Stimulation of gonadal development by sexual interaction of pubertal African catfish, Clarias gariepinus.
Stimulation and inhibition of gonadal development by intersexual contact was studied in pubertal African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. The effect of a possible interaction was studied by evaluation after a 98-day experimental period of gonadal development in combinations of intact and anosmic males and females. In addition, separate groups of males and females, respectively, were exposed to holding water from these combinations. A tentative model of stimulation of gonadal development by intersexual contact in pubertal fish was developed. Males stimulate ovarian development of females by both olfactory and tactile cues. In addition, males seem to enhance gonadal development of other males through olfactory stimulation via holding water. In contrast, females tended to inhibit male gonadal development, especially through tactile cues. It seems that although males are hampered by female tactile stimuli in their gonadal development and ability to stimulate male gonadal development, their ability to stimulate female gonadal development is not affected.
van Weerd
J H
JH
Department of Fish Culture and Fisheries, Agricultural University Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Sukkel
M
M
Bongers
A B
AB
van der Does
H M
HM
Steynis
E
E
Richter
C J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002397:Catfishes / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000254:growth & development; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000254:growth & development; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000502:physiology*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology; D012931:Social Environment; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology
D012724:Sex Attractants