On the inhibitory effect of some steroids on spermatogenesis in adult rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Abstract

To test the antifertility effect of various steroids, fish were fed a diet containing steroids at two stages of the reproductive cycle: during spermatogenesis (June to November, experiment A) and during spermiation (November to February, experiment B). The fish in experiment A were given testosterone (T), methyltestosterone (MT), estradiol-17β (E2), hexestrol (H), progesterone (Pg), and FGA (Fluorogestone acetate) at doses of 0.05 and (or) 0.5 mg/kg of food. In experiment B, T, MT, and E2 were given at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg of food. The fish received a daily ration amounting to 1% of their body weight. In experiment A, inhibition of testicular growth was total with 0.5 mg MT and 0.5 mg E2 and partial with 0.5 mg T/kg of food. In these groups, there was no noticeable change in plasma gonadotropin (GTH) compared with the controls, except that the GTH rise observed in the other groups in September was prevented. This suggests that steroids act directly at the level of the gonad. In experiment B, no noticeable regression of the gonad occurred after steroid treatment. A big GTH rise was seen in the E2-treated group, but this was not followed by stimulation of spermiation. The total amount of sperm (50%) and spermatozoa collected during the experiment tended to be lower in the steroid-treated fish than in the controls. Spermatozoal fertilizing ability was significantly decreased (P < 0.005) by the testosterone treatment.