Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids and gonadotropin on prostaglandin series E production in a primary testis cell culture system for the European sea bass

Abstract

Prostaglandin series E (PGE) production by mixed populations of isolated sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax testicular cells was measured after culture at 20° C in L‐15 for up to 24 h in the absence or presence of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or gonadotropin (hCG). AA stimulated a significant dose‐ and time‐dependent increase in PGE production. EPA stimulated PGE production only during the first 6 h although levels were 26·4% those induced with AA; DHA reduced PGE production. Although hCG alone had no effect, it enhanced AA‐induced PGE formation and suppressed EPA‐induced PGE production. These results suggest that essential PUFAs modulate significantly testicular PGE production in vitro and therefore may have important effects on steroidogenesis and spermiation in the male European sea bass.