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EDRI Federal Project Inventory:
Biological Action of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in Lampreys
- Sponsor Organization: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
- Project Title: BIOLOGICAL ACTION OF GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE IN LAMPREYS
- Project Focus: ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
- Description: This proposal will investigate how a substance (hormone) from the
brain of aprimitive fish, sea lamprey, controls reproductive
functions. This substance from thebrain is a protein called
gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Gonadotropin-releasinghormone is
present in all brains of all vertebrates including mammals (which
includeshumans), birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Most studies
on this brain substancehave been done in mammals. More information is
needed in other vertebrates. Inmammals, many analogs (related
compounds to gonadotropin-releasing hormone) havebeen made and used in
research to test these proteins as conceptive andcontraceptive
measures. Some of these gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs
arepresently being used in therapeutic clinical applications (breast
cancer, prostaticcancer, etc.). Before these analogs could be made,
numerous studies were (and are)necessary for the basic understanding
on how these substances function. Dr. Sower'sstudies will focus on the
basic understanding of how this gonadotropin releasinghormone works
in a very primitive fish. Knowledge of the structure and function of
thisprotein in vertebrates other than mammals will further our
understanding ofreproduction in vertebrates. In addition, these
studies may lead to the development ofgonadotropin-releasing hormone
analogs which could be used for controllingreproduction in sea
lampreys. One of the major goals of the Fisheries Commission isthe
development of a lamprey control program that will include not only
the use oflamprey poisons in streams but also the development of
contraceptive methods forreducing the numbers of sea lampreys in the
Great Lakes Region. Theseinvestigations will include if gonadotropin-
releasing hormone and analogs could beused to inhibit by sterilization
or control reproduction in lampreys as a complementarymethod in
maintaining numbers of lampreys in the Great Lakes.
- References:
- Category: MODELS
- Subcategory: BASIC RESEARCH
- Keywords for Experimental System/Species: FISH, IN VIVO, IN VITRO, LABORATORY STUDIES
- Keywords for Experimental Endpoints: NEUROLOGICAL, REPRODUCTIVE, HORMONE MEASURES, PEPTIDE HORMONES,
PHYSIOLOGY,BREEDING BEHAVIOR, GROWTH, MOLECULAR, GENE EXPRESSION
- Chemical Agents: Peptide Hormones
- Performing Institution: University of New Hampshire
- Contact: Stacia Sower, William A Condon, Durham, NH 03824 603 862-1234
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