New sex hormone discovered

Sex hormones are a group of biologically active substances that are responsible for the formation of sexual characteristics in humans and other living beings. Accordingly, the hormones of this group are divided into female (estrogens and progestogens) and male (androgens). Each of these groups includes a fairly large number of substances. But not so long ago, scientists in the course of research discovered a previously unknown sex hormone that could supposedly be useful for treating infertility.

Who and how managed to discover a new hormone

It all started with the fact that Canadian biologists, together with colleagues from China, began to study how gene mutations affect the behavior of freshwater zebrafish.

Biologists have made some changes in the secretogranin-2 peptide in the organisms of experimental fish. As it turned out, the mutation affected their ability to reproduce. Outwardly perfectly healthy organisms stopped responding to members of the opposite sex.

Under normal conditions, the process of fertilization between the female and male fish begins a few minutes after their meeting. But, as the researchers found, this does not happen in representatives with a mutation in the genes – in 9 out of 10 cases, the fertilization of eggs simply did not interest males.

This observation allowed scientists to conclude that this kind of gene mutation leads to a violation of the sexual activity of living organisms.

What is secretogranin-2

Secretogranin-2 is a large protein essential for the proper functioning of brain cells that control the function of growth and reproduction. Under the influence of enzymes, it is divided into fragments, among which is the secretoneurin peptide. It plays an important role in stimulating sexual function.

Further studies by scientists showed that in order to restore sexual function in fish, it is enough to introduce a portion of the secretoneurin peptide into their bodies once. The researchers suggested that the substance acts on brain cells and the pituitary gland, resulting in increased production of other hormones and, as a result, the ability of females to ovulate and lay eggs returns.

Why is this discovery important?

Since the open peptide secretoneurin is able to regulate reproductive function, it was included in the group of sex hormones. In addition, secretoneurin produced by fish has also been found in other living beings, including humans. This fact is an important incentive to continue studying the role of secretoneurin and its effect on the reproductive system. Scientists suggest that secretogranin-2 may also produce other hormone-like peptides, the functions of which are still unknown.

Since zebrafish are genetically 70% similar to humans, this suggests that the technique used in the experiment can also have a positive result in the treatment of infertility in humans.

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