Endocrine and immune pathways under pressure: teleost responses to a changing environment

Area of Science:

• Environmental science
• Aquatic toxicology
• Fish physiology

Background:

• Environmental perturbations significantly affect fish development and reproductive physiology.
• The growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-axis and cytokines are crucial for reproduction, growth, metabolism, and health in teleost fish.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of environmental changes on fish reproduction and development.
• To highlight the role of the GH-IGF-axis and immune genes in environmental adaptation.
• To examine the effects of chemical pollutants, particularly endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), on the GH/IGF-immune axis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on environmental perturbations and fish physiology.
• Analysis of interactions between hormones, growth factors, and cytokines.
• Examination of the influence of temperature, salinity, and chemical pollutants on fish health.

Main Results:

• Changing water temperature and salinities pose challenges to fish reproduction and growth, influencing the GH-IGF-system and immune genes.
• Chemical pollutants, including EDCs, have mechanistic links with the GH/IGF-immune axis.
• Synergistic effects of EDCs with other stressors and the potential of dietary additives for fish health were observed.

Conclusions:

• Environmental perturbations significantly disrupt fish endocrine and immune systems.
• Understanding these disruptions is crucial for maintaining fish health and aquatic ecosystems.
• The One Health concept provides a framework for addressing these complex challenges.