Plasma and follicular tissue steroid levels in the elasmobranch fish, Torpedo marmorata

Steroid concentrations in plasma and follicular tissues (theca plus granulosa layers) were determined by radioimmunoassay in the aplacental viviparous ray, Torpedo marmorata, during various stages of the reproductive cycle. Steroids in the uterine fluid of pregnant animals and in preovulatory atretic follicles were also measured. In the follicular tissue of cyclic animals, levels of progesterone were always lower than those of estradiol-17 beta and androgens (testosterone plus 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone). Estradiol-17 beta and androgen levels increased as the animals approached the ultimate maturational stage before ovulation. Androgens were not detectable in plasma, while estradiol-17 beta increased dramatically before ovulation. In pregnant animals, only small ovarian follicles (less than 5 mm in diameter) were observed, and these had hormone concentrations that were similar to those of the small follicles of cyclic animals. Progesterone was the only steroid detected in the uterine fluid of pregnant animals. In completely sclerotic atretic follicles of pregnant animals, steroids were not detected. Progesterone was the main hormone in atretic follicles undergoing yolk resorption. This suggests that the latter may contribute to the elevated plasma progesterone concentrations of pregnant animals.