Transcriptomic effects of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone on zebrafish brain sexual development.. Danio rerio breed:Tg(ddx4:ddx4-EGFP)

Sexual differentiation in zebrafish is complex. Although zebrafish sex determination is primarily genetic, hormonal and environmental factors can influence sexual development. Androgen treatment triggers phenotypic and behavioural masculinisation in zebrafish. 17 alpha-methyltestosterone (MT), a synthetic androgen, is routinely used in aquaculture for production of all-male populations. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying 17 alpha-methyltestosterone induced brain and behavioural masculinisation in fish are poorly understood. In this study, we analysed brain transcriptomes of zebrafish treated with 17 alpha-methyltestosterone during gonadal development (from 20 dpf to 40 dpf and 60 dpf) and compared them with brain transcriptomes of untreated female and male zebrafish. These data give insight into the role of androgens in teleost brain sexual differentiation.