Publication Abstract

Plasma levels of ovarian steroids including 17alpha, 21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione (11-deoxy-cortisol) and 3beta, 17alpha, 20alpha-trihydroxy-5-pregnan-20-one, in female plaice, induced to mature with human chorionic gonadotrophin

Plasma levels of ovarian steroids including 17alpha, 21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione (11-deoxy-cortisol) and 3beta, 17alpha, 20alpha-trihydroxy-5-pregnan-20-one, in female plaice, induced to mature with human chorionic gonadotrophin

A.P. Scott and A.V.M. Canario

Oocyte final maturation, but not ovulation, was induced by HCG injections. Levels of most of the steroids were also elevated by the HCG injections and were significantly higher than in control fish throughout the experiment. The two most abundant steroids were 11-deoxycortisol and 3alpha, 17alpha, 21-trihydroxy-5 beta -pregnan-20-one. Only relatively small amounts of 17alpha -hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, 17alpha, 20 beta -dihydroxy-4- pregnen-3-one, and 17alpha, 20alpha -dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one were found. Testosterone and 17beta -oestradiol levels rose briefly, in response to the first of the two HCG injections, and then fell significantly. The ratio of conjugated to free steroids was almost always greater than 1. In the HCG-injected fish, there was a significant negative correlation between the response of 17 beta -oestradiol levels and the response of 11-deoxycortisol and 3alpha, 17alpha, 21-trihydroxy-5 beta -pregnan-20-one levels.

Reference:

A.P. Scott and A.V.M. Canario (1990) Plasma levels of ovarian steroids including 17alpha, 21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione (11-deoxy-cortisol) and 3beta, 17alpha, 20alpha-trihydroxy-5-pregnan-20-one, in female plaice, induced to mature with human chorionic gonadotrophin. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 78: 286-298.

A.P. Scott* and A.V.M. Canario*

General and Comparative Endocrinology, 78: 286-298