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Effects of the aromatase inhibitor Fadrozole on plasma sex steroid secretion and oocyte maturation in female coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) during vitellogenesis

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Abstract

17β-estradiol, 17α-20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α-20β-P), and testosterone levels were measured in plasma samples obtained from vitellogenic coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) before and 32 days after injection of the aromatase inhibitor Fadrozole (AI). Plasma 17β-estradiol levels decreased significantly 6 h after injection in all AI treated fish. The higher the dose the longer the maintenance of low plasma 17β-estradiol levels. Inversely, plasma 17α-20β-P increased significantly 6 h after injection in all AI treated fish, and the higher the dose the longer the maintenance of high plasma 17α-20β-P levels. At 48 h after injection plasma testosterone levels were significantly higher in the AI treated groups. The oocyte maturation index showed that multiple injections with AI retarded oocyte development. Besides, oocyte diameter and GSI were lower in the same group, which presented high incidence of atresia of vitellogenic oocytes. The ovarian follicles and brain of the fish which received multiple injections secreted less 17β-estradiol, in vitro. These findings suggest that aromatase inhibitors such as Fadrozole may have a potential as a tool to regulate sexual development in salmon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. West Vancouver Laboratory, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 4160 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, B.C, V7V 1N6, Canada

    L.O.B. Afonso, J. Smith & E.M. Donaldson

  2. Department of Animal Science and the Canadian Bacterial Diseases Network, 248-2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    G.K. Iwama

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  1. L.O.B. Afonso
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  2. G.K. Iwama
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  3. J. Smith
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  4. E.M. Donaldson
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Afonso, L., Iwama, G., Smith, J. et al. Effects of the aromatase inhibitor Fadrozole on plasma sex steroid secretion and oocyte maturation in female coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) during vitellogenesis. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 20, 231–241 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007771723367

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