FISH BREEDING AND

ENDOCRINOLOGY
SEX REVERSAL
MEMBERS
NAME REG NO

AISU RONALD 19/U/7868/PS

MATOVU TREVOR SIMON 16/U/6920/PS

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 OBJECTIVES
• To understand sex reversal meaning
• To understand types of sex reversal
• To know major hormones used
• To know the methods of hormone administration
• To understand the labial period of different fishes
• To know the advantages and dis-advantages of sex reversal in fish

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 INTRODUCTION
• Sex reversal is the manipulation of sex differentiation in fishes to
produce mono-sex populations.

• It’s either masculinization or feminization

• In most teleost fishes masculinization is desired

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 INTRODUCTION
• Process involves use of steroid hormones

• However, hormonal treatment does not alter the genotype of the fish
but directs the expression of the phenotype.

• As a result, phenotypic males can be genetically females and vice

versa

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 HORMONES USED IN SEX REVERSAL
Masculinization

• Androgens, induce male sex characteristics

• Performs two physiological actions namely;

Androgenic activity- promoting the development of male sex characteristics

Anabolic activity- stimulating protein biosynthesis and differentiation of cells

• Commonly used hormone;

• 17α-methyltestosterone hormone
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 MODE OF ACTION FOR
MASCULINIZATION
Androgenic activity
• Activating the androgen receptor cells for male sex characteristics

Inhibition of aromatase activity

• Through use of non-steroidal compounds that interfere with steroid
binding or metabolism

Blocking of estrogen binding sites is another approach to production of

males.

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 FEMINIZATION
• Conversion of functional males to females by use of estrogens

• Natural steroid estrogens include; estrone and 17β estradiol found in

the ovary

• Synthetic estrogens are; ethynyl-estradiol and diethylstilbestrol

• They are more effective due to their stability in the digestive tract and
liver
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 HORMONE ADMINISTRATION
METHODS
1. Dietary supplementation Disadvantages
• Hormone surfers degeneration in
the digestive tract
• It’s solubility varies with solvent
used
• Uniformity in feed distribution may
vary
• Size variation in targeted fish may
result into varying hormone uptake

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 HORMONE ADMINISTRATION
METHODS
2. Immersion technique
Disadvantages
• Advantages • Mainly used for embryos and
• Frequently used in cold water post-hatching stages.
species • Excessive treatment may result
• Cheaper into paradoxical sex reversal

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 HORMONE ADMINISTRATION
METHODS
3. Systemic transfer
a) Injection
Disadvantages
• Disadvantages
• Most laborious
• Requires less hormone
• Requires skilled personnel
• Ensures quick reversal
• May lead to injury and infection
into the fish
• Not feasible in fish larvae

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 HORMONE ADMINISTRATION
METHODS
3. Systemic transfer
b) Silastic implantation Disadvantages
• Advantages • Costly requiring skill for silastic
• Presumed to release uniform implantation.
quantity of the implanted • Can be used only for large fish
hormone. with a late onset of sexual
differentiation

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 BREEDING OF SEXUALLY REVERSED
FISH

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 LABILE PERIOD
Species Period

Teleost species
i. Just after hatching 10-40 days
ii. Late juvenile differentiation 150-500 days
Cichlids and cyprinodontids 10-30 days

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 SEX DETERMINATION IN FISH
• Monomorphism
No external characteristics to distinguish between sexes.

Dimorphism
Sex can be determined from the external body features.
Permanent and temporary

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 ADVANTAGES OF SEX REVERSAL IN
FISH
• Enhanced growth
• Prevents unwanted reproduction
• Eliminates precocious maturity in fishes
• Provides understanding of the mechanism of sex differentiation and
determination processes
• Provides scope for brood-stock development for all male or all female
populations

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 DISADVANTAGES OF SEX REVERSAL
IN FISH
• Genetic pollution due to escapees

• Its stressful process resulting in low survival

• The sex reversed fish have delayed sexual maturity.

• Reversed fish produce less eggs/sperm.

• Increased production costs

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 DISADVANTAGES OF SEX REVERSAL
IN FISH
• High dosage leads to sterility, paradoxical sex reversal and
growth suppression
• The residues of the administered steroids can be carcinogenic to
humans
• Environmental pollution due to intense hormone application

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 REFERENCES
• R.P., Phelps, & T.J., Popma. (2000). Sex reversal of tilapia. Pages 34–59
in B.A., Costa-Pierce & J.E., Rakocy, eds. Tilapia Aquaculture in the
Americas, Vol. 2. The World Aquaculture Society, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, United States.
• Varadaraj, K. and Pandian, T.J., 1989. First report on production of
supermale tilapia by integrating endocrine
sex reversal with gynogenetic technic. Curr. Sci., 58: 434-441.
• Yamamoto, T., 1958. Artificial induction of functional sex reversal in
genotypic females of the medaka (Oryziaslutipes). J. Exp. Zool., 137:
227-264.

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