Gonadotropic hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) bioactivity in the brain of the immature rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri: the effect of testosterone.

The effect of exogenous testosterone on the synthesis and release of a bioactive gonadotropic hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH)-like substance has been studied in juvenile male rainbow trout. Long-term testosterone treatment caused an increased gonadotropic hormone (GTH) release and precocious sexual maturity. Tel- and diencephalon extracts from long-term testosterone-treated juvenile rainbow trout showed significantly higher GTH-releasing activity than extracts from control animals when injected in short-term testosterone-pretreated juvenile rainbow trout. It was concluded that long-term testosterone treatment caused an increased synthesis and release of GnRH-like material.