Changes in brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone, plasma estradiol 17-beta, and progesterone during the final reproductive cycle of the female sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus

Abstract

Changes in ovarian morphology, brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), plasma estradiol, and progesterone were examined during the 1988 and 1989 spawning migrations of the adult female sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus. There were significant increases through time in brain GnRH (1989) and plasma estradiol (1988 and 1989), with progesterone levels fluctuating (1988 and 1989) during the freshwater phase of the spawning migrations. In 1989, brain GnRH and plasma estradiol levels gradually increased through time until just prior to spawning when levels decreased. During 1988, there were no significant changes in GnRH, which may reflect lower temperatures in that year. These data provide new information on brain GnRH during the final maturational processes in the female sea lamprey.