Induction of sexuality in heterothallic Pythium spp. by cholesterol

Abstract

Cholesterol and related sterols were found to stimulate the sexual reaction between compatible strains of heterothallic Pythium species but were not essential to the mating process. The sterols induced the formation of antheridia, oogonia, and mature oospores in reportedly unisexual strains of P. catenulatum and P. sylvaticum but did not affect their corresponding compatible strains.