Orientador: Claudio Angelo Agostinho / Banca: Luiz Edivaldo Pezzato / Banca: Margarida Maria de Barros / Banca: Ricardo Pereira Ribeiro / Banca: Maria Célia Portella / Resumo: Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito da baixa e da alta frequência de alimentação no desempenho produtivo de peixes alimentados com ração contendo ou não hormônio masculinizante no primeiro mês de vida. Foram alojadas 2,5 larvas L-1 em 24 hapas com 200 litros cada. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 2X2 com seis repetições. Foram testadas duas frequências de alimentação (6 e 24 vezes) e ração com e sem hormônio. Houve interação entre frequência alimentar e o tipo de ração para as variáveis de peso final e taxa de reversão. As tilápias alimentadas com ração contendo hormônio e sem hormônio submetidas à frequência de 24 vezes ao dia apresentaram peso final de 0,82 e 0,65 g, respectivamente. Para os valores de conversão alimentar aparente houve diferença em função da frequência de alimentação, onde a frequência de 24 vezes apresentou melhor resultado. A taxa de sobrevivência não diferiu entre os tratamentos. Conclui-se que a maior frequência de alimentação aumenta a disponibilidade da ração durante o dia, reduz a competição pelo alimento, aumenta a uniformidade do lote e proporciona melhor desempenho das tilápias, possibilitando aumento da produtividade de 2,5 a 3,2 vezes / Abstract: The appropriate feeding is a basic premise for the sustainable development of fish farming. The use of 17-α-methyltestosterone increases tilapia performance, but it has been questioned and criticized. This study aimed to analyze the low and high feed frequency effect in fish performance with male hormone or hormone-free diet in the first month of life. Five thousand larvae were placed in 24 hapas with 200 liters each. (2.5 larvae L-1) The experiment was completely randomized 2X2 factorial design with six replicates. Two feeding frequencies (six and 24 times a day) and two diets with and without hormone were tested. There was interaction between feeding frequency and diets for final weight and sex reverse rate. Tilapias fed with hormone and hormone-free diet 24 times a day showed a final weight of 0.82 and 0.65g, respectively. There was significant effect of feeding frequency on apparent feed conversion and the best result was found for the frequency of 24 times a day. The survival rate was not different among treatments. It was concluded that the increase of feeding frequency increases the diet disponible during the day, reduces the food competition, diminishes pollution by excess of diet in the water, increases the lot homogeny and results in better tilapia performance, increasing the productivity 2.5 to 3.2 times more / Doutor

Sex reversal in fish can occur as a result of disturbances in natural conditions or laboratory manipulations. Trenbolone Acetate (TBA), a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid used mainly in the cattle industry, was applied to female Betta splendens, a sexually dimorphic fish. Previously, females were analyzed for secondary sex characteristics after treatment with TBA, increased temperature, or a combination of both. This study focused on primary sex characteristics by histological examination. Gonads were surgically removed and prepared following basic histological techniques. Following H&E staining, sections were observed for signs of ovarian regression, as well as signs of testicular formation. The presence of TBA significantly reduced the size of the gonad and the number and size of vitellogenic oocytes, indicating a loss of ovarian function. Temperature had a synergistic effect on TBA, as more oocytes were atretic and interstitial tissue was more abundant, some with clear spermatocysts. Temperature alone had no significant effect.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:19:26Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 gayao_alba_dr_jabo.pdf: 596505 bytes, checksum: 4731607f5c25628a3e998a366fe2f3e9 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O estudo teve como objetivo comparar o desempenho produtivo de tilápias do Nilo revertidas ou não por meio da utilização do hormônio 17-α-metiltestosterona (MT) adicionado a dietas práticas e analisar histologicamente o fígado dos peixes. Foram conduzidos quatro experimentos com tilápias do Nilo, da linhagem tailandesa, revertidas ou não revertidas, desde a larvicultura até a engorda em tanques-rede. As dietas utilizadas nos experimentos foram formuladas de forma a assemelharem-se às dietas comerciais utilizadas nas pisciculturas, sendo isocalóricas, variando os níveis e fontes de proteína bruta. Procurou-se simular as causas de fígado gorduroso e friável e mortalidade próxima ao abate de tilápias do Nilo cultivadas em regime intensivo. No primeiro experimento, conduzido com larvas desde a eclosão até 60 dias de idade, observou-se que o nível de 30 mgMT.kg-1 adicionado à dieta, possibilitou eficiência na reversão, melhor desempenho produtivo e menores danos ao fígado que na dosagem de 60 mgMT.kg-1. Nesse mesmo experimento, os peixes que não receberam hormônio tiveram maior taxa de sobrevivência e não mostraram alterações histológicas no fígado. No segundo experimento, a reversão sexual favoreceu o desempenho dos juvenis na fase de recria. Porém, não foi possível observar diferenças no desempenho entre os níveis de proteína da dieta. Um terceiro experimento com tilápias cultivadas em tanques-rede dos 120 aos 600 g de peso, os peixes mostraram melhor desempenho quando alimentados com dieta contendo 32% PB, sendo que o fato de terem passado pelo processo de reversão ou não, não influenciou o desempenho. Um quarto experimento foi realizado concomitantemente ao terceiro em laboratório com juvenis de 30 g até atingirem 200 g e as tilápias revertidas apresentaram... / The aim of the study was compared reversed or no reversed Nile tilapia growth performance and liver histology. Fishes were sex reversed with addition of 17-α- methyltestosterone (MT) at the diets. The study was divided in four experiments: larval phase, growth phase and the final phases in cages and at laboratory. The diets were isocalorics, formulated as commercials diets common used in the Brazil tilapia cultures, utilizing levels and sources protein. The objective was simulated the fat liver problem detected at tilapia farms. In the first experiment, there were used fries until 60 days of culture. There was observed that the level of 30 mgMT.kg-1 conducted to efficiency in the sex reversal with best growth performance and less liver damages than the level of 60 mgMT.kg-1. The fishes that didn’t receive MT reached best survival and didn’t show any liver alteration. In the second experiment, the facts of the fishes were sex reversed increased the growth performance of juveniles. But there was not difference in the growth performance by protein levels. The third experiment conducted at cages, with fishes of 120g until 600g, showed best growth performance when fed with 32% crude protein, but there was no difference by the fact of they were reversed or no. The fourth experiment was conducted at the same time of the third, at laboratory with tilapias of 30g until 200g. The reversed fishes showed best growth performance than the no reversed ones. Alterations of liver histology of the fishes reversed at the four experiments were noted. But there were more severe in the fishes fed with higher levels of crude protein.

Orientador: Claudio Angelo Agostinho / Banca: Margarida Maria Barros / Banca: Luiz Edivaldo Pezzato / Banca: Maria Célia Portella / Banca: Robie Allan Bombardelli / Resumo: O presente estudo tem como objetivos avaliar o efeito de elevadas frequências de alimentação nas fases iniciais de criação de tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus) da linhagem GIFT sobre o desempenho produtivo, reversão sexual. Foram utilizados 24 hapas com abertura de malhas de (1 mm e 7 mm) , distribuídos em um viveiro de 1000 m2, com profundidade média de 1,5 metros e renovação de água de 7 % do volume total. As pós-larvas de tilápias, com peso e comprimento médio 0,015 ± 0,002 g e 10 ± 4 mm respectivamente, foram alojadas na densidade de 2 larvas por litro totalizando 500 larvas por hapa. Um sistema automatizado de alimentação foi instalado individualmente nos hapas. As pós-larvas foram submetidas a quatro diferentes frequências alimentares durante o dia e a noite: T24 (24 vezes - hora em hora); T32 (32 vezes - 45 em 45minutos); T48 (48 vezes - 30 em 30 minutos) e T96 (96 vezes - 15 em 15minutos) com seis repetições por tratamento. O processo de reversão sexual foi de 14 dias de administração de hormônio incorporado a dieta, e consequentemente foram alimentados com outras dietas por um período de 70 dias. Semanalmente foram realizadas biometrias de 50 animas, de cada unidade experimental, para a correção da oferta de alimento. Todas as frequências utilizadas foram eficientes no processo de reversão sexual em 14 dias. A frequência de 48 vezes de alimentação apresentou os melhores resultados para ganho de peso, peso médio final, sobrevivência e reversão sexual. Na fase juvenil não houve diferença significativa entre as frequências alimentares / Abstract: The present study has objectives to evaluate the effect high feeding frequency in the initial phases of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) of strain GIFT on the growth performance, sex reversal. Were used 24 hapas with opening of meshes of (1 mm and 7 mm), distributed in a pond of 1000 m2, with medium depth of 1,5 meters and renewal of water of 7% of the total volume. The fry with medium weight and length (0.015 ± 0.002 g and 10.4 mm) respectively, with in the density of 2 fry by liter. An automated feeding system was installed individually in the hapas. The fry were submitted to four different feeding frequencies during the day and the night: T24 (24 times - hour in hour); T32 (32 times - 45 in 45 minutes); T48 (48 times - 30 in 30 minutes) and T96 (96vezes - 15 in 15 minutes) with six repetitions for treatment. The sex reversal process was in 14 days of administration the hormone diet, and consequently they were fed with other diets by a period of 70 days. Weekly samplings of 50 fish were accomplished, of each experimental unit, for the correction of the food offer. The high feeding frequencies were effective in the sex reversal process in 14 days, The feeding frequency of 48 presented the best results for weight wining, final medium weight, survival and sex reversal.. In the juvenile there was not significant difference among feeding frequencies / Doutor

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A larva da tilÃpia do Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus, durante os primeiros dias de vida, supre suas necessidades nutricionais com a reserva vitelÃnica, pois nem a cavidade bucal encontra-se aberta nem o trato intestinal completamente formado. ApÃs o consumo do vitelo, o peixe jà à uma pÃs-larva e sua alimentaÃÃo passa a ser exÃgena e à composta, principalmente, por microalgas e zooplÃncton. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a influÃncia da cianobactÃria Spirulina platensis, no desempenho de pÃs-larvas (plâs) da tilÃpia do Nilo, submetidas a diferentes salinidades durante o perÃodo de reversÃo sexual. Na primeira fase da pesquisa, alÃm da S. platensis, tambÃm foi ofertado ,em todos os tratamentos, raÃÃo microparticulada (50% PB) contendo o hormÃnio masculinizante 17-α-metiltestosterona, com o intuito de realizar a reversÃo sexual dos peixes.O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado e dividido em trÃs tratamentos com trÃs repetiÃÃes cada. Os peixes foram cultivados nas salinidades 0 ,15 e 25 ,apresentaram pesos e comprimentos mÃdios finais 1,547  0,145 g e 4,753  0,209 cm; 1,618  0,154 g e 4,957  0,131 cm e 1,580  0,090 g e 4,844  0,025 cm, respectivamente, apÃs 28 dias de cultivo, onde nÃo foi apresentada diferenÃa estatÃstica (α = 0,05). ApÃs esse perÃodo os peixes da salinidade 15 e 25 foram aclimatados novamente a salinidade 0 e distribuÃdos em caixas de 1000 L na densidade de 0,05 peixes L -1 e cultivados por 35 dias, apÃs esse perÃodo foi avaliado a taxa de reversÃo sexual, o crescimento em peso e comprimento e a taxa de sobrevivÃncia dos animais, nessa fase foi oferecido apenas raÃÃo 35% PB sem hormÃnio. Ao final dessa fase, os peixes apresentaram pesos e comprimentos mÃdios de 11,923 g e 8,888 cm; 12,033 g e 9,716 cm e 12,604 g e 10,001 cm para os peixes oriundos das salinidades de 0 ,15 e 25 , respectivamente. ApÃs a anÃlise gonadal, os Ãndices de reversÃo sexual nÃo apresentaram diferenÃas significativas entre os tratamentos, com mÃdia de 97,3% de indivÃduos machos. Com a realizaÃÃo desse trabalho pudemos concluir que a salinidade da Ãgua nÃo interferiu no crescimento em peso e comprimento, Ãndice de reversÃo sexual e sobrevivÃncia da tilÃpia do Nilo (O. niloticus), durante a reversÃo sexual na presenÃa da microalga Spirulina platensis / The larva of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, during the first days of life meets its meets their nutrition needs with the vitelline reserve, because neither the buccal cavity is open nor the intestinal tract is completely formed. After the consumption of the vitellus, the fish is already a post-larva and it s feeding becomes exogenous and mainly composed of microalgae and zooplankton. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis, in the performance of post-larvae (pl's) of the Nile tilapia submitted to different salinity levels during the period of sex reversal. In the first phase of the research, besides S. platensis , we also supplied, in all of the treatments, a microparticulate feed (50% of crude protein) containing the masculinizing hormone 17-α-metiltestost erone, with the intention of conducting the sex reversal of the fish. The experimental design was completely randomized and divided into three treatments with three replications per treatment. The fish were farmed in the salinity levels of 0, 15 and 25, and presented weights and final medium lengths of 1,547  0,145 g and 4,753  0,209 cm; 1,618  0,154 g and 4,957  0,131 cm and 1,580  0,090 g and 4,844  0,0 25 cm, respectively, after 28 days of farming, in which there was no statistical difference (α = 0,05). After that period, the fish of the salinity levels of 15 and 25 were acclimatized to 0 (zero) salinity level again and distributed into boxes of 1000 L in the density of 0,05 fish L-1 and farmed for 35 days. After that period, the rate of sex reversal, the growth in weight and length and the survival rate of the animals were evaluated. In that phase, we supplied only a feed of 35% of crude protein without hormone. At the end of that phase, the fish presented average weights and lengths of 11.923 g and 8.888 cm; 12.033 g and 9.716 cm and 12.604 g and 10.001 cm for the fish coming from the salinity levels of 0, 15 and 25, respectively. After the gonadal analysis, the rates of ix sex reversal did not present significant differences among the treatments, with an average of 97.3% of male individuals. The conduction of this work enabled us to conclude that the water salinity did not interfere with the growth in weight and length, the rate of sex reversal and the survival of the Nile tilapia (O. niloticus), during the sex reversal in the presence of the microseaweed Spirulina platensis.

FOXL2 est un facteur de transcription crucial pour la fonction ovarienne. Dans l'espèce humaine, des mutations hétérozygotes de ce gène sont responsables de la survenue d'un syndrome associant des malformations des paupières à une insuffisance ovarienne prématurée. De même chez la souris, l'invalidation totale de Foxl2 conduit à un blocage de la folliculogenèse et donc à une infertilité femelle. Chez la chèvre, la mutation Polled Intersex Syndrome (PIS) engendre le silence transcriptionnel de FOXL2 dans les gonades XX PIS-/- ce qui conduit à une inversion sexuelle et à la différenciation de testicules à la place d'ovaires chez les animaux génétiquement femelles homozygotes pour la mutation (inversion sexuelle de type mâle XX). FOXL2 est donc déterminant pour la différenciation ovarienne très précocement au cours du développement dans l'espèce caprine, alors qu'il ne semble impliqué que plus tardivement dans l'établissement de la fertilité chez la souris et la femme. Afin de comprendre ces différences entre espèces, nous avons recherché quels étaient les gènes et les voies de signalisation régulés par FOXL2 dans l'ovaire de chèvre au début de sa différenciation. Grâce à un séquençage à haut-débit des transcrits présents dans trois types de gonades caprines (testicules XY, ovaires XX et gonades XX PIS-/- (qui n'expriment pas FOXL2)) au début de leur différenciation, nous avons pu (i) mieux caractériser le rôle de FOXL2 dans l'ovaire caprin et montrer qu'il y agit avant tout comme un facteur anti-testiculaire, et (ii) mettre en évidence de nouveaux gènes pro-ovariens comme DMXL2 et étudier son rôle putatif dans la fonction ovarienne grâce à des expériences fonctionnelles chez la souris. / FOXL2 is a transcription factor which is crucial for the ovary. In humans, heterozygous mutations are responsible for the BPES syndrome characterized by eyelid anomalies and premature ovarian failure. Similarly in mice, Foxl2 invalidation leads to complete folliculogenesis disruption and female infertility. In the goat, the Polled Intersex Syndrome mutation is responsible for the transcriptional silencing of FOXL2 in XX PIS-/- gonads that leads to female-to-male sex reversal and the differentiation of testes instead of ovaries in genetically female animals homozygous for the mutation. Thus, FOXL2 is determining for ovarian differentiation early during development in goats, whereas it is involved in fertility tardily in mice and women. In order to understand these species-specific differences, we searched for the genes and pathways regulated by FOXL2 in early goat ovaries. Thanks to RNA-sequencing of goat XY testes, XX ovaries and XX PIS-/- gonads (lacking FOXL2) at the beginning of their differentiation, we were able to (i) better characterize the role of FOXL2 in goat ovaries and show that it acts mainly as an anti-testis factor, and (ii) highlight new pro-ovarian genes like DMXL2, and study its putative role during ovarian development using functional experiments in the mouse.

No description available.

Aquaculture is an essential developing sector for world food production, however the attainment of sexual maturity during commercial on-growing is a major bottleneck to industry expansion. Sexual maturation brings a commercial loss due to reduced growth performance as well as reduced immune function. Furthermore, serious concerns exist over potential genetic interaction with native stocks through broadcast spawning or spawning interaction by escapees. In the north Atlantic region, the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) are key aquaculture species in which industry expansion is limited by pre-harvest sexual maturation. However, through a species specific combination of modern technologies and refinement in management practices it is possible that this sexual maturation can be controlled and on-growing potential enhanced. Thus the overall aim of this thesis was to conduct novel research that will improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that regulate sexual maturation, whilst also advancing the optimisation of technologies for the management of maturation in cod and halibut. In Atlantic cod, owing to the inconsistent inhibition of maturation in commercial conditions, ever increasing intensities of light and in some cases narrow spectrum technologies are being used to try to combat this problem. Firstly, this PhD project investigated the potential welfare impacts of high intensity artificial lighting which have not been studied to date (Chapter 2). The work specifically investigated the effect of traditional metal halide and novel green cathode lighting on the stress response, innate immunity, retina structure, feeding activity and light perception of Atlantic cod. Results indicated that although acute responses to light were observed, there were no clear significant long term effects of any of the lighting treatments on these parameters. Regarding light perception, interestingly even when subjected to high intensity constant lighting (metal halide mean tank intensity: 16.6 watts m-2), cod still demonstrated a day/night rhythm in melatonin release which suggests perception of the overlying ambient photoperiod. The second trial of this PhD project investigated the efficacy of shading of ambient photoperiod in addition to constant lighting to inhibit maturation of cod outdoors (Chapter 3). This aimed at improving the performance of artificial lighting regimes in the open cage system during commercial on-growing by reducing the relative difference between day/night light intensities. The trial was conducted over a one year period where a low and high shade treatment were tested in outdoor tanks. Shading increased the relative night time illumination to 6.6% and 31.3% of daytime levels respectively, compared to <2% in an unshaded set-up. Both shading treatments were effective at suppressing sexual development in cod as confirmed through measurements of gonadosomatic index, histological analysis of gonadal development, oocyte diameter measurements and sex steroid profiles as well as measurements of growth. In addition to research at the applied level in Atlantic cod, this thesis has also extended to the fundamental level and explored one of the potential mechanisms relaying photoperiod signal to the endogenous regulation of sexual maturation in cod, namely the kisspeptin system (Chapter 4). Partial sequences for the signal peptide Kiss2 and its receptor Kissr4 were isolated and described showing similarity to other teleost species such as the medaka, Oryzias latipes and stickleback, Danio rerio. Novel molecular qPCR assays were designed and developed to measure the expression of both genes in male and female cod over a maturation cycle and compared to cod under constant lighting which remained immature. Interestingly, expression patterns of kiss2 and kissr4 did not reveal any clear association with season or photoperiod treatment. However, pituitary expression of gonadotropins (FSH, follicle stimulating hormone; LH, luteinising hormone) did show a differential expression in relation to treatment from early winter approximately 4-6 months after the photoperiod change. These new results are in contradiction with the hypothesis that the kisspeptin system would be involved in the initiation of gametogenesis, as shown in mammals. However, the FSH/LH data defines a window during which time kisspeptin or another GnRH stimulating mechanism must be active, this compels the need further investigation. In Atlantic halibut farming, all-female production removes the concerns of production losses through sexual maturation. Accordingly, this thesis investigated the potential/feasibility of generating monosex populations by FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorting) semen sexing based on cellular DNA content, as proven in terrestrial agriculture. Results however did not show any clear differences between the DNA of sperm in a range of species tested (Atlantic halibut, cod, sea bass, perch) suggesting that this technique may not be applicable in such species. The project also focussed on the production of a population of sex reversed halibut broodstock (neomales) that will generate, in the long term, a basis for traditional monosex population generation in the UK. Two in feed MDHT (17α-methyldihydrotestosterone) treatments were tested with the aim to reduce the use of hormone. Results were very successful with a hormone treatment of 5ppm MDHT generating a 97% phenotypic male population thus suggesting the presence of sex-reversed halibut which can be used for future monosex production. Overall, this work aimed to develop and/or refine potential remediation techniques for sexual maturation in two key commercially important farmed marine fish species, cod and halibut, as well as further our understanding on the regulation of puberty. The knowledge gained from this work provides a means to optimise the techniques employed in the industry and has the potential to increase production and profitability without compromising farmed animal welfare, thus ultimately promoting the sustainable expansion of the Atlantic cod and halibut aquaculture.

The importance of sex hormones in formation, development and regulation of sexually dimorphic behavior does not need to be stressed. However, their actual organizational and activational effects and interactions in sexual differentiation and determination are not fully understood yet. The aim of our study was to explore the effects of hormonal manipulation in eyelid-geckos (family Eublepharidae) and enlighten the role of steroid hormones in formation of sexual differences. In the first part of our work we tried to reverse sex of Yucatán banded gecko (Coleonyx elegans) by hormonal manipulation in the early embryogenesis. This species has genotypic sex determination with chromosome set X1X2Y. In reverted individuals we aimed to examine the effects of steroid hormones on sexually dimorphic traits and in case of full sexual reversion and fertility of progeny, we would search for the sex-determining gene. In the second part, we studied masculinization effects of testosterone in females of leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius). In contrast with the Coleonyx elegans mentioned above, this species has temperature dependent sex determination, even though these two species are closely related. Experimental females were implanted with testosterone implants and therefore their testosterone levels were increased in...

MOREIRA, Ricardo Lafaiete. Reversão sexual da tilápia do Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus (vr. Chitralada), em diferentes salinidades na presença da microalgas Spirulina platensis (Cyanophyta). 2008. 47 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca, Fortaleza-CE, 2008 / Submitted by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-07-21T14:22:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_dis_rlmoreira.pdf: 413193 bytes, checksum: a96f56cb63d867a172085001d6980a78 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-07-21T14:24:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_dis_rlmoreira.pdf: 413193 bytes, checksum: a96f56cb63d867a172085001d6980a78 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-21T14:24:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_dis_rlmoreira.pdf: 413193 bytes, checksum: a96f56cb63d867a172085001d6980a78 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / The larva of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, during the first days of life meets its meets their nutrition needs with the vitelline reserve, because neither the buccal cavity is open nor the intestinal tract is completely formed. After the consumption of the vitellus, the fish is already a post-larva and it s feeding becomes exogenous and mainly composed of microalgae and zooplankton. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis, in the performance of post-larvae (pl's) of the Nile tilapia submitted to different salinity levels during the period of sex reversal. In the first phase of the research, besides S. platensis , we also supplied, in all of the treatments, a microparticulate feed (50% of crude protein) containing the masculinizing hormone 17-α-metiltestost erone, with the intention of conducting the sex reversal of the fish. The experimental design was completely randomized and divided into three treatments with three replications per treatment. The fish were farmed in the salinity levels of 0, 15 and 25, and presented weights and final medium lengths of 1,547 ± 0,145 g and 4,753 ± 0,209 cm; 1,618 ± 0,154 g and 4,957 ± 0,131 cm and 1,580 ± 0,090 g and 4,844 ± 0,0 25 cm, respectively, after 28 days of farming, in which there was no statistical difference (α = 0,05). After that period, the fish of the salinity levels of 15 and 25 were acclimatized to 0 (zero) salinity level again and distributed into boxes of 1000 L in the density of 0,05 fish L-1 and farmed for 35 days. After that period, the rate of sex reversal, the growth in weight and length and the survival rate of the animals were evaluated. In that phase, we supplied only a feed of 35% of crude protein without hormone. At the end of that phase, the fish presented average weights and lengths of 11.923 g and 8.888 cm; 12.033 g and 9.716 cm and 12.604 g and 10.001 cm for the fish coming from the salinity levels of 0, 15 and 25, respectively. After the gonadal analysis, the rates of ix sex reversal did not present significant differences among the treatments, with an average of 97.3% of male individuals. The conduction of this work enabled us to conclude that the water salinity did not interfere with the growth in weight and length, the rate of sex reversal and the survival of the Nile tilapia (O. niloticus), during the sex reversal in the presence of the microseaweed Spirulina platensis. / A larva da tilápia do Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus, durante os primeiros dias de vida, supre suas necessidades nutricionais com a reserva vitelínica, pois nem a cavidade bucal encontra-se aberta nem o trato intestinal completamente formado. Após o consumo do vitelo, o peixe já é uma pós-larva e sua alimentação passa a ser exógena e é composta, principalmente, por microalgas e zooplâncton. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a influência da cianobactéria Spirulina platensis, no desempenho de pós-larvas (pl’s) da tilápia do Nilo, submetidas a diferentes salinidades durante o período de reversão sexual. Na primeira fase da pesquisa, além da S. platensis, também foi ofertado ,em todos os tratamentos, ração microparticulada (50% PB) contendo o hormônio masculinizante 17-α-metiltestosterona, com o intuito de realizar a reversão sexual dos peixes.O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado e dividido em três tratamentos com três repetições cada. Os peixes foram cultivados nas salinidades 0 ,15 e 25 ,apresentaram pesos e comprimentos médios finais 1,547 ± 0,145 g e 4,753 ± 0,209 cm; 1,618 ± 0,154 g e 4,957 ± 0,131 cm e 1,580 ± 0,090 g e 4,844 ± 0,025 cm, respectivamente, após 28 dias de cultivo, onde não foi apresentada diferença estatística (α = 0,05). Após esse período os peixes da salinidade 15 e 25 foram aclimatados novamente a salinidade 0 e distribuídos em caixas de 1000 L na densidade de 0,05 peixes L -1 e cultivados por 35 dias, após esse período foi avaliado a taxa de reversão sexual, o crescimento em peso e comprimento e a taxa de sobrevivência dos animais, nessa fase foi oferecido apenas ração 35% PB sem hormônio. Ao final dessa fase, os peixes apresentaram pesos e comprimentos médios de 11,923 g e 8,888 cm; 12,033 g e 9,716 cm e 12,604 g e 10,001 cm para os peixes oriundos das salinidades de 0 ,15 e 25 , respectivamente. Após a análise gonadal, os índices de reversão sexual não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos, com média de 97,3% de indivíduos machos. Com a realização desse trabalho pudemos concluir que a salinidade da água não interferiu no crescimento em peso e comprimento, índice de reversão sexual e sobrevivência da tilápia do Nilo (O. niloticus), durante a reversão sexual na presença da microalga Spirulina platensis