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Existence and distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-like peptides in the central nervous system and ovary of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

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Abstract

We used antibodies against octopus gonadotropin-releasing hormone (octGnRH) and tunicate GnRH (tGnRH-I) in order to investigate the existence and distribution of GnRH-like peptides in the central nervous system (CNS) and in the ovary during various stages of the ovarian cycle of the white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. OctGnRH-immunoreactive and tGnRH-I-immunoreactive neurons and fibers were present in several regions of the supraesophageal ganglion (brain), subesophageal ganglion (SEG), thoracic ganglia, and abdominal ganglia. In the brain, both octGnRH immunoreactivity (ir) and tGnRH-I-ir were detected in neurons of clusters 6, 11, 17, and associated fibers, and the anterior medial protocerebral, posterior medial protocerebral, olfactory, and tegumentary neuropils. In the SEG and thoracic ganglia, octGnRH-immunoreactive and tGnRH-I-immunoreactive neurons and fibers were present in dorsolateral and ventromedial cell clusters and in surrounding fibers. Only immunoreactive fibers were detected in the abdominal ganglia. In the ovary, both octGnRH and tGnRH-I were detected at medium intensity in the cytoplasm of early step oocytes (Oc2) and, at high intensity, in Oc3. Furthermore, octGnRH-ir and tGnRH-I-ir were intense in follicular cells surrounding Oc2 and Oc3. The presence of GnRH-ir in the CNS and ovary indicates that GnRH-like peptides occur in the white shrimp, and that GnRHs are involved in the reproductive process, especially ovarian maturation and the differentiation of oocytes, as reported in other species.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Assoc. Prof. Prapee Sretarugsa, Assoc. Prof. Chaitip Wanichanon, Mrs. Ruchanok Tinikul, Mr. Anurak Prabyai, and Mr. Jirawat Saeton for useful suggestions and assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

    Yotsawan Tinikul, Jaruwan Poljaroen, Panat Anuracpreeda, Charoonroj Chotwiwatthanakun, Ittipon Phoungpetchara, Napamanee Kornthong, Peter J. Hanna & Prasert Sobhon

  2. Mahidol University, Nakhonsawan Campus, Nakhonsawan, 60000, Thailand

    Yotsawan Tinikul, Jaruwan Poljaroen & Charoonroj Chotwiwatthanakun

  3. Agricultural Science Division, Mahidol University, Kanchanaburi Campus, Saiyok, Kanchanaburi, 71150, Thailand

    Panat Anuracpreeda

  4. Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, 20131, Thailand

    Parinyaporn Nuurai

  5. Center for Research and Testing for Marine Animals, Banlaem, Petchaburi, 76100, Thailand

    Tanes Poomtong

  6. Faculty of Science and Technology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3217, Australia

    Peter J. Hanna

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  1. Yotsawan Tinikul
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  10. Prasert Sobhon
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Correspondence to Prasert Sobhon.

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This research was supported by the Thailand Research Fund and the Commission on Higher Education (Research Grant for New Scholar to Yotsawan Tinikul, grant no. MRG5280041), and a Distinguished Research Professor Grant (jointly funded by the Thailand Research Fund, the Commission on Higher Education, and Mahidol University) to Prasert Sobhon.

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Tinikul, Y., Poljaroen, J., Nuurai, P. et al. Existence and distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-like peptides in the central nervous system and ovary of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei . Cell Tissue Res 343, 579–593 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-010-1112-3

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