Figure 8

DAX1 gene expression during early development in European sea bass. RT-PCR of DAX1 relative to 18S in sea bass larvae. A) Whole larvae during the thermo sensitive period for sex determination (n = 6 at each sampling point). Larvae were grown at either 15°C or 20°C resulting, respectively, in 77.5% and 28% females. B) Whole larvae (56 days), body trunks (98, 150, 200 and 250 days) or gonads (300 days) during the period of sex differentiation (n = 3–8). Larvae were repeatedly graded according to size. Larger fish developed into a majority of females (96.0% females) and smaller fish developed into a majority of males (35.4% females). Groups covered by horizontal line at the same level are not statistically different.