A review on ghrelin and fish reproduction

Abstract

Ghrelin is a multifunctional peptide hormone which dominantly secreted in stomach and intestine. Ghrelin involves in growth control, food intake, energy balance, and reproductive process. Recent evidences suggested that ghrelin also interacts with hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPG axis) and controls gametes maturation. In addition, current clues showed that via regulating ghrelin system (acyl ghrelin: des acyl ghrelin ratio, GOAT, GHS-R1a), glucose and weight could be regulated promising a potential way for artificial controlling of gonadal development and gamete maturation. The ghrelin signaling system may be a new target for reproductive operation in fish artificial propagation and breeding. This review summarizes the recent studies of the function of ghrelin in fish reproduction and the regulatory methods for ghrelin system.

Keywords

• Hormone
• Gonad
• Gamete maturation
• Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis
• Diets