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The saccus vasculosus of fish is a sensor of seasonal changes in day length

Author

Listed:
  • Yusuke Nakane

    (Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University)

  • Keisuke Ikegami

    (Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University)

  • Masayuki Iigo

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University
    Center for Bioscience Research and Education (C-Bio), Utsunomiya University
    Utsunomiya University Center for Optical Research and Education (CORE)
    United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology)

  • Hiroko Ono

    (Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University)

  • Korenori Takeda

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University
    United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
    Tochigi Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station)

  • Daisuke Takahashi

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University)

  • Maiko Uesaka

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University)

  • Meita Kimijima

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University)

  • Ramu Hashimoto

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University)

  • Natsumi Arai

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University)

  • Takuya Suga

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University)

  • Katsuya Kosuge

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University)

  • Tomotaka Abe

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University
    United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology)

  • Ryosuke Maeda

    (Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University)

  • Takumi Senga

    (Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University)

  • Noriko Amiya

    (Laboratory of Fish Physiology, School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University)

  • Teruo Azuma

    (National Research Institute of Fisheries Science)

  • Masafumi Amano

    (Laboratory of Fish Physiology, School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University)

  • Hideki Abe

    (Laboratory of Fish Biology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University)

  • Naoyuki Yamamoto

    (Laboratory of Fish Biology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University)

  • Takashi Yoshimura

    (Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University
    Avian Bioscience Research Center, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University
    Institute of Transformative Bio-molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University
    National Institute for Basic Biology)

Abstract

The pars tuberalis of the pituitary gland is the regulatory hub for seasonal reproduction in birds and mammals. Although fish also exhibit robust seasonal responses, they do not possess an anatomically distinct pars tuberalis. Here we report that the saccus vasculosus of fish is a seasonal sensor. We observe expression of key genes regulating seasonal reproduction and rhodopsin family genes in the saccus vasculosus of masu salmon. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrate that all of these genes are expressed in the coronet cells of the saccus vasculosus, suggesting the existence of a photoperiodic signalling pathway from light input to neuroendocrine output. In addition, isolated saccus vasculosus has the capacity to respond to photoperiodic signals, and its removal abolishes photoperiodic response of the gonad. Although the physiological role of the saccus vasculosus has been a mystery for several centuries, our findings indicate that the saccus vasculosus acts as a sensor of seasonal changes in day length in fish.

Suggested Citation

  • Yusuke Nakane & Keisuke Ikegami & Masayuki Iigo & Hiroko Ono & Korenori Takeda & Daisuke Takahashi & Maiko Uesaka & Meita Kimijima & Ramu Hashimoto & Natsumi Arai & Takuya Suga & Katsuya Kosuge & Tomo, 2013. "The saccus vasculosus of fish is a sensor of seasonal changes in day length," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-7, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms3108
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3108
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    Cited by:

    1. Yusuke Nakane & Ai Shinomiya & Wataru Ota & Keisuke Ikegami & Tsuyoshi Shimmura & Sho-Ichi Higashi & Yasuhiro Kamei & Takashi Yoshimura, 2019. "Action spectrum for photoperiodic control of thyroid-stimulating hormone in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, September.

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