Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 1 de 1
Filter
Add more filters










Database
Language
Publication year range
1.
Gen Comp Endocrinol ; 265: 174-179, 2018 09 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29510152

ABSTRACT

Captive breeding in aquaria is a useful means for ex situ preservation of threatened elasmobranch species. To promote captive breeding, it is important to determine the female reproductive status. However, information regarding reproductive status in female elasmobranchs is limited. Here, we used zebra sharks, Stegostoma fasciatum, as a model for elasmobranch reproduction in captivity. We investigated the relationships among changes in the sex steroid hormone levels, follicle size, and egg-laying period to develop indicators for the female reproductive status. We confirmed that mature female zebra sharks undergo an annual reproductive cycle. Additionally, we showed that the variations in sex steroid hormone levels correlated with reproductive status in mature female zebra sharks. Plasma estradiol-17ß (E2) concentrations increased two months before ovarian follicle development and decreased along with follicle regression. Interestingly, E2 levels were inversely correlated with water temperature (R = -0.901). Moreover, high levels of testosterone (T) correlated well with the laying period. These results strongly suggest that E2 is an indicator for ovarian follicle development, and that T is a useful indicator for both the onset and end of the egg-laying period in captive zebra sharks.


Subject(s)
Gonadal Steroid Hormones/blood , Reproduction , Sharks/blood , Sharks/physiology , Animals , Estradiol/blood , Female , Male , Ovarian Follicle/anatomy & histology , Oviducts/metabolism , Ovum/metabolism , Temperature , Testosterone/blood
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...