Publication Abstract

Male priming pheromone is present in bile, as well as urine, of female rainbow trout (Oncorynchus mykiss L)

E.L.M. Vermeirssen and A.P. Scott

Previous studies have shown that the urine of sexually mature female rainbow trout has pheromonal activity which causes a significant increase in concentrations of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β-P), gonadotropin and testosterone in the plasma of spermiating males; and also an increase in sperm production. This study shows that the bile from female trout also contains pheromonal activity. Bile from male trout is inactive. The activity in the female bile was effectively bound to octadecylsilane and could be eluted with methanol. The synthetic bile acids, lithocholic acid and taurolithocholic acid, were inactive.

Reference:

E.L.M. Vermeirssen and A.P. Scott, 2001. Male priming pheromone is present in bile, as well as urine, of female rainbow trout (Oncorynchus mykiss L). Journal of Fish Biology , 58(4): 1039-1045