Abstract
Several lines of evidence support the idea that more than one gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) subtype exists to accommodate the presence of multiple GnRH forms seen in vertebrate species. The development of pituitary endocrine cells, GnRH-Rs type IA (GfA), IB (GfB) and type III in the pituitary and their synchronization with the establishment of GnRH1-3 regulatory pathways reflect a neuroendocrine function for the GnRH-Rs. Based on developmental, morphological and biochemical evidence it can be hypothesized that GnRH1 regulates gonadotrophs through GnRH-R type IA, GnRH2 regulates prolactin secretion through GnRH-R type IB and GnRH3 regulates growth hormone secretion through GnRH-R type III. Therefore, the three native GnRH variants in advance teleost like tilapia might have their respective cognate receptors, each being capable of regulating different and, to some degree the same pituitary endocrine cells. In the brain, the expression pattern of GnRH-R type IB and type III parallels the distribution of GnRH2 and GnRH3 fiber network, which suggests their role in neuromodulation and reproductive behavior.
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Parhar, I.S. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors: neuroendocrine regulators and neuromodulators. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 28, 13–18 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:FISH.0000030462.10997.24
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:FISH.0000030462.10997.24
- FSH
- LH
- growth hormone
- prolactin
- preoptic
- midbrain
- terminal nerve
- tilapia