Hermaphroditism in fish, an opportunity in aquaculture

Abstract

Hermaphroditism is defined as a reproductive strategy involving male and female functions in the same individual. This may occur simultaneously or sequentially, and it is present in the major taxonomic divisions of plants and is common in several Metazoans. In fish, these sexual transitions occur due to growth, survival, and reproductive trade-offs, and it has been documented in more than 450 species. In aquaculture terms, managing sex-changing species is complicated because the timing and causes of sex change in hermaphrodite fish are poorly understood, complicating planned reproductive events and meeting production goals. However, applying biotechnological processes such as sex reversal utilizing steroids could represent an advantage in obtaining organisms of the “desired” sex to obtain gametes and, therefore, make the use of aquaculture facilities more efficient.