Development of quantitative real-time PCR assays for fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) gonadotropin beta subunit mRNAs to support endocrine disruptor research

摘要

Fathead minnows (Piniephales prontelas) are a widely-used small fish model for regulatory ecotoxicology testing and research related to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Quantitative real-time PCR assays for measuring fathead minnow gonadotropin (GtH) subunit transcripts were developed and "baseline" transcript levels in pituitary tissue were examined over a range of age classes and spawning states. Among females, GtH beta transcripts did not vary significantly with gonadal-somatic index or gonad stage. However, in males, follicle-stimulating hormone 13 subunit transcripts decreased significantly with increasing gonad stage, while mean luteinizing hormone subunit expression trended in the opposite direction. GtH beta transcript levels measured in pituitaries from fish that had spawned within the preceding 24 h were not significantly different from those from fish that were 2-3 days post-spawn. Exposure to the fungicide ketoconazole, a known steroidogenesis inhibitor, for 21 days significantly affected the abundance of CiH beta transcripts in pituitary tissue in males, but not females. This study provides critical data needed to design and interpret effective experiments for studying direct and indirect effects of EDCs on GtH subunit mRNA expression. Results of such experiments should facilitate a greater understanding of integrated system-wide responses of the fathead minnow brain-pituitary-gonadal axis to stressors including EDCs. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.