Chinese Science Bulletin

, Volume 43, Issue 3, pp 177–184 | Cite as

Position in the evolution of reproductive endocrine of amphioxus,Branchiostoma belcheri

  • Yongqiang Fang
Review
Received:
Revised:

Abstract

This review summarizes the recent discoveries of many authors who found that in amphioxus Hatschek’s pit is capable of synthesizing vertebrate gonadotropin-like substance, and that the content of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the amphioxus’ body shows a positive correlation with the reproductive cycle, and that the sex steroid hormone exists in gonads. Exogenous hormones could promote gonadal development, maturation and reproductive activity in amphioxus. A possible implication might be that the reproductive activity in amphioxus is regulated by reproductive hormones like vertebrate, indicating the existence of primitive reproductive endocrine regulatory axis, brain vesicle-Hatschek’s pit-gonads axis, as compared with regulatory axis of vertebrate. It will provide a new line for establishing the position of reproductive endocrine evolution in lancelet.

Keywords

amphioxus (lancelet) Hatschek’s pit reproductive endocrine evolution gonadotropin-releasing hormone gonadotropin sex steriod hormone 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. 1.
    Palluas, P. S., Limax lanceolatus, Descriptio Limacis lanceolaris, inSpicilegia Zoologica, Quibus Novae Imprimus et Obscurae Animalium Species Iconibus, Descriptionibus, Berlin: Gottlied Augustus Lange, 1774, 10: 19.Google Scholar
  2. 2.
    Gans, C., Saiff, E., Bibliography of the lancelet,Israel J. of Zool, 1996, 42(supple): 315.Google Scholar
  3. 3.
    Legros, R., Developpement de la cavite buccale de I’ Amphioxus contribution a’ l’etude de la morphologie de la tete, II. De’ veloppement de la cavite’ bucca le de’ finitive et du velum. III. Considerations generales,Arch. Anat. Microsc., 1898, 2: 1.Google Scholar
  4. 4.
    Drach, P., Embranchement des ce’ phalocordes, inTraite’ de Zoologie Anatomie, Syste’ matique. Biologie, Pierre-P. Grasse’, ed Masson et Cie, Parie, 1948, 11: 931.Google Scholar
  5. 5.
    Tjoa, L. T., Welsch, U., Electron microscopical observations on Kolliker’s and Hatschek’s pit on the wheel organ in the head region of amphioxus (Branchiostoma lanceolatum),Cell Tissue Res., 1974, 153: 175.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. 6.
    Sahlin, K., Olsson, R., The wheel organ and Hatschek’s groove in the lancelet,Branchiostoma lanceolatum (Cephalochor-data),Acta Zoologica (Stockh), 1986, 67: 201.Google Scholar
  7. 7.
    Zhang, Z. Y., Zhu, Y. T., Chen, D. Y., Immunocytochemical demonstration of luteinizing hormone (LH) in Hatschek’s pit of Amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri Gray),Chinese Sci. Bull. (in Chinese), 1982, 27(14): 1–233.Google Scholar
  8. 8.
    Fang, Y. Q., Wang, L., The preliminary study of homogenate of the wheel organ and Hatschek’s pit of amphioxus on testicular development in young toad (Bufo malanostictus),Acta Biol. Exp. Sinica (in Chinese), 1984, 17: 115.Google Scholar
  9. 9.
    Nozaki, M., Gorbman, A., The question of function homology of Hatschek’s pit of amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri) and the vertebrate adenohypophysis,Zool. Sct., 1992, 9: 387.Google Scholar
  10. 10.
    Fang, Y. Q., Immunocytochemical localization of fish gonadotropin (GTH) in the brain vesicle and Hatschek’s pit of amphioxus,Chinese Sci. Bull. (in Chinese), 1993, 38(14): 1–290.Google Scholar
  11. 11.
    Sahlin, K., Gastrin/CCK-like immunoreactivity in Hatschek’s groove ofBranchiostoma lanceolatum (Cephalochordata),Gen. Comp. Endocrinol., 1988, 70: 436.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. 12.
    Sahlin, K., Olsson, R., Hatschek’s groove—An endocrine organ inBranchiostoma lanceolatum?Gen. Comp. Endocrinol., 1987, 66: 1.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. 13.
    Fang, Y. Q., Qi, X., Ultrastructural study of the Hatschek’s pit epithelial cells of amphioxus,Science in China, Ser. B, 1989, 32: 1465.Google Scholar
  14. 14.
    Fang, Y. Q., Welsch, U., A lectin histochemical study on carbohydrate moieties of the gonadotropin-like substance in the epithelial cells of Hatschek’s pit ofBranchiostoma belcheri, Helgolander Meeresunttersuchungen, 1997, 51: 53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. 15.
    Fang, Y. Q., Lin, J. H., Huang, W. Q., Correlativity between neural complex and gonadal development inStyela plicata, Chinese Sci. Bull. (in Chinese), 1997, 42(9): 864–868.Google Scholar
  16. 16.
    Fontaine, M., Olivereau, M., Some aspects of the organization and evolution of the vertebrate pituitary,Amer. Zool, 1975, 15(suppl I): 61.Google Scholar
  17. 17.
    Gorbman, A., Review olfactory origin and evolution of the brain-pituitary endocrine system: Fact and speculation,Gen. Comp. Endocrinol., 1995, 97: 171.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  18. 18.
    Fusari, R., Beitrag zum Studium des peripheriachen nerven system von amphioxus lanceolatus,Internat. Monatssch, Anat. Physiol., 1889a, 6: 120.Google Scholar
  19. 19.
    Bone, Q., The central nervous system in amphioxus,J. Comp. Neurol., 1960a, 115: 27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. 20.
    Zhang, Z. Y., Liu, Y. X., Zhu, Y. T., The reproductive endocrinology of amphioxus, inFrontiers in Physiology Research (eds, Carlick, D. C., Roner, P. I.), Canberra: Australian Academy of Science, 1984, 79.Google Scholar
  21. 21.
    Fang, Y. Q., Wang, H., Zhang, C. L., Correlation of annual change of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) with gonadal development in amphioxus,Science in China, Ser. B, 1991, 34: 814.Google Scholar
  22. 22.
    Gentile, F., Liraand, O., Cotte, D. M. -De, Relationship between brain gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and sea-sonal reproductive cycle of “caribe Colorado,”Pygocentrus notaatus, Gen. Comp. Endocrinol., 1986, 64: 239.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  23. 23.
    Zhang, C. L., Yin, H., Identification of LH-RH in amphioxus,Acta Zool. Sinica (in Chinese), 1988, 34: 294.Google Scholar
  24. 24.
    Yin, H., Zhang, C. L., Studies on amphioxus GnRH during breeding season,Acta Zoo. Sinica (in Chinese), 1994, 40: 63.Google Scholar
  25. 25.
    Sherwood, N. M., Evolution of a neuropeptide family: gonadotropin-releasing hormone,Amer. Zool., 1986, 26: 1041.Google Scholar
  26. 26.
    Fang, Y. Q., Wang, L., Preliminary isolation and determination of LH-RH and its biological activity in amphioxus,Acta Zool. Sinica (in Chinese), 1989, 35: 339.Google Scholar
  27. 27.
    Fang, Y. Q., Huang, W. Q., Distribution of somatostatin in amphioxus-A study of immunohistochemistry,Chinese Sci. Bull. (in Chinese), 1992, 37(13): 1203.Google Scholar
  28. 28.
    Fang, Y. Q., Huang, W. Q.et al., Immunohistochemical localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in amphioxus,Acta Zool. Sinica (in Chinese), 1991, 37: 371.Google Scholar
  29. 29.
    Xu, T. L., Huang, W. Q., Distribution of calmodulin in the nervous system of amphioxus,Chinese Sci. Bul. (in Chinese), 1993, 38(7): 650.Google Scholar
  30. 30.
    Huang, W. Q., Fang, Y. Q., Immunohistochemical localization of 5-HT in amphioxus,Chinese Sci. Bull., 1991, 36 (3): 329–332.Google Scholar
  31. 31.
    Holland, N. D., Holland, L. Z., Serotonin-containing cells in the nervous system and other tissue during ontogeny of a lancelet,Branchiostoma floridae, Acta Zool. (Stockh), 1993, 74: 195.Google Scholar
  32. 32.
    Zhang, C. L., Yin, H.et al., The change of neurotransmitter during breeding season of amphioxus,Chinese Sci. Bull. (in Chinese), 1991, 36(7): 694.Google Scholar
  33. 33.
    Guraya, S. S., Cephalochordata, inReproductive Biology of Invertebrates, Oogenesis, oviposition and oosorption (eds. Adiyodi, K. G., Rita, G. Adiyodi), Vol. 1, New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1983a, 735.Google Scholar
  34. 34.
    Guraya, S. S., Cephalochordata, inReproductive Biology of Invertebrates, Spermatogenesis (eds. Adiyodi, K. G., Rita, G. Adiyodi), Vol. 2, New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1983b, 633–648.Google Scholar
  35. 35.
    Guraya, S. S., Recent advance in the morphology, histochemistry and biochemistry of steroid synthesizing cellular sites in the non-mammalian vertebrate ovary,International Review of Cytology, 1976, 44: 365.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  36. 36.
    Zhang, Z. Y., Liu, Y. X., Zhu, H. H., Steroid hormone and their functional regulation in amphioxus, inCurrent Trends in Comparative Endocrinology, Proc. 9th Int Symp. on Comparative Endocrinology (eds. Lofts, B., Holmes, W. N.), Vol. 1, Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 1985, 205.Google Scholar
  37. 37.
    Fang, Y. Q., Zhao, W. X., Wei, H., Study on correlation of sex steroid hormone level with gonadal development in amphioxus,Chinese Sci. Bull., 1993, 38, 14: 1290.Google Scholar
  38. 38.
    Neidert, L., Leiber, A., Uber bau Entwicklung der weiblichen Geschlechts organe des amphioxus lanceolatus,Zool. Jahrb. Anat., 1903, 18: 187.Google Scholar
  39. 39.
    Mare’chal, J., Uber die morphologische Entwicklung der Chromosomen im Teleostierei (miteinem Zusatz uber das ovarialei von amphioxus lanceolatus und Ciona intestinalis),Anat. Anz., 1905, 26: 641.Google Scholar
  40. 40.
    Cowden, R. R., Cytochemical studies of oocyte growth in the lancelet, Branchiostoma caribaeum,Z. Zellforsch, 1963, 60: 399.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  41. 41.
    Lin, J. H., Chen, X. F., Studies on ultrastructure in spermatogenesis of amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri Gray),O-ceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 1987, 18: 432.Google Scholar
  42. 42.
    Aisenshtadt, T. B., Gabaeva, N. S., Gulayev, D. V., Cytological study of oogenesis in Branchiostoma lanceolatum, 2. Oocyte growth and vitellogenesis,Ontogenez, Soviet, Devel. Biol., 1990, 21: 134.Google Scholar
  43. 43.
    Aisenshtadt, D. T., Gabaeva, N. S., Gulayev, D. V., Cytological study of lancelet oogenesis, 2. Ocyte growth and vitellogenesis inBranchiostoma lanceolatum, Ontogenez, 1990b, 21: 192.Google Scholar
  44. 44.
    Fang, Y. Q., Further study of the ultrastructure of the Sertoli ceil of the testis of amphioxus,Acta Zool Sinica, 1991, 37: 123.Google Scholar
  45. 45.
    Welsch, U., Fang, Y. Q., The reproductive organs ofBranchiostoma, Israel J. of Zool., 1996, 42: sl83.Google Scholar
  46. 46.
    Holland, N. D., Holland, L. Z., The fine structure of the testis of a lancelet (= Amphioxus), Branchiostoma floridae (Phylum chordata: subphylum cephalochordata = Acrania),Acta Zool. (Stockh), 1989a, 70: 211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  47. 47.
    Callard, G. V., Pudney, J. A., Kendall, S. L.,et al., In vitro conversion androgen to estrogen in amphioxus gonadal tissue,Gen. Comp. Endocrinol, 1984, 56: 53.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  48. 48.
    Holland, N. D., Holland, L. Z., The fine structure of the growth stage oocytes of a lancelet (= Amphioxus),Branchiostoma lanceolatum, Invert. Reprod. Develop., 1991a, 19: 107.Google Scholar
  49. 49.
    Fang, Y. Q., Qi, X., Ultrastructural study of oogenesis in Xiamen amphioxus,Acta Oceanologica Sinica (in Chinese), 1994, 13: 133.Google Scholar
  50. 50.
    Welsch, U., Fang, Y. Q., Ultrastructure and function of follicle cell in the ovary ofBranchiostoma belcheri, Science in China, Ser. C, 1997, 40: 60.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  51. 51.
    Fang, Y. Q., Welsch, U., A histochemical study of the distribution of lectin binding sites in the development oocytes of the lanceletBranchiostomal belcheri, Cell Tissue Res., 1995, 280: 427.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  52. 52.
    Fang, Y. Q., Qi, X., Preliminary study of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-A) initiated gonadal development of amphioxus,Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 1990, 9: 579.Google Scholar
  53. 53.
    Fang, Y. Q., The effects of the hypothalamic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRH-A) on the spermatogenesis of amphioxus: A study of histology and ultrastructure,Acta Zool. Sinica, 1985, 31: 319.Google Scholar
  54. 54.
    Fang, Y. Q., Zhao, W. X., Lin, Q. M., Hormonal regulation of oocyte development and maturation of amphioxus,Science in China, Ser. B, 1994, 37: 842.Google Scholar
  55. 55.
    Fang, Y. Q., Qi, X., Hong, G. Y., Study of gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue induced spawning of amphioxus,J. Oceanography in Taiwan Strait (in Chinese), 1989, 8: 278.Google Scholar
  56. 56.
    Fang, Y. Q., Lin, Q. M., Effects of mammalian gonadotropin on oocyte maturation of amphioxus.,Acta Zool. Sinica (in Chinese), 1993, 39: 432.Google Scholar
  57. 57.
    Fang, Y. Q., Qi, X., Hong, G. Y., Effects of 17α-methyltestosterone on spermatogenesis of amphioxus,J. Oceanography in Taiwan Strait (in Chinese), 1991, 10: 146.Google Scholar
  58. 58.
    Weber, G. M., Lee, C. S., Effects of 17α-methyltestosterone on spermatogenesis and spermiation in the grey mullet,Mugil cephalus, J. Fish Biology, 1985, 26: 77.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  59. 59.
    Borg, B., Paulson, G., Peute, J., Stimulatory effects of methyltestosterone on pituitary gonadotropic cells and testes Leydig cells of the three-spined stickleback,Gasterosteus L. in winter,Gen. Comp. Endocrinol., 1986, 62: 54.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  60. 60.
    Fang, Y. Q., Lee, C. S., The preliminary study on the mechanism of the action of 17α-methyltestosterone stimulatory spermatogenesis in the grey mullet (Mugil cephalus L),Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica (in Chinese), 1989, 20: 10.Google Scholar
  61. 61.
    Fang, Y. Q., Liang, P., Hong, G. Y., The effects of photoperiod on the gametogenesis and gonadal growth of the amphioxus,Acta Zool. Sinica (in Chinese), 1989, 35: 438.Google Scholar
  62. 62.
    Fang, Y. Q., Qi, X., Hong, G. Y., Effects of photoperiod on gonadal maturation and spawning in amphioxus,Acta Oceanologia Sinica (in Chinese), 1992, 14: 128.Google Scholar
  63. 63.
    Lin, J. H., Fang, Y. Q., Effects of different temperatures on gonadal development in lancelet,Branchiostoma belcheri, J. of Oceanography in Taiwan Strait (in Chinese), 1996, 15: 170.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Science in China Press 1998

Authors and Affiliations

  • Yongqiang Fang
    • 1
  1. 1.Third Institute of OceanographySOAXiamenChina

Personalised recommendations