Impairment of early ovarian growth in landlocked Atlantic salmon by an antibody to carbohydrate-rich gonadotropin.

The role of the carbohydrate-rich gonadotropin (Con AII GtH) in an early phase of ovarian growth in landlocked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was investigated by treating in vivo with an antibody to chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) Con AII GtH (anti-Con AII). Anti-Con AII treatment significantly inhibited ovarian growth but did not consistently lower serum levels of vitellogenin. This suggests that Con AII GtH is necessary for early ovarian growth and, has one or more functions in early ovarian growth in addition to stimulation, via estrogen, of vitellogenin production.