hormonal production of all-female atlantic halibut (hippoglossus hippoglossus): the timing of sexual differentiation
Ch.I. Hendry, D.J. Martin-Robichaud, T.J. Benfey-1999
Bulletin of the Aquaculture Association of Canada,
99-4: 13-15
Summary:
The Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)
is a sexually dimorphic species in which females grow larger and mature
later than males, making monosex (all-female) culture economically
advantageous. Monosex populations can be produced by using hormones (sex
steroids) to direct sexual differentiation towards the desired sex.
Knowledge of the timing of sexual differentiation in fish is important in
the application of hormones for production of monosex populations. We
histologically determined that sexual differentiation in Atlantic halibut
has occurred by the time halibut reach 37 mm fork length, which coincides
with the weaned, post-metamorphic stage. Sexual differentiation is a gradual
process that coincides with other organogenesis in the developing larvae.
The results of these experiments are directly relevant to halibut
aquaculture in Canada.
(Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Biological
Station, 531 Brandy Cove Road, St. Andrews, NB, Canada E5B 2L9, e-mail: hendryc@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca)