STEROIDS OF A CHONDROSTEAN: CORTICOSTEROIDS AND TESTOSTERONE IN THE PLASMA OF THE AMERICAN ATLANTIC STURGEON, ACIPENSER OXYRHYNCHUS MITCHILL

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Double isotope derivative assays were used to determine the presence or absence of testosterone, cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol and 11-deoxycorticosterone in plasma samples from two (one sexually immature and one sexually mature) male American Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrhynchus Mitchill. Submicrogram levels of testosterone were detected in the dichloromethane-extractable ('free' steroid) fractions of the plasma samples from both the immature and the mature fish; the level was much higher in the plasma of the mature fish. Very low levels of 'free' cortisol, cortisone and corticosterone were also detected in the plasma of the immature fish. The presence of 11-deoxycorticosterone and 11-deoxycortisol could not be firmly established in any of the samples. Preliminary analysis for conjugated testosterone in the plasma of the immature fish failed to show any detectable enzyme-released testosterone.

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