Testosterone improves the transition of primary oocytes in artificial maturation eels (Anguilla japonica) by altering ovarian PTEN expression

Fish Physiol Biochem. 2012 Jun;38(3):777-87. doi: 10.1007/s10695-011-9560-6. Epub 2011 Oct 7.

Abstract

In mammals, androgens appear to enhance the development of primary ovarian follicles, but PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinases) pathway is well recognized as one of the critical pathways in early follicular development. Roles of the PI3K were revealed by deletion of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome 10). PTEN is demonstrated to play an important role in the early stage of follicle development. In the Japanese eel, two forms of PTEN have been cloned, but what their functions on the development of early ovarian follicles are still not clear. The natural blockage and inducible of ovarian development was a benefit to address this question in the eel. Testosterone (T) shows to ameliorate the early ovarian development in the eel. The aims of this study were to elucidate the two forms of PTEN by cellular and physiological criteria and to study the effects of T on the ovarian PTEN production in the exogenous pituitary extracts-stimulated eel. Our results suggested that two forms of PTEN are existing in the Japanese eel, and eel ovarian development corresponded to the decrease in ovarian PTEN expression, vice versa. In addition, the supplement of T on eel early ovarian development can be attributed to its PTEN inhibitor role.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anguilla / genetics
  • Anguilla / growth & development*
  • Anguilla / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Female
  • Fish Proteins / genetics
  • Fish Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Oocytes / drug effects*
  • Oocytes / growth & development
  • Oocytes / metabolism*
  • Ovary / drug effects
  • Ovary / growth & development
  • Ovary / metabolism
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / genetics
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Testosterone / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Fish Proteins
  • Isoenzymes
  • Testosterone
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase