| Summary: | Fertility and embryo survival rates are often low in eggs from thermally challenged Tasmanian Atlantic salmon, partly due to a reduction in plasma 17beta-estradiol (E2) levels. We used juvenile Atlantic salmon to assess whether hepatic tissue remains responsive to stimulation by E2 at the higher temperatures sometimes encountered by Tasmanian salmon during summer. E2 administration stimulated vitellogenin (Vtg) and estrogen receptor alpha transcription at 14C and 22C, although induction of Vtg occurred more rapidly at 22C. Consequently, plasma Vtg levels increased and reached a plateau more quickly at 22C. Zona pellucida (Zp) B and C transcription was significantly lower in E2-treated fish at 22C relative to 14C. This shows that the Vtg gene is E2-responsive at high temperature unlike Zp B and C genes that displayed traits of thermal inhibition. Therefore, estrogen replacement therapy in adult salmon may offset some, but not all thermal inhibition of reproductive function.
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