Molecular mechanism of sex change in the protogynous fish

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Sex change in fishes provides a good model for studying sex determination, differentiation and sexual plasticity in vertebrates. In the present study, we examined cellular and molecular process of sex change in the protogynous wrasse focusing on gsdf in order to understand the mechanism of sex change. Pulse chase analysis during sex change from ovary to testis shows that gonial germ cells in the ovary are the origin of sperm. The expression of gsdf was observed in the supporting cells surrounding gonial germ cells, suggesting that gsdf may be involved in the proliferation and masculinization of gonial germ cells in the early process of the sex change.