Diurnal changes in salmon GnRH secretion in the brain of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou)

The day-night changes of salmon GnRH (sGnRH), which is secreted from various brain regions, were analyzed in maturing and matured masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou). In maturing males, the levels of sGnRH secreted from the olfactory bulb (OB), terminal nerve (TN), and ventral telencephalon and preoptic area (VT+POA) were all significantly higher during midnight than daytime. However, the contents of sGnRH in the pituitary gland during midnight were not higher than those during daytime. In maturing females, the levels of sGnRH secreted from the VT+POA were higher during midnight than daytime, and the contents of sGnRH in the pituitary gland were also higher during midnight. In matured fish, the levels of sGnRH secreted from the OB, TN and VT+POA during midnight were significantly higher than those during daytime. There were also no significant differences in the contents of sGnRH in the pituitary gland. These results suggest that a short photoperiod may be involved in diurnal secretion rhythms of sGnRH in various brain regions and the pituitary gland.