Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-18DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114885
Robert Lalonde , Catherine Strazielle
In view of recent interest in the regenerative powers of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), the effects of melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists were reviewed in open-field, elevated plus-maze, hole-board, and light-box tests of exploratory activity. In the open-field, low doses of melanocortin receptor agonists increase ambulatory activity and rearing but decrease center zone activity and duration under some conditions. In the elevated plus-maze, MSH receptor agonists generally decrease open arm exploration while MSH receptor antagonists increase open arm exploration, possibly caused by effects in amygdala, medial preoptic area, and ventromedial hypothalamus. Hole-board and light-box test results are preliminary but indicate a similar pattern of an anxiogenic response to melanocortin receptor agonists and an anxiolytic response to antagonists. At low doses, melanocortin receptor agonists are liable to increase general activity, a factor that needs to be taken into account when examining its regenerating action. Melanocortin receptor antagonists decrease anxiety in the elevated plus-maze and thereby may serve a useful function while increasing appetite.
{"title":"Effects of melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists on exploratory activity: a review","authors":"Robert Lalonde , Catherine Strazielle","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114885","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114885","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In view of recent interest in the regenerative powers of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), the effects of melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists were reviewed in open-field, elevated plus-maze, hole-board, and light-box tests of exploratory activity. In the open-field, low doses of melanocortin receptor agonists increase ambulatory activity and rearing but decrease center zone activity and duration under some conditions. In the elevated plus-maze, MSH receptor agonists generally decrease open arm exploration while MSH receptor antagonists increase open arm exploration, possibly caused by effects in amygdala, medial preoptic area, and ventromedial hypothalamus. Hole-board and light-box test results are preliminary but indicate a similar pattern of an anxiogenic response to melanocortin receptor agonists and an anxiolytic response to antagonists. At low doses, melanocortin receptor agonists are liable to increase general activity, a factor that needs to be taken into account when examining its regenerating action. Melanocortin receptor antagonists decrease anxiety in the elevated plus-maze and thereby may serve a useful function while increasing appetite.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 114885"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146009836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vitamins are essential micronutrients involved in various biochemical processes, such as serving as cofactors, antioxidants, and regulators of calcium metabolism. In vertebrates, vitamins D, K, and C are particularly known for supporting bone health and mineralization. However, the role of vitamins in biomineralization processes in marine invertebrates, such as octocorals (cnidarians) that produce internal skeletal structures called sclerites, remains largely unexplored.
This study uses an in vivo injection method in the octocoral Sarcophyton sp. to assess the effects of various vitamins on sclerite formation over 21 days. Calcification was monitored using calcein, a fluorescent marker, and analyzed by confocal microscopy combined with particle analysis. Our results indicate that vitamin D promotes sclerite formation, whereas vitamin C appears to inhibit this process, suggesting distinct roles for specific vitamins in octocoral biomineralization.
These findings provide experimental evidence of vitamin-mediated regulation of biomineralization in octocorals. By identifying conserved pathways in cnidarian skeletal formation, this study lays the groundwork for future research in coral physiology, and more broadly on comparative endocrinology, and may contribute to broader insights into coral resilience.
{"title":"A window into vitamin effects on biomineralization in octocorals","authors":"Clémence Forin , Denis Allemand , Sylvie Tambutté , Philippe Ganot","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114854","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114854","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vitamins are essential micronutrients involved in various biochemical processes, such as serving as cofactors, antioxidants, and regulators of calcium metabolism. In vertebrates, vitamins D, K, and C are particularly known for supporting bone health and mineralization. However, the role of vitamins in biomineralization processes in marine invertebrates, such as octocorals (cnidarians) that produce internal skeletal structures called sclerites, remains largely unexplored.</div><div>This study uses an <em>in vivo</em> injection method in the octocoral <em>Sarcophyton sp</em>. to assess the effects of various vitamins on sclerite formation over 21 days. Calcification was monitored using calcein, a fluorescent marker, and analyzed by confocal microscopy combined with particle analysis. Our results indicate that vitamin D promotes sclerite formation, whereas vitamin C appears to inhibit this process, suggesting distinct roles for specific vitamins in octocoral biomineralization.</div><div>These findings provide experimental evidence of vitamin-mediated regulation of biomineralization in octocorals. By identifying conserved pathways in cnidarian skeletal formation, this study lays the groundwork for future research in coral physiology, and more broadly on comparative endocrinology, and may contribute to broader insights into coral resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"375 ","pages":"Article 114854"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145512360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-02DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114840
Subu Yatung, Lalmuanpuia Ralte, Amit Kumar Trivedi
In birds, stressors increase corticosterone, a glucocorticoid, causing physiological, reproductive, and behavioural changes. Besides, melatonin, a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland, regulates circadian rhythms and seasonal reproduction and exhibits antioxidant properties. In the present study, photorefractory adult male tree sparrows were used. Body mass, bill colour, and testicular volume were recorded. Later, birds (n = 6/group) were divided into three groups and were treated for 4 weeks under 8L:16D light conditions: Group 1 received ethanolic saline (control), group 2 received corticosterone (2 µg/100 µl), and group 3 received corticosterone (2 µg/100 µl) plus melatonin (10 µg/100 µl), with melatonin administered 30 min before lights-off. After 4 weeks of treatment, the birds were subsequently shifted to 16L:8D for 30 days. At the experiment’s end, samples were collected mid-light phase, and brain and testis tissues were stored at −80 °C for gene expression analysis. The study reveals no variation in the body mass and bill colour; however, testicular volume significantly increased across groups. Corticosterone treatment downregulated hypothalamic reproductive transcripts in tree sparrows, while the corticosterone plus melatonin and control groups showed upregulation of these genes. Furthermore, steroidogenic genes were downregulated in the testis of the corticosterone group compared with the other groups. Similarly, epigenetic genes (Hdac1, Hdac3, and Dnmt1) were upregulated in the hypothalamus in the corticosterone group; however, no changes were observed in the testis. These findings indicate corticosterone negatively impacts reproductive and steroidogenic activity in tree sparrows, but melatonin mitigates these effects, enhancing reproductive-linked steroidogenesis. This suggests a protective role of melatonin in counteracting corticosterone-induced reproductive suppression in this species.
{"title":"Melatonin modulates corticosterone-induced effects on steroidogenesis and reproductive-linked processes in male tree sparrow (passer montanus)","authors":"Subu Yatung, Lalmuanpuia Ralte, Amit Kumar Trivedi","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114840","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114840","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In birds, stressors increase corticosterone, a glucocorticoid, causing physiological, reproductive, and behavioural changes. Besides, melatonin, a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland, regulates circadian rhythms and seasonal reproduction and exhibits antioxidant properties. In the present study, photorefractory adult male tree sparrows were used. Body mass, bill colour, and testicular volume were recorded. Later, birds (n = 6/group) were divided into three groups and were treated for 4 weeks under 8L:16D light conditions: Group 1 received ethanolic saline (control), group 2 received corticosterone (2 µg/100 µl), and group 3 received corticosterone (2 µg/100 µl) plus melatonin (10 µg/100 µl), with melatonin administered 30 min before lights-off. After 4 weeks of treatment, the birds were subsequently shifted to 16L:8D for 30 days. At the experiment’s end, samples were collected mid-light phase, and brain and testis tissues were stored at −80 °C for gene expression analysis. The study reveals no variation in the body mass and bill colour; however, testicular volume significantly increased across groups. Corticosterone treatment downregulated hypothalamic reproductive transcripts in tree sparrows, while the corticosterone plus melatonin and control groups showed upregulation of these genes. Furthermore, steroidogenic genes were downregulated in the testis of the corticosterone group compared with the other groups. Similarly, epigenetic genes (<em>Hdac1</em>, <em>Hdac3</em>, and <em>Dnmt1</em>) were upregulated in the hypothalamus in the corticosterone group; however, no changes were observed in the testis. These findings indicate corticosterone negatively impacts reproductive and steroidogenic activity in tree sparrows, but melatonin mitigates these effects, enhancing reproductive-linked steroidogenesis. This suggests a protective role of melatonin in counteracting corticosterone-induced reproductive suppression in this species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"375 ","pages":"Article 114840"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145444631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thyroid hormones (THs) are indispensable regulators of vertebrate embryogenesis, orchestrating signaling networks that direct cardiac morphogenesis. To investigate how disruption of this pathway impacts early development, fertilized Gallus domesticus eggs were exposed to amiodarone, a potent TH receptor (THR) antagonist and deiodinase inhibitor. Treated embryos displayed pronounced defects, including impaired heart looping, edema, increased apoptotic regions and sustained bradycardia during Hamburger-Hamilton stages 12 to 18. By day 10, histology revealed significant thinning of ventricular and atrial walls, with the compact ventricular layer reduced by ∼22 % while trabeculae were relatively preserved. These changes were accompanied by reduced acetylcholinesterase activity, indicating impaired neurocardiac regulation. Molecular analyses showed broad downregulation of WNT11, GATA4/5, TBX20, HAND2, BMP4, SHH, FGF8, MYOD, and MYOSIN, together with decreased PCNA and compensatory upregulation of GATA6. Interestingly, discrepancies between transcript and protein levels suggested post-transcriptional control under hypothyroid conditions. In silico promoter scanning identified thyroid hormone response elements within HAND2, GATA6, TBX5, PITX2, and BMP4, linking maternal TH signaling directly to lateral plate mesoderm gene networks. Flow cytometry and whole-mount immunolocalization confirmed reduced expression and altered localization of MYOD and MYOSIN, including loss of the normal heart-tube–restricted MYOD signal. Collectively, these findings establish that TH signaling networks coordinate structural, functional, and molecular programs essential for early cardiogenesis. Amiodarone-induced THR blockade recapitulates developmental hypothyroidism, providing mechanistic insight into how maternal TH deficiency or endocrine-disrupting exposures may contribute to congenital heart defects.
{"title":"Amiodarone disrupts thyroid hormone signaling networks governing early heart development in the chick embryo","authors":"Juhi Vaishnav , Aashi Maurya , Varun Varadarajan , Suresh Balakrishnan","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114871","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114871","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thyroid hormones (THs) are indispensable regulators of vertebrate embryogenesis, orchestrating signaling networks that direct cardiac morphogenesis. To investigate how disruption of this pathway impacts early development, fertilized <em>Gallus domesticus</em> eggs were exposed to amiodarone, a potent TH receptor (THR) antagonist and deiodinase inhibitor. Treated embryos displayed pronounced defects, including impaired heart looping, edema, increased apoptotic regions and sustained bradycardia during Hamburger-Hamilton stages 12 to 18. By day 10, histology revealed significant thinning of ventricular and atrial walls, with the compact ventricular layer reduced by ∼22 % while trabeculae were relatively preserved. These changes were accompanied by reduced acetylcholinesterase activity, indicating impaired neurocardiac regulation. Molecular analyses showed broad downregulation of WNT11, GATA4/5, TBX20, HAND2, BMP4, SHH, FGF8, MYOD, and MYOSIN, together with decreased PCNA and compensatory upregulation of GATA6. Interestingly, discrepancies between transcript and protein levels suggested post-transcriptional control under hypothyroid conditions. In silico promoter scanning identified thyroid hormone response elements within HAND2, GATA6, TBX5, PITX2, and BMP4, linking maternal TH signaling directly to lateral plate mesoderm gene networks. Flow cytometry and whole-mount immunolocalization confirmed reduced expression and altered localization of MYOD and MYOSIN, including loss of the normal heart-tube–restricted MYOD signal. Collectively, these findings establish that TH signaling networks coordinate structural, functional, and molecular programs essential for early cardiogenesis. Amiodarone-induced THR blockade recapitulates developmental hypothyroidism, providing mechanistic insight into how maternal TH deficiency or endocrine-disrupting exposures may contribute to congenital heart defects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"376 ","pages":"Article 114871"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145767806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-10-31DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114839
Stefanny Christie Monteiro Titon , Braz Titon Junior , Vania Regina Assis , Alan Siqueira Lima , Fernando Ribeiro Gomes
Species with seasonal reproduction exhibit marked variations in physiological processes, including reproductive physiology and immune functions. In unpredictable situations, the emergency life-history stage is characterized by a stress response, primarily mediated by glucocorticoids, which regulate the balance between survival and reproduction. To better understand the impact of stressful events on endocrine and immune physiology in amphibians, we subjected male (calling or foraging) and female (foraging) toads (Rhinella diptycha) captured in the field during a reproductive event to a restraint protocol (0 h, 1 h, and 24 h, repeated samples). Before the restraint, a blood sample was collected to obtain reference values for plasma hormone levels (corticosterone, the main glucocorticoid in amphibians; testosterone; and estradiol) and immune measures (plasma bacterial killing ability and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio). Plasma corticosterone levels increased 1 and 24 h post-restraint in females and males (regardless of activity). We found decreased estradiol and testosterone plasma levels 24 h post-restraint, regardless of sex or activity. The plasma bacterial killing ability increased 1 h post-restraint in calling males and decreased 24 h post-restraint irrespective of sex or activity. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio increased only in foraging males 24 h post-restraint compared with 1 h post-restraint. These findings indicate that while corticosterone responses to acute stress are rapid and persist over time, the suppression of sex steroids and certain immune functions becomes more evident under prolonged stress exposure. Moreover, the transient enhancement of bacterial killing ability in calling males and the delayed increase in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in foraging males suggest that stress-induced immunomodulation may be influenced by reproductive behavior in R. diptycha.
{"title":"Reproductive status affects stress-induced hormonal and immune changes in male and female Rhinella diptycha toads","authors":"Stefanny Christie Monteiro Titon , Braz Titon Junior , Vania Regina Assis , Alan Siqueira Lima , Fernando Ribeiro Gomes","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114839","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114839","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Species with seasonal reproduction exhibit marked variations in physiological processes, including reproductive physiology and immune functions. In unpredictable situations, the emergency life-history stage is characterized by a stress response, primarily mediated by glucocorticoids, which regulate the balance between survival and reproduction. To better understand the impact of stressful events on endocrine and immune physiology in amphibians, we subjected male (calling or foraging) and female (foraging) toads (<em>Rhinella diptycha</em>) captured in the field during a reproductive event to a restraint protocol (0 h, 1 h, and 24 h, repeated samples). Before the restraint, a blood sample was collected to obtain reference values for plasma hormone levels (corticosterone, the main glucocorticoid in amphibians; testosterone; and estradiol) and immune measures (plasma bacterial killing ability and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio). Plasma corticosterone levels increased 1 and 24 h post-restraint in females and males (regardless of activity). We found decreased estradiol and testosterone plasma levels 24 h post-restraint, regardless of sex or activity. The plasma bacterial killing ability increased 1 h post-restraint in calling males and decreased 24 h post-restraint irrespective of sex or activity. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio increased only in foraging males 24 h post-restraint compared with 1 h post-restraint. These findings indicate that while corticosterone responses to acute stress are rapid and persist over time, the suppression of sex steroids and certain immune functions becomes more evident under prolonged stress exposure. Moreover, the transient enhancement of bacterial killing ability in calling males and the delayed increase in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in foraging males suggest that stress-induced immunomodulation may be influenced by reproductive behavior in <em>R. diptycha</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"375 ","pages":"Article 114839"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145431204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-08DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114849
James A. Carr
Neurons that produce proopiomelanocortin (POMC), and the biologically active peptides derived from POMC, play essential roles in feeding, body mass regulation and analgesia. Despite the documented importance of POMC peptides as neuromodulators there are only two populations of cells in the mammalian brain that synthesize this prohormone. POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus have a well-documented role in the long-term control of food intake and body mass. Emerging work suggests an important role for the brainstem population of POMC neurons in the rapid control of food intake. There remain, however, many questions about the roles played by differentially processed forms of melanocortin and endorphin peptides. While we know with certainty that all gnathostomes have an infundibular POMC neuronal group, there are many unanswered questions about the evolution of these neurons and their role in long term energy storage and nutrient signaling. Almost nothing is known about brainstem POMC neurons in non-mammalian vertebrates or the anatomy of POMC neurons systems in agnathans. In this review I will summarize what we know about the location, post-translational processing, and function of POMC peptides in the vertebrate brain.
{"title":"Brain POMC Neurons: Comparative Aspects of Anatomy, Peptide Processing and Function","authors":"James A. Carr","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114849","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114849","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Neurons that produce proopiomelanocortin (POMC), and the biologically active peptides derived from POMC, play essential roles in feeding, body mass regulation and analgesia. Despite the documented importance of POMC peptides as neuromodulators there are only two populations of cells in the mammalian brain that synthesize this prohormone. POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus have a well-documented role in the long-term control of food intake and body mass. Emerging work suggests an important role for the brainstem population of POMC neurons in the rapid control of food intake. There remain, however, many questions about the roles played by differentially processed forms of melanocortin and endorphin peptides. While we know with certainty that all gnathostomes have an infundibular POMC neuronal group, there are many unanswered questions about the evolution of these neurons and their role in long term energy storage and nutrient signaling. Almost nothing is known about brainstem POMC neurons in non-mammalian vertebrates or the anatomy of POMC neurons systems in agnathans. In this review I will summarize what we know about the location, post-translational processing, and function of POMC peptides in the vertebrate brain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"375 ","pages":"Article 114849"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145488255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114855
Thomas M. Banks , Susan Glendinning , Courtney Lewis , Avani Bhojwani , Quinn P. Fitzgibbon , Gregory G. Smith , Tomer Ventura
The slipper lobster, Thenus australiensis has gained attention as a candidate species for aquaculture production. Recent studies have investigated various aspects of rearing T. australiensis in an aquaculture setting, however genetic resources are limited. Here, we generated the first multiple tissue transcriptome library for T. australiensis for immature male and female lobster tissues including the eyestalk, brain, testis, ovary, 3rd and 5th walking leg regions, hepatopancreas, stomach and muscle, with a total of 38 samples sequenced. From this transcriptome, we describe the neuropeptidome of T. australiensis and provide neuropeptide precursor expression patterns across tissues. The eyestalk and brain expressed the most neuropeptide precursor genes as expected, although surprisingly several others were enriched in the testis and ovary. Members of the allatostatin, crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone, and insulin like peptide family were among those highly expressed in gonad tissue, alongside peptides previously linked to reproduction such as corazonin and crustacean female sex hormone, and other neuropeptides without any established roles in reproduction. This repertoire of neuropeptides possibly related to reproductive processes provides a basis for future functional characterisation and may offer an avenue for enhancing production with aquaculture biotechnology.
{"title":"In silico analysis of the slipper lobster (Thenus australiensis) neuropeptidome reveals unique enrichment of peptide hormones in reproductive tissues using multi-tissue transcriptomics","authors":"Thomas M. Banks , Susan Glendinning , Courtney Lewis , Avani Bhojwani , Quinn P. Fitzgibbon , Gregory G. Smith , Tomer Ventura","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114855","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114855","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The slipper lobster, <em>Thenus australiensis</em> has gained attention as a candidate species for aquaculture production. Recent studies have investigated various aspects of rearing <em>T. australiensis</em> in an aquaculture setting, however genetic resources are limited. Here, we generated the first multiple tissue transcriptome library for <em>T. australiensis</em> for immature male and female lobster tissues including the eyestalk, brain, testis, ovary, 3rd and 5th walking leg regions, hepatopancreas, stomach and muscle, with a total of 38 samples sequenced. From this transcriptome, we describe the neuropeptidome of <em>T. australiensis</em> and provide neuropeptide precursor expression patterns across tissues. The eyestalk and brain expressed the most neuropeptide precursor genes as expected, although surprisingly several others were enriched in the testis and ovary. Members of the allatostatin, crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone, and insulin like peptide family were among those highly expressed in gonad tissue, alongside peptides previously linked to reproduction such as corazonin and crustacean female sex hormone, and other neuropeptides without any established roles in reproduction. This repertoire of neuropeptides possibly related to reproductive processes provides a basis for future functional characterisation and may offer an avenue for enhancing production with aquaculture biotechnology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"375 ","pages":"Article 114855"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145573393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-13DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114868
Mark A. Sheridan, Andrea M. Hanson
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Effects of endocrine disrupting compounds on growth and the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor system of fish” [Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 375C (2026) 114837]","authors":"Mark A. Sheridan, Andrea M. Hanson","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114868","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114868","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"376 ","pages":"Article 114868"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114872
Donald A. Larsen , Mollie A. Middleton , Deborah L. Harstad , Dina K. Spangenberg , Abby E. Fuhrman
Spring Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, are typically semelparous, dying after a single lifetime spawning event. However, observations of survival following maturation in males that mature at age-1 (common names: precocious parr or microjacks) have been documented, but little is known regarding their post-maturation physiology. In this investigation, mature microjacks were fed either a high or low winter ration to examine potential effects of feeding regime on mortality, smoltification and rematuration the following year. We measured a series of physiological factors including survival, size, percent whole body solid (an index of whole body lipid), and gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity (an index of smoltification). We also analyzed a series of maturation indices including plasma 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), gonadosomatic index (GSI), pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (fshb) and luteinizing hormone (lhb) beta-subunit mRNA, and testicular histology in male fish following maturation as microjacks. In both treatments, the proportion of males that survived (High Ration: 0.91, Low Ration: 0.87) and rematured (High Ration: 1.0, Low Ration: 1.0) was very high, more indicative of iteroparity than semelparity. The low winter ration may have caused a slight delay in rematuration as evidenced by delayed fshb expression and 11-KT secretion in the spring. However, there was no evidence microjacks smolted in the spring after maturation at age-1. From a fisheries conservation perspective, the potential for iteroparity in microjacks (survival to remature at age-2) means it is possible they contribute genetically more than once when breeding in the natural environment.
{"title":"Life after precocious male maturation in a semelparous salmonid: A physiological perspective in Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha","authors":"Donald A. Larsen , Mollie A. Middleton , Deborah L. Harstad , Dina K. Spangenberg , Abby E. Fuhrman","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114872","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114872","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spring Chinook salmon, <em>Oncorhynchus tshawytscha</em>, are typically semelparous, dying after a single lifetime spawning event. However, observations of survival following maturation in males that mature at age-1 (common names: precocious parr or microjacks) have been documented, but little is known regarding their post-maturation physiology. In this investigation, mature microjacks were fed either a high or low winter ration to examine potential effects of feeding regime on mortality, smoltification and rematuration the following year. We measured a series of physiological factors including survival, size, percent whole body solid (an index of whole body lipid), and gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity (an index of smoltification). We also analyzed a series of maturation indices including plasma 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), gonadosomatic index (GSI), pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (<em>fshb)</em> and luteinizing hormone (<em>lhb</em>) beta-subunit mRNA, and testicular histology in male fish following maturation as microjacks. In both treatments, the proportion of males that survived (High Ration: 0.91, Low Ration: 0.87) and rematured (High Ration: 1.0, Low Ration: 1.0) was very high, more indicative of iteroparity than semelparity. The low winter ration may have caused a slight delay in rematuration as evidenced by delayed <em>fshb</em> expression and 11-KT secretion in the spring. However, there was no evidence microjacks smolted in the spring after maturation at age-1. From a fisheries conservation perspective, the potential for iteroparity in microjacks (survival to remature at age-2) means it is possible they contribute genetically more than once when breeding in the natural environment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"376 ","pages":"Article 114872"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145780967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114837
Mark A. Sheridan, Andrea M. Hanson
Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) from a variety of sources enter the terrestrial and aquatic environments and have deleterious effects on organisms, their progeny, and populations by altering the structure or function of endocrine systems. This review examines the effects of EDCs on organismal growth and the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in fish as well as the cellular mechanisms through which EDCs act on this system. The effects of EDCs on non-teleost vertebrates and on other growth regulating hormones also are briefly discussed. Accumulating evidence indicates that EDCs generally inhibit overall organismal growth of teleost fish in vivo, with some variability due to species, stage of development, specific compound, and mode and duration of exposure. The growth-retarding effects of EDC are accompanied by reduced food conversion, reduced body condition (i.e., condition factor), and reduced hepatosomatic index (HSI). In vivo exposure of euryhaline teleosts to EDCs also retards seawater (SW)-associated upregulation of GH-IGF system components (i.e., GH, GH receptors, IGFs, IGF receptors) and reduces SW adaptability. Accumulating evidence also indicates that EDCs generally inhibit various levels of the GH-IGF system, including GH production/secretion, tissue sensitivity to GH (i.e., GH receptor abundance), IGF production/secretion, IGF binding protein (IGFBP) production, and tissue sensitivity to IGF (i.e., IGF receptor abundance). There is some variability of response associated with species, developmental stage/sex of animals, specific EDC, mode or duration of exposure to EDC, and endpoint target (tissue and/or isoform of the GH/IGF system component). The effects of EDCs on GH-IGF system components are direct and result from effects on both rapid, non-genomic (e.g., JAK-STAT, PI3K/Akt, and ERK) and genomic mechanisms involving various transcription factors (e.g., AP-1, Sp1, Sp3, and MSY-1). EDC effects also may be transgenerational, affecting growth of offspring and other processes, including population dynamics. The wide-spread effects of EDCs continue to represent significant and lasting threats to the health and well-being of plants, animals and humans. This review represents a renewed call to action to regulate EDCs and to mitigate their deleterious effects now!
{"title":"Effects of endocrine disrupting compounds on growth and the growth hormone/insulin-like factor system of fish","authors":"Mark A. Sheridan, Andrea M. Hanson","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114837","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114837","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) from a variety of sources enter the terrestrial and aquatic environments and have deleterious effects on organisms, their progeny, and populations by altering the structure or function of endocrine systems. This review examines the effects of EDCs on organismal growth and the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in fish as well as the cellular mechanisms through which EDCs act on this system. The effects of EDCs on non-teleost vertebrates and on other growth regulating hormones also are briefly discussed. Accumulating evidence indicates that EDCs generally inhibit overall organismal growth of teleost fish <em>in vivo</em>, with some variability due to species, stage of development, specific compound, and mode and duration of exposure. The growth-retarding effects of EDC are accompanied by reduced food conversion, reduced body condition (<em>i.e.</em>, condition factor), and reduced hepatosomatic index (HSI). <em>In vivo</em> exposure of euryhaline teleosts to EDCs also retards seawater (SW)-associated upregulation of GH-IGF system components (<em>i.e.</em>, GH, GH receptors, IGFs, IGF receptors) and reduces SW adaptability. Accumulating evidence also indicates that EDCs generally inhibit various levels of the GH-IGF system, including GH production/secretion, tissue sensitivity to GH (<em>i.e.</em>, GH receptor abundance), IGF production/secretion, IGF binding protein (IGFBP) production, and tissue sensitivity to IGF (<em>i.e.</em>, IGF receptor abundance). There is some variability of response associated with species, developmental stage/sex of animals, specific EDC, mode or duration of exposure to EDC, and endpoint target (tissue and/or isoform of the GH/IGF system component). The effects of EDCs on GH-IGF system components are direct and result from effects on both rapid, non-genomic (<em>e.g.</em>, JAK-STAT, PI3K/Akt, and ERK) and genomic mechanisms involving various transcription factors (<em>e.g.</em>, AP-1, Sp1, Sp3, and MSY-1). EDC effects also may be transgenerational, affecting growth of offspring and other processes, including population dynamics. The wide-spread effects of EDCs continue to represent significant and lasting threats to the health and well-being of plants, animals and humans. This review represents a renewed call to action to regulate EDCs and to mitigate their deleterious effects now!</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"375 ","pages":"Article 114837"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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