Defining global neuroendocrine gene expression patterns associated with reproductive seasonality in fish.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Many vertebrates, including the goldfish, exhibit seasonal reproductive rhythms, which are a result of interactions between external environmental stimuli and internal endocrine systems in the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. While it is long believed that differential expression of neuroendocrine genes contributes to establishing seasonal reproductive rhythms, no systems-level investigation has yet been conducted.

Methodology/principal findings

In the present study, by analyzing multiple female goldfish brain microarray datasets, we have characterized global gene expression patterns for a seasonal cycle. A core set of genes (873 genes) in the hypothalamus were identified to be differentially expressed between May, August and December, which correspond to physi

SUBMITTER: Zhang D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2686097 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature