Multiple Actions of Pheromonal Bile Acids in Reproduction of the Sea Lamprey

信息素胆汁酸在海七鳃鳗繁殖中的多重作用

• 批准号: 0517491
• 负责人: Weiming Li
• 金额: $ 48.09万
• 依托单位: Michigan State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-10-01 至 2008-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0517491&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Multiple; Actions; Pheromonal; Bile; Acids

Pheromones are chemical molecules that are released by certain individuals of an animal species and that induce changes of behavior, physiology or development in other individuals of the same species. Pheromones that induce behavioral changes have received most attention. One such example can be found in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), an ancestral jawless fish. It is well documented that sexually mature male sea lampreys release some bile acids that attract sexually mature female sea lampreys to mating sites. Recently, further research has indicated that these bile acids may also induce less mature sea lampreys to mature faster. In this study, it is hypothesized that the bile acid pheromone signals are transmitted from the olfactory organ (nose) to the hypothalamus (a part of the central nervous system with a role in regulation of reproduction) to induce an increase in the production and release of hormones that regulate sexual maturation and reproduction. To test this hypothesis, immature sea lampreys will be exposed to natural and synthetic pheromones. Their brains will be examined to determine the neural pathways activated by the pheromone and the subsequent changes in reproductive hormone production using a combination of neurobiological and molecular biological approaches. It is likely that the data collected from this study will elucidate the mechanistic processes whereby pheromone signals are transmitted in the central nervous system and will document the extent of changes in hormone production and release in response to pheromone stimulation. Anticipated results from this project may have significant implications for the management of the sea lamprey, an invasive pest species in the Great Lakes. Graduate and undergraduate students will be offered unique training opportunities during these studies and a graduate student and possible interns from the Umatilla tribe will also be involved in these research activities.

信息素是由动物物种的某些个体释放的化学分子，其诱导同一物种的其他个体的行为、生理或发育的变化。 引起行为变化的信息素受到了最多的关注。 一个这样的例子可以在海七鳃鳗（Petromyzon marinus）中找到，这是一种古老的无颚鱼。 据文献记载，性成熟的雄性七鳃鳗释放一些胆汁酸，吸引性成熟的雌性七鳃鳗交配地点。 最近，进一步的研究表明，这些胆汁酸也可能诱导较不成熟的海七鳃鳗更快地成熟。 在这项研究中，假设胆汁酸信息素信号从嗅觉器官（鼻子）传递到下丘脑（中枢神经系统的一部分，具有调节生殖的作用），以诱导调节性成熟和生殖的激素的产生和释放增加。 为了验证这一假设，未成熟的海七鳃鳗将暴露于天然和合成信息素。 他们的大脑将被检查，以确定由信息素激活的神经通路，以及随后使用神经生物学和分子生物学方法相结合的生殖激素产生的变化。 很可能从这项研究中收集的数据将阐明信息素信号在中枢神经系统中传递的机制过程，并将记录响应信息素刺激的激素产生和释放的变化程度。 该项目的预期结果可能对管理五大湖的入侵性有害生物七鳃鳗产生重大影响。 研究生和本科生将在这些研究期间获得独特的培训机会，来自Umatilla部落的一名研究生和可能的实习生也将参与这些研究活动。