biostudies-literatureHyeon JYNational Institute of Fisheries ScienceBasic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of KoreaE310https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6526474biostudies-literatureUnknown8(4)During the long migration from river habitats to the spawning ground, the Japanese eel undergoes sexual maturation. This spawning migration occurs concurrently with morphological changes, such as increases in eye size; however, the mechanisms by which sex steroids and their receptors influence these changes in peripheral tissues remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the eyes of female Japanese eels during sexual maturation, and our research focused on estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ transcripts. During ovarian development, the gonadosomatic index increased and yolk-laden oocytes developed rapidly. These changes occurred in conjunction with a steady increase in plasma levels of estradiol-17β (E₂). Concomitant increases in transcript levels of ERα and ERβ in eyeCellsInvolvement of Estrogen and Its Receptors in Morphological Changes in the Eyes of the Japanese Eel, <i>Anguilla japonica</i>, in the Process of Artificially-Induced Maturation.PMC65264742012R1A6A3A04041089R2019003Hyeon JYKim BHByun JHLee BIHur SPKim ESLim BSKim SKKim SJTakemura AfalseInvolvement of Estrogen and Its Receptors in Morphological Changes in the Eyes of the Japanese Eel, <i>Anguilla japonica</i>, in the Process of Artificially-Induced Maturation.During the long migration from river habitats to the spawning ground, the Japanese eel undergoes sexual maturation. This spawning migration occurs concurrently with morphological changes, such as increases in eye size; however, the mechanisms by which sex steroids and their receptors influence these changes in peripheral tissues remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the eyes of female Japanese eels during sexual maturation, and our research focused on estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ transcripts. During ovarian development, the gonadosomatic index increased and yolk-laden oocytes developed rapidly. These changes occurred in conjunction with a steady increase in plasma levels of estradiol-17β (E₂). Concomitant increases in transcript levels of ERα and ERβ in eye2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Apr2026-04-08T06:13:06.535Z2019-07-01T13:53:31ZS-EPMC65264743098725110.3390/cells8040310