Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
07:36
Preparation of a High-quality Primary Cell Culture from Fish Pituitaries
Published on: August 28, 2018
Modulation of the fish immune system by hormones
1Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, Bristol, UK. james.harris@bbsrc.ac.uk
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
|January 4, 2001
Summary
Fish hormones like cortisol and growth hormone (GH) significantly impact immune responses. Understanding these immune-neuroendocrine interactions is crucial for fish health, aquaculture, and life cycle changes.
Area of Science:
- Comparative immunology
- Endocrinology
- Aquatic biology
Background:
- Immune-neuroendocrine interactions are increasingly studied in fish.
- Hormones play a significant role in modulating fish immune functions.
- Key hormones include cortisol, growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), reproductive hormones, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), and proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the known effects of specific hormones on the fish immune system.
- To explore the complex interactions between different hormones influencing immunity.
- To discuss the implications for fish health in aquaculture and during different life cycle stages.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on fish immune-neuroendocrine interactions.
- Synthesis of data on hormonal effects on immune functions in various fish species.
- Analysis of hormonal interactions and their impact on immunocompetence.
Main Results:
- Cortisol, GH, PRL, reproductive hormones, MCH, and POMC peptides modulate fish immune functions.
- Complex interactions exist between these hormones, affecting immune responses.
- Hormonal influences on immunity vary across different fish species and life stages.
Conclusions:
- Hormonal regulation is a key factor in fish immune responses.
- Understanding these interactions is vital for fish health management in aquaculture.
- Changes in immunocompetence during the fish life cycle are influenced by neuroendocrine factors.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:01Feedback Loops
In most cases, excessive hormone production is prevented by negative feedback—a loop that starts with a stimulus inducing the release of a particular substance, like a hormone, to maintain a certain level before triggering a signal that results in a decrease in further release of the hormone.
02:32Osmoregulation in Fishes
When cells are placed in a hypotonic (low-salt) fluid, they can swell and burst. Meanwhile, cells in a hypertonic solution—with a higher salt concentration—can shrivel and die. How do fish cells avoid these gruesome fates in hypotonic freshwater or hypertonic seawater environments?
01:08Chemical Signaling in the Endocrine System
A signaling cascade is a series of events that facilitates the transmission of information within or between cells, culminating in a targeted response in the recipient cell. As chemical messengers, hormones are pivotal in initiating and modulating these intricate signaling cascades based on their solubility.
Lipid-soluble hormones, such as steroid hormones, demonstrate an intracellular action. These hormones traverse cell membranes due to their lipid nature. Once inside the target cell, they...
Lipid-soluble hormones, such as steroid hormones, demonstrate an intracellular action. These hormones traverse cell membranes due to their lipid nature. Once inside the target cell, they...
01:22Target Cell Response to Hormones
Hormones intricately bind to receptors on the surface or within target cells, initiating a cascade of cellular responses.
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
01:19Regulation of Hormone Secretion
Regulation of hormone secretion is a finely tuned orchestration driven by various types of stimuli, encompassing neural, humoral, and hormonal signals. Environmental cues instigate neural stimuli, where action potentials traverse nerve fibers to reach their designated targets. An illustrative scenario is the body's response to stress, wherein the sympathetic nervous system releases epinephrine from the adrenal glands, inducing the well-known 'fight or flight' reaction.
Humoral stimuli,...
Humoral stimuli,...
01:28Inflammatory Response
An inflammatory response is a localized, nonspecific immune reaction that occurs when a tissue is injured. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which are commonly called the cardinal signs and symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation can sometimes result in a loss of function.
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...