Failure of antibody to carbohydrate-rich gonadotropin to inhibit rapid ovarian growth in landlocked Atlantic salmon.

The discovery of a carbohydrate-poor gonadotropin has resulted in a reassessment of the role of the classical, carbohydrate-rich gonadotropin (Con A II GtH) in teleost ovarian development. Prolonged treatment of landlocked Atlantic salmon with antibody to Con A II GtH failed to inhibit rapid ovarian growth or accumulation of triglyceride or vitellogenin derivative. Sera from antibody-treated fish showed substantial capacity to bind Con A II GtH indicating that antibody treatment successfully removed endogenous Con A II GtH from the circulation. These results are consistent with previous reports that a factor other than Con A II GtH is responsible for stimulating yolk accumulation.