Monthly variations in the profile of sex steroids and gonadal development of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill) during puberty in Tasmania

Puberty is an important reproductive event that has not been studied in brook trout in the Southern Hemisphere. The present study describes the histological development of gonads and variations in the levels of oestradiol-17β (E₂), testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) during the first year of male and female brook trout. The study started when the trout were at an age of 8 months (n = 10) and continued until they were 15 months. Of the males, 60% attained puberty at an age of 14 months. The peak of the gonadosomatic index in males was observed at 15 months of age (3.0 ± 0.9%). Female fish did not achieve maturation during their first year and ovarian development did not progress beyond the vesicular oocyte stage within the study period.