ISSN:
1573-5168
Keywords:
fish
;
gene expression
;
GH
;
GtH
;
gonad
;
growth factors
;
RT-PCR
;
salmonid
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract In this study, Northern blot analysis of RNA from trout testis revealed a single transcript of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) around 4.7 kb. The cellular distribution of IGF-II mRNA was studied and quantified in different testicular cells enriched populations by RT-PCR. IGF-II mRNA appears to be expressed in all cellular types tested: spermatogonia A and B, primary spermatocytes, spermatids and secondary spermatocytes and Sertoli cells. A significantly higher expression of IGF-II was found in premeiotic germ cells. The levels of IGF-II mRNA appear to be higher than those of IGF-I in immature trout testis, as judged from the semi-quantitative RT-PCR results. These data suggest that in addition to IGF-I, IGF-II may play a role in testicular physiology in fish. The hormonal regulation of IGF-I and IGF-II gene expression was investigated both in vitro and in vivo using RT-PCR approach. Gonadotropin (GtH) added to testicular explants increased IGF-II mRNA levels but had no effect on IGF-I. No statistically significant effect was observed with androgens. In vivo, GH and pituitary extracts resulted in an 8 fold and 2-3 fold increase in both IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA levels, respectively. Taken together, our study suggests that IGF-I and IGF-II may act as local mediators of GH and GtHs in fish testis. Moreover, our results imply that in fish testicular cells, IGFs are potential paracrine/autocrine regulators inside the spermatogenic compartment and can act directly on germ cells to stimulate their proliferation.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1007735314871
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