Abstract
The purpose of this mini-review is to summarize recent research on the seasonal morphological and biochemical changes of Dahlgren cells in the caudal neurosecretory system (CNSS) of the freshwater teleosts carp Carassius auratus. The quantitative proof for these seasonal changes in the morphology and biochemistry of Dahlgren cells reflects the relationship between the CNSS and the reproduction cycle of fish and implies that the CNSS is probably involved in the reproduction process of fish.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.





Abbreviations
- CNSS:
-
Caudal neurosecretory system
- UI:
-
Urotensins I
- UII:
-
Urotensins II
- CRF:
-
Corticotrophin-releasing factor
- Achase:
-
Acetylcholinesterase
References
Arnold-Reed DE, Balment RJ, McCrohan CR, Hackney CM (1991) The caudal neurosecretory system of Platichthys flesus: general morphology and responses to altered salinity. Comp Biochem Physiol 99:137–143
Berlind A (1972) Teleost caudal neurosecretory system: sperm duct contraction induced by urophysial material. J Endocr 52:567–574
Berlind A (1973) Caudal neurosecretory system: a physiologist’s view. Am Zool 13:759–770
Bern HA, Takasugi N (1962) The caudal neurosecretory system of fishes. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2:96–110
Bern HA, Pearson D, Larson BA, Nishioka RS (1985) Neurohormones from fish tails: the caudal neurosecretory system. I. Urophysiology and the caudal neurosecretory system of fishes. Recent Prog Horm Res 41:533–552
Chen H, Jiang JM (1998) The seasonal changes of morphologically quantitative analysis of Dahlgren cells in the caudal neurosecretory system of Carassius auratus. J Shanghai Univ 4:398–405
Chen H, Jiang JM, Cong M (2000a) The seasonal changes of quantitative cytochemistry analysis of Dahlgren cells in the caudal neurosecretory system of Carassius auratus. J Biol 17:11–15
Chen H, Jiang JM, Qin GQ, Cong M (2000b) The seasonal quantitative analysis of enzymic cytochemical activity of Dahlgren cells in the caudal neurosecretory system of Carassius auratus. J Nanjing Univ 36:413–416
Conlon JM, Balment RJ (1996) Synthesis and release of acetylcholine by the isolated perifused trout caudal neurosecretory system. Gen Comp Endocrinol 103:36–40
Dahlgren U (1914) On the electric motor nerve-center in skates (Rajidae). Science 1041:62
Enami M (1959) The morphology and functional significance of the caudal neurosecretory system of fishes. In: Gorbman A (ed) Comparative endocrinology. Wiley, New York, pp 697–724
Enami M, Imai K (1955) Studies in neurosecretion. V. Caudal neurosecretory system in several freshwater teleosts. Endocrinol Jpn 2:107–116
Enami M, Imai K (1956a) Studies in neurosecretion. VI. Neurohypophysis-like organization near the caudal extremity of the spinal cord in several estuarine species of teleosts. Proc Jpn Acad 32:197–200
Enami M, Imai K (1956b) Studies in neurosecretion. VII. Further observations on the caudal neurosecretory system and neurohypophysis spinalis (Urohypophysis) in marine teleosts. Proc Jpn Acad 32:633–638
Everton RB, Bernardo B, Walter G-P (2000) Urophysial and pituitary extracts for spawning induction in teleosts. Ciência Rural, Santa Maria 30:897–898
Fernandes MN, Mimura OM (1983) Caudal neurosecretory system of the Brazilian freshwater teleost Geophagus brasiliensi (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824), seasonal changes. Boletim de Fisiologia Animal 2:31–39
Fridberg G (1962) Studies on the caudal neurosecretory system in teleosts. Acta Zool (Stockholm) 43:1–77
Fryer JN, Woo NYS, Gunther RL, Bern HA (1978) Effect of urophysial homogenates on plasma ion levels in Gillichthys mirabilis (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Gen Comp Endocrinol 35:238–244
Holmgren U (1958) On the caudal neurosecretory system of the teleost fish Fundulus heteroclitus L. Anat Rec 132:454–455
Holmgren U (1959) On the caudal neurosecretory system of the eel, Anguilla rostrata. Anat Rec 135:51–59
Holmgren U (1960) On the urophysis spinalis and the caudal neurosecretory system of teleost fishes. Zool Anz 165:77–83
Hubbard PC, McCrohan CR, Banks JR, Balment RJ (1996) Electrophysiological characterisation of cells of the caudal neurosecretory system in the teleost, Platichthys flesus. Comp Biochem Physiol 115A:293–301
Ichikawa T, McMaster D, Lederis K, Kobayashi H (1982) Isolation and amino acid sequence of urotensin I, a vasoactive and ACTH-releasing neuropeptide, from the carp (Cyprinus carpio) urophysis. Peptides 3:859–867
Ichikawa T, Lederis K, Kobayashi H (1984) Primary structures of multiple forms of urotensin II in the urophysis of the carp, Cyprinus carpio. Gen Comp Endocrinol 55:133–141
Ichikawa T, Ishida I, Ohsako S, Deguchi T (1988) In situ hybridization demonstrating coexpression of urotensins I, II-α, and II-γ in the caudal neurosecretory neurons of the carp, Cyprinus carpio. Gen Comp Endocrinol 71:493–501
Kobayashi H, Owada K, Yamada C, Okawara Y (1986) The caudal neurosecretory system in fishes. In: Pang PKT, Schreibman MP (eds) Vertebrate endocrinology. Academic, New York, pp 147–174
Lederis K (1970a) Active substances in the caudal neurosecretory system of bony fishes. Mem Soc Endocr 18:465–485
Lederis K (1970b) Teleost urophysis. I. Bioassay of an active urophysial principle on the isolated urinary bladder of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdnerii. Gen Comp Endocrinol 14:417–426
Lederis K (1973) Current studies on urotensins. Am Zool 13:771–773
Lederis K, Letter A, McMaster D, Moore G, Schlesinger D (1982) Complete amino acid sequence of urotensin I, a hypotensive and corticotropin-releasing neuropeptide from Catostomus Commersoni. Science 218:162–164
Leonard JBK, Bartley SM, Taylor MH (1993) Effects of ions and bioactive substances on ovarian contraction in Fundulus heteroclitus. J Exp Zool 267:468–473
Loretz CA, Bern HA, Kevin FJ, Manoya JR (1982) The caudal neurosecretory system and osmoregulation in fish. In: Farner DS, Lederis K (eds) Neurosecretion: molecules, cells, systems. Plenum Press, New York, pp 319–328
Maetz J, Bourget J, Lahlouh B (1964) Urophyse et osmoregulation chez Carassius auratus. Gen Comp Endocrinol 4:401–414
Munro AD (1995) Points of view: possible functions of the caudal neurosecretory system. Rev Fish Biol Fish 5:447–454
Onstott D, Elde R (1986) Immunohistochemical localization of urotensin I/corticotropin-releasing factor, urotensin II, and serotonin immunoreactivities in the caudal spinal cord of nonteleost fishes. J Comp Neurol 249:205–225
Pearson D, Shively JE, Clark BR, Geschwind II, Barkley M, Nishioka RS, Bern HA (1980) Urotensin II: a somatostatin-like peptide in the caudal neurosecretory system of fishes. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 77:5021–5024
Richards IS (1974) Caudal neurosecretory system: possible role in pheromone production. J Exp Zool 187:405–408
Romeu FG (1962) Lasys the neuro-secretoire caudal du teleostean Jenynsiu lineatu. Z Zellforsch 57:347–354
Sano Y (1958a) Über die Neurophysis (sog. Kaudalhypophyse, ‘Urohypophyse’) des Teleostiers Tinca vulgaris. Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat 47:481–497
Sano Y (1958b) Weitere Untersuchungen Über den Feinbau der Neurophysis spinalis caudalis. Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat 48:236–260
Sano Y (1961) Das caudale neurosekretorische System bei Fischen. Ergeb Biol 24:191–212
Speidel CC (1922) Further comparative studies in other fishes of cells that are homologous to the large irregular glandular cells in the spinal cord of the skates. J Comp Neurol 34:303–317
Weber EH (1827) Dissection of the caudal spinal coral of carp. Arch Anat Physiol Abt 316–319
Winter MJ, Ashworth A, Bond H, Brierley MJ, McCrohan CR, Balment RJ (2000) The caudal neurosecretory system: control and function of a novel neuroendocrine system in fish. Biochem Cell Biol 78:193–203
Woo NYS, Tong CM, Chan ELP (1980) Effects of urophysial extracts on plasma electrolyte and metabolite levels in Ophiocephalus maculatus. Gen Comp Endocrinol 41:458–466
Zhu HW, Xu GX (1987) Seasonal changes of microstructure and submicroscopic structure of caudal neurosecretory system in Carassius auratus. Acta Zool Sin 33:67–74
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to Carmen Rieder for her helpful suggestions to improve this paper. This work was supported in part by the Shanghai Educational Committee (SEC) of China (grant number 02AQ79).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chen, H., Mu, R. Seasonal morphological and biochemical changes of Dahlgren cells implies a potential role of the caudal neurosecretory system (CNSS) in the reproduction cycle of teleostean fish. Fish Physiol Biochem 34, 37–42 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-007-9143-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-007-9143-8
Keywords
- Seasonal morphological and biochemical changes
- Dahlgren cell
- Caudal neurosecretory system
- Carassius auratus
- Reproduction cycle