Transient expression pattern of prolactin in Sparus aurata

Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization, the expression of the prolactin (PRL) gene was determined during development in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) for the first time. The mRNA for PRL was detected from the second day of the larval stage onwards. This transcript was also located in the adenohypophysial cells, starting at four days post-hatching and was found to be pituitary-specific. Moreover, the possible involvement of PRL in asynchronous growth in the cultivation of gilthead sea bream was also examined. No differences in the distribution of PRL cells were observed in the three sizes of juvenile gilthead sea bream studied. These results suggest that the transcription of PRL is involved in the early development stages of sea bream and that the asynchronous growth-related changes are not due to distinct distribution of PRL cells.