Growth Regulatory Switch Determines Puberty in Fish
Rute S. Martins1 and Adelino V. M. Canario*1,2
1. CCMAR – Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
2. College of Fisheries and life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Puberty requires activation of the brain-pituitary-gonadal (BPG) axis, possibly linked to internal signals for somatic growth, and external factors such as photoperiod or temperature. Although the role of gonadotropins and kisspeptins in the activation of gonadal maturation has been studied in several teleost fish species, the internal signals responsible for the activation of BPG axis and the linking of partition of energy between growth and reproduction are still largely unknown. Recent research combining high throughput transcriptomics and environmental control of reproduction have provided new information on the gene networks likely to be involved in these processes. These studies highlight the importance of metabolic physiology in the decision as to whether fish should proceed to puberty.
Acknowledgements: Supported by: COFASP ERA-NET, the European Commission and the Foundation for Science and Technology of Portugal.
Key Words: kisspeptins, somatostatins, growth, puberty, aquaculture, photoperiod
Rute S. Martins1 and Adelino V. M. Canario*1,2
1. CCMAR – Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
2. College of Fisheries and life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Puberty requires activation of the brain-pituitary-gonadal (BPG) axis, possibly linked to internal signals for somatic growth, and external factors such as photoperiod or temperature. Although the role of gonadotropins and kisspeptins in the activation of gonadal maturation has been studied in several teleost fish species, the internal signals responsible for the activation of BPG axis and the linking of partition of energy between growth and reproduction are still largely unknown. Recent research combining high throughput transcriptomics and environmental control of reproduction have provided new information on the gene networks likely to be involved in these processes. These studies highlight the importance of metabolic physiology in the decision as to whether fish should proceed to puberty.
Acknowledgements: Supported by: COFASP ERA-NET, the European Commission and the Foundation for Science and Technology of Portugal.
Key Words: kisspeptins, somatostatins, growth, puberty, aquaculture, photoperiod