Conference presentation
Advancing the onset of puberty in Southern bluefin tuna, Thunnus maccoyii – KiSS & tell
2010 University Research Conference Program Book, p.10
USC Research Conference, 2010 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 08-Nov-2010–10-Nov-2010)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2010
Abstract
The onset of puberty in fishes varies widely depending on the species. Some species mature at one year of age while other species may take 10 years or more before reaching sexual maturation. The ability to manipulate the onset of puberty in commercially cultured species has significant economic advantage. We are studying the kisspeptin system in order to advance the onset of puberty in the Southern bluefin tuna (SBT), a species that is known to mature at 12 years of age (over 150 kg in body weight). The kisspeptin system is comprised of the KiSS peptides, which are encoded by the KiSS genes, and their receptor, which is encoded by the KiSS receptor gene (also known as GPR54). Studies in mammalian models have indicated that the kisspeptin system is the "gatekeeper" of the onset of puberty. We employed molecular approaches to clone the KiSS genes and their receptors from SBT and yellowtail kingfish (YTK). We have initially tested the biological activity of the KiSS peptides in vivo in immature YTK. We utilise expression levels of key reproductive genes, circulating levels of key hormones and gonadal histology as indicators of the biological effect of the KiSS peptides. Our data so far indicate that administration of the KiSS peptide induces reproductive development in pre-pubertal YTK. Our results not only contribute in understanding the kisspeptin system in fish but also in developing a commercially applicable technology, for instance in the late maturing SBT. Such technology may also be useful for the conservation of endangered late maturing fish species in the wild.
Details
- Title
- Advancing the onset of puberty in Southern bluefin tuna, Thunnus maccoyii – KiSS & tell
- Authors
- Josephine N Nocillado (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- 2010 University Research Conference Program Book, p.10
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2010 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 08-Nov-2010–10-Nov-2010)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2010
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449382302621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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