Social control of neuronal soma size

Factors responsible for sexual maturation differ significantly among vertebrate species. In many, age is most important, whereas in others seasonal or social cues play a central role. Here we report that maturation in the African cichlid fish Haplochromis burtoni is socially controlled, and that this control includes regulation of soma growth in a population of preoptic neurons immunoreactive to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (irGnRH). Males reared in aquaria among fish of the same age mature sexually in about 3 months, whereas males reared in the presence of older, more aggressive conspecifics remain immature even at 5 months of age. Immature males display hypogonadism and have conspicuously undersized preoptic irGnRH neurons in comparison to those of mature siblings of the same age. This variable maturation rate increases the likelihood that individual males will survive to an age when they can successfully reproduce.