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, which could presumably be useful for the treatment of infertility.
Who managed to find the sex hormone and how
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 danio fish. Biologists have made some changes to 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 reacting to representatives of the opposite sex. Under normal conditions, the process of fertilization between a female and a 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, 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 necessary 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 peptide secretoneurin. It plays an important role in stimulating sexual function. Learn more: https://foodandhealth.ru/info/otkryli-noviy-polovoy-gormon/
Further research by scientists has shown that to restore sexual function in fish, it is enough to inject a portion of the secretoneurin peptide into their bodies once. The researchers suggested that the substance affects brain cells and the pituitary gland, as a result of which the production of other hormones increases and, as a result, the ability of females to ovulate and lay eggs returns.
What is the importance of discovery
Since the discovered peptide secretoneurin is able to regulate reproductive function, it has been ranked among the group of sex hormones. In addition, secretoneurin, produced by fish, has also been found in the organisms of 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 produce other hormone-like peptides, the functions of which are still unknown. Since the danio fish are genetically 70% similar to humans, this suggests that the technique used in the experiment can give a positive result in the treatment of infertility in humans.
