Differential Dmrt1 transcripts in gonads of the protandrous black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli

Black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli Bleeker, is a marine protandrous hermaphrodite fish. A Dmrt1 cDNA was cloned and characterized and in order to study the process of sex change in this species, mRNA transcripts of Dmrt1 were monitored. Dmrt1 was specifically transcribed in testis and seminal vesicle in 2-year-old black porgy according to RT-PCR and Southern analysis. A real-time quantification PCR analysis was further developed for the measurement of Dmrt1 transcripts. Dmrt1 transcripts were at significantly higher levels in bisexual testis than bisexual ovary in 1+ and 2+ year-old fish. Dmrt1 transcripts decreased in the functional and bisexual testis of 3-year-old fish. Much higher levels of Dmrt1 transcripts in the bisexual ovary were detected in 1+ year-old fish than in 2+ and 3-year-old fish. No differences in Dmrt1 transcripts were found in bisexual ovaries of 2+ and 3-year-old fish and female ovaries of 3-year-old fish. The data suggest there is relationship of Dmrt1 to the sex change of protandrous black porgy.