Pheromonal Activity of Prosolvin in Goldfish, Carassius auratus

Abstract Male goldfish, Carassius auratus, were exposed to non-ovulated females treated with Prosolvin (a prostaglandin analogue) at 1 μg/g body weight. The volume of milt that could be stripped from male goldfish increased significantly when fish were exposed to Prosolvin-treated females (P < 0.025). Increase in the milt was also significant (P < 0.05) when males were exposed to Prosolvin at concentrations as low as 2.3×10−8 M in water. Water samples collected from control, and experimental groups were extracted by Sep-Pak cartridge and subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Release of Prosolvin from injected females was detected at levels in the range of 10−9 M. The administration of Prosolvin to female goldfish did not result in secretion of other prostaglandins, but some part of Prosolvin was released in water, which acted as pheromones for male goldfish, and there was significant increase in the milt volume.