9 An Introduction to Gonadotropin Receptor Studies in Fish

Publisher This chapter provides an overview of gonadotropin receptor studies in fishan introduction to gonadotropin receptor studies in fish. This discussion is based on the premise that a working knowledge of receptor theory is essential to an understanding of reproductive endocrinology in fish. Although current knowledge pertaining to receptors is largely a consequence of mammalian studies, no attempt is made to provide a detailed list of their properties. The discussion focuses on the techniques used to identify gonadotropin receptors and the operational features that a hormone-binding site must possess to function as a receptor. Considerable emphasis is given to the technical aspects of receptor-binding studies performed by direct binding of hormone to gonadal tissue incubated in vitro. A final comment is made on the application of receptor-binding techniques to studies of fish gonadotropins.