Stimulation of the serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor subtype by 5-HT has been shown to result in an elevation in plasma corticosteroid levels in both mammals and several species of teleost fish, including the Gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta); however, in the case of teleost fish, it is not clearly known at which level of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis the 5-HT1A receptor is stimulated. Additionally, previous investigations have revealed that chronic elevations of plasma cortisol mediate changes in brain 5-HT1A receptor mRNA and protein levels via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR); thus, we hypothesized that the function of centrally activated 5-HT1A receptors is reduced or abolished as a result of chronically elevated plasma cortisol levels and that this response is GR mediated. Our results are the first to demonstrate that intravenous injection of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, stimulates a significant increase in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) precursor mRNA expression in the hypothalamic region and the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary of teleost fish compared to saline-injected controls. We also provide evidence that cortisol, acting via GRs, attenuates the 5-HT1A receptor-mediated secretion of both CRF and ACTH.
Reconditioning of post-spawned anadromous rainbow trout (steelhead kelts, Oncorhynchus mykiss) is being implemented as a recovery tool on the Yakima River in the mid-Columbia River Basin. We assessed reproductive development in female Yakima River kelts by measuring plasma estradiol-17β (E2) and vitellogenin (VG) levels during reconditioning in 2009–2011. Plasma E2 and VG levels showed that fish separated into rematuring (consecutive spawning) and nonrematuring (presumed skip spawning) cohorts by October. Rematuration rates varied from 25% to 65%. Rematuring fish were consistently detected migrating toward spawning areas after release, whereas nonrematuring fish were occasionally detected on spawning migrations the following year. Rematuring fish grew more rapidly than nonrematuring fish over the reconditioning period and had higher muscle lipid levels and condition factor in October. Plasma E2 was elevated in rematuring fish by June–July, whereas plasma VG was elevated by June–August, suggesting that maturation decisions occur early in reconditioning. Rematuring and nonrematuring females could be separated by plasma E2 and VG levels by August–September, enabling separate management of consecutive and presumed skip spawners.
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