Liver and plasma lipids of spawning burbot

Levels of liver and plasma lipids of the burbot Lota lota were highest before reproduction and decreased during and after spawning. Triacylglycerols accounted for 95% of the liver lipids. High concentrations of leptin-immunoreactive peptide were present in the burbot liver, suggesting that it may be secreted by this organ.     

Fasting reduces plasma leptin-and ghrelin-immunoreactive peptide concentrations of the burbot (Lota lota) at 2 degrees C but not at 10 degrees C

The effects of fasting at two water temperatures (2 and 10 degrees C) on plasma leptin- and ghrelin-immunoreactive peptide concentrations and energy metabolism were investigated in the burbot (Lota lota), a freshwater gadoid, which lives in cold waters and tolerates long periods of fasting. Burbot were assigned to fed and fasted groups at 2 and 10 degrees C. Leptin- and ghrelin-immunoreactive peptides were identified in burbot plasma. Fasting at 2 degrees C reduced the plasma leptin- and ghrelin-immunoreactive peptide concentrations and reduced the relative liver weights and the liver and muscle glycogen concentrations. The concentrations of the leptin- and ghrelin-immunoreactivities correlated positively with each other. At 10 degrees C there were decreased plasma thyroxine levels in both sexes, and slightly lower plasma testosterone concentrations in males. The results support previous studies in stating that immunoreactivities resembling mammalian leptin and ghrelin can be detected in burbot plasma and liver, but the specific functions of these peptides will have to be determined in future studies.     

Impact of photoperiod manipulation on day/night changes in melatonin, sex steroids and vitellogenin plasma levels and spawning rhythms in Senegal sole, Solea senegalensis

Photoperiod and temperature are known as the main synchronizers of seasonal reproduction in fish. This paper studied the role of photoperiod on the synchronization of F1 Senegal sole reproduction rhythms. Fish were maintained under constant short-photoperiod (9L:15D) from the winter solstice onwards (experimental group) or under naturally-changing photoperiod (control group), and water temperature naturally oscillated in both groups. Blood samples were collected during the reproduction season at pre-spawning (March), spawning (April) and post-spawning (May) to determine the endocrine status. Spawning events and egg quality parameters were also monitored. The results revealed a significant increase in nocturnal melatonin concentration from March to May in the control group, while in the experimental group such seasonal change did not occur. As to plasma levels of vitellogenin, testosterone, estradiol and 11keto-testosterone, differences between groups were found mostly in March, while in April and May levels were often similar. Spawning was observed in both groups, although the experimental group started slightly earlier and also finished earlier than the control group, perhaps as a result of the increase in sex steroids and VTG observed at pre-spawning. Briefly, reproduction rhythms persisted in the absence of the natural lengthening of photoperiod, although photoperiod manipulation altered the seasonal modulation of melatonin, increased sex steroids and vitellogenin at pre-spawning, and slightly advanced the timing of spawning.     

Studies on the mechanism of action of acetazolamide in the prophylaxis of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis.

Levels of glycogen and cyclic 3′, 5′-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were determined in livers of rats treated with 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg of acetazolamide (Diamox). When compared with livers of untreated rats, there were significant decreases in liver glycogen content and significant increases in cAMP levels at all doses of the drug. When liver slices were incubated in the presence of 10^?5 to 10^?3 molar acetazolamide, no difference was found between treated and untreated slices.Plasma insulin and blood glucose levels were also determined and it was found that although plasma insulin levels were significantly increased at all four doses of acetazolamide, blood glucose remained unchanged.These data suggest that acetazolamide induces glycogenolysis through an indirect mechanism dependent upon the release of some endogenous factor, e.g., glucagon or epinephrine, which, in turn, increases levels of cAMP. However, because insulin levels are increased, the increased glycogenolysis does not elevate blood glucose. Thus, it is suggested that acetazolamide stabilizes blood glucose levels while stimulating insulin secretion to potentiate the movement of potassium across muscle membranes and thereby correct the defect which causes attacks of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis.     

Plasma Nesfatin-1 Is Not Affected by Long-Term Food Restriction and Does Not Predict Rematuration among Iteroparous Female Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The metabolic peptide hormone nesfatin-1 has been linked to the reproductive axis in fishes. The purpose of this study was to determine how energy availability after spawning affects plasma levels of nesfatin-1, the metabolic peptide hormone ghrelin, and sex steroid hormones in rematuring female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). To limit reproductive maturation, a group of female trout was food-restricted after spawning and compared with a control group that was fed a standard broodstock ration. The experiment was conducted twice, once using two-year-old trout (second-time spawners) and once using three-year-old trout (third-time spawners). During monthly sampling, blood was collected from all fish, and a subset of fish from each treatment was sacrificed for pituitaries. Pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone-beta (fsh-β) mRNA expression was analyzed with q-RT-PCR; plasma hormone levels were quantified by radioimmunoassay (17β-estradiol and ghrelin) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (11-keto-testosterone and nesfatin-1). Although plasma nesfatin-1 levels increased significantly in the months immediately after spawning within both feeding treatments, plasma nesfatin-1 did not differ significantly between the two treatments at any point. Similarly, plasma ghrelin levels did not differ significantly between the two treatments at any point. Food restriction arrested ovarian development by 15–20 weeks after spawning, shown by significantly lower plasma E2 levels among restricted-ration fish. Pituitary fsh-β mRNA levels were higher among control-ration fish than restricted-ration fish starting at 20 weeks, but did not differ significantly between treatment groups until 30 weeks after spawning. Within both treatment groups, plasma 11-KT was elevated immediately after spawning and rapidly decreased to and persisted at low levels; starting between 20 and 25 weeks after spawning, plasma 11-KT was higher among control-ration fish than restricted-ration fish. The results from these experiments do not provide support for plasma nesfatin-1 as a signal for the initiation of reproductive development in rematuring female rainbow trout.     

Burbot (Lota lota) exhibit plasticity in life-history traits in a small drainage at the southwestern-most extent of the species' native range

Little is known about the life-history traits exhibited by burbot (Lota lota) throughout their circumpolar range. Monitoring burbot movements between lentic and lotic habits and collection of demographic data (length, age, sex, and maturity) were used to answer the following questions in the Torrey Creek drainage of west-central Wyoming, USA: (a) is there plasticity in the life-history traits of the burbot population, (b) do Trail Lake origin and Torrey Creek origin burbot interchange during the spawning period, and (c) is there a difference in growth and age at sexual maturity between burbot captured in Trail Lake and Torrey Creek? Results indicated that burbot in Trail Lake and Torrey Creek exhibit plasticity in their life history traits. Directional movement of PIT-tagged burbot in Trail Lake and Torrey Creek was monitored nearly continuously by tandem stream-width antennas. Thirty-five percent of lentic-origin burbot migrated upstream into Torrey Creek, and 11% of lotic-origin burbot migrated downstream of the antennas near the Torrey Creek inlet to Trail Lake. Migratory activity of burbot was highest during the late winter and early spring at a time that coincided with spawning. Additionally, Torrey Creek-origin burbot were smaller and younger than Trail Lake-origin burbot. In addition to documenting migration, the sampling of small, sexually mature burbot in Torrey Creek suggests that stream-resident burbot reach maturity earlier than adfluvial and lacustrine burbot in Trail Lake. Furthermore, high catch rates of age-0 burbot indicate that Torrey Creek upstream from Trail Lake provides nursery habitat to the burbot population. Life history trait plasticity and spawning and nursery habitats documented in this study should be considered when selecting conservation actions for this unique burbot population.     

Gonadal development and associated changes in liver size and sexual steroids during the reproductive cycle of captive male and female Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

Gametogenesis in female and male Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) was investigated by sampling blood plasma and gonadal tissue from 19 to 33-month-old fish. The reproductive cycles of both female and male Atlantic cod are characterized by distinct annual variations in gonadal size and developmental stage and these are associated with changes in sex steroids and liver size. I(H) did not change during early gonadal development, but both spent females and males had lower I(H) than late maturing females and spermiating males, respectively. In females I(G) was correlated to plasma E2 levels and they were highest in spawning females. The lowest levels during the reproductive cycle were observed in spent females. Plasma T levels were low throughout ovarian development, and were at a minimum in spent females. 11-ketotestosterone in plasma of males increased rapidly during spermiation, while T increased at earlier testicular stages and reached maximum during spermiation. High plasma levels of steroids in male and female cod during spawning serve to promote further development and growth of less advanced stages of germ cells.     

Estradiol-17β effects on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and on the induction of a yolk precursor in goldfish,

The effects of estradiol-17β treatment on plasma lipid levels, liver lipid and glycogen reserves were examined during different phases of the reproductive cycle in goldfish, . Estrogen therapy resulted in increased plasma and hepatic lipid levels except during the spawning season. Hepatic glycogen deposits were depleted by estradiol injections during all seasons. Treatment of fish with the estrogen antagonist, CI-628, during the spawning season caused a reduction in plasma and liver lipid levels. Electrophoretic studies conducted during the post-spawning season showed that estrogen induces the appearance of a specific lipoprotein, probably a yolk precursor, in the serum and liver of goldfish.     

Seasonal correlative changes between sex steroids and lipid levels in the freshwater female catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Circannual variation in plasma levels of testosterone (T), oestradiol-17β(E₂) and 17α-hydroxy-progesterone (17α-OHPg) were measured in female, Heteropneustes fossilis . T and E2 levels increased during the preparatory phase, reached their peak in the early prespawning phase and fell during the late prespawning phase to reach their lowest levels post-spawning. 17a-OHPg was detected from the late preparatory to the late spawning phase showing its peak during the early spawning phase. The levels of free fatty acids (FFA), monoglycerides (MG), diglycerides (DG), triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), free cholesterol (CF)and esterified cholesterol (CE) were estimated in liver, plasma and ovaries. The preparatory phase showed hepatic lipogenic activity while during the prespawning phase TG lipolysis was increased by FFA. Ovarian CF was depleted by enhancing plasma E, levels during the prespawning phase. The gonadosomatic index reached its peak during spawning.     

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

Summary Male rainbow trout were treated with salmon gonadotropic hormone (GTH) at different stages of the circannual reproductive cycle; spawning fish were also treated with an antiserum against salmon GTH. Injection of GTH led to a several-fold increase of plasma sex steroid levels during spermatogenesis and in the spawning season but was without effect at early stages of testicular development. GTH neutralization during the spawning season was followed by a several-fold decrease of plasma sex steroid levels. During spermatogenesis and in the spawning season, both treatment regimes resulted in an increased sensitivity of testicular explants in response to a subsequent stimulation of steroid secretion in vitro. This up-regulatory response may facilitate and maintain the high sex steroid plasma levels observed during the spawning season. It may also be necessary to allow for concomitant peak values of plasma GTH and sex steroids in the spawning season, a situation difficult to understand within the negative feedback concept. The adaptive capacities of the testicular steroidogenic system indicate that it is not only an effector site for GTH but also an active part of the endocrine system controling reproduction.Abbreviations BSA bovine serum albumin - bw body weight - E₂ 17-estradiol - GnRH gonadotropin releasing-hormone - GTH gonadotropic hormone - LH luteinizing hormone - OHT 11-hydroxytestosterone - OT 11-ketotestosterone - 17-20P 17-hydroxy, 20-dihydroprogesterone - PE pituitary extract - raGTH rabbit anti-GTH antiserum - rPS rabbit preimmune serum - T testosterone     

Regulation of glycogenolysis in the liver of the newborn rat in vivo inhibitory effect of glucose

Newborn rats were injected immediately after delivery with glucose or glucose plus mannoheptulose, and the time-courses of liver glycogen, plasma glucose, insulin and glucagon concentration were studied. The administration of glucose prevented both liver glycogenolysis and the increase in plasma glucagon concentration which normally occurs immediately after delivery. In addition, the administration of glucose prevented the decrease of plasma glucose and insulin concentration which normally occurs during the first hour of extrauterine life. Supplementation of glucose with mannoheptulose prevented the increase of plasma insulin concentrations caused by the administration of glucose; liver glycogenolysis, however, was not stimulated in these circumstances. The increase in the rate of glycogenolysis caused by the administration of glucagon was prevented in newborn rats previously treated with glucose. These results suggest that glucose exerts an inhibitory effect on the stimulation of neonatal liver glycogenolysis by glucagon.     

Regulatory effects of growth hormone, glucocorticoids, and thyroid hormone on the estrogen receptor level in the rat liver.

The multihormonal regulation of the estrogen receptor in the liver of female rats was studied under in vivo conditions. The steroid receptor level was assayed by hormone binding and specific mRNA analyzed by solution hybridization using a 35S-labeled RNA probe complementary to the ligand-binding domain of the estrogen receptor gene. Serum growth hormone levels were measured and correlated to the effects of glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone administration on the estrogen receptor expression. In animals subjected to adrenalectomy plus thyroidectomy, the estrogen receptor concentration was reduced from 59 fmol/mg cytosol protein to 10 fmol/mg protein (i.e., with 87% relative to control animals). Adrenalectomy or thyroidectomy alone caused a decrease with 14% and 66%, respectively. Substitution with 10 micrograms betamethasone and 1 microgram triiodothyronine daily for 9 days completely restored the receptor content to control levels. Substitution with either hormone alone increased, but only partially restored receptor levels. The effect of betamethasone alone was dose dependent from 10 micrograms/d to 100 micrograms/d. This dose dependence was not seen when the animal simultaneously received 1 microgram of triiodothyronine. Superphysiologic doses of triiodothyronine did not raise estrogen receptor levels above those seen in animals treated with physiologic doses. High doses of triiodothyronine (greater than 20 micrograms/d) decreased serum growth hormone levels. The estrogen receptor mRNA levels in livers from hypophysectomized animals were increased after treatment with growth hormone (2.5-fold), thyroid hormone (two-fold), and glucocorticoids (1.5-fold). The results obtained indicate a very complex regulation of liver estrogen receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of short periods of warm water fluctuations on reproductive endocrine axis of the pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis) spawning

The aim of this study was to assess fluctuations in daily water temperature in Chascomús Lagoon during one year, and to evaluate whether the highest temperature recorded during pejerrey spawning season can produce an endocrine disruption on brain-pituitary-gonads axis. Fish were subjected to daily temperature fluctuations: 17 °C to 19 °C (reproductive control), 19 °C to 25 °C, and 19 °C to 27 °C. After 8 days, ten fish per treatment were sacrificed and gene expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH-I, GnRH-II, GnRH-III), gonadotropin subunits-β (FSH-β, LH-β), glycoprotein hormone-α (GPH-α), gonadotropin receptors (FSH-R, LH-R), and gonadal aromatase (cyp19a1a) was analyzed. Also, plasma levels of sexual steroids and gonadal reproductive status were studied. Fish exposed to high temperature fluctuations quit spawning, presenting clear signs of gonadal regression. Fish recovered its spawning activity 11 weeks after heat treatment. At endocrine level, GnRH-I and FSH-β in both sexes, LH-β and GPH-α in males and FSH-R, LH-R and cyp19a1a in females decreased significantly in treated fish. Also, a strong reduction in plasma sex steroid levels was found for both sexes. This study demonstrated that pulses of warm water in natural environment during pejerrey spawning season can disrupt all levels of the reproductive axis, impairing reproduction.     

Changed length-at-age of burbot, Lota lota, from an acidified estuary in the Gulf of Bothnia

Synopsis The burbot population off the River Kyrönjoki has suffered from acidification in its reproduction area, causing a reduction of the population throughout the 1980s. During the same period of time the mean length-at-age of burbot was found to increase, with a significant increase in length-at-age for age groups 3–8 from 1979 to 1993. The length-weight relationship however was not found to have changed during this same period. The decreasing burbot population was found to influence the changed length-at-age. An increase in potential prey species population was also documented during this period of increasing length-at-age. The increased lengths were associated to the changed availability of food caused by the simultaneous fluctuations in both burbot and potential prey species populations.     

Reduced ghrelin production induced anorexia after rat gastric ischemia and reperfusion

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one of the most susceptible organs to ischemia. We previously reported altered gastric motility after gastric ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). However, there have also been few reports of alterations in the eating behavior after gastric I/R. Ghrelin is a GI peptide that stimulates food intake and GI motility. Although ghrelin itself has been demonstrated to attenuate the mucosal injuries induced by gastric I/R, the endogenous ghrelin dynamics after I/R has not yet been elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between food intake and the ghrelin dynamics after gastric I/R. Wistar rats were exposed to 80-min gastric ischemia, followed by 12-h or 48-h reperfusion. The food intake, plasma ghrelin levels, gastric preproghrelin mRNA expression levels, and the histological localization of ghrelin-immunoreactive cells were evaluated. The effect of exogenous ghrelin on the food intake after I/R was also examined. Food intake, the plasma ghrelin levels, the count of ghrelin-immunoreactive cells corrected by the percentage areas of the remaining mucosa, and the expression levels of preproghrelin mRNA in the stomach were significantly reduced at 12 h and 48 h after I/R compared with the levels in the sham-operated rats. Intraperitoneal administration of ghrelin significantly reversed the decrease of food intake after I/R. These data show that gastric I/R evoked anorexia with decreased plasma ghrelin levels and ghrelin production, which appears to be attributable to the I/R-induced gastric mucosal injuries. The decrease in the plasma ghrelin levels may have been responsible for the decreased food intake after gastric I/R.     

Sex-specific metabolic changes in the annual reproductive cycle of a freshwater catfish

Sex-specific enzymatic and other biochemical changes were studied in the annual reproductive cycle of the freshwater catfish, Clarias batrachus. Citrate synthase (CS) activity of brain, liver and skeletal muscle was maximum in spawning and minimum in postspawning showing a sharp decline in aerobic capacity after spawning. Similar CS activity in remaining phases of the annual reproductive cycle reflects similar energy need during regressed, preparatory and prespawning phases. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6-PDH) activity declined in spawning and postspawning indicating a possible decrease in lipid and nucleic acid syntheses. The subsequent increase in G6-PDH activity with onset of resting and maintenance of the increased level throughout preparatory and prespawning phases shows restoration of biosynthetic activity. Higher activity of G6-PDH in female than male may be to satisfy a greater biosynthetic need of female reproduction and breeding. The decreased RNA content of tissues showed reduction in protein synthesis capacity during spawning and subsequent increase through postspawning until resting phase. The RNA content of brain and liver was higher in female than male during preparatory and prespawning, which may be associated with higher protein synthesis requirement of female for preparation of reproductive activities. The requirement based sex related changes in metabolism of catfish may be enzyme, tissue or reproductive phase-specific.     

皮质醇的周年变化与雌性虹鳟性腺成熟的关系

利用放射免疫分析法对饲养于恒定水温和自然光照下的雌性虹鳟血浆中皮质醇和性激素含量的周年变化进行了测定．结果表明：１）根据性腺结构指数和性激素分泌量判断,三龄时,雌性虹鳟达到性成熟;２）在血浆中不仅性激素而且皮质醇的变化水平与性腺结构指数的变化高度相关．排卵前性激素的水平都较高,伴随着排卵的进行性激素水平下降．而且在产卵季节虹鳟血浆中皮质醇水平也较高,三龄时皮质醇水平与性腺结构指数的相关系数为０．８６．这些结果提示,皮质醇在虹鳟的繁殖过程中可能发挥某种作用．     

Stimulation of glycogenolysis by adenine nucleotides in the perfused rat liver.

Infusion of adenine nucleotides and adenosine into perfused rat livers resulted in stimulation of hepatic glycogenolysis, transient increases in the effluent perfusate [3-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate] ratio, and increased portal vein pressure. In livers perfused with buffer containing 50 microM-Ca2+, transient efflux of Ca2+ was seen on stimulation of the liver with adenine nucleotides or adenosine. ADP was the most potent of the nucleotides, stimulating glucose output at concentrations as low as 0.15 microM, with half-maximal stimulation at approx. 1 microM, and ATP was slightly less potent, half-maximal stimulation requiring 4 microM-ATP. AMP and adenosine were much less effective, doses giving half-maximal stimulation being 40 and 20 microM respectively. Non-hydrolysed ATP analogues were much less effective than ATP in promoting changes in hepatic metabolism. ITP, GTP and GDP caused similar changes in hepatic metabolism to ATP, but were 10-20 times less potent than ATP. In livers perfused at low (7 microM) Ca2+, infusion of phenylephrine before ATP desensitized hepatic responses to ATP. Repeated infusions of ATP in such low-Ca2+-perfused livers caused homologous desensitization of ATP responses, and also desensitized subsequent Ca2+-dependent responses to phenylephrine. A short infusion of Ca2+ (1.25 mM) after phenylephrine infusion restored subsequent responses to ATP, indicating that, during perfusion with buffer containing 7 microM-Ca2+, ATP and phenylephrine deplete the same pool of intracellular Ca2+, which can be rapidly replenished in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Measurement of cyclic AMP in freeze-clamped liver tissue demonstrated that adenosine (150 microM) significantly increased hepatic cyclic AMP, whereas ATP (15 microM) was without effect. It is concluded that ATP and ADP stimulate hepatic glycogenolysis via P2-purinergic receptors, through a Ca2+-dependent mechanism similar to that in alpha-adrenergic stimulation of hepatic tissue. However, adenosine stimulates glycogenolysis via P1-purinoreceptors and/or uptake into the cell, at least partially through a mechanism involving increase in cyclic AMP. Further, the hepatic response to adenine nucleotides may be significant in regulating hepatic glucose output in physiological and pathophysiological states.