Extrahypophyseal expression of gonadotropin subunits in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis and effects of high water temperatures on their expression

It has been traditionally accepted that the gonadotropins (GtHs), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), are synthesized and secreted only by the pituitary. However, the presence of theses hormones in extrapituitary tissues has been demonstrated in mammals, and more recently also in fish. In this study, we cloned the cDNAs and characterized the expression of FSH-β, LH-β, and glycoprotein hormone α (GPH-α) subunits from brain and gonads of male and female pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis at different stages of gonadal maturation. In situ hybridization revealed that, in addition to their classical location in pituitary cells, the three GtH transcripts were also located in the gonads. FSH-β and GPH-α subunits were found in the cytoplasm of oogonia, previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes in ovaries. LH-β expression was detected in previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes but not in oogonia. In males, the three subunits were expressed in spermatogonia and to a lesser extent in spermatocytes. Exposure of fish to high water temperatures that impair pejerrey reproduction also induced a decrease of extrahypophyseal expression of GtH subunits.

► FSH-β, LH-β, and GPH-α subunits cDNAs were detected in pejerrey fish brain and gonads.
► GtHs transcripts were identified in oocytes at different stages.
► For the first time it was demonstrated their anatomical localization in fish testes.
► High temperatures induce a decrease of GtHs expression at brain and gonadal levels.