Effects of two exogenous proteins on the insulin‐like androgenic gland hormone gene expression in Procambarus clarkii

Abstract

Insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (IAG), which was discovered to be secreted by the unique androgenic gland (AG) of males, plays an important role in sex determination and sexual differentiation in crustaceans. The identification and functional analysis of the IAG gene are significant for the theoretical accumulation of sexual differentiation in Procambarus clarkii. In this study, recombinant IAG protein and tissue AG protein was injected into the crayfish to investigate the potential role of IAG in P. clarkii (PcIAG). As a result, the endogenous PcIAG showed temporal and tissue-specific expression after treatment, as a result, we speculated three potential secretion routes of IAG, which are the ‘AG-Mu’ axis, ‘AG-VN-Br’ and ‘AG-TD-Te’ axis. Besides, histological observation revealed that the IAG-injected ovary and testis developed faster than those in the control group, and some blister-like cells, including some digestive vacuoles, were more visible in the hepatopancreas. It is possible that the IAG not only regulates gonad development but also promotes the digestive and absorptive capacity of the hepatopancreas in the crayfish.