Expression of Nerve Growth Factor and Its Receptor TrkA in the Reproductive System of Adult Zebrafish

Abstract

Nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophin family, has emerged as an active mediator in different crucial events in the peripheral and central nervous system. At the same time, several studies showed that this neurotrophin can also play a role in non-neuronal tissues (e.g., among gonads). In spite of a large number of studies present in mammals, investigations devoted to NGF and its receptor TrkA in the reproductive system of other animal models, such as teleost fish, are scarce. To increase our knowledge of NGF and its receptor in a vertebrate gonads model, the present report describes the expression patterns of <i>ngf</i> and <i>trka</i> mRNA in the testis and ovary of adult zebrafish. By using chromogenic and fluorescence in situ hybridization, we demonstrate that in the testis of adult zebrafish, <i>ngf</i> and its receptor <i>trka</i> are mainly expressed in spermatogony B and spermatocytes. In the ovary of this fish, <i>ngf</i> and <i>trka</i> are expressed at different stages of oocyte development. Altogether, these results show that this neurotrophin and its receptor have an important role in the reproductive system that is conserved during vertebrate evolution.