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Functional characterization and expression analysis of the androgen receptor in zebrafish (Danio rerio) testis

¹ Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands² School of Life Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China³ Institute of Marine Research, Research Group Physiology of Reproduction and Growth, PO Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway

Correspondence should be addressed to J Bogerd; Email: j.bogerd{at}uu.nl

The biological activity of androgens, important for male sexual differentiation and development, is mediated by the androgen receptor (AR) that binds to specific DNA recognition sites regulating the transcription of androgen target genes. We investigated androgen production by adult zebrafish testis tissue, and identified 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione, 11-ketoandrostenedione (OA), and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) as main products, and hence potential ligands, for the zebrafish Ar. These androgens were then included in the pharmacological characterization of the zebrafish Ar. The zebrafish Ar responded well in terms of binding and transactivation to synthetic androgens as well as to testosterone and 11-KT, and reasonably well to OA and androstenedione. In situ hybridization analysis of zebrafish testis revealed that ar mRNA expression was detected in the subpopulation of Sertoli cells contacting early spermatogonia.