Occurrence of follicle-stimulating hormone-like substance in the Kuruma prawn,<i>Marsupenaeus japonicus</i>, during ovarian maturation

Abstract

Abstract The identification of vertebrate follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) may further elucidate the reproductive mechanisms in the prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus. By immunohistochemistry, FSH-like neurons were detected in the brain and thoracic ganglia of the female kuruma prawn. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), concentrations of an FSH-like substance were determined in the brain, thoracic ganglia and haemolymph during the maturation of the ovaries. Peak levels of an FSH-like substance culminated in the brain and thoracic ganglia during the exogenous vitellogenic stage, while the maximum level of the FSH-like substance was detected in the haemolymph. Our results indicated that the vertebrate FSH-like substances are present in M. japonicus, suggesting they may be involved in the ovarian maturation. Keywords: ELISAFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)immunohistochemistry Marsupenaeus japonicus neuroendocrinereproduction Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Acknowledgements This study was supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30300269, 40776084), and the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in Fujian Province University. The authors would like to thank Professor Paul K. Chien for his valuable comments on an early draft of the manuscript. Notes Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark