Response of the seminal vesicles of the hypophysectomized catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) to exogenous androgens,estrogen and corticosteroid†

The response of the regressed seminal vesicles of 136- and 102-day hypophysectomized catfish to 30-day treatment with various steroids has been studied. Hypophysectomy results in complete regression of the seminal vesicles within 40 days. Of the various andro gens tested, ethynyltestosterone and 17 α-methyltestosterone are equipotent in producing weight increment and initiation of secretory activity in the regressed seminal vesicles but are 2.5 times more potent than testosterone propionate. Olive oil, eslradiol benzoate and desoxycorticosterone acetate treatment induce neither secretory activity nor weight increments in the regressed seminal vesicles. The adrenal androgens, 4-androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone proved to be weak androgens. The data indicate that only androgens can restore secretory activity in the regressed seminal vesicles of the hypophy sectomized catfish.