Correlation between plasma steroid hormones and vitellogenin profiles and lunar periodicity in the female golden rabbitfish, Siganus guttatus (Bloch)

Characteristics of the lunar reproductive cycle in the golden rabbitfish, Siganus guttatus, were determined by histological observations of ovarian development, and immunological measurements of plasma steroid hormones, estradiol-17beta (E2), testosterone (T), 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17alpha,20beta,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20beta-S), and vitellogenin (VTG). Ovarian and plasma samples were collected every week according to the lunar phases from May to July. Weekly change of gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed two peaks at the first lunar quarter in June and July. Yolky oocytes were also observed around this time. Histological observations revealed that the vitellogenic oocytes appeared again 1 week after spawning and developed synchronously. These results suggest that this species is a multiple spawner and the oocyte development is in a group-synchronous manner. Plasma steroid hormones (E2, T, DHP and 20beta-S) and VTG levels changed in parallel with changes in GSI. The peak of plasma VTG level occurred prior to spawning. These cyclic changes of plasma steroid hormones and VTG support the hypothesis that lunar periodicity is the major factor in stimulating reproductive activity of S. guttatus.

Structures of 3 beta-tetrahydropyranyloxy-5 alpha-cholesta-20(21),24-diene and 3 beta-tetrahydropyranyloxy-21-nor-5 alpha-ergost-24-en-20-one

3 beta-Tetrahydropyranyloxy-5 alpha-cholesta-20(21),24-diene: C32H52O2, Mr = 468.77, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 6.710 (4), b = 11.361 (4), c = 37.812 (11) A, V = 2882 (2) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.08 g cm-3, lambda(Cu K alpha) = 1.54178 A, mu = 4.60 cm-1, F(000) = 1040, T = 224 K, final R = 0.088 for 1729 unique observed reflections. 3 beta-Tetrahydropyranyloxy-21-nor-5 alpha-ergost- 24-en-20-one: C32H52O3, Mr = 484.77, triclinic, P1, a = 6.640 (2), b = 9.589 (2), c = 12.202 (3) A, alpha = 111.33 (2), beta = 101.22, gamma = 90.27 (2) degrees, V = 707.4 (3) A3, Z = 1, Dx = 1.14 g cm-3, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71069 A, mu = 0.8 cm-1, F(000) = 268, T = 225 K, final R = 0.058 for 2208 unique observed reflections. The configuration at C(17) of these synthetic sterol derivatives, which had been uncertain, is unambiguously established to be 'normal' (possessing a 17 alpha-H).

Inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis and growth of the trypanosomatid protozoan Crithidia fasciculata

Six nitrogen-, sulfur- and cyclopropane-containing derivatives of cholestanol were examined as inhibitors of growth and sterol biosynthesis in the trypanosomatid protozoan Crithidia fasciculata. The concentrations of inhibitors in the culture medium required for 50% inhibition of growth were 0.32 microM for 24-thia-5 alpha,20 xi-cholestan-3 beta-ol (2), 0.009 microM for 24-methyl-24-aza-5 alpha,20 xi-cholestan-3 beta-ol (3), 0.95 microM for (20,21),(24,-25)-bis-(methylene)-5 alpha,20 xi-cholestan-3 beta-ol (4), 0.13 microM for 22-aza-5 alpha,20 xi-cholestan-3 beta-ol (5), and 0.3 microM for 23-azacholestan-3-ol (7). 23-Thia-5 alpha-cholestan-3 beta-ol (6) had no effect on protozoan growth at concentrations as high as 20 microM. Ergosterol was the major sterol observed in untreated C. fasciculata, but significant amounts of ergost-7-en-3 beta-ol, ergosta-7,24(28)-dien-3 beta-ol, ergosta-5,7,22,24(28)-tetraen-e beta-ol, cholesta-8,24-dien-3 beta-ol, and, in an unusual finding, 14 alpha-methyl-cholesta-8,24-dien-3 beta-ol were also present. When C. fasciculata was cultured in the presence of compounds 2 and 3, ergosterol synthesis was suppressed, and the principal sterol observed was cholesta-5,7,24-trien-3 beta-ol, a sterol which is not observed in untreated cultures. The presence of this trienol strongly suggests that 2 and 3 specifically inhibit the S-adenosylmethionine:sterol C-24 methyltransferase but do not interfere with the normal enzymatic processing of the sterol nucleus. When C. fasciculata was cultured in the presence of compounds 5 and 7, the levels of ergosterol and ergost-7-en-3 beta-ol were suppressed, but the amounts of the presumed immediate precursors of these sterols, ergosta-5,7,22,24(28)-tetraen-3 beta-ol and ergosta-7,24-(28)-dien-3 beta-ol, respectively, were correspondingly increased. These findings suggest that 5 and 7 specifically inhibit the reduction of the delta 24(28) side chain double bond. When C. fasciculata was cultured in the presence of compound 4, ergosterol synthesis was suppressed, but the sterol distribution in these cells was complex and not easily interpreted. Compound 6 had no significant effect on sterol synthesis in C. fasciculata.

Synthesis of 24-heteroatom-substituted cholestanols

Short syntheses of 24-thia-5 alpha,20 xi-cholestan-3 beta-ol, 24-methyl-24-aza-5 alpha,20 xi-cholestan-3 beta-ol, and 24-nor-5 alpha,20 xi-cholan-3 beta-ol from 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one are described. The products and synthetic intermediates have been fully characterized by the results of proton NMR, infrared, and high and low resolution mass spectral studies.

Effects of sulfur-containing analogues of stearic acid on growth and fatty acid biosynthesis in the protozoan Crithidia fasciculata

A variety of analogues of stearic acid in which one of the methylene groups was replaced by a sulfur atom were examined as inhibitors of growth and fatty acid biosynthesis in the trypanosomatid protozoan Crithidia fasciculata. The 8-, 9-, 10-, and 11-thiastearic acids were found to suppress the synthesis of the cyclopropane-containing fatty acid dihydrosterculic acid (9,10-methyleneoctadecanoic acid) at micromolar concentrations in the growth medium, and all but the 9-thiastearate were found to inhibit the growth of the protozoa at concentrations. The most potent inhibitor, 8-thiastearic acid (I50 for growth = 0.8 microM; I50 dihydrosterculate synthesis = 0.4 microM), was also observed to inhibit the synthesis of gamma-linolenic acid at a similar concentration. The sulfoxide derivatives of the 9- and 10-thiastearates were found to have little effect on growth or fatty acid synthesis, and several long-chain amides of 3-amino-1,2-propanediol were found to have effects similar to those of the fatty acids from which they were derived.