Effects of [d-Ala6, Pro9-NEt]-LHRH and catecholaminergic drugs on gonadotropin secretion and ovulation in the Chinese loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus)

The effects of [D-Ala6,Pro9-NEt]-LHRH (LHRH-A) alone and in combination with drugs which influence the actions of dopamine or the synthesis of catecholamines on gonadotropin (GtH) secretion and ovulation in the loach (Paramisgurnus dabryanus) were investigated. LHRH-A alone stimulated an increase in serum GtH levels in the loach, but was a relatively ineffective treatment for the induction of ovulation. Injection of the dopamine receptor antagonist pimozide caused a marked potentiation of the GtH-release response to LHRH-A, and combined injections of pimozide and LHRH-A were an effective treatment for the induction of ovulation. Reserpine, a drug which causes depletion of catecholamines from presynaptic terminals, also caused a marked potentiation of the GtH-release response to LHRH-A and combined treatment induced ovulation. Similarly, administration of alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine to block conversion of tyrosine to L-dopa, or carbidopa to block conversion of L-dopa to dopamine, potentiated the GtH-release response to LHRH-A and induced ovulation. In contrast, the use of diethyldithiocarbamate, to block conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, failed to augment the action of LHRH-A on GtH release and ovulation. The present results provide further evidence to suggest that dopamine functions as a gonadotropin release-inhibitory factor in teleosts, and demonstrate that the use of drugs which block either the synthesis or the actions of dopamine potentiates the action of LHRH-A in teleosts.