Efficacy of estradiol in feminising the eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki: advance towards developing a genetic control option
N. H. Norazmi-Lokman A B , G. J. Purser A and J. G. Patil
A C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies – Taroona, University of Tasmania, private Bag 49, Hobart, Tas., Australia.
B Faculty of Fisheries and Food Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
C Inland Fisheries Service, 17 Back River Road, New Norfolk, Tas. 7140, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: jawahar.patil@utas.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 72(11) 1657-1666 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF21104
Submitted: 13 April 2021 Accepted: 9 July 2021 Published: 27 July 2021
Abstract
As a first step towards developing genetic option to control pest populations of Gambusia holbrooki, this study investigated the efficacy of oestradiol (E2) to feminise the species. The oestrogen was administered orally via food to neonates (Experiment 1) or embryos through gravid females (Experiment 2) at dosage between 50 and 400 mg kg–1 of feed. Two control groups consisted of (C1) normal feed and (C2) feed mixed with 70% ethanol. In Experiment 1, 100% feminisation was observed at all E2 concentrations except at 400 mg kg–1 where no treated individuals survived. There was a significantly (P < 0.05) lower mean survival rate (MSR) of all E2-treated juveniles than of controls (C1: 71.73 ± 22.86%; C2: 70.02 ± 18.26%), with 50 mg kg–1 showing the best MSR (66.38 ± 12.34%). In Experiment 2, 100% feminisation was achieved at E2 concentrations of 200–400 mg kg–1 food, with the best MSR (59.33 ± 12.54%) at 200 mg kg–1 concentration, which was, however, significantly lower than in control groups (C1: 79.96 ± 20.33%; C2: 77.09 ± 10.32%). The reproductive output and gestation period of gravid females were not affected by E2 exposure. The outcomes provide a framework for reliable sex reversal (feminisation) in this fish, paving way for developing genetic strategies to manage and eradicate this pest fish.
Keywords: neonate, invasive fish, livebearer, endocrine disrupting compound, sex reversal.
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