Circulating gonadotropins and testicular hormones during sexual maturation and annual changes in male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

Hiroshi KATSUMATA¹  Etsuko KATSUMATA¹  Kazutoshi ARAI¹  Gen WATANABE²  Yoko UEDA²  Sukanya JAROENPORN³  Kazuyoshi TAYA⁴ 

[1] Kamogawa Sea World, 1464-18 Higashi-cho, Kamogawa, Chiba 296-0041, Japan;Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan;Primate Research Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan

关键词: FSH;    inhibin;    LH;    male bottlenose dolphin;    testosterone;   

DOI  :  10.1292/jvms.16-0544

学科分类：兽医学

来源: Japanese Society of Veterinary Science

【 摘 要 】

To reveal the reproductive biology in male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), circulating gonadotropins (follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] and luteinizing hormone [LH]) and testicular hormones (testosterone and inhibin) were monitored for 8−12 years in 2 captive bottlenose dolphins (Mars and Regulus). During the study period, Mars was undergoing sexual maturation, whereas Regulus was already mature at the beginning of the study. Assuming that Mars had reached sexual maturity when the significant increase in circulating testosterone levels was observed, serum concentration of inhibin was higher in the sexually immature stage than in the mature stage, whereas the serum concentration of FSH was higher in the sexually mature stage than in the immature stage. No difference was observed in the LH levels between pre- and post-sexual maturation. There was a significant increase in serum concentration of testosterone during spring in both animals. These results suggest that the mechanism responsible for regulating FSH secretion by inhibin functions during the sexually immature stage in this species.

【 授权许可】

Unknown