Endocrinology and evolution: Lessons from comparative endocrinology

Comparative endocrinology is the study of the endocrine glands and their hormones in different species of animals. It is undergoing a renaissance because of the new tools and techniques provided by genome sequencing and molecular biology. Until relatively recently, characterization and detection of hormones in lower vertebrates relied on biological assays and protein chemistry approaches, whereas now gene sequences can be readily revealed from whole genome sequencing. Gene expression and synthesis can be used to develop antibodies and other reagents for sensitive assays and revealing physiological experiments can be carried out.