Laboratories working on fish sex control.
INSTITUTO DE ACUICULTURA DE TORRE DE LA SAL, SPANISH COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (IATS-CSIC)
Research Group: Group of Fish Reproductive Physiology (GFRP)
Scientific Interest: Gonad physiology; neuroendocrinology; photoperiod, pineal gland, melatonin
Description of Research: The aim of the GFRP is to improve knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate the fish reproductive process by: 1) development of in vitro and in vivo models to study the function of gonadotropins (GTH's) as key factors in gonad development and gametogenesis; 2) studies on the function of GnRH(s) and GTH(s) in sexual differentiation, puberty and the reproductive cycle; 3) understanding the role of environmental factors such as photoperiod and temperature on the control of puberty and the reproductive cycle; 4) generation of tools related to gene transfer in fish and their application to studies of gene function and evaluation for future biotechnological applications (gene therapy); 5) promotion of studies for identification and genetic analysis of molecular markers associated with traits of interest to aquaculture (sex ratio, precocity); 6) development of biotechnological tools for application in the control and manipulation of reproductive processes in farmed populations.
Lead Researcher(s): Silvia Zanuy (gametogenesis), Manuel Carrillo (environmental control), Ana Gomez (molecular biology), Alicia Felip (molecular markers)
Contact Details: Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal, Torre de la Sal S/N, 12595 Ribera de Cabanes, Castellon, Spain
Institute Website: http://www.iats.csic.es
HUJI
Research Group: Fish Reproduction
Scientific Interest: Neuroendocrinology
Description of Research: Research is focused on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which the hypothalamus regulates the pituitary to secrete gonadotropins. This includes the GnRH/GnRHR system, the dopamine/dopamine D2-R system and also more recently the kisspeptin/GPR54 systems. Work is also conducted on how physiological changes arise from changes in social status. Tilapia and zebrafish are used as models, as well as all the leading aquaculture species in Israel (sturgeon, carp, mullet, bass etc.). Techniques used range from cellular to molecular and biochemical.
Lead Researcher(s): Berta Levavi-Sivan
Contact details: Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot. 76100 Israel. Tel (office): +972 8 9489988; Tel (lab): +972 8 9489868; Fax: +972 8 9465763.
Website: HUJI
HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH, INSTITUTE OF AQUACULTURE
Research Group: Reproductive biology
Scientific Interest: Gamete physiology, gonad physiology, endocrinology
Description of research: The study of reproductive biology and endocrinology in finfish. The identification of reproductive dysfunctions occuring in male and female brood fish in captivity. The development of pharmacological methods for the control of reproduction, induction of spawning and improvement of sperm quality in commercially important cultured fish. A major application of this research is the development of controlled-release delivery systems (implants) for agonists of the neuropeptide gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRHa). Species of interest include the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), shi drum (umibrina cirrosa), dusky grouper (Epiniephelus marginatus), greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) and atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus).
Lead researcher(s): Constantinos C. MYLONAS
Contact details: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Aquaculture, Ex US Military Base of Gournes, PO Box 2214, Iraklion, Crete 71003.
Website: www.hcmr.gr
NATIONAL TAIWAN OCEAN UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF AQUACULTURE
Scientific Interest: Endocrine physiology, stress physiology and immunity, gamete physiology, gonad physiology
Description of research: The focus is on important marine aquaculture species, such as the black porgy and the grouper. Key research areas are: fish reproductive physiology, sex differentiation and sex change in fish, reproductive endocrinology and reproduction in coral, hormone regulation in fish, maturation mechanisms in fish, environmental physiology and immunity in fish, and the reproductive physiology of prawns.
Lead researcher(s): Ching Fong CHANG
Contact details: Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan 20224
Website: National Taiwan Ocean University
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY, DIVISION OF NATURAL SCIENCES
Research Group: Reproductive biology of fish, aquaculture
Scientific Interest: Neuroendocrinology
Description of research: Endocrine control of fish sexual behaviour, environmental influence on sexual behaviour, production of recombinant fish hormones for aquaculture.
Lead researcher(s): Makito KOBAYASHI
Contact details: International Christian University, Division of Natural Sciences, 3-19-2 Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8585 Japan.
Website: http://www.icu.ac.jp/liberalarts_e/natural_s.html
NATIONAL AGRONOMY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (INRA) - SCRIBE
Research Group: Fish Reproduction
Scientific interest: Gonad physiology
Description of Research: Research is directed towards: (a)improving understanding of the role and action of sex steroids during gonadal differentiation in different fish models (rainbow trout, sea bass, sea bream etc.); (b)Characterizing genes involved in sex determinism and differentiation, and the external factors regulating their expression.
Knowledge acquired will be applied to developing alternative methods for sex control in aquaculture.
Lead Researcher(s): Yann GUIGUEN, Alexis FOSTIER
Contact Details: INRA-SCRIBE, Campus Scientifique de Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes cedex.
Institute Website: http://w3.rennes.inra.fr/scribe
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