Primary Sex Reversal in Female <em>Betta splendens</em> following Treatments with Temperature and Trenbolone Acetate.

<p>Sex reversal in fish can occur as a result of disturbances in natural conditions or laboratory manipulations. Trenbolone Acetate (TBA), a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid used mainly in the cattle industry, was applied to female <em>Betta splendens</em>, a sexually dimorphic fish. Previously, females were analyzed for secondary sex characteristics after treatment with TBA, increased temperature, or a combination of both. This study focused on primary sex characteristics by histological examination. Gonads were surgically removed and prepared following basic histological techniques. Following H&E staining, sections were observed for signs of ovarian regression, as well as signs of testicular formation. The presence of TBA significantly reduced the size of the gonad and the number and size of vitellogenic oocytes, indicating a loss of ovarian function. Temperature had a synergistic effect on TBA, as more oocytes were atretic and interstitial tissue was more abundant, some with clear spermatocysts. Temperature alone had no significant effect.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Smith, Tracy S.

• fishery
• aquaculture
• Betta splendens
• trenbolone acetate
• sex reversal
• intersex
• Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology
• Life Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/982

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-2139