INFLUENCE OF GONADOTROPIC HORMONE-RELEASING HORMONE ANALOG (GNRH-A) ON PLASMA SEX STEROID PROFILES AND MILT PRODUCTION IN MALE WINTER FLOUNDER, PSEUDOPLEURONECTES-AMERICANUS (WALBAUM)

The effects of gonadotropic hormone-releasing hormone analog (GnRH-A) treatment on the onset and duration of increases in plasma sex steroids and milt production (milt volume and number of spermatozoa) were investigated in prespawning male winter flounder. After treatment of maturing males during the winter with a single injection of either 20 or 200 mug/kg [D-Ala6, Pro9-NHEt]LHRH (GnRH-A), plasma levels of testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone were increased within 12h and the steroid hormone levels remained elevated for long periods lasting several days. The androgenic steroid response of males was delayed after the administration of a lower dose of GnRH-A (2 mug/kg). Although a single GnRH-A injection in December or January advanced the onset of spermiation in some males, only small amounts (<50 mul) of milt could be collected. By March, all males were in spermiating condition following GnRH-A treatment; however, significant increases in sperm production, particularly increases in milt volume, occurred in fish twice treated with GnRH-A.