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In vivo Characterization of Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Effects via Thyroid Hormone Action Indicator Mouse
Published on: October 6, 2023
Thyroid hormone actions are temperature-specific and regulate thermal acclimation in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Alexander G Little1, Tatsuya Kunisue, Kurunthachalam Kannan
1School of Biological Sciences, A08 University of Sydney, Science Road, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. alit2851@uni.sydney.edu.au
BMC Biology
|March 28, 2013
Summary
Thyroid hormones (TH) regulate thermal acclimation in zebrafish, impacting swimming performance and metabolism. This suggests TH
Area of Science:
- Comparative physiology
- Endocrinology
- Zebrafish models
Background:
- Thyroid hormone (TH) regulates thermogenesis in mammals.
- TH's role in thermal responses in ectotherms is largely unknown.
- Molecular mechanisms of TH action are conserved across vertebrates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if TH regulates thermal acclimation in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
- To determine the effects of TH metabolites (T2 and T3) on zebrafish responses to varying temperatures.
Main Methods:
- Induced hypothyroidism in zebrafish.
- Supplemented with 3,5-diiodothyronine (T2) or 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3).
- Exposed fish to different chronic temperatures and measured performance, metabolic rates, enzyme activity, and gene expression.
Main Results:
- Both T2 and T3 regulate thermal acclimation in zebrafish.
- Hypothyroidism impaired cold-acclimated performance; TH supplementation restored it.
- TH exhibited temperature-dependent effects, inducing or repressing responses.
Conclusions:
- TH plays a crucial role in ectotherm thermal acclimation.
- Low TH sensitivity at warm temperatures may impair physiological regulation with rising global temperatures.
- TH's properties suggest a role in the evolution of endothermy.
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