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Spermatogenesis and related plasma androgen and progestin level in wild male golden mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822), during the spawning season

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Abstract

Testicular development and plasma levels of sex steroid [11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), testosterone (T) and 17,20β-dihydoxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β-P)] were studied for the first time in wild golden mahseer, Tor putitora. Testicular development was investigated by macroscopic observation and histology of the gonads, whereas steroids were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Based on macroscopic observation and germ cell types present in gonad histology, the testes of T. putitora were divided into five developmental stages: immature [stage I; spermatogonia (SPG)], early spermatogenesis [stage II; SPG and spermatocytes (SPC)], late spermatogenesis [stage III; SPG, SPC, spermatids (SPD) and spermatozoa (SPZ)], spermiation (stage IV; SPZ) and post-spawning (stage V; SPG, SPD and SPZ). During the stage I of the testes, the lowest levels of plasma sex steroid and gonadosomatic index (I G) were recorded. The highest plasma level of T was 0.89 ± 0.09 ng/mL and 11-KT was 4.23 ± 0.54 ng/mL, which was during the stage III and IV, respectively. The peak in 11-KT was coincident with the peak in I G (1.65 ± 0.12 %). The lowest T and 11-KT levels were 0.25 ± 0.02 ng/mL and 0.47 ± 0.09 ng/mL, respectively, which was at stage I. Plasma levels of 17,20β-P increased significantly at stage III (1.04 ± 0.06 ng/mL) and stage IV testes (1.28 ± 0.03 ng/mL) and then declined in post-spawned fish. This indicates that 17,20β-P could also be a possible maturation-inducing steroid in this fish. The condition factor (K) significantly decreased during the testicular development and was lowest at spermiation stage (0.53 ± 0.02 %). The proportion of running male peaked concomitantly with the appearance of stage IV testes. Presence of germ cells of different developmental stages indicates that T. putitora male is a multiple spawner, and the information generated here is important for developing a captive breeding, culture and conservation programs for this endangered coldwater Himalayan fish species.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a project grant from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India, to first author (NS). The authors acknowledge Monalisa Sahoo of Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, for her assistance in histological preparations and data analysis.

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  1. Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, Nainital, 263 136, Uttarakhand, India

    Neetu Shahi, Sumanta Kumar Mallik, Jyoti Pande, Partha Das & Atul Kumar Singh

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  1. Neetu Shahi
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Correspondence to Neetu Shahi.

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Shahi, N., Mallik, S.K., Pande, J. et al. Spermatogenesis and related plasma androgen and progestin level in wild male golden mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822), during the spawning season. Fish Physiol Biochem 41, 909–920 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-015-0057-6

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