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Thyroid hormones modulate the hypothalamo–hypophyseal–gonadal axis in teleosts: Molecular insights

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry volume 33, pages 335–345 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Reproduction in fishes is influenced by thyroid hormones at various levels of gonadal cell differentiation and steroidogenesis. Thyroid hormones have recently also emerged as an important modulator of season- and photoperiod-dependent variations in the reproductive cycle with a possible effect on the hypothalamo–hypophyseal axis and pineal interactions. This review describes the current status of thyroid hormone research in relation to reproduction, with special emphasis on contributions to this field by Indian researchers including our laboratory. Evidence is provided for the multifocal action of thyroid hormones at various levels of the hypothalamo–hypophyseal–gonadal axis affecting reproduction. The underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms pertaining to thyroid hormone modulation of reproduction, such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) synthesis and release, androgen and gonadotropin receptor expression, gonadotropin (GTH) expression, and tissue sensitivity to GTHs are highlighted with relevant discussions of the current technical limitations, applications, and future perspectives of research in this field.

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Acknowledgements

BS acknowledges the financial support accorded by the Department of Biotechnology (no. 102/IFD/SAN/1262/2004-05 DBT, India), the Department of Science and Technology (no. SP/SO/AS-49/2003; DST, India), the University Grants Commission [no. F.30-195/2004(SR) UGC, India] and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research [no. 37(1208)/04/EMR-II; CSIR, India] in the form of various research grants during the tenure of study. IS acknowledges the financial support accorded by CSIR as a CSIR-SRF.

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  1. Department of Animal Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500 046, India

    I. Swapna & B. Senthilkumaran

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  1. I. Swapna
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Correspondence to B. Senthilkumaran.

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Swapna, I., Senthilkumaran, B. Thyroid hormones modulate the hypothalamo–hypophyseal–gonadal axis in teleosts: Molecular insights. Fish Physiol Biochem 33, 335–345 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-007-9165-2

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Keywords

  • Thyroid hormones
  • Thyroid hormone receptors
  • Teleosts
  • Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
  • Gonadotropins
  • Sex steroids

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