The role of the pineal gland and photoperiodicity on growth,udmetabolism, reproduction in fishes and itsudapplication in aquaculture-a review

摘要

The pineal gland, situated on the roof of the diencephalon of theudbrain in fishes, acts as a photoneuroendocrine gland whichudsecretes the hormone melatonin. The secretion of this hormone is controlledudmainly by photoperiodicity. This paper is a review of the numerousudworks showing the role of this gland and its hormone, on growth andudmetabolism of the body by inhibition of secretion of thyroxin, MSH andudother opioid peptides: in the control of behavioural thermoregulation;udand on reproduction through gonadal development and secretionudof GtH-II with other steroids. The possible use of this knowledge asuda modern tool in manipulating aquaculture production is alsoudevaluated.