as revealed for Oreochromis niloticus, the Nile tilapia, using real-time RT-PCR, in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry

In bony fish, IGF-I released from the liver under the control of pituitary GH is the main endocrine regulator of growth, maintenance and development, and the amount of circulating IGF-I regulates synthesis and release of GH. In mammals and amphibia, evidence indicates that anterior pituitary endocrine cells also contain IGF-I. However, only preliminary and conflicting data exist on IGF-I gene expression in bony fish pituitary. Thus, we investigated the presence of IGF-I in the tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) pituitary by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry. The absolute amount of IGF-I mRNA in the whole pituitary (7.4+/-3.3 x 10(-3)pg/microg total RNA) was 1000-times lower than in liver (7.5+/-3.1 pg/microg total RNA). IGF-I peptide occurred in both neuro- and adenohypophysis but IGF-I gene expression was mainly restricted to the adenohypophysis. In the neurohypophysis, only few cells, probably pituicytes, contained IGF-I mRNA whereas IGF-I peptide was found also in numerous axons in the pars nervosa. In the adenohypophysis, both IGF-I mRNA and peptide were present in the majority of ACTH cells in all individuals investigated. In alpha-MSH cells, only IGF-I mRNA but no IGF-I peptide was detected likely suggesting an immediate release of IGF-I after synthesis. IGF-I mRNA and peptide were further observed in GH cells but their presence showed pronounced inter-individual differences likely due to the physiological, e.g., nutritional, status of the individual. IGF-I released from the GH cells may serve as auto/paracrine mediator of a negative feedback mechanism in addition to liver-derived endocrine IGF-I. Generally, the constitutive synthesis of IGF-I in ACTH cells and the varying content in GH and alpha-MSH cells suggest particular roles for IGF-I. Local IGF-I may regulate synthesis and release of pituitary hormones in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner as well as prevent apoptosis and stimulate proliferation of endocrine cells.

The role of the IGF-I system for vitellogenesis in maturing female sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus Linnaeus, 1758

Transition from previtellogeneic to vitellogenic oocyte growth is a critical phase for folliculogenesis in sturgeon and may often be postponed for several years. Recent findings on the involvement of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in cell differentiation processes of oocyte follicle and ovarian steroidogenesis of teleosts in vitro led to the hypothesis that paracrine IGF-I could function as a potential trigger in vivo. For the first time, IGF-I and its corresponding receptor (IGF-IR) were identified in a non-teleostean fish. Real-time PCR assays for IGF-I and IGF-IR mRNA were established, normalising mRNA expression of the target genes to beta-microglobulin (beta2m). We clearly show that expression of IGF-I in the gonad is a substantial source for IGF-I-mediated effects in follicles compared to liver, brain, muscle and adipose tissue. Among these tissues, IGF-IR mRNA was highest in the gonad. With regard to different cohorts of coexisting follicles, highest expression of IGF-I and IGF-IR were met in developing follicles, indicating that IGF-I functions as an intraovarian modulator of follicle faith. Comparing previtellogenic follicles in females that matured within two years with non-maturing females f the same age, revealed an increases of 2.3-fold for IGF-I and 2.8-fold for IGF-IR mRNA expression in maturing females. These findings implicate an important role of paracrine IGF-I in early vitellogenesis and identify it as candidate vitellogenesis inducing factor (VIF), determining the faith of the follicle.

Differential expression of IGF-I mRNA and peptide in the male and female gonad during early development of a bony fish, the tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) plays a key role in the complex system that regulates bony fish growth, differentiation, and reproduction. The major source of circulating IGF-I is liver, but IGF-I-producing cells also occur in other organs, including the gonads. Because no data are available on the potential production sites of IGF-I in gonad development, developmental stages of monosex breedings of male and female tilapia from 0 day postfertilization (DPF) to 90 DPF were investigated for the production sites of IGF-I at the peptide (immunohistochemistry) and mRNA (in situ hybridization) level. IGF-I mRNA first appeared in somatic cells of the male and female gonad anlage at 7 DPF followed by IGF-I peptide around 9-10 DPF. Gonad anlagen were detected from 7 DPF. Starting at 7 DPF, IGF-I peptide but no IGF-I mRNA was observed in male and female primordial germ cells (PGCs) provided that IGF-I mRNA was not under the detection level, this observation may suggest that IGF-I originates from the somatic cells and is transferred to the PGCs or is of maternal origin. While in female germ cells IGF-I mRNA and peptide appeared at 29 DPF, in male germ cells both were detected as late as at 51-53 DPF. It is assumed that the production of IGF-I in the germ cells is linked to the onset of meiosis that in tilapia ovary starts at around 28 DPF and in testes at around 52-53 DPF. In adult testis, IGF-I mRNA and peptide occurred in the majority of spermatogonia and spermatocytes as well as in Leydig cells, the latter indicating a role of IGF-I in the synthesis of male sex steroids. In adult ovary, IGF-I mRNA and IGF-I peptide were always present in small and previtellogenic oocytes but only IGF-I peptide infrequently occurred in oocytes at the later stages. IGF-I expression appeared in numerous granulosa and some theca cells of follicles at the lipid stage and persisted in follicles with mature oocytes. The results suggest a crucial role of local IGF-I in the formation, differentiation and function of tilapia gonads.

Organ-specific expression of IGF-I during early development of bony fish as revealed in the tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry: indication for the particular importance of local IGF-I

The cellular sites of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) synthesis in the early developing tilapia (0-140 days post fertilization, DPF) were investigated. IGF-I mRNA and peptide appeared in liver as early as 4 DPF and in gastro-intestinal epithelial cells between 5-9 DPF. In exocrine pancreas, the expression of IGF-I started at 4 DPF and continued until 90 DPF. IGF-I production was detected in islets at 6 DPF in non-insulin cells and occurred throughout life. In renal tubules and ducts, IGF-I production started at 8 DPF. IGF-I production in chondrocytes had its onset at 4 DPF, was more pronounced in growing regions and was also found in adults. IGF-I mRNA and peptide appeared in the cytoplasm of skeletal muscle cells at 4 DPF. In gill chloride cells, IGF-I production started at 6 DPF. At 13 DPF, IGF-I was detected in cardiac myocytes. IGF-I-producing epidermal cells appeared at 5 DPF. In brain and ganglia, IGF-I was expressed in virtually all neurones from 6 to 29 DPF, their number decreasing with age. Neurosecretory IGF-I-immunoreactive axons were first seen in the neurohypophysis around 17 DPF. Endocrine cells of the adenohypophysis exhibited IGF-I mRNA at 28 DPF and IGF-I immunoreactivity at 40 DPF. Thus, IGF-I appeared early (4-5 DPF), first in liver, the main source of endocrine IGF-I, and then in organs involved in growth or metabolism. The expression of IGF-I was more pronounced during development than in juvenile and adult life. Local IGF-I therefore seems to have a high functional impact in early growth, metabolism and organogenesis.

A Survey on the Expression of IGF-I in the Early Developing Bony Fish with Special Emphasis on the Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

The present study investigates the expression of IGF-I in the early developing tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). IGF-I was detected very early in ontogeny (4-5 days postfertilization, DPF), first in liver and in organs involved in growth and metabolism, thus suggesting a high physiological impact of IGF-I in growth, metabolism, and organogenesis.

Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factors in fish: where we are and where to go

This communication summarizes viewpoints, discussion, perspectives, and questions, put forward at a workshop on "Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factors in fish" held on September 7th, 2004, at the 5th International Symposium on Fish Endocrinology in Castellon, Spain.

Insulin-like growth factor signaling in fish

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays a central role in the neuroendocrine regulation of growth in all vertebrates. Evidence from studies in a variety of vertebrate species suggest that this growth factor complex, composed of ligands, receptors, and high-affinity binding proteins, evolved early during vertebrate evolution. Among nonmammalian vertebrates, IGF signaling has been studied most extensively in fish, particularly teleosts of commercial importance. The unique life history characteristics associated with their primarily aquatic existence has fortuitously led to the identification of novel functions of the IGF system that are not evident from studies in mammals and other tetrapod vertebrates. Furthermore, the emergence of the zebrafish as a preferred model for development genetics has spawned progress in determining the requirements for IGF signaling during vertebrate embryonic development. This review is intended as a summary of our understanding of IGF signaling, as revealed through research into the expression, function, and evolution of IGF ligands, receptors, and binding proteins in fish.

IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA expression in slow and fast growing families of USDA103 channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

The objective of this study was to examine insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II mRNA levels in fast and slow growing families of catfish. Relative levels of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA were determined by real-time PCR. Family A exhibited a specific growth rate (SGR) of 3.6 and was designated as fast growing, while family H exhibited a SGR of 3.1 and was designated as slow growing (P=0.017). Levels of IGF-II mRNA were 3.3-fold greater (P=0.006) in muscle for the fast growing family compared to the slow growing family. Levels of IGF-II mRNA were 1.8-fold greater (P=0.049) in liver for the fast growing family compared to the slow growing family. Levels of IGF-II mRNA from both fast and slow families were 12.2-fold greater (P<0.001) in muscle and 5.8-fold greater (P=0.021) in liver, respectively, compared to levels of IGF-I mRNA. Muscle and liver levels of IGF-I mRNA were similar between families. Elevated levels of IGF-II mRNA in muscle and liver compared to IGF-I mRNA, as well as differences in levels of IGF-II mRNA between fast and slow growing families of fish suggests a role of IGF-II in growth of channel catfish.

Modulation of the steroidogenic activity of luteinizing hormone by insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I through interaction with the cAMP-dependent protein kinase signaling pathway in the trout ovary

In the salmonid ovary, luteinizing hormone (LH) is the major gonadotropic hormone stimulating the production of steroids during the periovulatory period and its effects are mediated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) signaling pathway. We have previously shown that the in vitro steroidogenic activity of LH in the salmonid ovary is inhibited by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) which, like insulin, has specific receptors in both theca and granulosa layers. In the present study, we have investigated the modulatory effects of insulin on salmon LH (sLH)-stimulated steroid production in preovulatory theca layers of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and the effects of both insulin and IGF-I on the sLH-stimulated cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Our results show that insulin, like IGF-I, blocked the stimulatory effects of sLH, dibutyryl cAMP and IBMX on testosterone (T) production but not those of sLH on cAMP production. Furthermore, insulin and IGF-I blocked the activation of PKA induced by sLH and these effects were correlated with changes in the total protein content of the catalytic (C) and type II regulatory (RII) subunits of PKA. Interestingly, insulin and IGF-I had different effects on total PKA subunit content since insulin potentiated the sLH-stimulated increase in RII subunit content whereas IGF-I blocked the sLH-stimulated increase in total C subunit content. The effects of insulin and IGF-I in trout theca layers appeared to be mediated by the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway because inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) activity completely blocked the inhibitory effects of insulin and IGF-I on the sLH-stimulated production of T and because insulin and IGF-I increased the total protein content of ERK1/2 in trout theca layers. Therefore, our results suggest that insulin and IGF-I, probably through the MAPK pathway, block the action of sLH in trout theca layers by modulating the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.

Cellular localisation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) during development of the marine fish, Sparus aurata

The spatial localisation of insulin-like growth-factor-binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) and its mRNA was investigated during larval and post-larval developmental stages of the gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata) by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation with specific antisera and riboprobes. During larval development, immunoreactivity was found in skin, muscle, gills, pharynx, intestine, liver and olfactory epithelium. After metamorphosis, immunoreactivity was found in the oesophageal epithelium (the strongest reaction) and in red skeletal muscle, heart muscle, the thymus and the epithelium of renal tubules. In the adult, immunostaining with IGFBP-2 antibody was also found in the saccus vasculosus, ovary and testis. IGFBP-2 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridisation mainly in the intestine, skeletal musculature and ovary. These results show that IGFBP-2 protein and mRNA are expressed in a variety of seabream tissues, suggesting that IGFBP-2 regulates the actions of IGFs on these tissues during development and growth.

Establishment of a real-time RT-PCR for the determination of absolute amounts of IGF-I and IGF-II gene expression in liver and extrahepatic sites of the tilapia

We developed a one-tube two-temperature real-time RT-PCR that allows to absolutely quantify the gene expression of hormones using the standard curve method. As our research focuses on the expression of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in bony fish, we established the technique for IGF-I and IGF-II using the tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as model species. As approach, we used primer extension adding a T7 phage polymerase promoter (21 nt) to the 5' end of the antisense primers. This procedure avoids the disadvantages arising from plasmids. Total RNA extracted from liver was subjected to conventional RT-PCR to create templates for in vitro transcription of IGF-I and IGF-II cRNA. Correct template sizes including the T7 promoter were verified (IGF-I: 91 nt; IGF-II: 94 nt). The PCR products were used to create IGF-I and IGF-II cRNAs which were quantified in dot blot by comparison with defined amounts of standardised kanamycin mRNA. Standardised threshold cycle (Ct) values for IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA were achieved by real-time RT-PCR and used to create standard curves. To allow sample normalisation the standard curve was also established for beta-actin as internal calibrator (template: 86 nt), and validation experiments were performed demonstrating similar amplification efficiencies for target and reference genes. Based on the standard curves, the absolute amounts of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA were determined for liver (IGF-I: 8.90+/-1.90 pg/microg total RNA, IGF-II: 3.59+/-0.98 pg/microg total RNA) and extrahepatic sites, such as heart, kidney, intestine, spleen, gills, gonad, and brain considering the different lengths of cRNAs and mRNAs by correction factors. The reliability of the method was confirmed in additional experiments. The amplification of descending dilutions of cRNA and total liver RNA resulted in parallel slopes of the amplification curves. Furthermore, amplification plots of the standard cRNA and the IGF-I and IGF-II mRNAs showed signals starting at the expected Ct values. Thus, the one-tube RT-PCR described here is highly sensitive (detection level approximately 2 pg/microg total RNA) and allows precise absolute quantification. The method is rapid as there are neither separate reverse transcriptions nor post-amplification steps, and can be executed with low risk of contamination. Therefore, it will be helpful when investigating gene expression in any species and tissue whenever absolute levels are of concern.

Effects of follicle stimulating hormone on estradiol-17 beta production and P-450 aromatase (CYP19) activity and mRNA expression in brown trout vitellogenic ovarian follicles in vitro

In order to determine whether follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) regulates P-450 aromatase (P-450 arom) in salmonid fish, we investigated the in vitro effects of FSH on estradiol (E(2)) production and P-450 arom activity and expression in brown trout (Salmo trutta) vitellogenic ovarian follicles. Brown trout ovarian follicles were incubated in the presence of coho salmon FSH and the production of E(2) into the medium was measured by RIA, the activity of P-450 arom by the tritiated water release assay and the expression of P-450 arom by Northern blotting using a homologous cDNA probe obtained by RT-PCR. Results from this study indicate that the dose- and time-dependent stimulatory effects of FSH on E(2) production are dependent on new RNA and protein synthesis. The basal and FSH-stimulated E(2) production was completely blocked by fadrozole, a specific aromatase inhibitor. FSH was capable of stimulating P-450 arom activity but this stimulation was only detectable with short incubation times (30 min) since longer incubation times with FSH resulted in the inhibition of P-450 arom activity. In addition, FSH increased the steady-state P-450 arom mRNA levels. In conclusion, our results indicate, for the first time in teleost fish, that FSH stimulates the expression of P-450 arom, as well as its activity, albeit after a short-term treatment with FSH, and that FSH plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the production of E(2) in the salmonid ovary.

Insulin-like growth factor II mRNA is expressed in neurones of the brain of the bony fish Oreochromis mossambicus, the tilapia

The physiological meaning of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) is still enigmatic. IGF-II occurs in the adult mammalian brain where it is expressed in the mesodermal portion of the choroid plexus and the meninges, but results on its presence in cells of neuroepithelial origin are controversial. However, IGF-II mRNA is transiently expressed in neurones during mammalian early development. In bony fish, IGF-II mRNA is also present in the adult brain but nothing is known about its synthesis sites. Thus, the present study using in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labelled RNA species-specific probes investigates the cellular distribution of IGF-II mRNA in the adult brain of a bony fish, the tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). As in mammals, IGF-II mRNA was strongly expressed in the choroid plexus and meninges. Thus, IGF-II synthesis by choroid plexus and meninges seems to have a long evolutionary history and may be common to all vertebrates. However, as shown by the detailed investigation of landmark nuclei and regions, IGF-II mRNA occurred also in numerous neurones at all levels of the tilapia brain. The distinct localization of IGF-II mRNA in neurones might indicate that neuronal IGF-II acts as transmitter or modulator. However, the widespread occurrence of the IGF-II-producing neurones argues against this assumption and most probably suggests that IGF-II plays a role in the differentiation, maintenance and regeneration of neurones. It is further assumed that the sustained neuronal IGF-II expression in the brain of the adult tilapia correlates with continued post-embryonic up to life-long brain growth as has been shown in many teleost fishes.

Thyroid hormone stimulates hepatic IGF-I mRNA expression in a bony fish, the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus, in vitro and in vivo

To gain more knowledge about the physiological regulation of hepatic insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) production in bony fish, we examined the potential influence of thyroid hormone (T3, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine) on the expression of IGF-I in the liver of the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus, using in vitro and in vivo methods. The in vitro experiments were performed using a recently established primary hepatocyte cell culture and IGF-I expression was determined by means of semiquantitative RT-PCR. T3 (100 nM) significantly enhanced the synthesis rate of IGF-I mRNA in short (>8h) and long (>42h) time courses. The stimulating effect of T3 was detected already after 1h. After 4h, the IGF-I mRNA expression was more than 150% of the starting amount. In long time courses, after 6h the IGF-I mRNA value was about 170% of that in untreated cells and at the end of the experiment, it was still three times higher than in the control. In addition, the increase in IGF-I mRNA expression evoked by T3 (1 nM to 1 microM) was dose-dependent. In the in vivo approach, 10 individuals of tilapia received 4 daily intraperitoneal injections of T3 (6 microg/g body weight). IGF-I mRNA was assessed using dot blot technique with a tilapia specific IGF-I cRNA probe. The T3 treatment led to an increase of the IGF-I mRNA level up to 45% in the liver compared to the untreated animals. In conclusion, our results show that T3 directly stimulates the hepatic production of IGF-I in the tilapia in vitro and in vivo and indicate that in tilapia liver regulatory mechanisms seem to exist, as they are discussed for mammals.