Abstract
Hermaphroditism is not uncommon among the lower vertebrates, especially in teleosts which exhibit the most diversified expressions of sex, with all types of intersexuality and hermaphroditism (Atz, 1964). Natural sex reversal is generally referred to as hermaphroditism functional in time, i.e. an organism functions both as female and as male in its life history, but at any one time it would function only as one sex. An intersexual stage invariably occurs during transformation and is always transitional (Chan, 1970). In view of the fact that in many protogynous forms (including Monopterus) the presumptive male germ cells pre-exist before the onset of change, natural sex reversal, or sex inversion (Reinboth, 1970), is in reality a natural biological process of sequential maturation of the female and male gonadal sex in succession, relating to the gonadal ontogeny and life history (Chan, 1970; Chan et al., 1972).
Supported by a Research Grand on Sex Determination from the Nuffield Foundation, London
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Atz, J.W.: Intersexuality in fishes. In: Intersexuality in Vertebrates Including Man (eds. C.N. Armstrong and A.J. Marshall), pp. 145–232. London-New York: Academic Press 1964.
Ball, J.N.: Reproduction in female bony fishes. Symp. Zool. Soc. London, 1, 105–135 (1960).
Bara, G.: Histochemical localization of Δ5–3β-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase in the ovaries of a teleost fish, Scomber scomber L. Gen. Comp. Endocr. 5, 284–296 (1965).
Bara, G.: Histochemical demonstration of 3β-, 3α-, 11β-, and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in the testis of Fundulus heteroclitus. Gen. Comp. Endocr. 17, 189–200 (1969).
Barr, W.A.: Patterns of ovarian activity. In: Perspective in Endocrinology (eds. E.J.W. Barrington and C. Barker Jørgensen), pp. 164–238. London: Academic Press 1968.
Burns, R.K.: Role of hormones in the differentiation of sex. In: Sex and Internal Secretion (ed. W.C. Young), Vol. 1, pp. 76–158. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins 1961.
Burzawa-Gerard, E.: Purification d’une hormone gonadotrope hypophysaire de poisson téléostéen la carpe (Cyprinus carpio L.). Biochem. 53, 545–552 (1971).
Chan, S.T.H.: Natural sex reversal in vertebrates. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B. 259, 59–71 (1970).
Chan, S.T.H., O, Wai-sum, Hui, W.B.: The interrenal gland and the ACTH and prolactin cells in the adenohypophysis of Monopterus and their roles in osmoregulation. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. (1975, in press).
Chan, S.T.H., O, Wai-sum, Tang, F., Lofts, B.: Biopsy studies on the natural sex reversal in Monopterus albus (Posces: Teleostei). J. Zool. Lond. 167, 415–421 (1972a).
Chan, S.T.H., Phillips, J.G.: The structure of the gonad during natural sex reversal in Monopterus albus (Pisces: Teleostei). J. Zool. Lond. 151, 129–141 (1967a).
Chan, S.T.H., Phillips, J.G.: Seasonal changes in the distribution of gonadal lipids and spermatogenetic tissue in the male phase of Monopterus albus (Pisces: Teleostei). J. Zool. Lond. 152, 31–41 (1967b).
Chan, S.T.H., Phillips, J.G.: The biosynthesis of steroids by the gonads of the ricefield eel Monopterus albus at various phases during natural sex reversal. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 12, 619–636 (1969).
Chan, S.T.H., Tang, F., Lofts, B.: The role of sex steroids on natural sex reversal in Monopterus albus. Excerpta Medica Intl. Congr. 256, 348 (1972b).
Chan, S.T.H., Wright, A., Phillips, J.G.: The atretic structures in the gonad of the ricefield eel (Monopterus albus), J. Zool. Lond. 153, 527–539 (1967).
Channing, C.P., Licht, P., Papkoff, H., Donaldson, E.M.: Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 22, 137–145 (1974).
Chieffi, G.: Sex differentiation and experimental sex reversal in elasmobranch fishes. Arch. Anat. Microsc. Morph, esp. (suppl.) 48, 21–36 (1959).
Christiansen, P.: Studies in the rat ovarian augmentation method for follicle stimulating hormone. Acta Endocrinol. 70, 636–652 (1972).
Colombo, L., del Conte, E., Clemenze, P.: Steroid biosynthesis in vitro by the gonad of Sparus auratus L. (Teleostei) at different stages during natural sex reversal. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 19, 26–36 (1972).
D’Ancona, U.: Ermafroditismo ed intersessualitá nei Teleostei. Experientia 5, 381–391 (1949).
Deth, J.H.M.G. van, van Limborgh, J., van Faassen, F.: Le rôle de l’hypophyse dans la détermination du sexe de l’oiseau. Acta Morphol. Neerl.-Scandinav. 1, 70–80 (1956).
Dodd, J.M.: Gonadal and gonadotrophic hormones in lower vertebrates. In: Marshall’s Physiology of Reproduction. Vol. 1, pp. 417–582 (ed. A.S. Parkes). London: Longmans, Green & Co. 1960.
Donaldson, E.M., Yamazaki, F., Dye, H.M., Philleo, W.W.: Preparation of gonadotropin from salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawythscha) pituitary glands. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 18, 469–481 (1972).
Exley, D.: Ultramicrodetermination of plasma testosterone by electron-capture detection of testosterone diheptaflurobutyrate. Biochem. J. 107, 285–292 (1968).
Faiman, C., Winter, J.S.D.: Sex differences in gonadotrophin concentrations in infancy. Nature (Lond.) 232, 130–131 (1971).
Fevold, H.L., Hisaw, F.L., Leonard, S.L.: The gonad stimulating and the luteinizing hormones of the anterior lobe of the hypophysis. Amer. J. Physiol. 97, 291–301 (1931).
Fishelson, L.: Protogynous sex reversal in the fish Anthias squamipinnis regulated by the presence of absence of a male fish. Nature (Lond.) 227, 90–91 (1970).
Foote, W.D., Thibault, C.: Recherches expérimentales sur la maturation in vitro des oocytes de trine et de veau. Ann. Biol. anim. Biochim. Biophys. 9, 329–349 (1969).
Gabrilove, J.L.: Hanh In: Methods in Investigative and Diagnostic Endocrinology (eds. S.A. Berson and R.S. Yalow), Vol. 2A, pp. 541–546. Amsterdam: N. Holland Publishing Co. 1973.
Gottfried, H.: The occurrence and biological significance of steroids in lower vertebrates. Steroid 3, 219–242 (1964).
Greep, R.O.: Nature, role and control of the gonadotropins. J. Reprod. Fert., Suppl. 18, 1–13 (1970).
Harrington, R.W., Jr.: How ecological and genetic factors interact to determine when self-fertilizing hermaphrodites of Rivulus marmoratus change into secondary males, with a reappraisal of the mode of intersexuality among fishes. Copeia 1971, 389–432.
Harris, G.W.: Hormonal differentiation of the developing central nervous system with respect to patterns of endocrine function. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lond. B. 259, 165–177 (1970).
Johnson, D.C.: Sexual differentiation of gonadotrophin patterns. Amer. Zool. 12, 197–205 (1972).
Jost, A.: Hormonal factors in the sex differentiation of the mammalian foetus. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lond. B. 259, 119–130 (1970).
Kallman, K.D., Schreibman, M.P.: A sex-linked gene controlling gonadotrop differentiation in determining the age of sex maturation and size of the platyfish, Xiphophorus maculatus. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 21, 287–304 (1973).
Knowles, F., Vollrath, L.: II. The structure and innvervation of the pars distalis at different stages of the life-cycle. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lond. B. 250, 329–342 (1966a).
Knowles, F., Vollrath, L.: Changes in the pituitary of the migrating European eel during its journey from rivers to the sea. Z. Zell-forsch. 75, 317–327 (1966b).
Lambert, J.G.D.: The ovary of the guppy, Poecilia reticulata. The granulosa cells as sites of steroid biosynthesis. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 15, 464–476 (1970).
Leatherland, J.F.: Histophysiology and innervation of the pituitary gland of the goldfish, Carassius auratus L. Can. J. Zool. 50, 835–844 (1972).
Li, C.H.: Hormonal Proteins and Peptides. New York-London: Academic Press 1973.
Lofts, B.: Patterns of testicular activity. In: Perspectives in Endocrinology (eds. E.J.W. Barrington and C. Barker Jørgensen), pp. 239–304. New York-London: Academic Press 1968.
Lupo Di Prisco, C., Chieffi, G.: Identification of steroid hormones in the gonadal extract of the synchronous hermaphrodite teleost, Serranus seriba. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 5, Abstr. no. 71 (1965).
Matty, A.J., Matty, J.M.: A histochemical investigation of the pituitary glands of some teleost fish. Quart. J. Microscop. Sci. 100, 257–267 (1959).
O, Wai-sum: A study on the relationship of the pituitary gland and natural sex reversal in Monopterus albus. Thesis, University of Hong Kong, 1973.
O, Wai-sum, Chan, S.T.H.: A cytological study on the structure of the pituitary gland of Monopterus albus. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 24, 208–222 (1974a).
O, Wai-sum, Chan, S.T.H.: A study on the thyroid gland and the TSH-cells in the pituitary of the ricefield eel, Monopterus albus. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 24, 99–112 (1974b).
O, Wai-sum, Chan, S.T.H.: Some aspects of the cytophysiology of the gonadotropic cells in the adenohypophysis of Monopterus albus. (1974c, in prep.).
Olivereau, M.: Cytophysiologie du lobe distal de l’hypophyse des Agnathes et des Poissons, à l’exclusion de celle concernant la fonction gonadotrope. In: Cytologie de l’adenohypophyse (eds. J. Benoit and C. DaLage), pp. 315–329. Paris: C.N.R.S. 1963.
Olivereau, M.: Observations sur l’hypophyse de l’Anguille femelle, en particulier lors de la maturation sexuelle. Z. Zellforsch. 80, 286–306 (1967).
Olivereau, M., Herlant, M.: Etude de l’hypophyse de l’Anguille mâle au cours de la reproduction. C.R. Seanc. Soc. Biol. 154, 706 (1960).
Olivereau, M., Ridgeway, G.J.: Cytologie hypophysaire et antigen sérique en relation avec la maturation sexuelle chez Oncorhynchus species. C.R.Seanc. Soc. Biol. 254, 753–755 (1962).
Otsuka, S.: On the extraction and bioassay of the follicle stimulating and luteinizing substances of the salmon. Endocrinol. Japan. 3, 272–277 (1956).
Overbeeke, A.P. van, McBride, J.R.: The pituitary gland of the sockeye (Onoorhynehus nerka) during sexual maturation and spawning. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 24, 1791–1810 (1967).
Öztan, N.: The fine structure of the adenohypophysis of Zoaroes viviparus L. Z. Zeilforsch. 69, 699–718 (1966).
Parlow, A.F.: Bioassay of pituitary luteinizing hormone by depletion of ovarian ascorbic acid. In: Human Pituitary Gonadotrophins (ed. A. Albert, C. Charles), pp. 300–310. Springfield/Ill.: Charles C. Thomas 1961.
Pickford, G.E., Atz, J.W.: The Physiology of the Pituitary Gland of Fishes. New York: N.Y. Zool. Soc. 1957.
Puckett, W.O.: Some effects of crystalline sex hormones on differentiation of the gonads of an undifferentiated race of Rana eatesbiana tadpoles. J. exp. Zool. 84, 39–51 (1940).
Reinboth, R.: Morphologische und funktionelle Zweigeschlechtlichkeit bei marinen Teleostiern (Serranidae, Sparidae, Centracanthidae, Labridae). Zool. Jb. (Physiol.) 69, 405–480 (1962a).
Reinboth, R.: The effects of testosterone on female Coris julis (L.), a wrasse with spontaneous sex-inversion. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 2, abstr. no. 39 (1962b).
Reinboth, R.: Experimentall induzierter Geschlechtswechsel bei Fischen. Verh. Dt. zool. Ges. München, pp. 67–73 (1963a).
Reinboth, R.: Natürlicher Geschlechtswechsel bei Sacura margaritaoea (Hilgendorf) (Serranidae). Annotnes zool. jap. 36, 173–178 (1963b).
Reinboth, R.: Intersexuality in fishes. Mem. Soc. Endocr. 18, 515–544 (1970).
Reinboth, R.: Hormonal control of the teleost ovary. Amer. Zool. 12, 307–324 (1972).
Reinboth, R.: Studies on gonadal steroid metabolism in ambisexual fish. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 22, 342 (abstract) (1974).
Reinboth, R., Callard, I.P., Leathern, J.H.: In vitro steroid synthesis by the ovaries of the teleost fish, Centropristes stviatus (L.). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 7, 326–328 (1966).
Robertson, D.R.: Social control of sex reversal in a coral-reef fish. Science 177, 1007–1009 (1972).
Rosemberg, E.: Gonadotropins 1968. Los Altos: Geron-X. 1968.
Sage, M., Bromage, N.R.: The activity of the pituitary cells of the teleost Poecilia during the gestation cycle and the control of the gonadotrophic cells. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 14, 127–136 (1970).
Saxena, B.B., Rathman, P.: Purification and properties of human pituitary FSH. In: Gonadotropins (ed. E. Rosemberg), pp. 3–12. Los Altos: Geron-X 1968.
Stanley, H., Chieffi, G., Botte, V.: Histological and histochemical observations on the testis of Gobius paganellus. Z. Zeilforsch. 65, 350–362 (1965).
Steelman, S.L., Donley, F.M.: Assay of the follicle stimulating hormone based on the augmentation with human chorionic gonadotropin. Endocrinology 53, 604–616 (1953).
Sundararaj, B.I., Anad, T.C., Donaldson, E.M.: Effects of partially purified salmon pituitary gonadotrophin on ovarian maintenance, ovulation and vitellogenesis in hypophysectomized catfish, Hetevopneustes fossilis (Bloch). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 18, 102–114 (1972).
Sundararaj, B.I., Nayyar, S.K., Anad, T.C., Donaldson, E.M.: Effects of salmon pituitary gonadotropin, ovine-luteinizing hormone and testosterone on the testes and seminal vesicles of hypophysectomized catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 17, 73–82 (1971).
Sundararaj, B.I., Nayyar, S.K., Anad, T.C., Donaldson, E.M.: Effects of partially purified salmon pituitary gonadotrophin on re-initiation of spermatogenesis in the long-term hypophysectomized catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. J. Reprod. Fert. 27, 292–293 (1972).
Tang, F., Lofts, B., Chan, S.T.H.: Δ5–3 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the ovary of the ricefield eel, Monopterus albus. Experientia 30, 316 (1974a).
Tang, F., Lofts, B., Chan, S.T.H.: A study on the 3β- and 17β-hydroxy- steroid dehydrogenase activities in the gonads of Monopterus albus at various sexual phases during natural sex reversal. J. Zool. (1974b, in press).
Tang, F., Chan, S.T.H., Lofts, B.: The effect of steroid hormones on the process of natural sex reversal in the ricefield eel, Monopterus albus. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 24, 227–241 (1974c).
Tang, F., Chan, S.T.H., Lofts, B.: The effect of mammalian LH on the natural sex reversal of the ricefield eel, Monopterus albus. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 24, 242–248 (1974d).
Tanner, J.M.: Puberty. In: Advances in Reproductive Physiology (ed. A. McLaren), Vol. II, pp. 311–347. London: Academic Press 1967.
Wiebe, J.P.: Inhibition of pituitary gonadotropic activity in the viviparous sea perch, Cymatogaster aggregata Gibbons, by dithiocarb-amoylhydrazine derivative (I.C.I. 33,828). Can. J. Zool. 46, 751–758 (1969).
Witschi, E.: The inductor theory of sex differentiation. J. Fac. Sci. Hokkaido Univ. 13 (5), 428–439 (1957).
Yamamoto, T.: Artificial induction of functional sex reversal in genotypic females of the medaka (Oryzias latipes). J. exp. Zool. 137, 227–262 (1958).
Yamazaki, F.: The gonadotropin of fishes. Bull. Jap. Soc. Sci. Fish 35, 695–709 (1969).
Yamazaki, F., Donaldson, E.M.: The spermiation of goldfish (Carassius auratus) as a bioassay for salmon (Oneorhynchus tsohawytscha) gonadotropin. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 10, 383–391 (1968a).
Yamazaki, F., Donaldson, E.M.: The effect of partially purified salmon pituitary gonadotropins on spermatogenesis, vitellogenesis, and ovulation in hypophysectomized goldfish (Carassius auratus). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 11, 292–299 (1968b).
Yamazaki, F., Donaldson, E.M.: Involvement of gonadotrophin and steroid hormones in the spermiation of the goldfish (Carassius auratus). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 12, 491–497 (1969).
Yaron, Z.: Demonstration of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the testis of Tilapia mossambica. J. Endocrinol. 34, 127–128 (1966).
Yaron, Z.: Observation on the granulosa cells of Acanthobrama terraesanctae and Tilapia nilotica (Teleostei). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 17, 247–252 (1971).
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1975 Springer-Verlag Berlin · Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Chan, S.T.H., O, Ws., Hui, S.W.B. (1975). The Gonadal and Adenohypophysial Functions of Natural Sex Reversal. In: Reinboth, R. (eds) Intersexuality in the Animal Kingdom. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66069-6_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66069-6_20
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-66071-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-66069-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive