Circadian changes in serum concentrations of steroids in Japanese char Salvelinus leucomaenis at the stage of final maturation.
Circadian changes in serum concentrations of testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11KT), estradiol-17beta (E2), 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP), 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (OHP), cortisol (F) and progesterone (P) were investigated in the spermiated/ovulated Japanese char Salvelinus leucomaenis for over three days using newly developed time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays. Testosterone and DHP in both sex and 11KT in male showed significantly (P<0.05) higher serum levels just before/after onset of darkness (15:00 or 18:00), and the levels during night and daytime were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of the peak levels. Serum F levels in both sex during dark phase were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those levels during daytime. A surge of serum OHP concentrations in both sexes was observed at the time of twilight (03:00). The peak time of serum T, 11KT and DHP levels were approximately 6 hours prior to those of serum F and OHP levels. Serum E2 in female and P in both sex fluctuated intensely during sampling period, and did not show remarkable changes. These results strongly suggest the existence of circadian-like diel changes in serum T, DHP, F and OHP levels in both sex and 11KT in male, and no variations in serum E2 in female and P in both sex in spermiated/ovulated Japanese char under the stage of final maturation. Furthermore, relationship between circadian rhythms of steroid hormones and spawning behaviors are discussed in the present study.
School of Fisheries Sciences, Kitasato University, Sanriku, Iwate, Japan. hyamada@kitasato-u.ac.jp
Hideaki
H
Yamada
Ri-ichi
R
Satoh
Masashi
M
Ogoh
Keigo
K
Takaji
Yasufumi
Y
Fujimoto
Takeshi
T
Hakuba
Hiroaki
H
Chiba
Akira
A
Kambegawa
Munehico
M
Iwata
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011374:Progesterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D014337:Trout / Q000097:blood* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone