Effect of sex steroids on pituitary and serum prolactin level in ovariectomized catfish, Clarias batrachus.

In bilaterally ovariectomized specimens of Clarias batrachus effects of 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone propionate (TP) treatment on prolactin content of the pituitary gland and blood serum were investigated. Once daily injection of- beta estradiol (100 microgram/fish augmented the release of prolactin without altering its synthesis. Higher dose of this steroid (150 microgram/fish) significantly accelerated the synthesis and release of prolactin. Similar treatment with TP was uneffective in ovariectomized C. batrachus. It was evident from the data that 17 beta-estradiol is one of the effective regulators of prolactin secretion in female C. batrachus.