Evidence of a high percentage of intersex in the Mediterranean swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.).
The first evidence of the presence of intersexuality in a wild population of Mediterranean swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.) is reported. Forty of 162 specimens (25%) macroscopically classified as males, showed the presence of female germ cells within the testes. In two specimens grouped previtellogenic oocytes were present; all the other specimens possessed single scattered previtellogenic oocytes. The presence of vitellogenin was demonstrated immunohistochemically in the liver of both intersex and normal males. These findings could be due to the exposure to oestrogen-mimicking substances.
De Metrio
G
G
Department of Animal Health and Welfare, University of Bari, S.P. per Casamassima km. 3, I-70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy. g.demetrio@veterinaria.uniba.it
Corriero
A
A
Desantis
S
S
Zubani
D
D
Cirillo
F
F
Deflorio
M
M
Bridges
C R
CR
Eicker
J
J
de la Serna
J M
JM
Megalofonou
P
P
Kime
D E
DE
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects; D004967:Estrogens; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes; D010473:Perciformes / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000002:abnormalities; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000032:analysis; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*
D004967:Estrogens; D014819:Vitellogenins; D014873:Water Pollutants