Role of relaxin peptides in teleost reproduction

松弛素是调节哺乳动物生殖过程的激素家族。 最近的证据表明，6松弛素基因被发现在硬骨鱼，如斑马鱼和日本河豚。 我们的实验室正在研究这些不同形式的松弛素及其受体在斑马鱼和鳉鱼中的基因表达，鳉鱼是一种栖息在靠近沃尔夫维尔的潮汐河口和池塘中的物种。 可能每个松弛素基因在鱼类发育和繁殖中起着不同的作用。 这项研究将进一步加深我们对鱼类生殖生理学的理解，并可能对鱼类养殖业的实践有应用价值。

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.