Central action of prostaglandins in spawning behaviour of female goldfish

Abstract

Removal of the ovipore, oviduct, and posterior portion of the ovary failed to block the induction of female spawning behaviour by intramuscular injections of PGF 2α (100 ng/g). Stereotaxic injections of PGF 2α(10 ng/g) into the preoptic recess of the third ventricle were more effective in inducing female spawning behaviour, than the same dose of PGF 2α given either intramuscularly or intraperitoneally. At 100 ng/g, intraventricular injection of PGF 2α, PGE 2, and PGE 1 induced female spawning behaviour, whereas at 10 ng/g only PGF 2α was effective. These findings indicate that PGs act centrally to induce spawning behaviour in female goldfish providing appropriate external stimuli (male goldfish and aquatic vegetation) are present; spawning behaviour may be triggered by PGs produced in the ovary at ovulation. Possible relationships between PG-induced female sexual behaviour in the goldfish and rat are discussed.