Role of relaxin peptides in teleost reproduction

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Relaxins are a family of hormones that regulate reproductive processes in mammals.  Recent evidence suggests that 6 relaxin genes are found in bony fish such as zebrafish and the Japanese pufferfish.  Our lab is studying the expression of genes for these different forms of relaxin and their receptors in zebrafish and the killifish, a species that inhabits tidal estuaries and pools near Wolfville, NS.  It is possible that each relaxin gene plays a different role in fish development and fish reproduction.  This research will further our understanding of fish reproductive physiology and perhaps have application for industries employing fish husbandry practices.