在內(nèi)分泌系統(tǒng)中,，腦垂體是無(wú)可爭(zhēng)辯的冠軍,。研究發(fā)現(xiàn)，它能夠比其他任何結(jié)構(gòu)更加有力地控制身體的生長(zhǎng),。日本一研究團(tuán)隊(duì)在美國(guó)《國(guó)家科學(xué)院院刊》（PNAS）上在線報(bào)道了此項(xiàng)成果,。
不過現(xiàn)在,，一個(gè)新的競(jìng)爭(zhēng)者已經(jīng)踏入了這場(chǎng)冠軍的爭(zhēng)奪戰(zhàn)，雖然其手段有欠正當(dāng),。
科學(xué)家們首次發(fā)現(xiàn)，至少在莫桑比克羅非魚中,，生殖腺扮演了“二級(jí)垂體”的角色,，可以幫助魚類長(zhǎng)到成年個(gè)頭,。
這些生殖器官能夠使雄性魚產(chǎn)生精子，雌性魚產(chǎn)生卵細(xì)胞,。如果沒有它們，這些魚只能長(zhǎng)到其普通大小的幾分之一,。
研究人員發(fā)現(xiàn)，將生殖腺移植回羅非魚的體內(nèi),，甚至是移植到一些無(wú)關(guān)緊要的部位諸如魚的背脊,，都能使這些魚重新開始生長(zhǎng)。
該研究小組報(bào)道稱,，這些發(fā)現(xiàn)或許適用于所有的脊椎動(dòng)物,，包括人類在內(nèi),。
同時(shí),，這些發(fā)現(xiàn)對(duì)漁業(yè)來說也是一個(gè)福音?，F(xiàn)在，養(yǎng)殖戶們一直想盡各種辦法,，在養(yǎng)殖的魚未長(zhǎng)到可以作為食物前，不讓魚類進(jìn)行繁殖,。（生物谷Bioon.com）
doi:10.1073/pnas.1118704109
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Gonads directly regulate growth in teleosts
Sandip Bhattaa, Toshiharu Iwaia, Chiemi Miuraa, Masato Higuchia, Sonoko Shimizu-Yamaguchia, Haruhisa Fukadab, and Takeshi Miuraa
In general, there is a relationship between growth and reproduction, and gonads are known to be important organs for growth, but direct evidence for their role is lacking. Here, using a fish model, we report direct evidence that gonads are endocrine organs equal to the pituitary in controlling body growth. Gonadal loss of function, gain of function, and rescue of growth were investigated in tilapia. Gonadectomy experiments were carried out in juvenile males and females. Gonadectomy significantly retarded growth compared with controls; however, this retardation was rescued by the implantation of extirpated gonads. Because gonads express growth hormone, it is possible that gonads control body growth through the secretion of growth hormone and/or other endocrine factors. We propose that gonads are integral players in the dynamic regulation of growth in teleosts.
