Mathematical modelling to assess the impact of stress on temperature-dependent sex determination in teleost fish

Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) is an environmental phenomenon in which the temperature during the embryonic or larval stages influences the determination of sex. It is mainly observed in teleost fish, where high water temperatures can induce a female-to-male transition. The exact mechanism by which environmental changes affect TSD is poorly understood, but cortisol, a stress hormone, is considered a potential factor. Although excessive secretion of cortisol is known to cause side effects, it can lead to a switch in sex hormones, potentially resulting in TSD. In this paper, we investigate the mechanism of TSD in teleost fish. To assess the impact of stress caused by changes in water temperature on TSD, we established a mathematical model for hormonal dynamics that incorporates cortisol. First, we conducted a stability analysis to qualitatively examine the sex determination. The temperature dependence was modeled using the Eyring–Polanyi equation, and we examined corresponding hormonal changes with water temperature. Furthermore, we theoretically investigated the role of a cortisol inhibitor in preventing side effects during TSD.