Annual and Daily Changes in Plasma Gonadotropin and Sex Steroids in Relation to Teleost Gonad Cycles

Abstract

Abstract Long-term (annual and seasonal) variations in plasma concentration of reproductive hormones (maturational gonadotropin GTH and sex steroids) have been studied in relation to the gonad cycle in some teleosts. Plasma GTH concentrations are low and increase only gradually during the major part of gonad development (vitellogenesis, spermatogenesis) but increase sharply towards the end of gametogenesis–that is, around the time of oocyte maturation and ovulation and before the start of spermiation. In females, plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol and estrone rise continuously during vitellogenesis. In salmonids, after a decrease in 17β-estradiol concentration starting at the end of the vitellogenesis, there is a small peak in testosterone concentration followed by a strong transient rise in 17α-hydroxy-20β-dihydroprogesterone, which induces oocyte maturation. The concentrations of testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone rise during spermatogenesis. Maximal concentrations of 11-ketotestosterone were reco...