Hormonal dynamics reveal a stimulatory role for secretoneurin in zebrafish ovulation

Abstract

Surge release of luteinizing hormone (Lh) from the pituitary is essential for fertility as it triggers ovulation. While secretoneurin (SN) is a phylogenetically conserved secretogranin-2 derived peptide that stimulates Lh, its role in ovulation has not been established. To directly compare periovulatory changes in the classical hormones to the emerging reproductive neuropeptides SNa and SNb, simultaneous mass spectrometry measurement of 9 peptides and 5 steroids was conducted in female zebrafish. Regression analysis indicated that levels of SNa1-34 in the brain peaked when type 3 gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gnrh3) increased (R2=0.71) at the time of the Lh surge, 3.5 h before ovulation. In contrast, levels of the naturally occurring derivative SNa1-14 were highest at ovulation, while SNb1-31 was invariable. The bioactivities of SNa1-34 and SNa1-14 were investigated. After injection of SNa1-34 in females that had been isolated from males, 61% (11/18) ovulated within 6 h, which was like the effects of the Lh analog human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (72%; 13/18 females). SNa1-34 could induce ovulation by stimulating time-dependent expression of gnrh3 in the brain, chorionic gonadotropin alpha (cga), luteinizing hormone b (lhb) subunit in pituitary, and the nuclear progesterone receptor (npr) in ovaries. In contrast, SNa1-14 exhibited far fewer effects on gene expression and did not induce ovulation. Our results support the proposal that SN is a reproductive hormone. Significance statementSecretogranin-2 is a secretory granule protein that is enzymatically processed to the bioactive neuropeptide secretoneurin. It is produced in hypothalamic neurons and anterior pituitary cells, and we provide in vivo evidence that secretoneurin plays an important role to induce ovulation. Secretoneurin levels in the brain increase concomitantly with gonadotropin-releasing hormone prior to ovulation in normal zebrafish. Injection of a synthetic secretoneurin peptide increased expression of reproduction-related genes at all levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Secretoneurin stimulates ovulation in otherwise anovulatory females. Together these data place the evolutionarily conserved secretoneurin amongst other critical neuroendocrine regulators. Secretoneurin or synthetic agonists could be used to improve breeding in fish species, or to potentially help with infertility treatments