βFSH, βLH and Growth Hormone Gene Expression in Blue Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus, Pallas 1770) During Spermatogenesis and Male Sexual Behavior

Abstract

The relationship between gonadal development (histological evidence for spermiogenesis and/or spermatogenesis), sexual behavior (nest-building) and mRNA levels of gonadotropins (betaFSH and betaLH) and growth hormone (GH) in the male pituitary was investigated. Amplification of betaFSH cDNA showed a significantly higher mRNA level in mature males (whether sexually active or not) than in juveniles. However, following PCR amplification of betaLH cDNA, a significantly higher mRNA level was found in the sexually active group compared to the sexually inactive group. These results suggest that FSH may participate in spermatogenesis, whereas LH is more involved in spermiogenesis. The GH mRNA level increased slightly during the maturation process but no significant differences were found between the groups studied.

Expression of SOX3 and SOX9 Genes in Gonads of Blue Gourami

“…In this study, it was found that the level of SOX9 transcription was high in mature males before sexual behavior and reproduction. A high level of sperm was found in the testis in both these stages [32], and spermatogenesis was controlled by gonadotropins (FSH and LH) and androgens hormones [20] [33]. Raghuveer and Senthilkumaran [34] observed that in breathing catfish Clarias gariepinus, which underwent an annual reproductive cycle, a dimorphic expression pattern of SOX9a and SOX9b was found in both adult and developing gonads using RT-PCR, indicating that SOX9a retained its function in testis while SOX9b might play a new role in ovary, as was revealed in the current study in blue gourami using real-time PCR.…”

Involvement of GnRH and Gonadotropin Genes in Oocyte Development of Blue Gourami Females (<i>Trichogaster trichopterus</i>)

“…Thus, Degani and Yomdin are proposing that testis FSH, whose mRNA levels did not change significantly during sexual behavior, does not participate in spermatogenesis, in contrast to LH, which does [23]. The testis mRNA levels of bgβFSH and bgβLH were significantly lower than those of the pituitary gland in blue gourami [24].…”

A Model of Hormonal and Environmental Involvement in Growth and Sex Differentiation in European Eel (<i>Anguilla Anguilla</i>)

“…The hormone controlling the E 2 is FSH. Cloned [17] cDNA of European eel and the RNA level of FSH were significantly higher than in males [32]. Moreover, the expression of aromatase (EeCYP19) gene during the process of sex determination in adult male gonads was lower when compared to the adult female group [21], [31].…”

“…Under high density conditions where European eel grow, the mRNA level of FSH was significantly lower in males [32], and the inhibition to EeCYP19 significantly reduced the level of E 2 . Moreover, the expression of aromatase (EeCYP19) gene during the process of sex determination in adult male gonads was lower when compared to the adult female group [21], [31].…”

“…In the model for the environmental effect on sex differentiation and growth (Figure 2), it is proposed that low density in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis is affected by high FSH [32] and gonad synthesis E 2 by EeCYP19, and E 2 affects gonad to ovary differentiation [21], [31]. Proposed model of the effect of environment and density on sex differentiation [2], [10], [11], [14], [19]- [21].…”