Abstract
Seasonality is a common feature of teleost reproduction and is most marked at higher latitudes. Seasonal cycles are principally entrained by photoperiod and temperature but a range of other variables including lunar phase and social interaction may also operate. Photoperiod information is transduced through the light inhibition of pineal melatonin synthesis but the mechanism by which this regulates the reproductive endocrine system is not clear. There is less information on the specific effects of temperature but these are likely to involve effects on expression and activity of regulatory proteins. Environmental regulation of high latitude species appears to operate across a hierarchy of variables with photoperiod then temperature as primary drivers, whereas in tropical habitats, the hierarchy may be inverted.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amano, M., Hyodo, S., Kitamura, S., Ikuta, K., Suzuki, Y., Urano, A. and Auda, K. 1995. Short photoperiod accelerates preoptic and ventral telencephalic salmon GnRH synthesis and precocious maturation in underyearling male masu salmon. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 99: 22–27.
Amano, M., Iigo, M., Ikuta, K., Kitamura, S., Yamada, H. and Yamamori, K. 2000. Roles of melatonin in gonadal maturation of underyearling precocious male masu salmon. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 120: 190–197.
Bornesstaf, C., Mayer, I. and Borg, B. 2001. Melatonin and maturation in female three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 122: 341–348.
Bromage, N., Porter, M. and Randall, C. 2001. The environmental regulation of maturation in farmed finfish with special reference to the role of photoperiod and melatonin. Aquaculture 197: 63–98.
Bye, V.J. 1984. The role of environmental factors in the timing of reproductive cycles. In: Fish Reproduction: Strategies and tactics. pp. 187–205. Edited by G.W. Potts and R.J. Wootton. Academic Press, London.
Davies, B., Bromage, N. and Swanson, P. 1999. The brain-pituitarygonadal axis of female rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss: Effects of photoperiod manipulation. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 115: 155–166.
Devlin, R.H. and Nagahama, Y. 2002. Sex determination and sex differentiation in fish: an overview of genetic, physiological, and environmental influences. Aquaculture 208: 191–364.
Hilder, M.L. and Pankhurst, N.W. 2003. Evidence that temperature change cues reproductive development in the spiny damselfish, Acanthochromis polyacanthus. Env. Biol. Fish. 66: 187–196.
Kah, O., Madigou, D., Mazurais, D. and Le Dréan, G. 2000. Aspects of the central regulation of reproduction in teleost fish. In: Reproductive Physiology of Fish. pp. 27–34. Edited by B. Norberg, O.S. Kjesbu, G.L. Taranger, E. Andersson and S.O. Stefansson. John Grieg AS, Bergen.
King, H.R. and Pankhurst, N.W. 2000. Ovulation of Tasmanian Atlantic salmon maintained at elevated temperatures: Implications of climate change for sustainable undustry development. In: Reproductive Physiology of Fish. pp. 396–398. Edited by B. Norberg, O.S. Kjesbu, G.L. Taranger, E. Andersson and S.O. Stefansson. John Grieg AS, Bergen.
King, H.R., Pankhurst, N.W., Watts, M. and Pankhurst, P.M. 2003. Effect of elevated summer temperatures on gonadal steroid production, vitellogenesis and egg quality in female Atlantic salmon. J. Fish Biol. 63: 153–167.
Kobayashi, M., Sohn, Y.C., Yoshiura, Y. and Aida. K. 2000. Effects of sex steroids on the mRNA levels of gonadotropin subunits in juvenile and ovariectomized goldfish Carassius auratus. Fish. Sci. 66: 223–231.
Lam, T.J. and Munro, A.D. 1987. Environmental control of reproduction in teleosts: An overview. In: Reproductive Physiology of Fish 1987. pp. 279–288. Edited by D.R. Idler, L.W. Crim and J.M. Walsh. Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's.
Lambert, Y., Dutil, J.D. and Ouellet, P. 2000. Nutritional condition and reproductive success in wild fish populations. In: Reproductive Physiology of Fish. pp. 77–84. Edited by B. Norberg, O.S. Kjesbu, G.L. Taranger, E. Andersson and S.O. Stefansson. John Grieg AS, Bergen.
Okuzawa, K., Furukawa, K., Aida, K and Hanyu, I. 1989. Effects of photoperiod and temperature on gonadal maturation, and plasma steroid and gonadotropin levels in a cyprinid fish, the honmoroko Gnathopogon caerulescens. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 75: 139–147.
Pankhurst, N.W. 1995. Hormones and reproductive behavior in male damselfish. Bull. Mar. Sci. 57: 569–581.
Pankhurst, N.W. and Thomas, P.M. 1998. Maintenance at elevated temperature delays the steroidogenic and ovulatory responsiveness of rainbow trout Oncorynchus mykiss to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue. Aquaculture 166: 163–177.
Pankhurst, N.W., Hilder, P.I. and Pankhurst, P.M. 1999. Reproductive condition and behavior in relation to plasma levels of gonadal steroids in the spiny damselfish Acanthochromis polyacanthus. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 115: 53–69.
Pankhurst, N.W., Purser, G.J., Van Der Kraak, G., Thomas, P.M. and Forteath, G.N.R. 1996. Effect of holding temperature on ovulation, egg fertility, plasma levels of reproductive hormones and in vitro ovarian steroidogenesis in the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Aquaculture 146: 277–290.
Rahman, M.S., Takemura, A. and Takono, K. 2002. Lunar synchronization of in vitro steroidogenesis in ovaries of the golden rabbitfish, Siganus guttatus (Bloch). Gen Comp. Endocrinol. 125: 1–8.
Robertson, D.R. 1991. The role of adult biology in the timing of spawning of tropical reef fishes. In: The Ecology of Fishes on Coral Reefs. pp. 356–386. Edited by P.F. Sale. Academic Press, San Diego.
Scott, S.G. and Pankhurst, N.W. 1992. Interannual variation in the reproductive cycle of the New Zealand snapper Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider) (Sparidae). J. Fish Biol. 41: 685–696.
Shimizu, A. 2003. Effect of photoperiod and temperature on gonadal activity and plasma steroid levels in a reared strain of the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) during different phases of its annual reproductive cycle. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 131: 310–324.
Stacey, N.E. 1984. Control of the timing of ovulation by exogenous and endogenous factors. In: Fish reproduction: Strategies and Tactics. pp. 207–222. Edited by G.W. Potts and R.J. Wootton. Academic Press, London.
Sumpter, J.P. 1990. General concepts of seasonal reproduction. In: Reproductive seasonality in teleosts: Environmental influences. pp. 13–28. Edited by A.D.Munro, A.P. Scott and T.J. Lam. CRC Press, Boca Raton.
Taranger, G.L. and Hansen, T. 1993. Ovulation and egg survival following exposure of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., broodstock to different water temperatures. Aquacult. Fish.Manag. 24: 151–156.
Thorpe, J.E. 1994. Reproductive strategies in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. Aquacult. Fish. Manag. 25: 77–87.
Tyler, W.A. and Stanton, F.G. 1995. Potential influence of food abundance on spawning patterns in a damselfish, Abudefduf abdominalis. Bull. Mar. Sci. 57: 610–623.
Van Der Kraak, G. and Pankhurst, N.W. 1997. Temperature effects on the reproductive performance of fish. In: Global warming: Implications for freshwater and marine fish. pp. 159–176. Edited by C.M. Wood and D.G. McDonald. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pankhurst, N., Porter, M. Cold and dark or warm and light: variations on the theme of environmental control of reproduction. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 28, 385–389 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:FISH.0000030602.51939.50
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:FISH.0000030602.51939.50