Control of gonadal maturation and sex in grouper

Abstract

Protogynous groupers, belonging to the subfamily Epinephelinae, are among the most crucial fishery targets in the Asian countries. Currently, several grouper species are cultured, providing seed for the aquaculture industry. However, cultivation grouper larvae are unstable. Thus, the improvement of aquaculture technology of grouper production is needed. Appropriate managing the reproduction and sex of the target parent fish is vital to enhance the efficiency of aquaculture. This paper reviews new technologies for induction of gonadal maturation and control of sex in groupers. The dynamics of androgen-producing cells, which are essential for a sex change, are also discussed.

Keywords

• Grouper
• Sex change
• Protogynous
• Gonadal maturation
• Androgen
• Estrogen