Evidence That the Inhibitory Effects of Stress on Reproduction in Teleost Fish Are Not Mediated by the Action of Cortisol on Ovarian Steroidogenesis

Ovarian follicles of goldfish, common carp, and the sparid Pagrus auratus (New Zealand snapper) were incubated in vitro to assess the effects of cortisol (F) on ovarian steroidogenesis. Unstimulated goldfish follicles produced little testosterone (T) or 17 beta-estradiol (E2), whereas both carp and snapper follicles spontaneously produced E2 and to a lesser extent T. Goldfish follicles produced increased amounts of E2 in response to treatment …