Polygenic sex determination system in zebrafish.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite the popularity of zebrafish as a research model, its sex determination (SD) mechanism is still unknown. Most cytogenetic studies failed to find dimorphic sex chromosomes and no primary sex determining switch has been identified even though the assembly of zebrafish genome sequence is near to completion and a high resolution genetic map is available. Recent publications suggest that environmental factors within the natural range have minimal impact on sex ratios of zebrafish populations. The primary aim of this study is to find out more about how sex is determined in zebrafish.

Methodology/principal findings

Using classical breeding experiments, we found that sex ratios across families were wide ranging (4.8% to 97.3% males). On the other hand, repeated sin

SUBMITTER: Liew WC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3323597 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature