Hormones and social behavior of cichlid fishes: a case study in the Mozambique tilapia

The Mozambique tilapia, Oreachrzlrnis rnossambicus, is used as a case study to illustrate different aspects of the relationship between androgens and social behavior in cichlid fish. First the mating system of 0. mossambicus and its variations is described, namely the occurrence of alternative male mating tactics and male-male courtship, and the influence of social status on mating decisions and mating success. A discussion of a two-way causal relationship between androgens and social behavior follows, including the implications of social modulation of androgens for the expression of androgen-dependent male displaying characters (i.e. differential expression of secondary sex characters and male social behavior according to social status). The mechanisms regulating the action of androgens upon male behavior are also discussed with original data on the activity of brain aromatase. It is shown that male 0 . mossambicus have higher levels of brain aromatase activity than females, but aromatase activity is related neither to the gonadosomatic index nor to social status. In contrast, an androgen environment with predominance of the non-aromatizable androgen 1 1 -ketotestosterone over the aromatizable testosterone is indicative of high social status and territorial possession. This suggests that 1 1 -ketotestosterone may be playing a major role in the expression of male characters, both behavioral and morphological. The role of testosterone in female aggression is also discussed. An association between female aggression and plasma testosterone was found during the mouthbrooding cycle. Finally, the relevance of cichlids for comparative studies of vertebrate behavioral endocrinology is highlighted

Biosensors Based on Stanniocalcin-1 Protein Antibodies Thin Films for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

This research was funded by the project PTDC/FIS-NAN/0909/2014 from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT). The authors also thank the research center Grants No. UIDB/FIS/04559/2020 and No. UIDP/FIS/04559/2020 (LIBPhys), from FCT/MCTES, Portugal. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent tumors in men, accounting for about 7.3% of cancer deaths. Although there are several strategies for diagnosing prostate cancer, these are only accurate when the tumor is already at a very advanced stage, so early diagnosis is essential. Stanniocalcin 1 (STC1) is a secreted glycoprotein, which has been suggested as a tumor marker as its increased expression is associated with the development and/or progression of different types of malignant tumors. In this work, an electronic tongue (ET) prototype, based on a set of four sensors prepared from thin films that included STC1 antibodies for detecting prostate cancer, was developed. In the preparation of the thin films, polyelectrolytes of polyallylamine hydrochloride, polystyrene sulfonate of sodium and polyethyleneimine, and the biomolecules chitosan, protein A, and STC1 antibody were used. These films were deposited on quartz lamellae and on solid supports using layer-on-layer and self-assembly techniques. The deposition of the films was analyzed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and the detection of STC1 in aqueous solutions of PBS was analyzed by impedance spectroscopy. The impedance data were statistically analyzed using principal component analysis. The ETs formed by the four sensors and the three best sensors could detect the antigen at concentrations in the range from 5 × 10−11 to 5 × 10−4 M. They showed a linear dependence with the logarithm of the antigen concentration and a sensitivity of 5371 ± 820 and 4863 ± 634 per decade of concentration, respectively. Finally, the results allow us to conclude that this prototype can advance to the calibration phase with patient samples.publishersversionpublishe

Watching fights raises fish hormone levels: Cichlid fish wrestling for dominance induce an androgen surge in male spectators.

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Parathyroid hormone-related protein-stanniocalcin antagonism in regulation of bicarbonate secretion and calcium precipitation in a marine fish intestine

Parathyroid hormone-related protein-stanniocalcin antagonism in regulation of bicarbonate secretion and calcium precipitation in a marine fish intestine. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 299: R150–R158, 2010. First published April 21, 2010; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00378.2009.—Bicarbonate secretion in the intestine (duodenum) of marine fish has been suggested to play a major role in regulation of calcium availability for uptake. However, while the end process may lead to carbonate precipitation, regulation of transport of calcium and/or bicarbonate may actually result in fine-tuning of calcium availability for transport. To test this hypothesis, sea bream (Sparus auratus) duodenal preparations were mounted in Ussing-type chambers and the effect of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and stanniocalcin 1 (STC 1) on the control of intestinal bicarbonate secretion and calcium transport was analyzed. As expected, PTHrP increased net calcium uptake, as a result of an increase of calcium uptake without changes in calcium efflux. In contrast, purified sea bream STC 1 caused a minor decrease of calcium uptake and a two- to threefold increase in calcium efflux. As a result, STC 1 was able to invert the calcium flux from net calcium uptake to net calcium loss, which is in keeping with its known actions as a hypocalcemic factor. Furthermore, both PTHrP and STC 1 regulate intestinal bicarbonate secretion. PTHrP increased calcium uptake and simultaneously reduced the single factor that induces calcium precipitation, bicarbonate secretion. In contrast, STC 1, while reversing the calcium net flux to make it secretory, promoted intestinal bicarbonate secretion, both actions directed to decrease the calcium gradient across the epithelium and promote immobilization in the form of bicarbonate in the intestinal lumen. Together our results provide robust evidence to support an antagonistic action of PTHrP and STC 1 in the fine control of movements of both calcium and bicarbonate in the intestine of seawater fish.This work was supported by Ministry of Science and Higher Education and European Social Funds through the Portuguese National Science Foundation Projects POCTI/CVT/55683/2004 and TDC/MAR/104008/2008 to J. Fuentes

Endocrine correlates of intra-specific variation in the mating system of the St. Peter’s fish (Sarotherodon galilaeus)

The Challenge Hypothesis postulates that androgen levels are a function of the social environment in which the individual is living. Thus, it is predicted that in polygynous males that engage in social interactions, androgen levels should be higher than in monogamous animals that engage in parental care. In this study, we tested this hypothesis at the intra-specific level using a teleost species, Sarotherodon galilaeus, which exhibits a wide variation in its mating system. Experimental groups of individually marked fish were formed in large ponds with different operational sex-ratios (OSR) to study the effects of partner availability on blood plasma levels of sex steroids [11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), testosterone (T), and 17,20B-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20B-P)] and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Polygyny mostly occurred in the female biased OSR groups. 17,20B-P and gonadosomatic index did not differ among OSR groups. However, 11-KT was high in male biased OSR and positively correlated with aggressive challenges, thereby supporting the central postulate of the Challenge Hypothesis. The results of T were the inverse of those of 11-KT, probably because 11-KT is metabolized from T. 11-KT levels of polygynous males did not differ neither from those of monogamous males, nor from those of males that participated in parental care. These results do not support the expected relationships between polygyny, parental care, and androgen levels. The differences from expectations for 11-KT may be related to the fact that in S. galilaeus, the mating and the parenting phase are not clearly separated and thus, males may still fight and court while they are brooding

No hormonal response in tied fights

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Identification, release and olfactory detection of bile salts in the intestinal fluid of the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

Olfactory sensitivity to bile salts is wide-spread in teleosts; however, which bile salts are released in suYcient quantities to be detected is unclear. The current study identiWed bile salts in the intestinal and bile Xuids of Solea senegalensis by mass spectrometry–liquid chromatography and assessed their olfactory potency by the electro-olfactogram

Clostridia Initiate Heavy Metal Bioremoval in Mixed Sulfidogenic Cultures

Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) are widely used for attenuating heavy metal pollution by means of sulfide generation. Due to their low metal tolerance, several SRB species depend on associated bacteria in mixed cultures to cope with metal-induced stress. Yet the identity of the SRB protecting bacteria is largely unknown. We aimed to identify these associated bacteria and their potential role in two highly metal-resistant mixed SRB cultures by comparing bacterial community composition and SRB activity between these cultures and two sensitive ones. The SRB composition in the resistant and sensitive consortia was similar. However, whereas the SRB in the sensitive cultures were strongly inhibited by a mixture of copper, zinc, and iron, no influence of these metals was detected on SRB growth and activity in the resistant cultures. In the latter, a Gram-positive population mostly assigned to Clostridium spp.initiated heavy metal bioremoval based on sulfide generation from components of the medium (mainly sulfite) but not from sulfate. After metal levels were lowered by the Clostridium spp. populations, SRB started sulfate reduction and raised the pH of the medium. The combination of sulfite reducing Clostridium spp. with SRB may improve green technologies for removal of heavy metals

Photoperiodic Modulation of Circadian Clock and Reproductive Axis Gene Expression in the Pre-Pubertal European Sea Bass Brain

The acquisition of reproductive competence requires the activation of the brain-pituitary-gonad (BPG) axis, which in most vertebrates, including fishes, is initiated by changes in photoperiod. In the European sea bass long-term exposure to continuous light (LL) alters the rhythm of reproductive hormones, delays spermatogenesis and reduces the incidence of precocious males. In contrast, an early shift from long to short photoperiod (AP) accelerates spermatogenesis. However, how photoperiod affects key genes in the brain to trigger the onset of puberty is still largely unknown. Here, we investigated if the integration of the light stimulus by clock proteins is sufficient to activate key genes that trigger the BPG axis in the European sea bass. We found that the clock genes clock, npas2, bmal1 and the BPG genes gnrh, kiss and kissr share conserved transcription factor frameworks in their promoters, suggesting co-regulation. Other gene promoters of the BGP axis were also predicted to be co-regulated by the same frameworks. Co-regulation was confirmed through gene expression analysis of brains from males exposed to LL or AP photoperiod compared to natural conditions: LL fish had suppressed gnrh1, kiss2, galr1b and esr1, while AP fish had stimulated npas2, gnrh1, gnrh2, kiss2, kiss1rb and galr1b compared to NP. It is concluded that fish exposed to different photoperiods present significant expression differences in some clock and reproductive axis related genes well before the first detectable endocrine and morphological responses of the BPG axis.European Community [222719 - LIFECYCLE]; Foundation for Science and Technology of Portugal (FCT) [SFRH/BPD/66742/2009, PEst-C/MAR/LA0015/2011]; Valencian Regional Goverment [Prometeo II/2014/051]; Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) [CSD 2007-0002]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Building a Portuguese coalition for biodiversity genomics

The diverse physiography of the Portuguese land and marine territory, spanning from continental Europe to the Atlantic archipelagos, has made it an important repository of biodiversity throughout the Pleistocene glacial cycles, leading to a remarkable diversity of species and ecosystems. This rich biodiversity is under threat from anthropogenic drivers, such as climate change, invasive species, land use changes, overexploitation, or pathogen (re)emergence. The inventory, characterisation, and study of biodiversity at inter- and intra-specific levels using genomics is crucial to promote its preservation and recovery by informing biodiversity conservation policies, management measures, and research. The participation of researchers from Portuguese institutions in the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) initiative and its pilot effort to generate reference genomes for European biodiversity has reinforced the establishment of Biogenome Portugal. This nascent institutional network will connect the national community of researchers in genomics. Here, we describe the Portuguese contribution to ERGA’s pilot effort, which will generate high-quality reference genomes of six species from Portugal that are endemic, iconic, and/or endangered and include plants, insects, and vertebrates (fish, birds, and mammals) from mainland Portugal or the Azores islands. In addition, we outline the objectives of Biogenome Portugal, which aims to (i) promote scientific collaboration, (ii) contribute to advanced training, (iii) stimulate the participation of institutions and researchers based in Portugal in international biodiversity genomics initiatives, and (iv) contribute to the transfer of knowledge to stakeholders and engaging the public to preserve biodiversity. This initiative will strengthen biodiversity genomics research in Portugal and fuel the genomic inventory of Portuguese eukaryotic species. Such efforts will be critical to the conservation of the country’s rich biodiversity and will contribute to ERGA’s goal of generating reference genomes for European species.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio