Effects of altered photoperiod and temperature, serotonin-affecting drugs, and melatonin on brain tyrosine hydroxylase activity in female catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis:: A study correlating ovarian activity changes

Exposure of female catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis to 30-day regimes of long photoperiod (16L), elevated temperature (28 +/- 2degreesC), or a combination of both stimulated brain tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity significantly over that of control fish held in natural conditions in gonad resting (10.5L:13.5D, 10 +/- 2degreesC) and preparatory (12.5L:11.5D,18 +/- 2degreesC) phases. The response was high in the combination group in both phases. The increase in TH activity was higher in forebrain regions (telencephalon and hypothalamus) than medulla oblongata. Exposure of the fish to short photoperiod (8L:16D) and total darkness decreased the enzyme activity significantly in both resting and preparatory phases regardless of the temperature. The inhibition was high in fish held under total darkness. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) was significantly elevated in long photoperiod and high temperature groups, alone or in combination, and decreased signiftcantly in short photoperiod (only in preparatory phase) and total darkness groups. Administration of the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP; 5 mg/100 g body weight [BW], three daily intraperitoneal [i.p.] injections prior to sacrificing) stimulated TH activity in fish held under long and normal photoperiods in both phases. Three daily injections of the serotonin blocker parachlorophenylalanine (p-CPA; 10 mg/100 g BW) and melatonin (75 mug/100 g BW) prior to sacrificing inhibited brain TH activity significantly in both phases. GSI was significantly stimulated by 5-14TP, and inhibited by both p-CPA and melatonin injections. Changes in TH activity and GSI can be correlated and explained on the basis of previous reports on changes in catecholamine activity that modulates gonadotropin secretion in the catfish. Further, the photoperiod and temperature-induced changes in TH activity may be modulated by alterations in serotonergic activity. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.