Endocrine, Gonadal and Behavioral Responses of Male Crucian Carp to the Hormonal Pheromone 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one

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Abstract
The olfactory-mediated responses to the sex hormone 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α,20β-P) were studied in spermiated and regressed male crucian carp (Carassius carassius L). The position and spontaneous locomotor activity of single male crucian carp were continuously recorded in an artificial stream. 17α,20β-P (final concentration 10−11 M) was supplied to one half and its ethanol carrier to the other half of the test area. Milt volume and gonadotropin (GtH-II) concentration in the plasma were also measured. The smell of 17α, 20β-P significantly increased both the GtH-II concentration in the plasma and the volume of strippable milt in spermiated crucian carp. Behaviorally, the side of the test area scented with 17α,20β-P was significantly avoided by spermiated males. None of the described effects of 17α,20β-P on spermiated males were observed for the regressed crucian carp. In view of the lack of response from regressed crucian carp we suggest that the observed avoidance behavior of 17α,20β-P by spermiated males is a relevant reaction for spawning male crucian carp. The results are well in accordance with responses obtained in the closely related goldfish and gives strong support that the wild male crucian carp use the 17α,20β-P signal from the females to prepare for the coming spawning.

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