Targeted gene disruption in zebrafish reveals noncanonical functions of LH signaling in reproduction

Mol Endocrinol. 2014 Nov;28(11):1785-95. doi: 10.1210/me.2014-1061. Epub 2014 Sep 19.

Abstract

The pivotal role of gonadotropin signaling in regulating gonadal development and functions has attracted much research attention in the past 2 decades. However, the precise physiological role of gonadotropin signaling is still largely unknown in fish. In this study, we have established both LH β-subunit (lhb) and LH receptor (lhr) knockout zebrafish lines by transcription activator-like effector nucleases. Intriguingly, both homozygous lhb and lhr mutant male fish are fertile. The fertilization rate, sperm motility, and histological structure of the testis were not affected in either lhb or lhr mutant males. On the contrary, homozygous lhb mutant females are infertile, whereas homozygous lhr mutant females are fertile. Folliculogenesis was not affected in either lhb or lhr mutants, but oocyte maturation and ovulation were disrupted in lhb mutant, whereas only ovulation was affected in lhr mutant. Differential expression of genes in the ovary involved in steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, and ovulation was found between the lhb and lhr mutants. These data demonstrate the essential role of LH signaling in oocyte maturation and ovulation, and support the notion that LH acts through the FSH receptor in the absence of LH receptor. Moreover, the defects of lhb mutant could be partially restored by administration of human chorionic gonadotropin. This in vivo evidence in the present study demonstrates, for the first time in any vertebrate species, that LH signaling is indispensable in female reproduction but not in male reproduction. LH signaling is demonstrated to control oocyte maturation and ovulation in the ovary.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Fertilization / genetics
  • Fertilization / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology
  • Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit / genetics
  • Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Ovarian Follicle / metabolism
  • Ovulation / genetics
  • Ovulation / metabolism
  • Ovulation / physiology
  • Receptors, FSH / metabolism
  • Receptors, LH / metabolism
  • Reproduction / genetics*
  • Reproduction / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Sperm Motility / genetics
  • Sperm Motility / physiology
  • Zebrafish / genetics*
  • Zebrafish / metabolism
  • Zebrafish / physiology*
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics*
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Luteinizing Hormone, beta Subunit
  • Receptors, FSH
  • Receptors, LH
  • Zebrafish Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the General Research Fund of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (CUHK 463013), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 31325026), and the Chinese University of Hong Kong and The State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology Program (Grant 2014FB10).