An Assessment of Androgenic/Anti-androgenic Effects of GH Transgenic Carp by Hershberger Assay

Key words: 
• GH gene transgenic carp /
• Hershberger assay /
• Androgenic properties

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the androgenic and anti-androgenic effects of GH (growth hormone) transgenic carp in male rats.Methods Hershberger assay was carried out in castrated male SD rats aged 4-5 weeks.Testosterone propionate (TP) (0.4 mg/kg BW) was administrated for a positive control,GH transgenic carp (3.0 g/kg BW)+TP (0.4 mg/kg BW),parental carp (3.0 g/kg BW) + TP (0.4 mg/kg BW),and flutamide (Flu) (3.0 g/kg BW) were used for negative controls,and vehicle was administered orally for a blank control.All groups were administrated for 10 consecutive days.At the end of the test,animals were anesthetized,then weights of accessory sex organ were measured.Serum testosterone (T),luteinizing hormone (LH),and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels were detected.Results The weights ratios of the accessory sex organs and body weights showed no significant differences between the solvent control and the GH transgenic carp-treated groups.Serum concentrations of FSH,LH,and T of the rats treated with GH transgenic carp + TP showed no significant changes,compared with those treated with TP only.Conclusion GH transgenic carp does not have any androgenic agonist or antagonist properties in vivo screening tests.