The Senegalese sole is a flatfish of increasing commercial interest but its reproduction in captivity, particularly of males, is not yet controlled. To investigate the endocrine basis of sole reproduction, we have isolated the full-length cDNAs of the pituitary gonadotropin subunits (Fshb, Lhb, and the common glycoprotein alpha subunit). We further isolated their gonad receptors (Fshr and Lhr), as they are key regulators of gonad development and maturation. Functional characterization suggests that sole Fshr responds to piscine Fsh and Lh, whereas Lhr is preferentially activated by its cognate ligand. As expected, the expression of gonadotropin subunits and their receptors in the pituitary and testis is transiently elevated in winter when spermatogenesis is stimulated. However, the Lhr transcripts, which are expressed in Leydig cells as well as in spermatids, remain elevated in spring suggesting an additional role of this receptor during the transformation of spermatids into spermatozoa. These data provide the basis for the production of Senegalese sole homologous recombinant gonadotropins, which will be of assistance to unravel the hormonal control of gametogenesis and to develop methods for the control of reproduction in captivity

9th International Congress on the Biology of Fish. 5-9 Julio de 2010, Barcelona

Peer reviewed