| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2800676 | General and Comparative Endocrinology | 2012 | 7 Pages |
Most wrasse species in tropical waters exhibit daily spawning synchrony with a preference for high tide. Fish perceive tidal rhythm cues through sensory organs and activate the brain–pituitary–gonadal endocrine axis for synchronous gonadal maturation, although how the tidal-related spawning cycle is controlled endogenously is not known. The purpose of this study was to examine whether hydrostatic pressure has an impact on brain monoamine levels and reproductive activities in the threespot wrasse Halichoeres trimaculatus. The contents of dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the brain were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography and an electrochemical detection system. Exposing the fish to hydrostatic pressure occurring at a 3-m depth (∼30 kPa) resulted in an increase in 5-HIAA/5-HT over 3 h and a decrease in DOPAC/DA over 6 h. No changes in gonadosomatic index or oocyte diameter were observed between the groups when female fish were reared at 0-m and 3-m depth for 3 h. Hydrostatic pressure did not alter pituitary mRNA abundance of follicle stimulating hormone-β or luteinizing hormone-β. However, in vitro culture of ovaries from pressurized fish in the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin resulted in an increase in 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one in the medium. These results suggest that hydrostatic pressure activates oocyte maturation through brain monoaminergic activity in this tropical wrasse species.
► Effect of hydrostatic pressure (HP) on reproductive process was examined in wrasse. ► HP decreased dopaminergic activity but increased serotogeneric activity. ► HP increased in vitro production of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one by ovary. ► HP activates endocrine processes of oocyte maturation, but not vitellogenesis.
