ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Key words: Adrenals
;
Morphology
;
Steroids
;
Gas chromatography
;
Mass spectrometry
;
Clarias gariepinus (Teleostei)
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract. Interrenal-like tissue in male African catfish is localized in paired organs, situated retroperitoneally anterior of the kidney. Histological and enzyme-histochemical (3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) reactions were carried out on sections of these organs in order to localize steroid-producing cells. In vitro incubations were carried out to determine the steroidogenic capacity of the interrenal-like tissue. Twenty-one steroids could be identified and quantified in the incubation medium, by means of gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry. Cortisol, 5α- and 5β-androstanedione and androstenedione together comprised about 80% of the total steroid content. In a previous study, twenty testicular steroids were detected in plasma after castration. In the present investigation we have shown that most of these steroids can be produced by the interrenal-like tissue, which thus can be considered as an extra-testicular source of gonadal steroids.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00318367
Permalink