Cold temperature delays ovarian development of largemouth bass by inhibiting sex hormone release, angiogenesis, apoptosis and autophagy during out-of-season reproduction

Kuo He; Zhihong Li; Haoxiao Yan; Longlong Shi; Hangyu Yang; Qiao Liu; Kaige Song; Yifan Hu; Bo Wang; Song Yang; Liulan Zhao

doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.111795

Cold temperature delays ovarian development of largemouth bass by inhibiting sex hormone release, angiogenesis, apoptosis and autophagy during out-of-season reproduction

Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2024 Dec 19:111795. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.111795. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Kuo He¹, Zhihong Li¹, Haoxiao Yan¹, Longlong Shi¹, Hangyu Yang¹, Qiao Liu¹, Kaige Song², Yifan Hu¹, Bo Wang¹, Song Yang³, Liulan Zhao⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China.
² College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China. Electronic address: 14986@sicau.edu.cn.
³ College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China. Electronic address: ysys210@hotmail.com.
⁴ College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China. Electronic address: zhaoliulan2007@163.com.

PMID: 39709163
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.111795

Abstract

Cold temperature is an effective method of achieving out-of-season reproduction and obtaining fry in the autumn. This study investigated the effects of low-temperature (12-16 °C) environment on the out-of-season reproduction of largemouth bass, particularly the delayed effects on ovarian development. During the period of delayed out-of-season reproduction, there was a significant reduction in the levels of serum sex hormones (FSH and LH) and their respective receptors (FSHR and LHCGR). Exposure to cold temperature significantly reduced the expression of gonadal development genes (IGF-1, GDF9, and CDC2) (P<0.05) and diminished the vascular network on the ovarian membrane, as confirmed by angiogenesis-related analyses. In lipid metabolism, AMH mRNA levels decreased overall, while HSD3B, FABP1, APOA1, and APOC2 initially increased before declining. Serum VTG levels decreased gradually with a slight increase post-spawning. These findings suggested that cold temperature delay ovarian development in largemouth bass by impacting sex hormone synthesis, angiogenesis, and lipid deposition. This insight enhances our understanding of out-of-season reproduction and guides the development of more effective reproductive techniques.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Lipid deposition; Micropterus salmoides; Out-of-season reproduction; Sex hormones.