Update on Sex Determination and Sex Differentiation in the European Sea Bass, Dicentrarchus Labrax (PERCIFORMES, F. MORONIDAE)

The sea bass is one of the most important aquacultured species in Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean countries. Because of a combination of genetic and environmental influences most of cultured sea bass are males. Males grow significantly less than females and, in addition, experience sexual maturation during the grow-out phase, causing important losses in production. Thus, the private sector demands the production of all-female stocks. Therefore, there is both basic and applied interest in knowing the sex determination and differentiation mechanisms of this species.