Cytogenetic and molecular genetic analysis of gynogenesis in Megalobrama amblycephala   using spermatozoa of Erythroculter ilishaeformis

In the present study we used both cytogenetics (measurement of DNA content, detection of chromosome number, observation of gonadal development)and molecular genetics(microsatellite analysis)to analyze the biological characteristics of gynogenetic M. amblycephala, which were created through gynogenesis induced via UV-irradiated E. ilishaeformis spermatozoa to fertilize M. amblycephala eggs. The maternal genome was duplicated by cold shock in 0~4℃ cold water to form a population of M. amblycephala with 48 chromosomes whose DNA content was identical to the diploid maternal parent. Morphologically, this group of gynogenetic M. amblycephala was similar to the control group. All gynogenetic M. amblycephala were female, and no males were found in any of the examined gynogenetic M. amblycephala, providing cytogenetic evidence that our gynogenetic M. amblycephala are type XY. At the same time, microsatellite analysis showed that 63 alleles were amplified in the three test groups of gynogenetic M. amblycephala. Overall, the population of gynogenetic M. amblycephala observed heterozygosity average, and the expected average was significantly lower than the parental averages, demonstrating that after generation gynogenesis the gene homozygosity of M. amblycephala was significantly higher than the ordinary bream and E. ilishaeformis, making it a pure line. The genetic proximity of gynogenetic M. amblycephala to M. amblycephala demonstrates that gynogenesis passes on maternal DNA. Gynogenetic groups developed in this study may provide good genetic material for future breeding projects of M. amblycephala.

Keywords
Cold shock; Gynogenesis; Megalobrama amblycephala; Biological characteristics; Microsatellite