Yang Yu, Sakura Tanaka, Ten-Tsao Wong, Yonathan Zohar, Nilli Zmora
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Vasoactive-intestinal peptide (Vip) is a pleiotropic peptide with a wide range of distribution and functions. Zebrafish possess 2 isoforms of Vip (a and b), in which Vipa is most homologous to the mammalian form. In female zebrafish, Vipa can stimulate LH secretion from the pituitary but is not essential for female reproduction, as vipa-/- females display normal reproduction. In contrast, we have found that vipa-/- males are severely subfertile and sex ratio of offspring is female-biased. By analyzing all aspects of male reproduction with wild-type (WT) males, we show that the testes of vipa-/- are underdeveloped and contain ∼70% less spermatids compared to WT counterparts. The sperm of vipa-/- males displayed reduced potency in terms of fertilization (by ∼80%) and motility span and duration (by ∼50%). In addition, vipa-/- male attraction to WT females was largely nonexistent, indicating decreased sexual motivation. We show that vipa mRNA and protein is present in Leydig cells and in developing germ cells in the testis of WT, raising the possibility that endogenous Vipa contributes to testicular function. Absence of Vipa in vipa-/- males resulted in downregulation of 3 key genes in the androgen synthesis chain in the testis, 3β-hsd, 17β-hsd1, and cyp11c1 (11β-hydrogenase), associated with a pronounced decrease in 11-ketotestosterone production and, in turn, compromised reproductive fitness. Altogether, this study establishes a crucial role for Vipa in the regulation of male reproduction in zebrafish, like in mammals, with the exception that Vipa is also expressed in zebrafish testis.
期刊介绍:
The mission of Endocrinology is to be the authoritative source of emerging hormone science and to disseminate that new knowledge to scientists, clinicians, and the public in a way that will enable "hormone science to health." Endocrinology welcomes the submission of original research investigating endocrine systems and diseases at all levels of biological organization, incorporating molecular mechanistic studies, such as hormone-receptor interactions, in all areas of endocrinology, as well as cross-disciplinary and integrative studies. The editors of Endocrinology encourage the submission of research in emerging areas not traditionally recognized as endocrinology or metabolism in addition to the following traditionally recognized fields: Adrenal; Bone Health and Osteoporosis; Cardiovascular Endocrinology; Diabetes; Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals; Endocrine Neoplasia and Cancer; Growth; Neuroendocrinology; Nuclear Receptors and Their Ligands; Obesity; Reproductive Endocrinology; Signaling Pathways; and Thyroid.