Popis: |
The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vivo effects of different doses of 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) on the levels of plasma and pituitary gonadotropin II (GTH II) in 2-year-old black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli, during the spawning season. Male fish were distributed among 7 groups (n = 49), control, E2or T (with 3 doses, 2.4 ng, 72 ng and 2.2 μg g−1 body weight). Fish were injected with the respective vehicle or different doses of E2 or T on days 1 and 14. Plasma E2 levels were significantly increased in the 72 ng E2 group on days 8 and 14. Plasma vitellogenin levels were significantly higher in the 72 ng E2 group on days 14 and 20, and 2.2 μg E2 group on days 8, 14 and 20 than those in the control group. Plasma GTH II concentrations were significantly higher in the 2.2 μg E2 group than in the control and other E2groups on days 8, 14 and 20. Pituitary GTH II contents was significantly higher in the 7.2 ng E2 group compared to the control and other E2groups on day 20. Plasma GTH II concentrations were similar in the control and all the T groups on days 8, 14 and 20. None of the doses of T treatment stimulated pituitary GTH II content on day 20, although plasma vitellogenin levels were elevated. It is concluded that GTH II synthesis and secretion in black porgy is stimulated by an estrogen-specific effect. |