Emerging questions on the teleost hypothalamic-pituitary system during developmental and adult stages.

PAULA G. VISSIO; GUSTAVO M. SOMOZA; DANIELA PEREZ-SIRKIN; MARÍA PAULA DI YORIO

Faro

Congreso; Joint Conference of the European Society for Comparative Endocrinology and of the International Society for Fish Endocrinology; 2022

European Society for Comparative Endocrinology e International Society for Fish Endocrinology.

The hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) system regulates major physiological functions in vertebrates through a complex network involving different neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and pituitary hormones. Among vertebrates, the fish HP system presents unique characteristics such as direct innervation of pituitary cells, a high regionalization of the different cell types, and the presence of two different gonadotrops, among others. These characteristics make this system an excellent model for comparative neuroendocrinological studies. Recently, the classical concept of HP regulation in fish has been modified by the use of different tools including knockdown of specific neuropeptides, transgenic fish, and advanced microscopic technics. So, new and interesting lines of research on this topic are knocking labs’ doors. In addition, the HP axis develops early in life, and it is functional from its early establishment. The early appearance of different players of this network during embryonic or larval stages, and the fact, that if they are silenced, developmental alterations beyond the classical function known in adults occur, suggest that these components play specific roles during development. Besides, any developmental alteration on the components of the HP system may have an impact on adult life. In this presentation, historic andnew perspectives of the HP system will be presented, focusing on possible new developmental functions of the classical neurohormones. In this frame we will also discuss results obtained in different Neotropical fish species.