Gonadotropins and reproductive function in the anuran amphibian, Rana esculenta

A. M. Polzonetti-Magni*, G. Mosconi, O. Carnevali, K. Yamamoto, Y. Hanaoka, S. Kikuyama

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    67 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In this study, the measurement both of peripheral gonadotropins (FSH and LH) and of sex steroids in male and female wild anuran, Rana esculenta, was performed during the annual reproductive cycle; moreover, the role of gonadotropins in the vitellogenic process and in ovarian steroidogenesis was investigated through in vitro experiments. LH plasma changes in males showed high values during autumn-winter months and during the mating period, when high androgen levels were found. Conversely, for the first time in male vertebrates, a clear correspondence between plasma FSH and estradiol-17β (E2) was shown. In females, FSH peak values were found at the beginning of the mating period in parallel with those of plasma vitellogenin (VTG) and E2; in contrast, high LH levels went together with ovarian weight (gonadosomatic index), which is considered a good marker for the plasma sequestration of VTG by growing oocytes. The in vivo results are corroborated by in vitro studies showing the direct effects of both FSH and LH in inducing hepatic VTG synthesis and release in the culture media. Lastly, although it is not yet known whether or not FSH and LH have separate functions in amphibians, it was clearly shown that they induce ovarian steroid production. These results are discussed in terms of the high seasonality previously demonstrated in this wild frog.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)88-93
    Number of pages6
    JournalBiology of Reproduction
    Volume58
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1998 Jan

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Cell Biology
    • Developmental Biology
    • Embryology

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