Sperm quality of spontaneously occurring gynogenetic males in the yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae

Abstract

Gynogenesis is a chromosomal manipulation technique where an offspring is generated exclusively from maternal inheritance. In the yellowtail tetra (Astyanax altiparanae) almost all gynogenetic fish were females, suggesting a genetic sex determination system of XX/XY. However, due to environmental (e.g. temperature) or unknown genetic factors, the rise of males are described. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the reproductive parameters of spontaneously gynogenetic males. The parameters analyzed were spermatozoon viability, motility and ploidy. Additionally, the gonads were processed for histology and the genetic inheritance confirmed by genotyping. Sperm parameters of gynogenetic males did not show differences when compared with semen of normal males. These data supports that gynogenetic males presents fertilization capacity and can be used for future studies of chromosome manipulation or possible production of monosex populations in A. altiparanae.