Does the interrenal influence sex differentiation in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax?

Martins, Rute Sofia Tavares

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/11048

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Authors

Martins, Rute Sofia Tavares

Advisor(s)

Canário, Adelino

Abstract(s)

Sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax is one of the most important cultured species in Mediterranean aquaculture. This species remains sexually immature most of the first year of life, and at the time of marketing (2 years old), females are 18-40% heavier than males. However, in cultured populations, it is frequently reported skewed sex ratios in favour of males (reaching 70-99%), and thus, the acquisition of all-female stocks is an attractive option for sea bass aquaculture. The underlying hypothesis of this work is that in intensive culture, the sea bass interrenal tissue produces corticosteroids in response to stress, and together with them an excess of adrenal androgens shifting the normal androgen/ estrogen ratio and thus leading to gonadal masculinization. Thus, blocking cortisol production with an antagonist (Dexamethasone) during the androgen sensitive period would most likely decrease the androgen levels and thereby the sex ratios would be altered.