Effect of diet on steroid levels and reproduction in the starfish, Sclerasterias mollis

Abstract

1. 1. The effect of diet on gonad and pyloric caeca condition and level of estrone and progesterone in gonads and pyloric caeca of the starfish Sclerasterias mollis was investigated. 2. 2. The gonad index, size of oocytes and pyloric caeca index were significantly higher in fed than in starved starfish. Protein levels also tended to be greater in the organs of fed than starved starfish. 3. 3. In both gonads and pyloric caeca, steroid levels of both sexes of starved starfish tended to be significantly higher than fed animals. 4. 4. Estrone levels were significantly higher in ovaries than testes of both starved and fed starfish. 5. 5. Progesterone levels were higher in testes than ovaries. 6. 6. Progesterone or their precursors appear to be transferred from the pyloric caeca to the gonads. 7. 7. There appear to be double mechanisms of both autolysis and liberation of components from cells of starfish during periods of nutritional stress.