Induction of tetraploid gynogenesis in the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax L.

Abstract

A preliminary study on tetraploid gynogenetic induction in the European sea bass was performed by pressure-blocking the second polar body release and the first cleavage in eggs fertilized with ultraviolet-irradiated sperm. Fertilization of eggs with genetically inactivated sperm produced only haploid development that terminated around hatching. Pressure treatments (8.500 psi for 2 min) applied at 6 and 65 min after fertilization (a.f.) produced variable levels (7–95%) of tetraploid larvae at hatching. A small proportion of mosaics (3.8n/4.2n) was also recorded.