Hormonal control of reproduction and growth in fish

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My long-term objective over many years has been to elucidate hormonal control of reproduction and growth in fish. The focus here is to investigate the control of reproduction and growth by a number of key factors, including gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), gonadal steroids, gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) that belongs to RFamide-related family of peptides, and thyroid hormones. Recent findings in my laboratory provided critical information on estrogen and thyroid receptor subtypes structure and function in goldfish. Our experimental results also provide important information concerning seasonal effects of GnIH on pituitary gonadotropin (GTH) and growth hormone (GH) production, and the role of thyroid hormones in the regulation of reproduction. The proposed research will continue the work in progress and initiate new lines of inquiry concerning integrated control of pituitary GTH and GH production and gonadal development, using fish as suitable experimental model. The main hypothesis to be tested is that hypothalamic neurohormones, GnRH and GnIH by controlling pituitary LH, FSH & GH production (Objective 1) work in an integrated manner with thyroid hormones (Objective 2) to control gonadotropic and somatotropic axis, and regulate growth development and differentiation. The proposed study will use a system approach, using advanced transcriptome and metabolomic approach to understand complex biological processes that regulate reproduction and growth. The proposed study will provide novel information on the mechanisms of action of GnIH, GnRH and thyroid hormones, using goldfish and zebrafish as experimental model. The proposed research will provide a suitable vehicle for high quality training of students in the areas of molecular comparative endocrinology. The multi-disciplinary research in my lab assures that students are exposed to an intellectually stimulating environment, a wide range of techniques, and a suitable learning environment in their own area of research as well as outside their narrow areas of specializations.