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Identification and distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-like peptides in the brain of horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus

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Abstract

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a crucial peptide for the regulation of reproduction. Using immunological techniques, we investigated the presence of GnRH in horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus. Octopus GnRH-like immunoreactivity, tunicate GnRH-like immunoreactivity, and lamprey GnRH-I-like immunoreactivity were detected in the neurons and fibers of the protocerebrum. However, no mammal GnRH-like immunoreactivity or lamprey GnRH-III-like immunoreactivity was observed. Our results suggest that a GnRH-like factor, an ancient peptide, existed in the brain of T. tridentatus and may be involved in the reproductive endocrine system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China

    Huiyang Huang  (黄辉洋), Linming Li  (李林明), Haihui Ye  (叶海辉), Biyun Feng  (冯碧云) & Shaojing Li  (李少菁)

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  1. Huiyang Huang  (黄辉洋)
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  2. Linming Li  (李林明)
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  3. Haihui Ye  (叶海辉)
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  4. Biyun Feng  (冯碧云)
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  5. Shaojing Li  (李少菁)
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Correspondence to Haihui Ye  (叶海辉).

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Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41076081)

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Huang, H., Li, L., Ye, H. et al. Identification and distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-like peptides in the brain of horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus . Chin. J. Ocean. Limnol. 31, 384–390 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-013-2067-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-013-2067-5

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