Effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and testosterone on gonadotropin subunit gene expression in female red seabream (Pagrus major)

Abstract

We examined the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and testosterone (T) on the level of gonadotropin subunit mRNAs in the pituitary of ovariectomized or intact female red seabream. Ovariectomy induced increase of seabream (sb) GnRH, glycoprotein (GP) α and luteinizing hormone (LH) β mRNA levels. GnRHa treatment also stimulated GPα and LHβ mRNA levels. T treatment reduced GPα and LHβ mRNA expression probably via negative feedback action on sbGnRH. Both GnRHa and T treatment had no effect on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) β mRNA levels. These results suggest that the regulatory mechanisms of GPα and LHβ gene expression differ from those of FSHβ gene.