Abstract:
In this study, we investigated the effects of various doses and treatment durations of 17β-estradiol (E
2) on the growth, survival rate, and sex ratio of
P. ussuriensis. From 10 to 70dph (days post-hatching), feeding
P. ussuriensis diets containing 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg E
2 resulted in a 100% feminization rate. However, the growth and survival rates decreased with increasing E
2 concentration, and all fish in the group fed with 150 mg/kg E
2 died. Overall, 10 mg/kg E
2 treatment from 10 to 40dph was found to be the optimal approach for the feminization of
P. ussuriensis. The expression levels of male key sex differentiation-related genes, such as
dmrt1,
amh, and
cyp17a1, were significantly lower in XY females than that of XY males. The expression levels of female key sex differentiation-related genes including
cyp19a1a,
zar1, and
gdf9 in XY females were consistent with those in XX females and were significantly higher than that in XY males. Additionally, whole-genome resequencing revealed 3777645 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 1287509 insertions/deletions (Indels) in 15 female and 15 male
P. ussuriensis. Among these, 99601 were identified as sex-linked SNPs and 27614 as sex-linked Indels. The sex-linked SNPs were enriched in the 6.84 and 23.82 Mb regions of chromosome 8. X and Y chromosome specific molecular marker were developed based on sex-linked Indels, which proved effective for the sex identification in
P. ussuriensis. These markers were well applied to wild populations from the Heilongjiang River as well as farmed populations in Henan and Hubei Province. YY super-male were identified from the offsprings of XY male mating with XY female. Subsequently, using YY super-male
P. ussuriensis as the male parent, an all-male population was bred with a 100% male ratio. The all-male population at one-year old was 1.54 times heavier than the mixed-sex population. In summary, 10 mg/kg E2 treatment from 10 to 40dph is the optimal approach for the feminization of
P. ussuriensis. The sex-linked molecular markers developed by whole-genome resequencing can effectively identify the genotype of
P. ussuriensis and help produce YY super-male fish. XY all-male
P. ussuriensis had the characteristics of uniform size and fast growth performance which will be more popular among farmers.