GCMS-indentified steroids and steroid glucoronides in gonads and holding water of Trichogaster trichopterus (Anabantidae, Pallas 1770)

Male Blue Gourami (<i>Trichogaster trichopterus</i>) Nest-Building Behavior Is Affected by Other Males and Females

“…The contribution of the present study supports the hypothesis that not only the behavior of males or females in relatively high densities prevents nest-building but also that the pheromones of other males [13] reduces the number of nests built. Our suggestion for explaining this result is that the two males maintained in the cage in the same aquarium are affected only by the pheromones of one male in reducing the number of nests built, as is found in the present study.…”

“…The territory sends away the other males and only the pheromones of the dominant male affect the female. The pheromones of male blue gourami affect female gametogensis and gonadotropin cells in the pituitary [13]- [16]. In summary, the present study and previous studies suggest that both aggressive behavior and pheromones affect interactions among males, and only the males that have territories preventing both factors are able to build nests.…”

“…The above-mentioned steroids were detected in both female and male gonads, with the exception of estrone, which was detected only in the male, and 17, 20-P, which was detected only in the female. All steroids except for 17, 20-P were detected in the water in which the fish were maintained [13].…”

“…Thus, it is suggested that underground water having high levels of salinity and conductivity affects the gene expression of reproduction-related hormones; in reproductively active males, it shortened the duration of nest-building by blue gourami males [12]. Another very important parameter of interaction between males and females is that of pheromones [13]- [16].…”

Somatolactin Transcription during Oogenesis in Female Blue Gourami (<i>Trichogaster trichopterus</i>)

“…In addition, final oocyte maturation occurs in females characterized by a large percentage of high vitellogenic oocytes in the ovary, only in the presence of a mature male [3]. Sexual glucosteroids 17α-hydroxyprogesterone(17-P), 17α, 20β-Dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17, 20P) and 17β-estradiol (E 2 ) are secreted into the water; they might serve as chemical pheromones during reproductive behavior and be involved in preparing females to spawn via the promotion of oogenesis E 2 and 17, 20P plasma levels [4] [5]. Thus, gonadal stages in females can be controlled and examined separately in the laboratory [2] [6].…”