Shrimp Molecular BiologyCurrent research activity involves molecular study of eyestalk-neuropeptide hormones controlling growth and reproduction in shrimp Penaeus monodon. Our study focusing on gonad-inhibiting hormone (GIH) that controls in ovarian maturation in female broodstock P. monodon. In the production of shrimp fry, female broodstock must be unilateral-eyestalk ablation in order to induce ovarian maturation: this technique that leads to reduce the GIH in the broodstock. . Although eyestalk ablation gives several maturations and spawning in captivity condition but the spawners will become weary with continuous spawning and eventual die within 1-2 months. This technique leads to over-exploitation of broodstocks that directly affects shrimp production investment.

     Our research goals are to study both molecular and functional aspects of GIH and apply this knowledge to block GIH activity in shrimp without eyestalk ablation. This would enable effective of broodstock utilization and desirable for both ethical and economical bases.

1.*Treerattrakool, S., Boonchoy, C., Urtgam, S., Panyim, S., Udomkit, A. Functional characterization of recombinant gonad-inhibiting hormone (GIH) and implication of antibody neutralization on induction of ovarian maturation in marine shrimp. Aquaculture. 2014. 428–429, 166–173.

2. *Treerattrakool, S., Chartthai, C., Phromma-in, N,, Panyim, S., Udomkit, A. Silencing of gonad-inhibiting hormone gene expression in Penaeus monodon by feeding with GIH dsRNA-enriched Artemia. Aquaculture. 2013.404–405, 116–121.

3. Sathapondecha, P., Treerattrakool, S., Panyim, S., *Udomkit, A. Potential roles of transglutaminase and thioredoxin in the release of gonad-stimulating factor in Penaeus monodon: Implication from differential expression in the brain during ovarian maturation cycle. Marine Genomic. 2011. 4 (4), 279-285.

4. Treerattrakool, S., Panyim, S., *Udomkit, A. Induction of ovarian maturation and spawning in Penaeus monodon broodstock by double-stranded RNA. Mar. Biotechnol. 2011. 13(2), 163-9.

5. Treerattrakool, S., Panyim, S., Chan, S-M., Withyachumnarnkul, B., *Udomkit, A. Molecular characterization of gonad-inhibiting hormone of Penaeus monodon and elucidation of its inhibitory role in vitellogenin expression by RNA interference. FEBS J. 2008. 275 (5), 970-980.