Hormonal Influences on the Development of Amphibian Pigmentation Patterns

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The Mechanisms responsible for pigment pattern formation in amphibians and other vertebrates are little understood, although it is known that a fundamental process is the migration of uncommitted chromatoblasts from the neural crest to the integument. Here, in response to appropriate cues present in the integumental milieu, the various pigment patterns such as dorsal/ventral, spots, stripes, etc. , are expressed. Because of its importance in color change, melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) has been suggested to play a role in pigment pattern formation, but current knowledge suggests that it functions only as an enhancer or modifier of already determined patterns through the recruitment of latent melanoblasts or the stimulation of melanophore proliferation. Similarly, the profound changes in pigment pattern at metamorphosis result from the permissive action of thyroxine that allows for the expression of already pre-determined pigmentation patterns. Sex steroids may also play a role in pigmentation pattern changes during sexual maturation. At present, the most promising candidates as causal agents in the determination of pigmentation patterns are some large protein molecules present in the skin where they exert their effects in situ. These include a melanization inhibiting factor (MIF), prevalent in the ventral skin and presumably responsible for the pale ventrum of frogs and a melanization stimulating factor (MSF), most prevalent in dark dorsal skin and especially in dark spots of the dorsum. A possible interaction between MIF and MSF and an interplay of these factors with hormones such as MSH and thyroxine may very much influence the expression of pigmentation patterns.
1993-10-15

Hormonal Influences on the Development of Amphibian Pigmentation Patterns

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