Induced diploid gynogenesis and polyploidy in the ornamental (koi) carp Cyprinus carpio L.
The results of a series of experiments conducted in our laboratory on the ornamental common carp (koi), aimed at optimizing heat-shock chromosome-set manipulation procedures, are described. The timing of heat-shock initiation was expressed in the relative unit of embryological age (τ0) in order to standardize this parameter, the absolute time for heat-shock initiation being calculated from duration of one τ0 at two different pre-treatment water temperatures. Heat shocks were applied within the periods of 0.05–0.60 τ0 and 1.20–2.20 τ0 which, respectively, cover the successive phases of the 2nd meiotic division and the 1st cleavage. The highest production of diploid gynogenetic offspring was observed when heat shocks were initiated at 0.15–0.25 τ0 and at 1.5 τ0, after insemination, corresponding to anaphase of meiosis-II, and metaphase of the 1st cleavage, respectively. Similar results were obtained irrespective of the different pre-treatment water temperatures, thus confirming the possibility of standardizing heat-shock timing by τ0.
Diploid gynogenesis induced by heat shocks after activation with UV-irradiated sperm in common carp
Abstract Diploid gynogenetics of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) have been produced by heat shocks applied 3–5 min after insemination with sperm genetically inactivated by UV irradiation. The use of red female (visible recessive marker) confirmed the effectiveness of this irradiation. The minimal temperature inducing second polar body retention is approximately 38°C. The highest percentages of diploid viable fry were observed for water temperature shocks at 39, 39.5 and 40°C lasting 1 min 20 s to 2 min.
Genetics of the phenotypic evolution in sheep: a molecular look at diversity-driving genes
Background After domestication, the evolution of phenotypically-varied sheep breeds has generated rich biodiversity. This wide phenotypic variation arises as a result of hidden genomic changes that range from a single nucleotide to several thousands of nucleotides. Thus, it is of interest and significance to reveal and understand the genomic changes underlying the phenotypic variation of sheep breeds in order to drive selection towards economically important traits. Review Various traits contribute to the emergence of variation in sheep phenotypic characteristics, including coat color, horns, tail, wool, ears, udder, vertebrae, among others. The genes that determine most of these phenotypic traits have been investigated, which has generated knowledge regarding the genetic determinism of several agriculturally-relevant traits in sheep. In this review, we discuss the genomic knowledge that has emerged in the past few decades regarding the phenotypic traits in sheep, and our ultimate aim is to encourage its practical application in sheep breeding. In addition, in order to expand the current understanding of the sheep genome, we shed light on research gaps that require further investigation. Conclusions Although significant research efforts have been conducted in the past few decades, several aspects of the sheep genome remain unexplored. For the full utilization of the current knowledge of the sheep genome, a wide practical application is still required in order to boost sheep productive performance and contribute to the generation of improved sheep breeds. The accumulated knowledge on the sheep genome will help advance and strengthen sheep breeding programs to face future challenges in the sector, such as climate change, global human population growth, and the increasing demand for products of animal origin.