Localization of steroidogenic enzymes and Foxl2a in the gonads of mature zebrafish (Danio rerio).

In zebrafish, the identification of the cells expressing steroidogenic enzymes and their regulators is far from completely fulfilled though it could provide crucial information on the elucidation of the role of these enzymes. The aim of this study was to better characterize the expression pattern of steroidogenic enzymes involved in estrogen and androgen production (Cyp17-I, Cyp11c1, Cyp19a1a and Cyp19a1b) and one of their regulators (Foxl2a) in zebrafish gonads. By using immunohistochemistry, we localized the steroid-producing cells in mature zebrafish gonads and determined different expression patterns between males and females. All these steroidogenic enzymes and Foxl2a were detected both in the testis and ovary. In the testis, they were all localized both in Leydig and germ cells except Cyp19a1b which was only detected in germ cells. In the ovary, Cyp17-I, Cyp19a1a and Foxl2a were immunolocalized in both somatic and germ cells while Cyp19a1b was only detected in germ cells and Cyp11c1 in somatic cells. Moreover, Cyp19a1a and Foxl2a did not display exactly the same patterns of spatial localization but their expressions were correlated suggesting a possible regulation of cyp19a1a gene by Foxl2a in zebrafish. Comparative analysis revealed a dimorphic expression of Cyp11c1, Cyp19a1a, Cyp19a1b and Foxl2a between males and females. Overall, our study provides a detailed description of the expression of proteins involved in the biosynthesis of steroidal hormones at the cellular scale within gonads, which is critical to further elucidating the intimate roles of the enzymes and the use of the zebrafish as a model in the field of endocrinology.