General and comparative endocrinology最新文献

{"title":"Puberty regulation in chub mackerel Scomber japonicus, an important aquaculture fish species, via reproductive endocrine mechanism","authors":"Hirofumi Ohga","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114735","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114735","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The vertebrate reproductive system is controlled by the brain–pituitary–gonadal reproductive endocrine axis (BPG axis). Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secreted from the hypothalamus regulates the secretion of two gonadotropic hormones (GTHs), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), in the pituitary gland. Steroid hormones, such as androgens and estrogens, secreted in response to GTH stimulation, regulate the development of male and female gametes. Recently, various neuropeptides have been identified in mammals as factors that regulate the BPG axis from the upstream, demonstrating their importance. The author’s main research theme is “Understanding the mechanism underlying puberty control in aquaculturally important species.” They have been actively investigating the regulatory mechanism of the BPG axis in the puberty of chub mackerel <em>Scomber japonicus</em>, an important fishery species. With this species, researchers can systematically collect target organs, cells, and other organs from individuals at each developmental stage, from fertilized eggs to adult fish after spawning. A highly reproducible rearing experimental system has been established, enabling verification of the knowledge gained through feedback to reared individuals. Furthermore, it has recently become possible to quickly and efficiently produce gene knockout lines using genome editing. This article introduces the mechanism of puberty control in chub mackerel by fully leveraging this experimental platform. Focus will be directed to the functions of kisspeptin, which triggers puberty by regulating GnRH secretion in mammals, and leptin, which transmits nutritional information to the reproductive axis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"369 ","pages":"Article 114735"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144015621","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}

{"title":"Metamorphosis-associated immune system maturation in Senegalese sole","authors":"Sandra C. Silva ,&nbsp;Teresa M. Correia ,&nbsp;Manuel Manchado ,&nbsp;Deborah M. Power","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114755","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114755","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The thyroid hormones (THs) are proposed as putative regulators of immune system maturation in developing teleost fish. To gain insight into this process the Senegalese sole (<em>Solea senegalensis</em>) that has a well-characterized TH-driven metamorphosis was used. Differential gene expression analysis was performed across developmental stages (n = 3 per stage): pre-metamorphosis, onset of metamorphosis, metamorphosis, early climax, climax, and post-metamorphic juveniles. Metamorphosis is a massive gene-oriented developmental process, involving the differential expression of 8145 genes. Clustering analysis was used to identify immune-related genes with similar expression patterns to hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis-related genes. TH-regulated candidate immune genes were identified (133) and analysis of their promoter region revealed 84 contained putative TH receptor (TR) binding sites (TREs). Two consensus TRE sequences were identified in the candidate genes, 5′-<em>n</em>tg<em>n</em>G<em>n</em>tCaca<em>n</em> (exclusive to TRα), and 5′-<em>nnn</em>tGgtCa<em>nnn</em> (common to both TRs). TRα-exclusive TREs were less common than those that bound interchangeably TRα and TRβ. In the promoter region, TRα-exclusive TREs were always accompanied by the pan-TRE consensus sequence, never occurring independently.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"369 ","pages":"Article 114755"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144205599","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}

{"title":"Sex steroid profiles align with phenotype in sex-reversed female lizards","authors":"Naomi E. Laven ,&nbsp;Phillip R. Pearson ,&nbsp;Kristoffer H. Wild ,&nbsp;Daniel W.A. Noble ,&nbsp;Ondi L. Crino","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114754","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114754","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vertebrate sex determination is remarkably diverse. In species with genetic sex determination, reproductive physiology and sex-specific behaviour are influenced by sex chromosomes and sex steroid hormones. However, some species experience sex reversal where the influence of sex chromosomes on sexual development is modulated by mutations or environmental conditions, leading to animals that phenotypically mismatch with their genotype. In these species, sex-reversed (‘discordant’) individuals can theoretically exhibit traits that are similar to either their phenotypic or genotypic sex. In the central bearded dragon (<em>Pogona vitticeps</em>), high incubation temperatures produce sex-reversed females with male-type sex chromosomes (ZZf). ZZf display a mix of male-like and intermediate traits compared to males (ZZm) and concordant females (ZWf). Sex steroid profiles could drive these differences but are yet to be examined in <em>P. vitticeps</em>. We measured testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) in ZWf, ZZf, and ZZm dragons at three timepoints across a breeding season. As sex steroids can potentially affect offspring if maternal hormones are transmitted to eggs, we also compared T and E2 levels in egg yolks from ZZf and ZWf females. Sex-reversed ZZf had lower T levels than males and similar T and E2 levels to ZWf across the breeding season. ZWf and ZZf laid eggs with similar levels of T and E2. We found a negative association between maternal and yolk E2 levels, but no association between maternal and yolk T. Our results show that sex steroid profiles in sex-reversed ZZ female <em>P. vitticeps</em> reflect phenotypic, not genotypic sex, suggesting circulating sex steroids do not drive trait differences between discordant and concordant females.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"369 ","pages":"Article 114754"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144186858","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}

{"title":"Effects of the nuclear localization sequence and C-terminus of Parathyroid hormone-related protein on the growth Hormone-IGF-1 axis","authors":"Waleed J. Hashmi ,&nbsp;Megan M. Turner ,&nbsp;Ibiagbani M. Max-Harry ,&nbsp;Nathan K. Hoggard ,&nbsp;Alex H. Fischbach ,&nbsp;Shiyu Yuan ,&nbsp;Emily Davis ,&nbsp;Noriko Kantake ,&nbsp;John J. Kopchick ,&nbsp;Blake E. Hildreth III ,&nbsp;Ramiro E. Toribio ,&nbsp;Thomas J. Rosol","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114756","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114756","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parathyroid hormone–related protein (PTHrP) is a polyhormone consisting of an N-terminus, a mid-region, a nuclear localization sequence (NLS), and a C-terminus. The NLS and C-terminus of PTHrP regulate endochondral bone formation, craniofacial development, hematopoiesis, and survival. Our laboratory has developed <em>Pthrp</em> Δ/Δ mice lacking the NLS and C-terminus of PTHrP, which exhibit severe growth delay and early mortality within the first week of life. This study investigates the growth hormone (GH)-IGF-1 axis in <em>Pthrp</em> Δ/Δ mice. PTHrP is expressed by various endocrine cells, including pituitary endocrine epithelial cells of the adenohypophysis. Histopathological, biochemical, ultrastructural, and gene expression analyses were performed on the pituitary from <em>Pthrp</em> Δ/Δ and age-matched control mice. Pituitary glands from <em>Pthrp</em> Δ/Δ mice had normal cellularity; however, the pituitary somatotrophs had increased <em>Gh</em> mRNA expression with a decrease in the number and size of cytoplasmic secretory granules containing GH. Plasma GH concentrations were either normal or increased, and plasma ACTH concentrations were increased. Western blot analysis of the pituitary glands revealed reduced GH in <em>Pthrp</em> Δ/Δ mice. The plasma concentrations of IGF-1 and liver <em>Igf1</em> mRNA expression and glycogen content were decreased in <em>Pthrp</em> Δ/Δ mice. Western blot analysis of liver from <em>Pthrp</em> Δ/Δ mice showed a significant reduction in both total and phosphorylated Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) proteins and total and tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT5b proteins compared to controls. In conclusion, the lack of the NLS and C-terminus of PTHrP disrupted the normal GH-IGF-1 axis, leading to impaired IGF-1 production by the liver.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"369 ","pages":"Article 114756"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144184783","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}

{"title":"Nest building and circulating testosterone dynamics in male zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata","authors":"Marie Hébert ,&nbsp;Eira Ihalainen ,&nbsp;Sophie C. Edwards ,&nbsp;Simone L. Meddle ,&nbsp;Susan D. Healy","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114753","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114753","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite its fundamental importance for avian reproduction, the hormonal mechanisms supporting nest building remain poorly understood. While nest building by both male and female builders requires circulating sex steroids, it is not clear whether these steroids are required throughout building. We, therefore, sought to determine circulating testosterone dynamics in male zebra finches during early breeding, specifically focusing on the nest building period. We collected plasma samples from two cohorts of birds at three of the following four timepoints: before (baseline), following pairing, during, and after nest building. To dissociate the end of nest building from incubation onset we daily removed any eggs laid and terminated nest building once we had sampled males during nest building. Male circulating testosterone levels remained stable following pairing with a female and throughout nest building. However, testosterone titers dropped once nest building had stopped. We also found evidence to suggest that, following pairing with a female, circulating testosterone titers can predict a male’s future readiness to build. Together, our data suggest that circulating testosterone is important throughout nest building, not decreasing until the end of nest building activities, perhaps through a ‘self-feedback’ mechanism.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"369 ","pages":"Article 114753"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144142279","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}

{"title":"Effects of dietary quality on melatonin in gut, serum and ovary in mediating growth, digestive and ovarian physiology in juvenile carp (Catla catla)","authors":"Farha Yasmin,&nbsp;Sona Sutradhar,&nbsp;Arun Roy,&nbsp;Sourav Mukherjee","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114752","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114752","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The dietary protein and tryptophan of fish feed have vital roles in the growth performance, stress management, and digestive physiology of fish. However, in this context, the functions of gut melatonin, which depend on the availability of food, the timing of food supply, the frequency of feeds/day, the quality of food, and the growth stages of carp, still need to be clarified. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary quality on specific growth rate (SGR), residual gut content (RGC), feeding intensity (FI), gut melatonin, gut oxidative stress and its major antioxidants, vital digestive enzymes in juvenile carp, <em>Catla catla</em> (mean body weight: 274 ± 16.63 g). Besides, serum melatonin and ovarian melatonin, gonado-somatic index (GSI), and different growth stages of oocytes were also assessed before the estimation of oxidative stress and major antioxidant enzymes in the ovary. The fish were fed four diets viz. (i) a standard diet (SD/control) (with 34.99 % protein, 14.56 % carbohydrate, 9.84 % oil, and 0.36 % L-tryptophan) (ii) one protein (PRD with 41.02 % protein and 0.46 % L-tryptophan), (iii) two L-tryptophan (TrpRD1 with 0.96 %, and TrpRD2 with 1.36 % tryptophan), -rich diets for 30 days. The SGR was higher only in PRD, but feeding was reduced in PRD and TrpRDs compared to SD-fed carp. However, the PRD and TrpRDs stimulated gut melatonin, digestive enzymes and all the studied antioxidants with reduced oxidative stress by lowering malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, a parallel increase in serum melatonin and ovarian melatonin with gut melatonin has been noticed in both the PRD and TrpRDs. All these experimental diets showed pro-gonadal effects by increasing stage-I oocytes and by reducing oxidative stress in the developing ovary in juvenile carp, compared to SD-fed carp. This opens avenues for future research on the role of feed-induced gut melatonin in fish nutrition and reproduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"369 ","pages":"Article 114752"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144101602","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}

{"title":"GLP-1 receptor agonist properties of a chimeric peptide derived by hybridization of Latrodectus αLatrotoxin and Heloderma Exendin-4","authors":"Oleg G. Chepurny ,&nbsp;Amber N. Liles ,&nbsp;Nancy Cham ,&nbsp;Minos-Timotheos Matsoukas ,&nbsp;George Liapakis ,&nbsp;Qinghe Meng ,&nbsp;Robert N. Cooney ,&nbsp;Robert P. Doyle ,&nbsp;George G. Holz","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chimeric peptides comprised of amino acid sequence motifs found within hormones, neuropeptides, and insect or lizard toxins are now under investigation for their potential use in therapeutics. Here, we report the discovery of one such peptide designated as Black Widow Spider-Exendin-4 (BW-Ex-4). It consists of a putative G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) binding domain present within αLatrotoxin (αLTX) isolated from <em>Latrodectus</em>, and fused to N- and C- terminal motifs found within the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist Exendin-4 isolated from <em>Heloderma</em>. FRET reporter assays that monitor cAMP production establish BW-Ex-4 to be a specific GLP-1R agonist without any stimulatory action at glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), glucagon, or corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) receptors. Structural modeling studies of the predicted BW-Ex-4 binding sites at GPCRs of Family B provide new insights concerning the molecular basis for chimeric peptide stimulatory actions at the GLP-1R. We also report that BW-Ex-4 acts in obese hyperglycemic <em>Lepr^db/db</em> mice to suppress appetite, lower body weight, improve glucoregulation, and to reduce circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Collectively, these findings establish a combinatorial chimeric peptide chemistry in which αLTX serves as a molecular scaffold for the design of hybrid peptides with novel GPCR stimulating properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 114745"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143937555","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}

{"title":"In vivo effects of NPFF and NPAF peptides on gene expression in the brain-pituitary–gonadal axis of female half-smooth tongue soles","authors":"Hanlin Liu ,&nbsp;Ruixue Li ,&nbsp;Zhihua Yu ,&nbsp;Huapu Chen ,&nbsp;Bin Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114736","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114736","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) is one of the members of RF-amide peptide family, which has been implicated in diverse physiological processes across mammals. However, there is scarce information regarding the biological function of NPFF in fish reproduction. In the current study, <em>npff</em> was identified and characterized in the half-smooth tongue sole. The NPFF precursor consisted of one signal peptide and two mature peptides, designated as NPFF and NPAF. Analysis of tissue distribution indicated that <em>npff</em> exhibited high expression levels in the brain and pituitary, while its mRNA levels were much lower in other peripheral tissues. Subsequently, the possible function of NPFF and NPAF on the brain-pituitary-gonad reproductive axis was studied in this species by intraperitoneal injection. At the brain level, both NPFF and NPAF had an inhibitory influence on the levels of transcripts corresponding to <em>kiss1</em>, <em>kiss1r</em>, <em>kiss2</em>, <em>gnrh3</em>, <em>spx1</em>, <em>pnx</em>, <em>gpr173a</em>, and <em>gpr173b</em>. NPFF reduced <em>gnrh2</em> mRNA levels, but promoted <em>gnihr</em> expression. Moreover, NPAF down-regulated <em>gnih</em> and <em>tac3</em> expression. At the pituitary levels, <em>gh</em>, <em>gthα</em>, and <em>fshβ</em> mRNA levels were suppressed by NPFF and NPAF, whereas <em>lhβ</em> mRNA levels were elevated. In the ovary, these two peptides stimulated expression of <em>star</em>, <em>p450c17</em>, and <em>fshr</em>. Likewise, NPFF increased <em>17β-hsd</em> and <em>lhr</em> mRNA levels, and NPAF stimulated <em>p450arom</em> transcript levels. However, <em>3β-hsd</em> was inhibited by NPFF. Overall, our results suggest that NPFF and NPAF may play distinct roles in control of reproduction of half-smooth tongue sole at multiple levels of the brain-pituitary-ovarian axis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 114736"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863348","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}

{"title":"Characterization of a direct role of GnRHs in the control of spermiogenesis and steroidogenesis in the small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula","authors":"Fabian Jeanne ,&nbsp;Stanislas Pilet ,&nbsp;Benoît Bernay ,&nbsp;Stéphanie Lagadu ,&nbsp;Raphaël Delépée ,&nbsp;Sylvie Dufour ,&nbsp;Pascal Sourdaine","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114734","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114734","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) regulates the production of gonadotropins, which control reproduction. In elasmobranchs, unlike other gnathostomes, GnRH is released into the systemic circulation to stimulate gonadotrope cells located in the ventral lobe of the pituitary. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of systemic GnRH in the regulation of the testis in <em>Scyliorhinus canicula.</em> Phylogeny and synteny analyses identified three GnRHs and four GnRH receptor (<em>Sc</em>GnRHR-I1, -IIa1, -IIa2 and -IIb2). <em>In vitro</em> functional hormone-receptor interactions using synthetic <em>Sc</em>GnRHs showed that all <em>Sc</em>GnRHs were effective at receptors, except ScGnRHRIIa2, at femtomolar to nanomolar concentrations, with lower efficiency for <em>Sc</em>GnRH1/<em>Sc</em>GnRHRIIb2. Real-time PCR analyses in a wide range of tissues, including male and female reproductive tracts, showed that all three <em>gnrh</em> were expressed mainly in the brain and all four <em>gnrhr</em> were expressed in the testis, particularly during spermiogenesis. Testicular explants containing cysts with spermatids were treated with <em>Sc</em>GnRHs and their protein content analyzed by NanoLC-ESI-MS/MS, highlighting 1677 significantly differentially expressed proteins. Among them, the growth hormone receptor (GHR) and proteins involved in cholesterol and steroid metabolism, including several HSD17bs, were upregulated. <em>In situ</em> hybridization showed that <em>ghr</em>, <em>hsd17b3</em> and <em>hsd17b12</em> transcripts were localized in Sertoli cells, which are the main testicular steroidogenic cells in <em>S. canicula</em>. Fifteen steroids were assayed in the culture media, using LC-ESI-HRMS/MS, and an increase in 17β-estradiol concentrations was observed, consistent with <em>hsd17b</em> expressions. Furthermore, proteins involved in transcription and DNA structure were downregulated in response to GnRHs. In conclusion, this study showed that <em>Sc</em>GnRHs may play a direct role in the regulation of elasmobranch testes by promoting spermiogenesis and modulating steroidogenesis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 114734"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143874425","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}

{"title":"The distribution of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and its receptor in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) spinal cord","authors":"Devon Comito,&nbsp;George E. Bentley","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114733","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114733","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) is a neuropeptide that typically acts in the hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis to regulate reproductive activity and sociosexual behaviors. GnIH is synthesized in the brain and in the gonads, where it can act via its cognate receptor. However, immunohistological evidence in songbirds also shows GnIH projections towards the brainstem. We propose that GnIH can act within the spinal cord and possibly on a variety of organs to induce rapid behavioral and physiological changes in response to environmental cues. Here we used immunohistochemistry (IHC) and PCR to document GnIH and its receptor in zebra finch (<em>Taeniopygia guttata</em>) spinal cord. We found immunoreactive GnIH throughout the length of the spine, predominantly in the central gray matter of the cervical region. mRNA for the GnIH precursor gene and receptor gene was also present throughout the length of the spinal cord. This is the first evidence of GnIH in the avian spinal cord. These results hint at a novel pathway for neuropeptide action in vertebrates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 114733"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143908288","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}