Dynamics of ovarian maturation throughout the reproductive cycle of the neotropical cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus (Teleostei, Cichliformes)

In this study, we analyzed gene expression profiles, plasma steroids concentrations, and gonadal morphology throughout the reproductive cycle of female Cichlasoma dimerus (Heckel, 1840), a monogamous cichlid fish exhibiting social hierarchies. Fish were analyzed at six phases encompassing their annu...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Varela, María Luisa, Ferreira, Maria Florencia, Da Cuña, Rodrigo Hernán, Lo Nostro, Fabiana Laura, Genovese, Griselda, Meijide, Fernando Javier
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:Argentina
Institución:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repositorio:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/63833
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/63833
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:ACARÁ CICHLID
ASYNCHRONOUS OVARIAN DEVELOPMENT
CICHLASOMA DIMERUS
GENE EXPRESSION
GONADAL HISTOLOGY
PLASMA STEROIDS
REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
Descripción
Sumario:In this study, we analyzed gene expression profiles, plasma steroids concentrations, and gonadal morphology throughout the reproductive cycle of female Cichlasoma dimerus (Heckel, 1840), a monogamous cichlid fish exhibiting social hierarchies. Fish were analyzed at six phases encompassing their annual cycle, namely resting (during the nonreproductive period), prespawning, 30 h post spawning, 4 days post spawning, 10 days post spawning, and subordinate (during the reproductive period). The histological and histomorphometric analysis showed that C. dimerus exhibits asynchronous ovarian development. Similar to resting females, subordinate females showed low gonadosomatic index, reduced expression levels of vitellogenin (vtgAb), zona pellucida (zpB), gonadal aromatase (cyp19a1A), and low concentrations of plasma sex steroids, thus indicating that social intimidation by dominant conspecifics elicited reproductive arrest. In reproductively active females, a direct positive correlation between plasma estradiol, vtgAb expression, percentage of late vitellogenic oocytes, and gonadosomatic index was observed. These parameters were maximal at the prespawning phase, decreased at 30 h post spawning and 4 days post spawning, and then reached a peak at 10 days post spawning. Our results indicate that female C. dimerus become spawning capable after 10 days post spawning, coincidently with the shortest time interval between successive spawns recorded in captivity.