PITUITARY SOMATOTROPIC CELLS IN GOLDFISH (CARASSIUS-AURATUS-GIBELIO-BLOCH) TREATED WITH ESTRADIOL DIPROPIONATE, HCG AND LHRH

We studied somatotropic (STH) cells in sexually mature female goldfish in the period following spawing (September). The animals were divided into four groups and given i/p injections of hormones during 3-4 days : I. 0.1mg Oe II. 50 IU HCG; III. 0.01 mg LHRH; IV. 0. 1 mg physiologi cal saline solution. The doses were administered per 100 g body weight daily, and the animals were sacrificed 24 h after the first, second o r third injection of each substance. The results obtained showed that STH cells can be stimulated with oestradiol (Oe), gonadotropin (HCG), and gonadostimulin (LHRH), and that effect is probably always through steroidogenesis, i.e. oestradiol, directly or indirectly through LHRH or HCG.