A review of ploidy manipulations in aquaculture: The Israeli experience

Abstract

Ploidy manipulation was introduced to Israel at the beginning of the 1980s. To improve existing methods, Israeli fish centers conducted intensive research in this field for more than two decades. Chromosome-set technology was adapted for ten fish species and varieties, including two marine fish. Presently, though methodology achievements are remarkable, practical imple- mentation is applicable only for the common carp. The aim was to integrate gynogenesis and androgenic sex-reversal to generate neomales with special genetic traits in this economically important species that is extensively cultured in Israel. Carp neomales can serve as parents for production of fast-growing all-female populations. This paper describes ploidy manipulation progress and activities carried out in four Israeli fish centers. Future objectives include (a) imple- mentation of the existing know-how to produce tilapia YY-males as broodfish for producing male- monosex populations, (b) dissemination and promotion of export to foreign markets of the advantageous female triploid grass carp and black carp, (c) continuation of genetic work with marine fish to develop breeds that could be advantageous for mariculture, and (d) reconsidera- tion of the ploidy-manipulated koi as a genetic tool to be utilized to facilitate gene-mapping in carps.