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The Administration of Cortisol Induces Female-to-Male Sex Change in the Protogynous Orange-Spotted Grouper, Epinephelus coioides.
- Source :
- Frontiers in Endocrinology; 1/31/2020, p1-15, 15p
- Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- In this study, we injected cortisol into the protogynous orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) to investigate the role of this hormone in sex change. Following injection, we evaluated gonadal changes, serum levels of steroid hormones, and sex-related gene expression during the processes of cortisol-induced sex change and cortisol withdrawal in the orange-spotted grouper. Cortisol treatment caused the degeneration of oocytes and induced sex change in a dose-dependent manner. Over the long-term, we observed a significant increase in serum 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) levels in all cortisol-treated groups, although levels of 17β-estradiol did not change significantly. Consistent with the elevation of serum 11-KT levels, the expression of genes related to testicular development was also significantly up-regulated in the cortisol-treated groups. Based on our results, we propose that cortisol may trigger masculinization by inducing the synthesis of 11-KT and by directly activating the expression of sex-related genes. Furthermore, we found that cortisol-induced sex change was not permanent and could be reversed after the withdrawal of cortisol treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- SEX change in animals
EPINEPHELUS
HYDROCORTISONE
GROUPERS
SEX hormones
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 16642392
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Frontiers in Endocrinology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 141493881
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.00012