title: Changes in plasma gonadotropin II and sex steroid hormones, and sperm production of striped bass after treatment with controlled-release gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist-delivery systems.
abstract: Spermiating striped bass, a perciform fish, were treated with two controlled-release gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa)-delivery systems, and the resulting changes in plasma gonadotropin II (GTH II), testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), 17,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20beta-P), and 17,20beta,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20beta,21-P) were correlated with changes in milt production and sperm density. GnRHa-delivery systems induced a sustained elevation of plasma GnRHa and GTH II for 14 days. Plasma T levels were unchanged after GnRHa treatment, while 11-KT levels increased significantly. Plasma 17,20beta-P also increased after GnRHa treatment and remained elevated compared to levels in controls, while plasma 17,20beta,21-P levels were unaffected. Both GnRHa-delivery systems induced many-fold increases in total expressible milt, lasting throughout the 14 days of the study. Sperm density decreased 2 days after GnRHa treatment, with a subsequent increase by Day 7. This study demonstrates that GnRHa-delivery systems induce a sustained elevation of plasma GTH II levels in striped bass, resulting in a long-term enhancement of milt production. The endocrine changes observed suggest that 11-KT and 17,20beta-P, but not 17,20beta,21 -P, are mediating the effects of GTH II on spermiation.
authors.affiliation: Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore 21202, USA.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Mylonas
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Vermeirssen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zohar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001492:Bass / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D003350:Cortodoxone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood*; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; C007433:17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; C051954:17,20,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one; C003600:11-ketotestosterone; D003350:Cortodoxone