There is a link between metabolism and reproduction as metabolic hormones affect hypothalamus-pituitary-testis (HPT) hormonal functions and vice versa. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of negative energy balance on the reproductive system in male goldfish exposed to testosterone (T) and 17β-estradiol (E2). Following 7 days of food deprivation (FD), ANOVA models showed significant FD × sex steroid interactions on sperm quality and circulating sex steroid levels. When FD effects were investigated, 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) level and sperm motility and velocity decreased in food-deprived goldfish in the control group. In E2-exposed goldfish, FD decreased sperm production in addition to sperm motility and velocity that coincided with an elevation of circulating E2 level. However, FD did not significantly impact sex steroids and sperm quality in T-exposed goldfish. ANOVA models showed non-significant FD × sex steroid interactions for HSI, GSI, circulating luteinizing hormone (Lh) level, and metabolic (preproghrelin, goat and nucb2) and reproductive (kiss1, gpr54 and gnrh3) mRNAs. Furthermore, results showed that FD decreased HSI, and increased Lh levels and testicular preproghrelin and goat mRNAs, while sex steroids increased mid-brain nucb2, kiss1 and gpr54 mRNAs. Together, our results suggest that FD-induced inhibition of androgenesis resulted in diminished sperm quality associated with activation of the testicular ghrelinergic system, and negative feedback of 11-KT increased Lh level. The FD-induced testicular metabolic and hormonal system was impacted in goldfish exposed to sex steroids. However, the negative effects of FD on sperm quality were accelerated in E2-exposed goldfish due to estrogenic activity. This study provides novel information to better understand metabolic-associated reproductive disorders in fish.

Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences Western College of Veterinary Medicine University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Saskatchewan S7N 5B4 Canada

Faculty of Animal Science University of Agriculture in Kraków Kraków Poland

Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization Tehran Iran

Research Unit Animal and Functionalities of Animal Products INRA University of Lorraine Vandoeuvre lès Nancy France

School of Biology College of Science University of Tehran Tehran Iran

School of Fisheries Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL 36849 USA

South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice Vodňany Czech Republic

Toxicology Centre Western College of Veterinary Medicine University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Saskatchewan S7N 5B3 Canada

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