Identification of ovarian gene expression patterns during vitellogenesis in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Identification of ovarian gene expression patterns during vitellogenesis in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) Timothy Breton1, Janet Anderson2, Frederick Goetz3 and David Berlinsky1* 1 University of New Hampshire, Department of Biological Sciences, United States 2 University of New Hampshire, Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, United States 3 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, School of Freshwater Sciences, United States One of the most pervasive problems in aquaculture is reproductive failure due to inferior egg quality. To alleviate this problem, more information is needed on the intraovarian factors that regulate oocyte development. The purpose of this study was to identify molecular markers during oocyte growth that could be used as predictors of maturational competence, using Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) as a model species. Cultured cod in their first reproductive season were sampled during mid and late stages of vitellogenic growth (474-587 and 736-814 µm oocyte diameter, respectively). Representational difference analysis and real time quantitative PCR were used to identify differences in gene expression from intact ovarian follicles and follicle cell layers. A type IV ice-structuring protein (similar to apolipoproteins) and gephyrin 2 were upregulated among oocyte-derived transcripts during late vitellogenesis. Within follicle cells, luteinizing hormone receptor, aromatase, and serotonin receptor 1E were also upregulated during late vitellogenesis, while a conserved G protein-coupled receptor (GPR27) was downregulated. Several cytoskeletal genes (cysteine-rich protein 1, myosin-2, transgelin) in follicle cells were also upregulated in late vitellogenesis and likely represent thecal cell transformation to smooth muscle-like tissue prior to ovulation. These results indicate that changes in gene expression during vitellogenesis influence lipid binding, maturational competence, and ovulation and may serve as potential markers to improve spawning procedures used in aquaculture. Acknowledgements Research supported by NH Sea Grant and travel supported by UNH Center for Comparative and Molecular Endocrinology. Keywords: final oocyte maturation, Gadus morhua, Gene Expression, oocyte development, reproductive endocrinology Conference: NASCE 2011: The inaugural meeting of the North American Society for Comparative Endocrinology, Ann Arbor, United States, 13 Jul - 16 Jul, 2011. Presentation Type: Poster Topic: Gonadal development and gamete maturation Citation: Breton T, Anderson J, Goetz F and Berlinsky D (2011). Identification of ovarian gene expression patterns during vitellogenesis in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Front. Endocrinol. Conference Abstract: NASCE 2011: The inaugural meeting of the North American Society for Comparative Endocrinology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fendo.2011.04.00007 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 05 Jul 2011; Published Online: 09 Aug 2011. * Correspondence: Dr. David Berlinsky, University of New Hampshire, Department of Biological Sciences, Durham, NH, 03824, United States, david.berlinsky@unh.edu Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Timothy Breton Janet Anderson Frederick Goetz David Berlinsky Google Timothy Breton Janet Anderson Frederick Goetz David Berlinsky Google Scholar Timothy Breton Janet Anderson Frederick Goetz David Berlinsky PubMed Timothy Breton Janet Anderson Frederick Goetz David Berlinsky Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.