Ebook: Hormones and Reproduction in Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles

Comparative endocrinology is one of the most rapidly developing subdis­ ciplines within the field of endocrinology, and it is having a significant impact on research at the molecular, cellular, organisma1 and environmental levels. Much of the current ferment in endocrinology is in reproductive endocrinology. The purpose of this volume on hormones and reproduction in fishes, amphibians and reptiles is to summarize our present understandings and to identify important research problems to be addressed in the area of comparative reproductive endocrinology. It was inspired by the gathering at Copper Mountain, Colorado, of eminent endocrine scientists from around the world on the occasion of the Tenth International Symposium on Comparative Endocrinology in July, 1985. While preparing for that meeting, we decided that a special volume on reproductive endocrinology was needed to summarize what is known and to stimulate research in particular directions. Why do we emphasize fishes, amphibians and reptiles? First, knowledge about the reproductive endocrinology of these ectothermic vertebrates can provide a clearer picture of the evolution of reproductive hormones and their effects on target organs. This comparative approach can lead to new theories about the evolution of reproductive control mechanisms. Second, studies concerning the reproductive endocrinology of "lower" vertebrates can result in development of "model systems" for application to studies of birds and mammals. Indeed, information about the patterns of reproductive control in ectothermic vertebrates can tell us which are evolutionarily stable and which are labile.

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Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xxv
Hormones and Sexual Differentiation....Pages 1-29
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormones in Fishes....Pages 31-60
Role of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in Regulation of Gonadotropin Secretion from Amphibian and Reptilian Pituitaries....Pages 61-85
Prolactin and Reproduction....Pages 87-115
Regulation of Ovarian Steroidogenesis....Pages 117-144
Endocrinology of Vitellogenesis....Pages 145-169
Endocrine Control of Oocyte Maturation....Pages 171-202
Ovulation: Insights About the Mechanisms Based on a Comparative Approach....Pages 203-240
Functional Morphology and Regulation of the Corpus Luteum....Pages 241-282
Testicular Function....Pages 283-325
Regulation of Male Gonaducts and Sex Accessory Structures....Pages 327-354
Sex Steroid Receptors and Non-Receptor Binding Proteins....Pages 355-384
Seasonal Reproduction: Patterns and Control....Pages 385-409
Thyroid Hormones and Reproduction....Pages 411-431
Pineal Involvement in Seasonality of Reproduction....Pages 433-460
Stress and Reproduction: Reciprocal Relationships....Pages 461-503
Regulation of Reproductive Behaviors....Pages 505-522
The Evolution of Viviparity in Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles: An Endocrine Approach....Pages 523-562
Aging of the Neuroendocrine System....Pages 563-584
Back Matter....Pages 585-613

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Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xxv
Hormones and Sexual Differentiation....Pages 1-29
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormones in Fishes....Pages 31-60
Role of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in Regulation of Gonadotropin Secretion from Amphibian and Reptilian Pituitaries....Pages 61-85
Prolactin and Reproduction....Pages 87-115
Regulation of Ovarian Steroidogenesis....Pages 117-144
Endocrinology of Vitellogenesis....Pages 145-169
Endocrine Control of Oocyte Maturation....Pages 171-202
Ovulation: Insights About the Mechanisms Based on a Comparative Approach....Pages 203-240
Functional Morphology and Regulation of the Corpus Luteum....Pages 241-282
Testicular Function....Pages 283-325
Regulation of Male Gonaducts and Sex Accessory Structures....Pages 327-354
Sex Steroid Receptors and Non-Receptor Binding Proteins....Pages 355-384
Seasonal Reproduction: Patterns and Control....Pages 385-409
Thyroid Hormones and Reproduction....Pages 411-431
Pineal Involvement in Seasonality of Reproduction....Pages 433-460
Stress and Reproduction: Reciprocal Relationships....Pages 461-503
Regulation of Reproductive Behaviors....Pages 505-522
The Evolution of Viviparity in Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles: An Endocrine Approach....Pages 523-562
Aging of the Neuroendocrine System....Pages 563-584
Back Matter....Pages 585-613
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