PUBLICATION

Vitellogenin 1 is essential for fish reproduction by transporting DHA-containing phosphatidylcholine from liver to ovary

Authors
Sun, S.X., Liu, Y.C., Limbu, S.M., Li, D.L., Chen, L.Q., Zhang, M.L., Yin, Z., Du, Z.Y.
ID
ZDB-PUB-230129-5
Date
2023
Source
Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular and cell biology of lipids   1868(4): 159289 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Du, Zhen-Yu, Li, Dong-Liang, Limbu, Samwel Michele, Yin, Zhan, Zhang, Mei-Ling
Keywords
CRISPR/Cas 9, Docosahexaenoic acid, Reproduction, Vitellogenins, Zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids/pharmacology
  • Female
  • Lecithins
  • Liver
  • Ovary*
  • Reproduction/physiology
  • Vitellogenins/pharmacology
  • Zebrafish*
PubMed
36708962 Full text @ BBA Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids
Abstract
Vitellogenins (Vtgs) are essential for female reproduction in oviparous animals, yet the exact roles and mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, we knocked out vtg1, which is the most abundant Vtg in zebrafish, Danio rerio via the CRISPR/Cas 9 technology. We aimed to identify the roles of Vtg1 and related mechanisms in reproduction and development. We found that, the Vtg1-deficient female zebrafish reduced gonadosomatic index, egg production, yolk granules and mature follicles in ovary compared to the wide type (WT). Moreover, the Vtg1-deficient zebrafish diminished hatching rates, cumulative survival rate, swimming capacity and food intake, but increased malformation rate, and delayed swim bladder development during embryo and early-larval phases. The Vtg1-deficiency in female broodstock inhibited docosahexaenoic acid-enriched phosphatidylcholine (DHA-PC) transportation from liver to ovary, which lowered DHA-PC content in ovary and offspring during larval stage. However, the Vtg1-deficient zebrafish increased gradually the total DHA-PC content via exogeneous food intake, and the differences in swimming capacity and food intake returned to normal as they matured. Furthermore, supplementing Vtg1-deficient zebrafish with dietary PC and DHA partly ameliorated the impaired female reproductive capacity and larval development during early phases. This study indicates that, DHA and PC carried by Vtg1 are crucial for female fecundity, and affect embryo and larval development through maternal-nutrition effects. This is the first study elucidating the nutrient and physiological functions of Vtg1 and the underlying biochemical mechanisms in fish reproduction and development.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping