Effect of salmon gonadotropic hormone on sex steroids in male rainbow trout: plasma levels and testicular secretion in vitro

17,20β-P and cortisol are the main in vitro metabolites of 17-hydroxy-progesterone produced by spermiating testes of Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest, 1823) (Perciformes: Sciaenidae)

The aim was to investigate the major C21 steroids produced by spermiating white croaker Micropogonias furnieri (Sciaenidae) in order to establish the potential mediator of gamete maturation in males of this species. The testes steroid production at the spawning season was identified incubating the 3H-17-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione precursor through thin layer chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography, enzymatic oxydation, acetylation and immunochemistry analyses. 17,20β-Dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β-P) and 11β,17,21-Trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (cortisol) were the main metabolites produced. Contrary to what we expected, 17,20β,21-Trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one was not detected. Circulating levels of 17,20β-P were undetectable in immature testes and in those at the first spermatogenesis stages, while a clear increase was observed during the whole spermatogenesis and spermiation phases (from undetectable to 1047 pg mL-1). In vitro studies together with plasma detection suggest that 17,20β-P is a good steroid candidate involved in M. furnieri testes maturation. The role of cortisol during late phases of testes development needs further studies.

The role of the maturation-inducing steroid, 17,20beta-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, in male fishes: a review

The major progestin in teleosts is not progesterone, as in tetrapods, but 17,20beta-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (17,20beta-P) or, in certain species, 17,20beta,21-trihydroxy-pregn-4-en-3-one (17,20beta,21-P). Several functions for 17,20beta-P and 17,20beta,21-P have been proposed (and in some cases proved). These include induction of oocyte final maturation and spermiation (milt production), enhancement of sperm motility (by alteration of the pH and fluidity of the seminal fluid) and acting as a pheromone in male cyprinids. Another important function, initiation of meiosis (the first step in both spermatogenesis and oogenesis), has only very recently been proposed. This is a process that takes place at puberty in all fishes and once a year in repeat spawners. The present review critically examines the evidence to support the proposed functions of 17,20beta-P in males, including listing of the evidence for the presence of 17,20beta-P in the blood plasma of male fishes and discussion of why, in many species, it appears to be absent (or present at low and, in some cases, unvarying concentrations); consideration of the evidence, obtained mainly from in vitro studies, for this steroid being predominantly produced by the testis, for its production being under the control of luteinizing hormone (gonadotrophin II) and, at least in salmonids, for two cell types (Leydig cells and sperm cells) being involved in its synthesis; discussion of the factors involved in the regulation of the switch from androgen to 17,20beta-P production that seems to occur in many species just at the time of spermiation; discussion of the effects of in vivo injection and application of 17,20beta-P (and closely related compounds) in males; a listing of previously published evidence that supports the proposed new function of 17,20beta-P as an initiator of meiosis; finally, discussion of the evidence for environmental endocrine disruption by progestins in fishes.

Delayed sexual maturation through gonadotropin receptor vaccination in the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

In fish, gonadotropin hormones FSH-GTH1 and LH-GTH2 are less specific for their cognate receptors than in mammals. The respective reproductive functions of fish LH and FSH are thus difficult to establish. We aimed to study the effect of specific antagonists of the two gonadotropin receptors on trout sexual maturation in both sexes by targeting specific regions of LH and FSH receptors, Lhr and Fshr. Filamentous phages displaying Lhr specific or Fshr specific decapeptides from the extracellular hormone binding domain were engineered. Recombinant phages were used as receptor-specific antagonistic vaccines. Male and female trouts were immunized with anti-LHR, anti-FSHR, anti-FSHR+LHR or adjuvant alone, through multiple injections over 8-24 weeks, starting at different stages of sexual maturation. The consequences of immunization on gonadal development were evaluated by determining gonad growth, by histological analysis of testis and ovaries at the end of the vaccination period and by measuring blood plasma sex steroids using radioimmunoassay. We show for the first time in fish that the anti-receptor vaccinations could have specific antagonistic effects on the development of the reproductive functions; while the anti-FSHR affected the sexual maturation of prepubertal males and delayed sperm production, the anti-LHR blocked vitellogenesis in females. In maturing males, the combined anti-FSHR+LHR vaccine inhibited spermatogenesis and affected steroidogenesis. In that case, the effects of the vaccine on spermatogenesis were transient and reversible when immunization was stopped. Such an immunological strategy to specifically and transiently inhibit a receptor provides a promising approach for discovering their specific functions; it could also lead to a new technology for controlling the onset of puberty in aquaculture species.

Stimulatory effects of selected PAHs on testosterone production in goldfish and rainbow trout and possible mechanisms of action

This study investigates the effects of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on testicular function in fish. In vitro incubations of goldfish testis tissue exposed to three selected PAHs [naphthalene, beta-naphthoflavone (betaNF), or retene] resulted in biphasic potentiation of gonadotropin (GtH)-stimulated testosterone (T) production, with no effect on basal levels. In vivo exposure of goldfish to betaNF also resulted in biphasic increases in plasma T levels. Experiments with rainbow trout revealed increased levels of in vitro T production when exposed to naphthalene, albeit only at higher concentrations than the responses observed in goldfish. Studies of possible sites of action at the level of the goldfish testis showed that betaNF exerted its most potent action when T production was initiated by a ligand such as GtH or prostaglandin E(2). Within the steroidogenic pathway, betaNF potentiation of GtH-stimulated T production may be partially mediated by increases in cAMP production, but appear to be independent of cytosolic calcium content. These studies demonstrate that PAHs may function as disruptors of reproductive endocrine function in teleosts through the unexpected effect of enhancing testicular steroidogenesis.

Synthesis and regulation of 17α-hydroxy-20β-dihydroprogesterone in immature males of Oncorhynchus mykiss

Three experimental approaches were chosen to study the question if the progestin 17α-hydroxy-20β-dihydroprogesterone (17α20βOHP) is synthesised in testes of young Oncorhynchus mykiss, in which the absence of spermatozoa was verified histologically: first, in order to detect 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (20βHSD), testes homogenates were incubated with (3)H-labeled 17αOHP.Metabolites were analysed by TLC, HPLC, and repeated crystallization to constant isotope ratios. One of the metabolites was identified as 17α20βOHP-(3)H, indicating that already immature testes contain 20βHSD activity and are able to produce 20β-reduced steroids. Second, 17α20βOHP was quantified by radioimmunoassay in incubates of testes fragments. The sensitivity of the gonads to gonadotropin II (GtH II) became evident when comparing incubations in the absence and presence of GtH II. Third, plasma levels of 17α20βOHP were significantly higher in animals injected with partially purified salmon gonadotropin, compared to controls. Thus, for the first time, it could be shown that 20βHSD is present in testicular cells other than spermatozoa. Furthermore, 17α20βOHP is indeed secreted at a very early stage of testicular development; 17α20βOHP secretion is also responsive to GtH II. Future studies will have to show if the functions of this progestin include the stimulation of spermatogenesis.