Endocrine Regulation and Physiological Adaptation of Stress Response in Aquatic Organisms

Organismal growth is a multi-gene regulatory process that integrates various physiological signaling pathways in vivo, from energy metabolism to somatic growth. In fully developed animals, endocrine regulation assures that homeostasis and growth can adapt the organism to changing environmental and biological conditions, thus being the central regulatory hub for physiological responses. Much attention has been paid to the endocrine regulation of aquatic organism growth and regulation. These endocrine systems include neuroendocrine and insulin-like growth factors and their downstream molecules. Many signaling molecules promote tissue growth and regulate the metabolism of many nutrients in vivo. Like other animals, aquatic animals respond to environmental stimuli through endocrine regulation that modulates physiological and environmental responses. Environmental stressors can affect aquatic ecosystems and their inhabitants, including but not limited to temperature, hypoxia, salinity, heavy metal, nanomaterials, pesticides, microplastics, and other toxic pollutants.

The presence of stress disrupts the homeostasis of aquatic animals, inducing physiological, molecular, and behavioral changes. Research into the endocrine regulation and physiological adaptation in aquatic organisms and the molecular mechanisms involved can aid in forecasting danger and assessing physiological well-being. That has never been more present than now amid climate change, where aquatic environments are amongst the most susceptible biomes. This research topic addresses these emergent questions by inviting studies investigating and discussing the molecular and cellular mechanisms of endocrine regulation and physiological adaptation in aquatic organisms to environmental stresses. Gaining an insight into the current knowledge of these responses and the related mechanisms will give us a deeper understanding of aquatic animal biology and adaptation. We particularly welcome papers on potential topics that include but are not limited to:


- Endocrine disruption by anthropogenic chemicals: endocrine and physiological response and adaptation mechanisms.
- Assessment of the physiological roles of endocrine regulation to emerging contaminants
- Investigation of endocrine signal pathways subjected to contamination by a variety of chemicals.
-Environmental contaminants and endocrine disruption in aquatic systems: physiological mechanisms and their impact on growth and development.
- Endocrine regulatory mechanisms in aquatic animals related to environmental stresses.