Molecular mechanisms of sex determination and gonadal sex differentiation in fish

We have used various genetic and molecular approaches to investigate the mechanisms of sex determination and gonadal sex differentiation in fish. DMY was identified as the sex-determining gene of medaka. In tilapia, endogenous estrogens act as natural inducers of ovarian differentiation, while DMRT1 may be important for testicular differentiation. The roles of these regulators in sex determination and gonadal sex differentiation were ascertained using a gene or hormonal blockade strategy.