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Effects of temperature on sexual development in steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss

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Abstract

We evaluated how genotype (stock source, parental line, chromosomal sex) and temperature interact to influence gonad development and phenotypic sex of Oncorhynchus mykiss. Embryos were generated from single pair matings of natural-origin and first-generation hatchery-origin O. mykiss held at ambient or elevated (5 °C above ambient) water temperature. Exposure to elevated temperature lasted from fertilization until the onset of exogenous feeding, after which all experimental groups were maintained at ambient temperature. Sexual phenotype was determined by histology and sexual genotype by the OmyY1 marker. There was 99% concordance among fish sexed both phenotypically and genotypically, demonstrating that experimental factors, including elevated rearing temperatures, did not result in sex change. Approximately 10% of the histologically examined fish showed no evidence of gonad development beyond the indifferent stage. Most of these fish were from hatchery family lines.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Oregon Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Oregon Hatchery Research Center, the Fisheries and Wildlife Department of Oregon State University, the USGS, Bonneville Power Authority, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the College of Natural Sciences, the University of Hawaii at Mānoa.

We thank Joyce Mayr for assistance with care of fish and technical support. This research was carried out with the approval of the Animal Care Committee, Oregon State University (ACUP #3999).This is publication #61 from the School of Life sciences, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Kathleen S. Cole

  2. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Oregon Hatchery Research Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA

    David L. G. Noakes

  3. Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA

    Neil Thompson & Michael Blouin

  4. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Sea Lamprey Control Centre, 1219 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6A 2E5, Canada

    Bruce Morrison

  5. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Hatchery Research Center, 2418 East Fall Creek Road, Alsea, Oregon, 97324, USA

    Ryan B. Couture & Joseph O’Neil

  6. USGS Fisheries Coop Research Unit and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA

    Carl B. Schreck

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  1. Kathleen S. Cole
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Correspondence to Kathleen S. Cole.

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David L. G. Noakes. This paper is dedicated to the memory of the second author, Dr. David L.G. Noakes, whose untimely death occurred shortly after this paper was accepted for publication. David was a world class scientist who was also known for his dry wit, diplomatic demeanor, esoteric knowledge, quiet-spoken patience and unending support to all who had the good luck to know him. He will be greatly missed.

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Cole, K.S., Noakes, D.L.G., Thompson, N. et al. Effects of temperature on sexual development in steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Environ Biol Fish 104, 229–238 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-021-01064-0

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