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The timing of puberty can be strongly variable in fishes, and is modulated both by environmental conditions and by somatic growth patterns. There are also strong genetic components affecting both age and size at puberty. Combinations of genetics, growth patterns and environmental factors result in a considerable plasticity of the timing of puberty within a species. Comparing different species introduces the additional factor of species-specific, evolutionary adaptations. Irrespective of what specific set of conditions triggers puberty in a given individual or species, in fish the increased release of follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland seems to be the main switch recruiting the juvenile gonad into pubertal development. Knowledge about the physiological control of puberty, the ability to arrest/delay or induce/promote puberty, is important both in an aquaculture/food-production setting as well as for the conservation of species. |
