During the past two decades, fish endocrinology has witnessed exciting developments due to our increased knowledge at all levels of biological organizations, including molecular biology, cell biology, physiology and behavior. New insights into development, neurobiology, immunology and molecular genetics closely correlated with classical aspects of endocrinology and represent important contributions to our knowledge on regulatory processes of vertebrates, including fish. The purpose of this book is to overview major advances in numerous research areas of fish endocrinology. Most of the chapters not only review and discuss the state-of-the-art in the respective field, but also show perspectives of future research. The book will be of interest to scientists involved in basic fish research, comparative endocrinology, fisheries and aquaculture as well as for students of fish biology.

    VOLUME 1: Insulin and Insulin-like Growth Factors: A Survey on the Insulin and Insulin-like Growth Factor System; Insulin Metabolic Effects in Fish Tissues; Non-radioisotopic Immunoassay for Fish Insulin; Insulin-like Growth Factor I and II in Fish; Insulin and IGF Receptors in Fish; Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Proteins (IGFBPs) in Fish: Beacons for (Disrupted) Growth Endocrine PhysiologyGastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) System: The Endocrine Pancreas of African Lungfish: Light and Electron Microscopic Immunocytochemistry and Morphology; Glucagon and Friends; The Development of the Gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) Endocrine System of TeleostsPituitary: Development, Hormones and Functions: Teleost Adenohypophysis: Morphofunctional and Developmental Aspects; Diverse Structures and Functions of Melanocortin, Endorphin and Melanin-Concentrating Hormone in Fish; Osmoregulatory Action of Hypophyseal Hormones in Teleosts; Osmoreception: A Fish Model for a Fundamental Sensory ModalityVOLUME 2: Natriuretic Peptides: The Natriuretic Peptide System of Fishes: Structure, Evolution and Function Cardiac No Signaling: Nitric Oxide Modulation of Mechanical Performance in the Teleost HeartMyotropic Hormones: Myotropic Neurohormonal Peptides in FishPineal Organ: Structure and Function: The Pineal OrganStress Response, Reproduction and Endocrine Disruptors: Morphofunctional Aspects of Reproduction from Synchronous to Asynchronous Fishes An Overview; Current Perspectives on Estradiol (E2) Action and Nuclear Estrogen Receptors (ER) in Teleost Fish; Stress Biomarkers and Reproduction in Fish; Neuroendocrine Mechanisms Regulating Stress Response in Cultured Teleost Species; The HPA Axis and Functions of Corticosteroids in Fishes; Modes of Action and Physiological Effects of Thyroid Hormones in Fish; The Impact of Environmental Hormonally Active Substances on the Endocrine and Immune System of Fish

    Biography

    Manfred Reinecke majored in biology and later obtained his PhD from the University of Munster. Thereafter he did post-doctoral work at the Universities of Konstanz (Zoophysiology) and Heidelberg (Anatomy). After a two years researh stay at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm he took a chair in Anatomy at the University of Zurich. His research focuses on the phylogeny and ontogeny of signaling systems, particularly in fish. He is Associate Editor of Anatomy and Embryology and General and Comparative Endocrinology. Giacomo Zaccone is Professor of Comparative Anatomy and also a teacher of comparative endrocrinology at the University of Messina. He is a reviewer for many journals including The Anatomical Record, Journal of Comparative Neurology, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology and Journal of Fish Biology. He is editor of International Journal of Biomedical Science and board member of Acta Histochemica. He has authored several invited chapters to books published by Academic Press, Wiley-Liss and Science Publishers covering neuroepithelial gill chemoreceptor cells and biology of fish integument. His studies are now focused on comparative aspects of NOS/NO regulatory system in the gill of fishes, and the lung of the bichirs with reference to neuroendocrine cells and their response to hypoxia. B.G. Kapoor was formerly Professor and Head of Zoology in Jodhpur University, India. He has co-edited several books including Sensory Biology of Jawed Fishes, 2001 (with T.J. Hara); Fish Adaptations, 2003 (with A.L. Val); Catfishes, 2003 (with G. Arratia, M. Chardon and R. Diogo); Communication in Fishes, 2006 (with F. Ladich, S.P. Collin and P. Moller). All the foregoing titles are from Science Publishers, Enfield, NH, USA. Dr Kapoor has also co-edited The Senses of Fish: Adaptations for the Reception of Natural Stimuli, 2004 (with G. van der Emde and J. Mogdans); Ichthyology Handbook, 2004 (with B. Khanna), both from Springer, Heidelberg.