Gender-specific differences in gene expression profiles in gynogenetic Pengze crucian carp

Abstract

Gynogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction that is used to obtain all-female fish stocks. In this study, we were interested in studying gender-specific differences in gene expression profiles in gynogenetic teleosts, using a carp species. The four-month old gynogenetic Pengze crucian carp F1 (Carassius auratus var. pengzensis, Pcc) showed a high ratio of males under laboratory culture condition. The present study aimed to investigate the differences between males and females. The gonadosomatic index of the females was significantly higher than that of the males. Moreover, the hepatosomatic index of the females was significantly lower than that of the males. Vitellogenin B mRNA was abnormally highly expressed in male hepatopancreas and testes compared to females. Similarly, zona pellucida 2 expressed at a significantly high level in the testes. For the sex related genes, dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia congenital critical region on the X-chromosome gene 1, doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1a, nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 1b and SRY-box containing gene 9a had significantly higher expression levels in the males than in the females, whereas there was no difference in expression of anti-Müllerian hormone, cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1A and forkhead box L2 transcripts between the two genders. The females showed higher levels of estrogen but no significant difference in testosterone compared to the males. The data suggest remarkable differences between the two genders of the Pengze crucian carp.