« Previous AbstractSexually mature European eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) stimulate gonadal development of neighbouring males: possible involvement of chemical communication    Next AbstractPlant elicitor peptides are conserved signals regulating direct and indirect antiherbivore defense »

Gen Comp Endocrinol

Title:		Tilapia male urinary pheromone stimulates female reproductive axis
Author(s):		Huertas M; Almeida OG; Canario AV; Hubbard PC;
Address:		"Centro de Ciencias do Mar, CCMAR-CIMAR Laboratorio Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal. Centro de Ciencias do Mar, CCMAR-CIMAR Laboratorio Associado, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal. Electronic address: phubbard@ualg.pt"
Journal Title:		Gen Comp Endocrinol
Year:		2014
Volume:		20131207
Issue:
Page Number:		106 - 111
DOI:		10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.11.024
ISSN/ISBN:		1095-6840 (Electronic) 0016-6480 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Mozambique tilapia males congregate in leks where they establish dominance hierarchies and attract females to spawn in sandy pits. Dominant males store more urine than subordinates and the pattern of urination and the high sensitivity of females to male urine suggest chemical signalling via the urine. Here we show that pre-ovulated and post-spawn females when exposed to dominant male urine increased significantly, in less than 1h, the release rate of the maturation-inducing steroid 17,20beta-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one which is maintained elevated for at least 6h. This indicates a pheromonal role for male urine in the synchronisation of spawning. Furthermore, we show that the lack of affinity of 17,20betaP to sex steroid binding globulin explains, at least partly, its rapid release and lack of detection in the blood. Thus tilapia urine involvement in several communication processes confirms that cichlids have evolved a sophisticated chemical signalling system together with their complex visual, acoustic and behavioural displays"
Keywords:		"Animals Female Hydroxyprogesterones/*metabolism Male Ovulation/physiology Radioimmunoassay Reproduction/drug effects/*physiology Sex Attractants/*pharmacology/urine Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin/metabolism *Sexual Behavior, Animal Sexual Maturation/physiol;"
Notes:		"MedlineHuertas, Mar Almeida, Olinda G Canario, Adelino V M Hubbard, Peter C eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2013/12/11 Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2014 Jan 15; 196:106-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.11.024. Epub 2013 Dec 7"