Endocrine and Paracrine Regulation of Early Folliculogenesis in Fish - the Zebrafish Story
Wei Ge*
Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
Ovarian folliculogenesis is one of the most dynamic physiological and developmental processes in vertebrates. Despite numerous studies on this issue in both mammalian and fish models, the molecular mechanisms that control follicle development, especially the early phase of folliculogenesis, still remain poorly understood. Gonadotropins are primary endocrine hormones that control ovarian development and function. In addition, various local paracrine and autocrine factors in the ovary also play important roles in this process. Although the endocrine and paracrine controls of folliculogenesis have often been reported in fish, there has been a lack of genetic data on their functional importance, mostly due to unavailability of the gene knockout approach in fish models. Using the emerging genome editing technologies, mostly TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9, we have analyzed the impacts of pituitary gonadotropins (FSH and LH) and some local ovarian paracrine factors on zebrafish follicle development. Our research has identified several important checkpoints in early follicle development that require both endocrine and paracrine controls.
Acknowledgement: This work was funded by grants from University of Macau (MYRG2016-00072-FHS) and The Macau Fund for Development of Science and Technology (FDCT114/2013/A3).
Key Words: ovary, follculogenesis, follicle activation, genome editing, zebrafish
Wei Ge*
Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
Ovarian folliculogenesis is one of the most dynamic physiological and developmental processes in vertebrates. Despite numerous studies on this issue in both mammalian and fish models, the molecular mechanisms that control follicle development, especially the early phase of folliculogenesis, still remain poorly understood. Gonadotropins are primary endocrine hormones that control ovarian development and function. In addition, various local paracrine and autocrine factors in the ovary also play important roles in this process. Although the endocrine and paracrine controls of folliculogenesis have often been reported in fish, there has been a lack of genetic data on their functional importance, mostly due to unavailability of the gene knockout approach in fish models. Using the emerging genome editing technologies, mostly TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9, we have analyzed the impacts of pituitary gonadotropins (FSH and LH) and some local ovarian paracrine factors on zebrafish follicle development. Our research has identified several important checkpoints in early follicle development that require both endocrine and paracrine controls.
Acknowledgement: This work was funded by grants from University of Macau (MYRG2016-00072-FHS) and The Macau Fund for Development of Science and Technology (FDCT114/2013/A3).
Key Words: ovary, follculogenesis, follicle activation, genome editing, zebrafish