Masculinization of fighting fish, Betta splendens Regan, using synthetic or natural androgens

Abstract

Abstract. The effects of two synthetic androgens, 17α-methyltestosterone (5–50mg/kg food), 19-nor-ethynyltestosterone (2–50 mg/kg food) and two natural androgens, 11 ketotestosterone (10–60mg/kg food) and androstenedione (20–100mg/kg food) were investigated in the fighting fish, Betta splendens Regan. Androgens were administered for 40 days from the first day of feeding. Masculinization occurred in 100% of individuals fed 8, 15, 60, 90 mg/kg food 19–nor–ET, 17α–MT, 11–KT and AT respectively. Mortality due to treatment of natural steroids was significantly less than that with the synthetic steroids. Sex–reversed males were sexually functional and their genotype was identified by progeny testing. Sex-reversed males produced 100% female monosex when mated with normal females, indicating that the mechanism of sex determination in this fish is homogametic female and heterogametic male.