ZFIN is incorporating published figure images and captions as part of an ongoing project. Figures from some publications have not yet been curated, or are not available for display because of copyright restrictions.

ZFIN is incorporating published figure images and captions as part of an ongoing project. Figures from some publications have not yet been curated, or are not available for display because of copyright restrictions.

Phenotype analysis of the npr^+/+ and npr^-/- female zebrafish at 75 dpf.

(a) Gross morphology of the npr^+/+ and npr^-/- fish. (b,c) Body length (b) and body weight (c) of npr^+/+ and npr^-/- mutants (n = 6). (d) Ovary morphology of the npr^+/+ and npr^-/- fish. (e), Microscopic examination of follicles from npr^+/+ and npr^-/- mutants. Follicles were collected at 15:00 pm and matured oocytes (red arrows) could be observed in the npr^-/- mutant. (f) The gonado somatic index (GSI) of npr^+/+ and npr^-/- fish (n = 6). (g) Spawning assay. No npr^-/- fish succeeded in spawning (n = 30). (h) Ovary histology of the npr^+/+ and npr^-/- fish. The outer layer cells of the matured follicles (indicated by arrow) failed to breakdown in the npr^-/- fish. (i) Oocyte maturation assay. FG stage follicles from npr^+/+ and npr^-/- fish were treated with IGF3 or 17α, 20β-DHP, and the percentages of follicles that underwent germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) were recorded. Each value represents the mean value ± SEM (n = 4) of three independent experiments (*P < 0.05; ***P < 0.001 vs npr^+/+).

Regulation of ovulation-related genes by LH signaling in npr^+/+ and npr^-/- fish.

(a) The timescale of hCG-induced oocyte maturation and ovulation in npr^+/+ zebrafish. Follicles were isolated at different time points after hCG (10 IU/µl) injection. Matured follicle with transparent appearance is indicated by black arrow and ovulated oocyte with enlarged fertilization membrane is indicated by white arrow. (b) The expression profile of npr after hCG injection. (c) The expression profile of ovulation related genes in npr^+/+ and npr^/ fish after hCG injection. (i) Genes involved in prostaglandin biosynthesis; mmps and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (timp2b); (iii) Genes involved in steroidogenesis; (iv) A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs1 (adamts1) and (v) cathepsin L (ctsl). The expression levels were normalized to that of ef1α and then to the expression level in npr^+/+ fish at 0 h. Different letters in each dataset indicated statistical significance (P < 0.05). Each value represents the mean value ± SEM (n = 4) of three independent experiments (*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001 vs npr^+/+).

In vivo action of Ptger4 antagonist (GW627368X) on hCG induced oocyte maturation and ovulation.

(a) Relative expression of ptger genes in FG stage follicles. (b) Morphology of follicles from npr^+/+ and npr^-/- fish treated with hCG(10 IU/µl) or hCG + GW627368X(10 µM) for 4 hours. (c) Oocyte maturation and ovulation rates in npr^+/+ and npr^-/- fish treated with hCG or hCG + GW627368X for 4 hours. Each value represents the mean value ± SEM of triplicate assays from 3 independent experiments. (***P < 0.001 vs control).