Sexual Determination and Reproductive Regulation in Aquatic Organisms

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Developmental and Reproductive Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 65

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
Interests: sex determining; sex chromosome; sex-determining gene; turnover of sex-determining gene or sex chromosome

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sexual determination and reproductive regulation in aquatic organisms, particularly fish species, encompass a diverse array of mechanisms that govern sexual differentiation and reproduction. These processes are pivotal for the survival, growth, and evolution of populations. Gender in fish can be influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, resulting in a spectrum of reproductive strategies ranging from gonochorism to hermaphroditism. Understanding these mechanisms holds significant implications for conservation biology, aquaculture, and fishery management, as they can inform strategies to protect fish populations, enhance productivity, and ensure sustainability.

Recent advancements in technology have significantly accelerated research into sexual determination in aquatic organisms. High-throughput sequencing technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and third-generation sequencing (TGS), have transformed the field by enabling researchers to swiftly and accurately identify and analyze the genetic components involved in sex determination. These technologies have facilitated the discovery of sex-linked genes, sex chromosomes, and sex-determining regions in various fish genomes. Furthermore, genome editing techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 have provided unprecedented precision in manipulating genes and studying their roles in sexual differentiation. These technological advancements have deepened our understanding of the genetic architecture underlying sex determination and opened new avenues for exploring the interactions between genetic and environmental factors in shaping sexual fate.

This Special Issue solicits original research articles and comprehensive reviews focusing on sexual determination and reproductive regulation in aquatic organisms. Submissions should emphasize the influence of genetic factors (such as sex chromosomes and key regulatory genes) and environmental factors (including temperature and pollutants) on sexual differentiation, the evolution of sex-determining mechanisms, and their practical applications in breeding programs. Areas of interest encompass sex determination pathways, the evolution of sex chromosomes, the epigenetic regulation of sexual development, and innovative gender control methodologies in aquaculture.

Best regards,

Dr. Liang Guo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • sex-determining gene
  • sex chromosome
  • sex control breeding
  • sex-determining pathway

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