Effects of immersion of larvae in oestradiol-17β on feminization, structural changes of gonad and growth performance in the Far Eastern catfish Silurus asotus (Linnaeus)

Immersion of 1‐day‐old Silurus asotus (Linnaeus) larvae in 50, 100 or 200 μg L^?1 oestradiol‐17β for 15 days altered gonad differentiation and gonadal morphology. The survival of the group immersed at the highest dose (200 μg L^?1) was reduced significantly (86%), whereas survival of the groups immersed at the lower doses was as high as that of untreated controls (94%). The sex ratio of the untreated group was close to 1:1 (female–male); however, the incidence of females was significantly higher in groups immersed in doses of 50, 100 and 200 μg L^?1, i.e. 86%, 92% and 99.4%, respectively. Ovarian morphology of feminized individuals was different to that of the controls; the ovary was morphologically rather similar to testis although it contained fully matured oocytes. Morphological changes in genital organs were also noted in fish exposed to oestradiol‐17β the shape and size of genital papilla were intermediate between those of normal male and female. During a 4‐month growth trial after the exposure, the feminized fish showed significantly improved growth performance over normal genetic males (P < 0.05), although the growth was not equal to that of normal genetic females (P < 0.05).