Endocrine changes associated with overripening of ovulated eggs in goldfish, Carassius auratus L.

Abstract

Changes in steroid hormone levels in the serum and ovarian fluid were studied during overripening in goldfish. Ovulated eggs retained in the ovarian cavity become overripe at around 12 h after ovulation and completely overripe 24 h after. Blood and ovarian fluid were taken at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after ovulation. Estradiol-17ß (E 2) , testosterone (T), progesterone (P) and 17α,20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α,20ß-P) in the serum were extracted directly with a solvent while those in the ovarian fluid were separated by HPLC before radioimmunoassay. Both serum and ovarian fluid P showed a highly significant decline at 18 h with a further decline at 24 h; P levels were higher in the ovarian fluid. Serum 17α,20ß-P showed a progressive and more rapid decline, decreasing significantly at 12 h with further decreases at 18 h and 24 h; the level was five-fold lower at 24 h compared to the 0 h level. Serum T increased significantly at 3 h which was maintained until 18 h, when it declined to 0 h level. No significant changes in E2 were observed in the serum, except for a significant difference between 6 and 24 h. There were no significant changes in E2, T and 17α,20ß-P in the ovarian fluid. Of the four steroids measured, only 17α,20ß-P and P showed changes which bear some correlation with the time course of overripening. The declines in the mean ratios of 17α,20ß-P/E2 in the serum and P/E2 in the ovarian fluid also appeared to have a good correlation with the time course of overripening. The postovulatory follicles (POFs) showed degenerative features which likewise correspond to the decline in P and 17α,20ß-P.