Role of prostaglandin in the control of ovulation in the Japaneseeel Anguilla japonica

ABSTRACT:   The in vitro effects of 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one(DHP) and prostaglandins (PGE₁, PGE₂, PGF_1α,PGF_2α) on ovulation in the Japanese eel Anguillajaponica were examined. Oocytes with follicle layers at themigratory nucleus stage (approximately 850–900 µmdiameter) were removed using a polyethylene cannula from artificiallymatured fish. At concentrations of 10 and 100 ng/mL,DHP was found to induce both germinal vesicle breakdown and ovulation.The prostaglandins, except for PGE₁, effectively inducedovulation of previously matured oocytes by DHP treatment in vitro .Prostaglandin F_2α was the most effective. Asignificant increase in ovulation rate was observed even at a concentrationof 0.01 µg/mL PGF_2α.Indomethacin blocked the in vitro ovulation induced by DHPand addition of PGF_2α reversed indomethacin-blockedovulation. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide blocked DHP-induced ovulationand PGF_2α reversed the effects of both inhibitors. Theseresults indicate that DHP induces ovulation through endogenous prostaglandinsynthesis in the follicle layers of the Japanese eel.