Opposite-directional sex change in functional female protandrous anemonefish, Amphiprion clarkii: effect of aromatase inhibitor on the ovarian tissue

Abstract

Introduction: The anemonefish, Amphiprion clarkii, is a protandrous hermaphrodite. Under appropriate social conditions, male fish can become female. Previous studies indicated that estrogens are important regulators of sex change in this fish. However, the mechanism of sexual plasticity in the gonad of this fish is still unknown. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the sexual plasticity in the ovary of female anemonefish, an aromatase inhibitor (AI, 500 μg/g diet) was administered to the functional female fish for 80 days. Results: The levels of estradiol-17β (E2) in the fish treated with AI were significantly lower than those in the control group.