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Gen Comp Endocrinol

Title:		"Sulfated 17,20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one functions as a potent and specific olfactory stimulant with pheromonal actions in the goldfish"
Author(s):		Sorensen PW; Scott AP; Stacey NE; Bowdin L;
Address:		"Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA"
Journal Title:		Gen Comp Endocrinol
Year:		1995
Volume:		100
Issue:		1
Page Number:		128 - 142
DOI:		10.1006/gcen.1995.1141
ISSN/ISBN:		0016-6480 (Print) 0016-6480 (Linking)
Abstract:		"This study demonstrates that in addition to using the maturational steroid hormone 17,20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20 beta-P) as a potent sex pheromone, the goldfish uses its sulfated metabolite 17,20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one 20-sulfate (17,20 beta-P-20S). As measured by electro-olfactogram recording (EOG), the goldfish olfactory epithelium is extremely sensitive to both free and sulfated 17,20 beta-P (detection thresholds of approximately 10(-12) and 10(-11) M) but not to glucuronidated or phosphated 17,20 beta-P. Furthermore, both structure-activity and cross-adaptation studies using EOG indicated that 17,20 beta-P-20S and 17,20 beta-P are detected by different olfactory receptor sites, suggesting that these cues function as a distinguishable mixture. Finally, although the pheromonal activity of 17,20 beta-P-20S appears to be slightly less than that of 17,20 beta-P, it too stimulates gonadotropin release and sperm production in male goldfish. The precise function of 17,20 beta-P-20S remains somewhat enigmatic, however, because it does not appear to enhance the actions of 17,20 beta-P and is released by a different mechanism. In any case, our findings clearly establish that a fish olfactory system can detect particular conjugated steroidal compounds in a highly specific manner and that naturally released conjugated steroids can function as components of a pheromonal mixture"
Keywords:		"Animals Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Epithelial Cells Epithelium/drug effects/physiology Female Goldfish/*physiology Gonadotropins/metabolism Hydroxyprogesterones/metabolism/*pharmacology Male Olfactory Bulb/cytology/drug effects/physiology Olfactory;"
Notes:		"MedlineSorensen, P W Scott, A P Stacey, N E Bowdin, L eng Comparative Study Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 1995/10/01 Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1995 Oct; 100(1):128-42. doi: 10.1006/gcen.1995.1141"