Circulating testosterone and inhibin levels at different ages in the male beluga (Delphinapterus leucas). 2012

Etsuko Katsumata, and Yoko Ueda, and Kazutoshi Arai, and Hiroshi Katsumata, and Miori Kishimoto, and Gen Watanabe, and Kazuyoshi Taya
International Marine Biological Research Institute, Kamogawa Sea World, Chiba 296–0041, Japan.

This study is the first report on circulating testosterone and inhibin levels in a species of whales, the beluga. Circulating testosterone and immunoreactive (ir-) inhibin levels in two captive male belugas ("Nack", originally from Canada and "Duke", from the Okhotsk Sea) were measured every month for 9 years between 1995 and 2003. Assuming that clearly increased testosterone levels in the circulation indicates that the belugas had reached sexual maturity, at the ages of 10 ("Nack") and 11 years old ("Duke"). Their testosterone levels before the significant increase (pre-pubertal) were 0.42 ± 0.07 ng/ml (n=18) and 0.35 ± 0.10 ng/ml (n=18) and, those of after the increase (maturity) were 1.65 ± 0.14 ng/m l (n=74) and 2.06 ± 0.14 ng/ml (n=74). Circulating ir-inhibin levels before sexual maturity were 0.78 ± 0.04 ng/ml (n=18) and 0.64 ± 0.04 ng/ml (n=15) and, after sexual maturity were 0.52 ± 0.02 ng/ml (n=56) and 0.43 ± 0.02 ng/ml (n=67). Seasonal changes were observed in the testosterone levels after sexual maturity and the levels increased during March and April in Canadian origin "Nack", and peaked in February in Okhotsk origin "Duke". Circulating ir-inhibin level gradually decreased as they aged. A negative correlation between the circulating testosterone and ir-inhibin was observed. No seasonal changes were observed in the ir-inhibin levels after sexual maturity. These data will surely correspond to clarification of endocrinology and the successful reproduction of the beluga.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007265 Inhibins Glycoproteins that inhibit pituitary FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE secretion. Inhibins are secreted by the Sertoli cells of the testes, the granulosa cells of the ovarian follicles, the placenta, and other tissues. Inhibins and ACTIVINS are modulators of FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE secretions; both groups belong to the TGF-beta superfamily, as the TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR BETA. Inhibins consist of a disulfide-linked heterodimer with a unique alpha linked to either a beta A or a beta B subunit to form inhibin A or inhibin B, respectively Female Inhibin,Inhibin,Inhibin-F,Inhibins, Female,Inhibins, Testicular,Ovarian Inhibin,Testicular Inhibin,Female Inhibins,Inhibin F,Inhibin, Female,Inhibin, Ovarian,Inhibin, Testicular,Testicular Inhibins
D008297 Male Males
D000375 Aging The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time. Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013739 Testosterone A potent androgenic steroid and major product secreted by the LEYDIG CELLS of the TESTIS. Its production is stimulated by LUTEINIZING HORMONE from the PITUITARY GLAND. In turn, testosterone exerts feedback control of the pituitary LH and FSH secretion. Depending on the tissues, testosterone can be further converted to DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE or ESTRADIOL. 17-beta-Hydroxy-4-Androsten-3-one,17-beta-Hydroxy-8 alpha-4-Androsten-3-one,8-Isotestosterone,AndroGel,Androderm,Andropatch,Androtop,Histerone,Sterotate,Sustanon,Testim,Testoderm,Testolin,Testopel,Testosterone Sulfate,17 beta Hydroxy 4 Androsten 3 one,17 beta Hydroxy 8 alpha 4 Androsten 3 one,8 Isotestosterone
D014907 Whales Large marine mammals of the order CETACEA. In the past, they were commercially valued for whale oil, for their flesh as human food and in ANIMAL FEED and FERTILIZERS, and for baleen. Today, there is a moratorium on most commercial whaling, as all species are either listed as endangered or threatened. Beaked Whales,Berardius,Caperea,Dwarf Sperm Whale,Giant Bottle-Nosed Whales,Goose-Beaked Whale,Gray Whale,Mesoplodon,Narwhals,Pygmy Right Whale,Pygmy Sperm Whale,Right Whale, North Atlantic,Right Whale, Southern,Ziphiidae,Ziphius,Eschrichtius robustus,Eubalaena australis,Grey Whale,Monodon monoceros,North Atlantic Right Whale,Beaked Whale,Bottle-Nosed Whale, Giant,Bottle-Nosed Whales, Giant,Dwarf Sperm Whales,Giant Bottle Nosed Whales,Giant Bottle-Nosed Whale,Goose Beaked Whale,Goose-Beaked Whales,Gray Whales,Grey Whales,Narwhal,Pygmy Right Whales,Pygmy Sperm Whales,Right Whale, Pygmy,Right Whales, Pygmy,Right Whales, Southern,Southern Right Whale,Southern Right Whales,Sperm Whale, Dwarf,Sperm Whale, Pygmy,Sperm Whales, Dwarf,Sperm Whales, Pygmy,Whale,Whale, Grey,Whale, Southern Right,Whales, Grey,Whales, Southern Right
D049628 Body Size The physical measurements of a body. Body Sizes,Size, Body,Sizes, Body

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