Regulation of LH synthesis and release by GnRH and gonadal steroids in masu salmon

The roles of salmon GnRH (sGnRH) and gonadal steroid hormones in regulation of LH synthesis and release were examined in primary pituitary cell cultures of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou). Pituitaries were taken from fish at four reproductive stages: in March (initiation of sexual maturation); May (early maturation); July (pre-spawning); and September (spawning period). Amounts of LHβ subunit mRNA in the pituitary cells were determined by real-time PCR, and LH levels in the medium were determined by RIA. sGnRH and gonadal steroids including estradiol-17β (E2), testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) were added to the cultures to examine their direct effects on LH response. sGnRH had no significant effect on LHβ mRNA levels at any stages, although a stimulatory trend was noted in March. In contrast, E2 and T considerably increased LHβ subunit mRNA levels in March and May during initial stages of maturation, and the effects were less pronounced in July and September. On the other hand, sGnRH stimulated LH release at all stages in the males and the effects were most prominent in July and September. E2 and T also stimulated LH release in July and September, but their effects were weaker than that of sGnRH. The present results indicate that sGnRH and gonadal steroids directly regulate LH synthesis and release in masu salmon pituitary cells: sGnRH mainly stimulates LH release in the late stage of sexual maturation; whereas, E2 and T are effective in stimulating LH synthesis at earlier stages of maturation.