Effect of dosage of orally administered 17α-methyltestosterone on sex reversion of the yellowtail tetra Astyanax lacustris (Lütken, 1875)

The females of yellowtail tetra (Astyanax lacustris), known as the freshwater sardine, are approximately 1.33 times larger than males, and thus, all-female monosex culture would increase production and reduce size variability. The present work aimed to identify the optimal dose of 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) to be used in the masculinization of A. lacustris for indirect sex reversal. Three different concentrations of MT (20, 40, and 60 mg/kg of feed in the diet) were fed to the fry for 30 days. Thirty adult individuals from each treatment, including the control (0 mg MT/kg), were evaluated for gonadal development, morphological and histological sexual identification, zootechnical performance, and the possible genotoxic effect caused by prolonged exposure to MT. MT significantly (P<0.01) affected the differentiation of the gonads, with the presence of possible inhibitory effects in all treatments. Intersex individuals were present in the 20 and 60 mg MT/kg treatments. All treatments were able to masculinize A. lacustris and the treatment with the lowest hormone concentration produced the highest percentage of males 76.7%, while the control had 46.7% males. The presence of erythrocyte nuclear alterations indicated a possible cytotoxic effect of MT in treatments 40 and 60 mg MT/kg, however, the use of the hormone did not affect the growth and the survival of the individuals. Thus, the use of MT is a viable option for obtaining neomales as a first step into the production of all-female progenies.(AU)

Evaluation of neomale Rhamdia quelen progeny growing at various stocking densities / Descendência de neomachos de Rhamdia quelen: avaliação do crescimento em diferentes densidades

Monosex female jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) generated through indirect sex reversal may have their growth influenced by the stocking density, which is an important factor for production in fish farming. Since zootechnical data from R. quelen offspring generated by crossbreeding between genotypic masculinized females (neomales) and normal females were never reported, the objective of this study was to compare the zootechnical indexes of neomale and normal male offspring stocked at densities of 500, 1,000 and 1,500 fish m-3 (D1, D2, and D3) for 61 days. The initial mean weight and length of the neomale and normal male offspring were 0.90 ± 0.12 g / 4.94 ± 0.22 cm and 0.80 ± 0.12 g / 4.60 ± 0.37 cm, respectively. A completely randomized experimental design with three replicates was used, with fish stocked in 0.07 m³ tanks. At the end of the experimental period, the data evaluated showed that there were no significant differences between progeny or among stocking densities in terms of survival, weight, weight gain, length, feed conversion or feed consumption. Therefore, neomale offspring presented adequate productive performance during the juvenile stage and tolerated increases in stocking density without performance loss, making the neomales suitable for R. quelen cultivation.

Lotes monossexo feminino de Rhamdia quelen podem ser gerados por inversão sexual indireta e seu crescimento é influenciado pela densidade de estocagem, a qual é um fator importante no seu desenvolvimento. O estudo teve por objetivo comparar o desempenho produtivo das descendências de neomachos e de machos normais estocados nas densidades de 500, 1000 e 1500 peixes m-3 (D1, D2 e D3), durante 61 dias, através da avaliação de índices zootécnicos. A média inicial de peso e comprimento das descendências de neomachos e machos normais, foi respectivamente, 0,90 ± 0,12 g / 4,94 ± 0,22 cm e 0,80 ± 0,12 g / 4,60 ± 0,37 cm. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso com três repetições, sendo os peixes estocados em tanques de 0,07 m³. Os valores finais de peso, comprimento e sobrevivência (média ± dp) foram os seguintes: Neomachos: D1 - 4,03 ± 0,50 g, 7,73 ± 0,20 cm, 98,10 ± 1,65%; D2 -: 4,08 ± 0,21 g, 7,80 ± 0,21 cm, 96,67 ± 0,82%; D3 - 4,74 ± 0,77 g, 8,18 ± 0,44 cm, 95,56 ± 3,34%; Machos: Dl - 3,67 ± 0,36 g, 7,58 ± 0,20 cm, 91,43 ± 2,86%; D2 - 3,96 ± 0,54 g, 7,86 ± 0,23 cm, 94,29 ± 3,78%; D3 - 4,23 ± 0,52 g, 8,05 ± 0,38 cm, 94,92 ± 3,85%. As diferentes descendências e densidades de estocagem testadas não apresentaram diferenças significativas para peso, ganho em peso, comprimento, sobrevivência, conversão alimentar e consumo de ração. Portanto, a descendência de neomachos apresentou desempenho produtivo adequado durante a fase de juvenis e suportou o aumento da densidade de estocagem sem prejuízos ao seu desempenho, tornando os neomachos adequados para o cultivo de jundiá.

Evaluation of neomale Rhamdia quelen progeny growing at various stocking densities / Descendência de neomachos de Rhamdia quelen: avaliação do crescimento em diferentes densidades

Monosex female jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) generated through indirect sex reversal may have their growth influenced by the stocking density, which is an important factor for production in fish farming. Since zootechnical data from R. quelen offspring generated by crossbreeding between genotypic masculinized females (neomales) and normal females were never reported, the objective of this study was to compare the zootechnical indexes of neomale and normal male offspring stocked at densities of 500, 1,000 and 1,500 fish m-3 (D1, D2, and D3) for 61 days. The initial mean weight and length of the neomale and normal male offspring were 0.90 ± 0.12 g / 4.94 ± 0.22 cm and 0.80 ± 0.12 g / 4.60 ± 0.37 cm, respectively. A completely randomized experimental design with three replicates was used, with fish stocked in 0.07 m³ tanks. At the end of the experimental period, the data evaluated showed that there were no significant differences between progeny or among stocking densities in terms of survival, weight, weight gain, length, feed conversion or feed consumption. Therefore, neomale offspring presented adequate productive performance during the juvenile stage and tolerated increases in stocking density without performance loss, making the neomales suitable for R. quelen cultivation.(AU)

Lotes monossexo feminino de Rhamdia quelen podem ser gerados por inversão sexual indireta e seu crescimento é influenciado pela densidade de estocagem, a qual é um fator importante no seu desenvolvimento. O estudo teve por objetivo comparar o desempenho produtivo das descendências de neomachos e de machos normais estocados nas densidades de 500, 1000 e 1500 peixes m-3 (D1, D2 e D3), durante 61 dias, através da avaliação de índices zootécnicos. A média inicial de peso e comprimento das descendências de neomachos e machos normais, foi respectivamente, 0,90 ± 0,12 g / 4,94 ± 0,22 cm e 0,80 ± 0,12 g / 4,60 ± 0,37 cm. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso com três repetições, sendo os peixes estocados em tanques de 0,07 m³. Os valores finais de peso, comprimento e sobrevivência (média ± dp) foram os seguintes: Neomachos: D1 - 4,03 ± 0,50 g, 7,73 ± 0,20 cm, 98,10 ± 1,65%; D2 -: 4,08 ± 0,21 g, 7,80 ± 0,21 cm, 96,67 ± 0,82%; D3 - 4,74 ± 0,77 g, 8,18 ± 0,44 cm, 95,56 ± 3,34%; Machos: Dl - 3,67 ± 0,36 g, 7,58 ± 0,20 cm, 91,43 ± 2,86%; D2 - 3,96 ± 0,54 g, 7,86 ± 0,23 cm, 94,29 ± 3,78%; D3 - 4,23 ± 0,52 g, 8,05 ± 0,38 cm, 94,92 ± 3,85%. As diferentes descendências e densidades de estocagem testadas não apresentaram diferenças significativas para peso, ganho em peso, comprimento, sobrevivência, conversão alimentar e consumo de ração. Portanto, a descendência de neomachos apresentou desempenho produtivo adequado durante a fase de juvenis e suportou o aumento da densidade de estocagem sem prejuízos ao seu desempenho, tornando os neomachos adequados para o cultivo de jundiá.(AU)

Identification of neomales in South American catfish Rhamdia quelen on the basis of the sex ratio in the progeny

In the present study, we aimed to identify masculinized genotypic females of Rhamdia Quelen on the basis of the sex ratio of the progeny. Masculinizing diets containing 3 levels of 17α-methyltestosterone (MT; 60, 90, or 120 mg kg-1) were administered to R. quelenfry. Thereafter, 5 phenotypic males from each MT treatment were crossed with normal females, and their progenies were sexed. At least 1 male from each treatment group generated progeny with a higher female:male ratio. These males, designated M60, M90, and M120, were crossed again with 3 other normal females to re-evaluate the sex ratio of the progeny. Moreover, a normal male was used as a control. Again, we found a higher female:male ratio in the progeny of M60, M90, and M120. The control male produced 2sets of balanced progeny and 1 with a lower female:maleratio. Although these breeders did not generate all- female progeny (79.75 ± 7.20% of females), our findingsindicate that M60, M90, and M120 can be considered masculinized genotypic females of R. quelen, suggesting the involvement of autosomal genes or polygenic interactions in sex determination.

Identification of neomales in South American catfish Rhamdia quelen on the basis of the sex ratio in the progeny

In the present study, we aimed to identify masculinized genotypic females of Rhamdia Quelen on the basis of the sex ratio of the progeny. Masculinizing diets containing 3 levels of 17α-methyltestosterone (MT; 60, 90, or 120 mg kg-1) were administered to R. quelenfry. Thereafter, 5 phenotypic males from each MT treatment were crossed with normal females, and their progenies were sexed. At least 1 male from each treatment group generated progeny with a higher female:male ratio. These males, designated M60, M90, and M120, were crossed again with 3 other normal females to re-evaluate the sex ratio of the progeny. Moreover, a normal male was used as a control. Again, we found a higher female:male ratio in the progeny of M60, M90, and M120. The control male produced 2sets of balanced progeny and 1 with a lower female:maleratio. Although these breeders did not generate all- female progeny (79.75 ± 7.20% of females), our findingsindicate that M60, M90, and M120 can be considered masculinized genotypic females of R. quelen, suggesting the involvement of autosomal genes or polygenic interactions in sex determination. (AU)

Inversão sexual em jundiá Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824): masculinização com 17-metiltestosterona e feminilização indireta

O cultivo monosexo feminino pode aumentar a produtividade do jundiá Rhamdia quelen, tendo em vista o maior crescimento das fêmeas e a maturação precoce dos machos desta espécie durante o ciclo de produção. Quando se pretende produzir um lote monosexo, a inversão sexual, de forma direta ou indireta, é uma ferramenta amplamente difundida na piscicultura. A inversão sexual em peixes pode ser induzida de forma direta através da administração de hormônios, porém o uso de esteroides evoca controvérsias relacionadas ao desenvolvimento dos peixes à saúde humana e aos possíveis danos ao meio ambiente. Por outro lado, progênies femininas podem ser geradas através da inversão sexual indireta, envolvendo inicialmente a masculinização das fêmeas genotípicas para originar reprodutores neomachos, que são capazes de gerar descendências femininas livres da adição exógena de hormônio ao serem cruzados com fêmeas normais (fêmeas fenotípicas e genotípicas). Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi aplicar a técnica de inversão sexual indireta em R. quelen, masculinizando inicialmente as fêmeas normais com 17-metiltestosterona (MT) por via oral para posterior identificação dos neomachos através das técnicas histológicas e realização de testes de progênie. Após o ensaio masculinizante verificou-se através de histologia que a administração oral de MT foi eficaz para masculinizar fêmeas normais de R. quelen. Com a realização dos testes de progênie foram identificados três neomachos, os quais estavam maduros a partir dos oito meses de vida e geraram progênies compostas, em média (± dp), por 80,06 ± 7,46% de fêmeas

Female monosex culture can improve the productivity of jundiá Rhamdia quelen due to the higher growth of females and early maturation of males during the production cycle. When the production of a monosex group of fish it is intended, direct or indirect sex reversal is a widespread tool used in fish farming. Although the sex reversal in fish is normally induced directly by the administration of hormones, the use of steroid evokes controversy regarding fish development, human health and potential damage to the environment. On the other hand, hormone-free female progeny can be generated by indirect sex reversal, which initially involves the masculinization of females to yield neomales breeders that are able to produce all-female offspring when crossed with normal females (phenotypic and genotypic female). Thus, the aim of this study was to apply the indirect sex reversal technique in R. quelen to obtain hormone-free female progeny through the masculinization of normal females with 17-methyltestosterone (MT) incorporated into feed and further identification of neomales by using histological techniques and progeny tests. In the masculinizing trial the administration of MT into feed was effective to induce masculinization in normal R. quelen females. The progeny tests identified three neomales, which were ripe at eight months and generated progeny composed, on average (± sd), by 80,06 ± 7,46% of females