1
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Boan AF, Delgadin TH, Canosa LF, Fernandino JI. Loss of function in somatostatin receptor 5 has no impact on the growth of medaka fish due to compensation by the other paralogs. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 351:114478. [PMID: 38412943 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Somatic growth in vertebrates is regulated endocrinologically by the somatotropic axis, headed by the growth hormone (GH) and the insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I). Somatostatin (Sst), a peptide hormone synthesized in the hypothalamus, modulates GH actions through its receptors (Sstr). Four Sstr subtypes (Sstr 1-3 and 5) have been identified in teleosts. However, little is known about whether they have a specific function or tissue expression. The aim of this study was to determine the role of sstr2 and sstr5 in the growth of the medaka (Oryzias latipes). The assessed expression pattern across diverse tissues highlighted greater prevalence of sstr1 and sstr3 in brain, intestine and muscle than in pituitary or liver. The expression of sstr2 was high in all the tissues tested, while sstr5 was predominantly expressed in the pituitary gland. A CRISPR/Cas9 sstr5 mutant with loss of function (sstr5-/-) was produced. Assessment of sstr5-/- indicated no significant difference with the wild type regarding growth parameters such as standard length, body depth, or peduncle depth. Furthermore, the functional loss of sstr5 had no impact on the response to a nutritional challenge. The fact that several sstr subtypes were upregulated in different tissues in sstr5-/- medaka suggests that in the mutant fish, there may be a compensatory effect on the different tissues, predominantly by sstr1 in the liver, brain and pituitary, with sstr2 being upregulated in pituitary and liver, and sstr3 only presenting differential expression in the brain. Analysis of the sstr subtype and the sstr5-/- fish showed that sstr5 was not the only somatostatin receptor responsible for Sst-mediated Gh regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Boan
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina; Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - T H Delgadin
- Universidad Nacional del Santa, Nuevo Chimbote, Ancash, Perú
| | - L F Canosa
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina; Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - J I Fernandino
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina; Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina.
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2
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Fernandes da Costa D, de Oliveira Ribeiro A, Morena Bonita Ricci J, da Silva Rodrigues M, Antonio de Oliveira M, Felipe da Rosa I, Benites Doretto L, Takahiro Nakajima R, Henrique Nóbrega R. A83-01 and DMH1 effects in the zebrafish spermatogonial niche: Unraveling the roles of TGF-β and BMP signaling in the Fsh-mediated spermatogonial fate. Gene 2024; 897:148082. [PMID: 38101710 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.148082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling has fundamental roles in the regulation of the stem cell niche for both embryonic and adult stem cells. In zebrafish, male germ stem cell niche is regulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) through different members of the TGF-β superfamily. On the other hand, the specific roles of TGF-β and BMP signaling pathways are unknown in the zebrafish male germ stem cell niche. Considering this lack of information, the present study aimed to investigate the pharmacological inhibition of TGF-β (A83-01) and BMP (DMH1) signaling pathways in the presence of recombinant zebrafish Fsh using testicular explants. We also reanalyzed single cell-RNA sequencing (sc-RNA-seq) dataset from adult zebrafish testes to identify the testicular cellular sites of smad expression, and to understand the physiological significance of the changes in smad transcript levels after inhibition of TGF-β or BMP pathways. Our results showed that A83-01 potentiated the pro-stimulatory effects of Fsh on spermatogonial differentiation leading to an increase in the proportion area occupied by differentiated spermatogonia with concomitant reduction of type A undifferentiated (Aund) spermatogonia. In agreement, expression analysis showed lower mRNA levels for the pluripotency gene pou5f3, and increased expression of dazl (marker of type B spermatogonia and spermatocyte) and igf3 (pro-stimulatory growth factor) following the co-treatment with TGF-β inhibitor and Fsh. Contrariwise, the inhibition of BMP signaling nullified the pro-stimulatory effects of Fsh, resulting in a reduction of differentiated spermatogonia and increased proportion area occupied by type Aund spermatogonia. Supporting this evidence, BMP signaling inhibition increased the mRNA levels of pluripotency genes nanog and pou5f3, and decreased dazl levels when compared to control. The sc-RNA-seq data unveiled a distinctive pattern of smad expression among testicular cells, primarily observed in spermatogonia (smad 2, 3a, 3b, 8), spermatocytes (smad 2, 3a, 8), Sertoli cells (smad 1, 3a, 3b), and Leydig cells (smad 1, 2). This finding supports the notion that inhibition of TGF-β and BMP signaling pathways may predominantly impact cellular components within the spermatogonial niche, namely spermatogonia, Sertoli, and Leydig cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that TGF-β and BMP signaling pathways exert antagonistic roles in the zebrafish germ stem cell niche. The members of the TGF-β subfamily are mainly involved in maintaining the undifferentiated state of spermatogonia, while the BMP subfamily promotes spermatogonial differentiation. Therefore, in the complex regulation of the germ stem cell niche by Fsh, members of the BMP subfamily (pro-differentiation) should be more predominant in the niche than those belonging to the TGF-β (anti-differentiation). Overall, these findings are not only relevant for understanding the regulation of germ stem cell niche but may also be useful for expanding in vitro the number of undifferentiated spermatogonia more efficiently than using recombinant hormones or growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fernandes da Costa
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda de Oliveira Ribeiro
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Morena Bonita Ricci
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maira da Silva Rodrigues
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos Antonio de Oliveira
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ivana Felipe da Rosa
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Benites Doretto
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Takahiro Nakajima
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Henrique Nóbrega
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil; South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, 389 25 Vodňany, Czech Republic.
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3
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Qiu X, Wang S, Zhuo M, Shi Y, Chen K. Diazepam at environmentally relevant concentrations disturbed social interactions and brain neurotransmitters in adult Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 265:106773. [PMID: 38000133 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Pollution by diazepam (DZP) is increasingly recognized as a major threat to aquatic organisms, but knowledge about its potential risk to fish is still limited. In this study, we exposed female and male Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) to environmentally relevant DZP (0.8 and 8 µg/L) for 28 days and investigated variation in their behavior (on days 7, 14, and 28) and brain neurotransmitter levels (on day 28). The results showed that DZP could be accumulated in the brain and gonads in Japanese medaka. When two fish of the same sex were placed in an aquarium, DZP exposure exhibited typical sedative effects on females (on day 7) and males (on days 7 and 14). However, these sedative effects on both sexes were no longer present after 28 days of exposure. Exposure to DZP induced sex-specific impacts on the social interactions of medaka on days 7, 14, and 28 of exposure in a time-dependent manner. When both sexes were placed into an aquarium in a ratio of 1:1, DZP could significantly alter their locomotor activity and social interaction on days 14 and 28 of the exposure. After 28 days of exposure, DZP significantly altered the levels of several neurotransmitters in the brain of medaka, also in sex-specific manners. The alterations in dopamine and serotonin levels exhibited significant correlations with the increased social interaction between females. At the same time, that of γ-aminobutyric acid significantly correlated to the decreased social interaction between males. Our findings suggest that chronic exposure to DZP, even at environmentally relevant concentrations, can accumulate in the brains and gonads of fish, and alter their behaviors by mediating brain neurotransmitter levels, which may further disturb their reproduction and population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuchun Qiu
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China.
| | - Sijing Wang
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Mengcheng Zhuo
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
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4
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Yu Y, Chen M, Shen ZG. Molecular biological, physiological, cytological, and epigenetic mechanisms of environmental sex differentiation in teleosts: A systematic review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 267:115654. [PMID: 37918334 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Human activities have been exerting widespread stress and environmental risks in aquatic ecosystems. Environmental stress, including temperature rise, acidification, hypoxia, light pollution, and crowding, had a considerable negative impact on the life histology of aquatic animals, especially on sex differentiation (SDi) and the resulting sex ratios. Understanding how the sex of fish responds to stressful environments is of great importance for understanding the origin and maintenance of sex, the dynamics of the natural population in the changing world, and the precise application of sex control in aquaculture. This review conducted an exhaustive search of the available literature on the influence of environmental stress (ES) on SDi. Evidence has shown that all types of ES can affect SDi and universally result in an increase in males or masculinization, which has been reported in 100 fish species and 121 cases. Then, this comprehensive review aimed to summarize the molecular biology, physiology, cytology, and epigenetic mechanisms through which ES contributes to male development or masculinization. The relationship between ES and fish SDi from multiple aspects was analyzed, and it was found that environmental sex differentiation (ESDi) is the result of the combined effects of genetic and epigenetic factors, self-physiological regulation, and response to environmental signals, which involves a sophisticated network of various hormones and numerous genes at multiple levels and multiple gradations in bipotential gonads. In both normal male differentiation and ES-induced masculinization, the stress pathway and epigenetic regulation play important roles; however, how they co-regulate SDi is unclear. Evidence suggests that the universal emergence or increase in males in aquatic animals is an adaptation to moderate ES. ES-induced sex reversal should be fully investigated in more fish species and extensively in the wild. The potential aquaculture applications and difficulties associated with ESDi have also been addressed. Finally, the knowledge gaps in the ESDi are presented, which will guide the priorities of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yu
- College of Fisheries, Engineering Research Center of Green development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Min Chen
- College of Fisheries, Engineering Research Center of Green development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Zhi-Gang Shen
- College of Fisheries, Engineering Research Center of Green development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pond Aquaculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, PR China.
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5
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Ramachandran D, Sharma K, Saxena V, Nipu N, Rajapaksha DC, Mennigen JA. Knock-out of vasotocin reduces reproductive success in female zebrafish, Danio rerio. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1151299. [PMID: 37670879 PMCID: PMC10475537 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1151299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate nonapeptide vasotocin/vasopressin is evolutionarily highly conserved and acts as neuromodulator and endocrine/paracrine signaling molecule. Circumstantial and mechanistic evidence from pharmacological manipulations of the vasotocin system in several teleost fishes suggest sex- and species-specific reproductive roles of vasotocin. While effects of vasotocin on teleost reproductive physiology involve both courtship behaviors and the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes, comprehensive studies investigating behavioral and physiological reproductive consequences of genetic ablation of vasotocin in a genetically tractable fish model, such as the zebrafish, are currently lacking. Here, we report the generation of homozygous CRISPR/Cas9-based vasotocin gene knock-out zebrafish. Breeding pairs of vasotocin knock-out fish produce significantly fewer fertilized eggs per clutch compared to wildtype fish, an effect coincident with reduced female quivering courtship behavior. Crossbreeding experiments reveal that this reproductive phenotype is entirely female-dependent, as vasotocin-deficient males reproduce normally when paired with female wild-type fish. Histological analyses of vasotocin knock-out ovaries revealed an overall reduction in oocytes and differential distribution of oocyte maturation stages, demonstrating that the reproductive phenotype is linked to oocyte maturation and release. Ovarian hormone quantification and gene expression analysis in mutant fish indicated reduced synthesis of Prostaglandin F2α, a hormone involved in ovarian maturation, egg release and regulation of female courtship behavior in some cyprinids. However, acute injection of vasotocin did not rescue the female mutant reproductive phenotype, suggesting a contribution of organizational effects of vasotocin. Together, this study provides further support for emerging roles of vasotocin in female teleost reproduction in an important teleost model species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jan A. Mennigen
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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6
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Castañeda-Cortés DC, Rosa IF, Boan AF, Marrone D, Pagliaro N, Oliveira MA, Rodrigues MS, Doretto LB, Silva C, Tavares-Júnior J, Costa DF, Dodds MS, Strobl-Mazzulla PH, Langlois VS, Nóbrega RH, Fernandino JI. Thyroid axis participates in high-temperature-induced male sex reversal through its activation by the stress response. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:253. [PMID: 37589787 PMCID: PMC11071808 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04913-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Environmental changes alter the sex fate in about 15% of vertebrate orders, mainly in ectotherms such as fish and reptiles. However, the effects of temperature changes on the endocrine and molecular processes controlling gonadal sex determination are not fully understood. Here, we provide evidence that thyroid hormones (THs) act as co-players in heat-induced masculinization through interactions with the stress axis to promote testicular development. We first demonstrated that the thyroid axis (through thyroid-related genes and T3 levels) is highly active in males during the gonadal development in medaka (Oryzias latipes). Similarly, T3 treatments promoted female-to-male sex reversal in XX embryos. Subsequently, embryonic exposure to temperature-induced stress up-regulated the genes related to the thyroid and stress axes with a final increase in T3 levels. In this context, we show that blocking the stress axis response by the loss of function of the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors suppresses thyroid-stimulating hormone expression, therefore, heat-induced activation of the thyroid axis. Thus, our data showed that early activation of the stress axis and, in consequence, the TH axis, too, leaves us with that both being important endocrine players in inducing female-to-male reversal, which can help predict possible upcoming physiological impacts of global warming on fish populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana C Castañeda-Cortés
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Ivana F Rosa
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Agustín F Boan
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Demian Marrone
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Natalia Pagliaro
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Marcos A Oliveira
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maira S Rodrigues
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas B Doretto
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Silva
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Tavares-Júnior
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel F Costa
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - María S Dodds
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Pablo H Strobl-Mazzulla
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Québec, QC, Canada.
| | - Rafael H Nóbrega
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
- South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Vodňany, Ceske Budejovice, 389 25, Czech Republic.
| | - Juan I Fernandino
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina.
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina.
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7
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Moreno Acosta OD, Boan AF, Hattori RS, Fernandino JI. Notch pathway is required for protection against heat stress in spermatogonial stem cells in medaka. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2023; 49:487-500. [PMID: 37126120 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-023-01200-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Gamete production is a fundamental process for reproduction; however, exposure to stress, such as increased environmental temperature, can decrease or even interrupt this process, affecting fertility. Thus, the survival of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is crucial for the recovery of spermatogenesis upon stressful situations. Here, we show that the Notch pathway is implicated in such survival, by protecting the SSCs against thermal stress. First, we corroborated the impairment of spermatogenesis under heat stress in medaka, observing an arrest in metaphase I at 10 days of heat treatment, an increase in the number of spermatocytes, and downregulation of ndrg1b and sycp3. In addition, at 30 days of treatment, an interruption of spermatogenesis was observed with a strong loss of spermatocytes and spermatids. Then, the exposure of adult males to thermal stress condition induced apoptosis mainly in spermatogenic and supporting somatic cells, with the exception of the germinal region, where SSCs are located. Concomitantly, the Notch pathway-related genes were upregulated, including the ligands (dll4, jag1-2) and receptors (notch1a-3). Moreover, during thermal stress presenilin enhancer-2 (pen-2), the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase complex of the Notch pathway was restricted to the germinal region of the medaka testis, observed in somatic cells surrounding type A spermatogonia (SGa). The importance of Notch pathway was further supported by an ex vivo approach, in which the inhibition of this pathway activity induced a loss of SSCs. Overall, this study supports the importance of Notch pathways for the protection of SSCs under chronic thermal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar D Moreno Acosta
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomus, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomus, Argentina
| | - Agustín F Boan
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomus, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomus, Argentina
| | - Ricardo S Hattori
- Salmonid Experimental Station at Campos Do Jordão, UPD-CJ, Sao Paulo Fisheries Institute (APTA/SAA), Campos Do Jordao, Brazil
| | - Juan Ignacio Fernandino
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomus, Argentina.
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomus, Argentina.
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8
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Carriquiriborde P, Fernandino JI, López CG, Benito EDS, Gutierrez-Villagomez JM, Cristos D, Trudeau VL, Somoza GM. Atrazine alters early sexual development of the South American silverside, Odontesthes bonariensis. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 254:106366. [PMID: 36459853 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Atrazine (ATZ) is a frequent contaminant in freshwater ecosystems within agricultural regions. The capacity of this herbicide to interfere with the vertebrate endocrine system is broadly recognized, but the mechanisms and responses usually differ among species. In this study, ATZ effects on hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis key genes expression and early gonadal development were evaluated in Odontesthes bonariensis larvae waterborne exposed during the gonadal differentiation period. Fish were treated to 0, 0.7, 7.0, and 70 µg ATZ/L at 25 °C from the 2nd to 6th week after hatching (wah), and a group was kept in clean water until the 12th wah. Parallelly, a group was submitted to 0.05 µg/L of ethinylestradiol (EE2) as a positive estrogenic control. From each treatment, eight larvae were sampled at 6 wah for gene expression analysis and twelve larvae at 12 wah for phenotypic sex histological determination. The expression of gnrh1, lhb, fshb, and cyp19a1b was assessed in the head, and the ones of amha, 11βhsd2, and cyp19a1a in the trunk. Fish growth was significantly higher in fish exposed to 7 and 70 µg ATZ/L in the 6 wah, but the effect vanished at the 12 wah. The expression of lhb was upregulated in both sex larvae exposed from 7 µg ATZ/L. However, a dimorphic effect was induced on cyp19a1a expression at 70 µg ATZ/L, up or downregulating mRNA transcription in males and females, respectively. Delayed ovarian development and increased number of testicular germ cells were histologically observed from 7 to 70 µg ATZ/L, respectively, and a sex inversion (genotypic male to phenotypic female) was found in one larva at 70 µg ATZ/L. The lhb expression was also upregulated by EE2, but the cyp19a1a expression was not affected, and a complete male-to-female reversal was induced. Further, EE2 upregulated gnrh1 in females and cyp19a1b in both sexes, but it did not alter any assessed gene in the trunk. In conclusion, ATZ disrupted HPG axis physiology and normal gonadal development in O. bonariensis larvae at environmentally relevant concentrations. The responses to ATZ only partially overlapped and were less active when compared to the model estrogenic compound EE2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Carriquiriborde
- Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambiente (CIM, UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Ignacio Fernandino
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías. UNSAM. Argentina
| | - Carina G López
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías. UNSAM. Argentina
| | - Eduardo de San Benito
- Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambiente (CIM, UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Diego Cristos
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Centro de Investigación de Agroindustria (CIA-INTA), Castelar, Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Vance L Trudeau
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1S 6N5, Canada
| | - Gustavo M Somoza
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías. UNSAM. Argentina.
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Mennigen JA, Ramachandran D, Shaw K, Chaube R, Joy KP, Trudeau VL. Reproductive roles of the vasopressin/oxytocin neuropeptide family in teleost fishes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1005863. [PMID: 36313759 PMCID: PMC9606234 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1005863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate nonapeptide families arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) are considered to have evolved from a single vasopressin-like peptide present in invertebrates and termed arginine vasotocin in early vertebrate evolution. Unprecedented genome sequence availability has more recently allowed new insight into the evolution of nonapeptides and especially their receptor families in the context of whole genome duplications. In bony fish, nonapeptide homologues of AVP termed arginine vasotocin (Avp) and an OXT family peptide (Oxt) originally termed isotocin have been characterized. While reproductive roles of both nonapeptide families have historically been studied in several vertebrates, their roles in teleost reproduction remain much less understood. Taking advantage of novel genome resources and associated technological advances such as genetic modifications in fish models, we here critically review the current state of knowledge regarding the roles of nonapeptide systems in teleost reproduction. We further discuss sources of plasticity of the conserved nonapeptide systems in the context of diverse reproductive phenotypes observed in teleost fishes. Given the dual roles of preoptic area (POA) synthesized Avp and Oxt as neuromodulators and endocrine/paracrine factors, we focus on known roles of both peptides on reproductive behaviour and the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Emphasis is placed on the identification of a gonadal nonapeptide system that plays critical roles in both steroidogenesis and gamete maturation. We conclude by highlighting key research gaps including a call for translational studies linking new mechanistic understanding of nonapeptide regulated physiology in the context of aquaculture, conservation biology and ecotoxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan A. Mennigen
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Divya Ramachandran
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Katherine Shaw
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Radha Chaube
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Keerikkattil P. Joy
- Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, India
| | - Vance L. Trudeau
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
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