Seasonal fluctuation in lipid and cholesterol content of ovary, liver and blood serum in relation to annual sexual cycle in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Abstract

Seasonal fluctuation in lipid content of ovary and liver and cholesterol content of ovary, liver and serum in relation to annual reproductive cycle in H. fossilis has been worked out. Reduction in lipid content of liver was associated with decrease in hepatosomatic index (HSI) in prespawning and spawning phases. But there was an obvious increase in the lipid level of ovary in the above phases which coincided with enhanced gonadosomatic index (GSI) records. Serum and ovary showed a subsidence in their cholesterol contents in prespawning followed by increased level during spawning period. Substraction in liver cholesterol started in prespawning and continued till spawning phase and thereafter regained upward trend. Lipid and cholesterol levels in all organs studied along with GSI and HSI returned to initial values by the end of postspawning stage. Administration of clomid, sexovid, PGE1 and PGF2 alpha for a week did not induce any change in HSI, GSI, lipid and cholesterol values of liver and serum. However, these drugs were effective in suppressing the ovarian cholesterol within a week. The above drugs seem to affect cholesterol level indirectly since they trigger gonadotrophin secretion which in turn probably accelerated cholesterol utilization in ovary for increased steroid hormone output.