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Changes of plasma steroid concentrations associated with spontaneous or induced ovulation in yellow perch Perca flavescens

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry volume 26, pages 239–248 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

This study examined the changes in plasma steroids during natural (Experiment 1) and induced (Experiment 2) final maturation in yellow perch Perca flavescens. In experiment 1, ovulating yellow perch were stripped of eggs and blood samples collected to determine the concentrations of testosterone (T), estradiol-17β (E2), and 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20βP). Eggs from individual females were weighed and fertilized. Fertilization rate was determined at the embryo eyed stage. In experiment 2, females were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: (1) saline (0.7% NaCl), (2) des-Gly10[D-Ala6] LHRH-ethylamide (100 μg LHRHa/kg), and (3) LHRHa plus 17,20βP (100 μg LHRHa/kg + 2 mg 17,20βP/kg). Fish were injected intraperitoneally with two doses at a two-day interval. Blood was collected prior to injections and at the time of ovulation/spawning and concentrations of T, E2, and 17,20βP (free and conjugated) were determined. In experiment 1, low concentrations of 17,20βP were recorded at spawning. In experiment 2, all surviving fish injected with LHRHa (5 of 5) released their eggs spontaneously during the week following injections. None of the surviving control fish (0 of 5) ovulated during this period, whereas only 1 of 3 surviving fish injected with LHRHa + 17,20βP released eggs. In the control group, concentrations of E2 and 17,20βP did not show significant differences over the experimental period, whereas plasma T concentrations increased significantly. In fish injected with LHRHa, the concentrations of T and 17,20βP increased significantly after the first injection but then declined at ovulation/spawning. It also appears that 17,20βP was conjugated to its sulfated form. Mortality reached 62.5% in the group injected with LHRHa + 17,20βP indicating that this treatment was severe. Thus, LHRHa alone appears highly effective in inducing ovulation in yellow perch.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Natural Resources and 3Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH , 43210, USA

    J. Rinchard & K. Dabrowski

  2. Piketon Research and Extension Center, The Ohio State University, Piketon, OH~, 45661, USA

    K. Dabrowski

  3. School of Natural Resources and 3Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH , 43210, USA

    J. Ottobre

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Rinchard, J., Dabrowski, K. & Ottobre, J. Changes of plasma steroid concentrations associated with spontaneous or induced ovulation in yellow perch Perca flavescens . Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 26, 239–248 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026242406796

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026242406796

  • Perca flavescens
  • reproduction
  • steroids
  • yellow perch
  • 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one

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