Patterns of sex ratio response to water temperature during sex determination in honmoroko Gnathopogon caerulescens

ABSTRACT:   The sex ratios of the offspring of males from broods of honmoroko Gnathopogon caerulescens that displayed thermolabile sex determination (TSD), and those from eggs collected from the wild, strongly suggest that the combination of parents plays an important supplementary role in TSD in this species. The proportion of females in all broods from eight pairings of fish captured in the field decreased significantly at 30°C compared to 20°C, and one brood was entirely female at the lower temperature. These results suggest that phenotypic males (XX-males) exist in nature, probably as a result of sex change from genetic females caused by TSD. Sex ratios in relation to water temperature fall into five patterns, two of which seem to result from normal pairings of XX-females and XY-males, and from pairings of XX-males and XX-females with non-thermosensitivity. Two other patterns are thought to result from the same types of pairing, but with thermosensitivity. The last pattern, which shows male bias at both low and high temperature, is not explained only by the combination of genotypic sex determination (XX/XY) and TSD. Fluctuating temperatures close to natural conditions showed little potential to masculinize broods laid in the field between April and early June. However, the sex ratios of fish spawned in early June showed male bias at low and high temperatures. The sex determination mechanism in G. caerulescens may involve the interaction between temperature and sex-determining genetic factors, and the relative importance of each component differs with breeding season.     

Study of sex determination system in ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris using meiotic gynogenesis

The sex ratios and sex determination mechanism of gynogenetic diploids of ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris, have been investigated to verify the possibilities of sex control by chromosome manipulation in this species. Meiotic gynogenesis was induced in a female ship sturgeon using cold shock after egg activation with UV-irradiated sperm of a male Siberian sturgeon. Microsatellite DNA analysis was applied for verification of uniparental inheritance in the gynogenetic diploid group of fish. All the analyzed gynogenetic diploids possessed only maternal genotype in the examined experimental group of fish. In this study, a minimum of two distinctly selected diagnostic loci in the offspring was used to confirm exclusively maternal contribution. Also, these fish were analyzed for sex diagnostic. Histological analysis of gonads from gynogenetic diploids, obtained from one family, showed 73.3 % of females and 27.7 % of males. The observed sex ratio has suggested that the ship sturgeon have a female heterogametic sex determination system. Gynogenesis in this species with female heterogametic sex determination system will have important role in breeding program and reclamation of its natural population to produce both female and male progeny, while this species has been introduced in the red list of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).     

Artificial gynogenesis and assessment of homozygosity in meiotic gynogens of spotted halibut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Verasper variegatus</Emphasis>)

In the present study, methodology of gynogenetic induction in spotted halibut were developed and optimized; the sex ratio of putative meiotic gynogenetic diploids was determined using AFLP-based molecular sexing technique; the homozygosity of gynogenetic population was assessed as opposed to cultivated population. The results showed that high percentage of meiotic gynogenetic diploids were generated when the eggs fertilized with irradiated heterologous sea perch frozen sperm (30–50 mJ cm⁻²) were cold shocked in sea water of −1°C for 40–75 min at 5 min after fertilization. About 15,200 diploid gynogenetic larvae were achieved and they exhibited normal morphology similar to diploid control. The gynogenetic diploids were 100% female, which first confirmed the female homogamete (XX/XY) sex determination in spotted halibut. The genetic analysis showed that the average H _O was, respectively, 0.404 and 0.724 in gynogenetic population and cultivated population, indicating an increase of homozygosity in gynogenetic population.     

基于天然XY雌鱼培育YY超雄尼罗罗非鱼的新方法

前期报道了利用尼罗罗非鱼LG22上性别连锁的分子标记检测到养殖群体存在天然XY雌鱼,但其能否用于培育YY超雄罗非鱼尚不清楚。本研究首先引入遗传性别受LG22染色体严格控制的CQ尼罗罗非鱼群体和具有天然XY雌鱼的WC群体,将CQ群体XY雄鱼与WC XY雌鱼杂交,检验杂交F1 YY超雄鱼是否可用于控制后代性别,并比较杂交F1 XY和YY罗非鱼体质量、性腺指数、血清激素水平和性腺基因表达情况。研究发现,CQ XY雄鱼和WC XY雌鱼交配,获得的F1 中具有25%的YY超雄鱼,经鉴定为全雄且可育。将F1 YY超雄鱼与WC XX雌鱼、WC XY雌鱼（母本）、杂交F1 XX雌鱼和CQ XX雌鱼交配,后代几乎全雄,仅在与F1 XX雌鱼交配后代中有2尾雌鱼（雄性率98%）。在孵化后180 d,杂交F1中XY和YY个体的体重、性腺指数、血清激素水平差异不显著。基因表达分析发现,YY鱼精巢中AmhX/AmhY mRNA表达显著高于XY鱼,而Dmrt1 和Cyp11b2 mRNA表达水平差异不显著。杂交F1 YY和XY鱼生理指标无明显差异。因此,采用尼罗罗非鱼天然XY雌鱼能够培育YY超雄鱼,且该YY超雄鱼能够用于罗非鱼性别控制。     

Chromosome set manipulation and sex control in common carp: a review

The development of techniques for production of gynogenetic, androgenetic, polyploid, and monosex progenies in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) is described from a chronological perspective. Gynogenetic progenies were obtained either by suppression of the second meiotic division in eggs (meiotic gynogenesis) or by suppression of the first mitotic division in haploid embryos (mitotic gynogenesis). As a rule, gynogenetic progenies of common carp were all-female, revealing female homogamety (females—XX, males—XY) in this species. Induced gynogenesis results in increased homozygosity; the rate of increase depends on the type of gynogenesis. Inbreeding coefficient (F) for one generation of meiotic gynogenesis in common carp is about 0.6, while diploids obtained by mitotic gynogenesis are homozygous for all genes (F = 1.0). Mitotic gynogenesis was used for production of clones in common carp. In androgenetic progenies of common carp, YY males were identified, that after crossing with normal females (XX) produced all-male progenies. Triploids of common carp are characterized by a significant reduction in gonad development (especially ovaries). However, the reduction in gonad development did not result in an increase of somatic growth rate of fish. The procedure for androgen treatment to induce phenotypic sex reversal in genotypic females (XX) was elaborated. All-female progenies of common carp were produced on a large scale by crossing normal females (XX) with hormonally sex-reversed males (XX). Rearing of all-female progenies in conditions when fish normally reach sexual maturity before reaching of market size increased production yield by 7–8%. In a few cases distant hybridization resulted in polyploidy of fish without application of any physical treatment. The ability of hybrid females between crucian carp (Carassius auratus) and common carp to produce diploid (with unreduced chromosome number) gametes resulted in opportunities to produce triploid and tetraploid hybrid progenies.     

尼罗罗非鱼性诱变个体测交试验研究

在尼罗罗非鱼性转化试验工作的基础上,有倾向性地选择试验中生长快、个体大或具有雄性副性特征的雌鱼与正常的雄性XY个体自然杂交。通过早期鱼苗性腺压片观察和子代性成熟后雌雄鉴定及个体解剖观察,试验组中出现了典型的XY雄与XY雌鱼杂交的子代1/4雌和3/4雄分布比例,佐证了尼罗罗非鱼遗传型为XX雌-XY雄型。结果表明,XY型雌鱼可存活,性腺可正常发育,并有生殖能力;子代出现3/4的雄性个体也侧证了1/4YY超雄个体存在并可存活的可能性,为进一步试验研究提供了实践依据;XY雌鱼与XX雌鱼存在外观差异,在一定程度上可通过这些性状选择XY雌鱼,为后期单倍体、雌核二倍体试验提供方便。     

Artificial gynogenesis in Cynoglossus semilaevis with homologous sperm and its verification using microsatellite markers

Effective methods for induction of gynogenetic diploids in Cynoglossus semilaevis are needed to initiate monosex culture. An effective protocol to induce half‐smooth tongue sole gynogenesis using homologous sperm was developed in this study. A UV dose of 50 mJ cm^?2 was found to be the most effective for genetic inactivation of tongue sole sperm. Treatment optima for cold shocks were 5 °C for 20–23 min at 5 min after fertilization and the hatching rate of gynogenetic diploids was 10.0%. Microsatellite analysis at locus Csou 6 revealed that there was no genetic contribution from the paternal genome in 24 progenies of a meiotic gynogenetic family. Polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that only four individuals of 24 meiotic gynogenetic diploids produced the female‐specific band of about 205 bp. The female/male ratio of gynogenetic diploids was significantly different from the theoretical ratio of 1:1. It is possible that there are some recessive lethal genes in W chromosome.     

Identification of sex‐specific markers and heterogametic XX/XY sex determination system by 2b‐RAD sequencing in redtail catfish (Mystus wyckioides)

Sex‐specific markers provide significant molecular basis for sex control breeding biotechnology to produce all‐male or all‐female fish in commercial breeding. Redtail catfish (Mystus wyckioides), one of the commercial bagrid catfishes distributed in Southeast Asian, which have a long sexual maturation period that can last 3–5 years and males have apparent growth advantage over females, but its sex determination system remains unknown. In this study, we first applied 2b‐RAD‐seq approach to identify three male‐specific 2b‐RAD‐tags and one male heterogametic SNP locus and validated by blast to the genome survey sequences and PCR amplification in both wild and breeding populations. To get longer sex‐specific region, we performed genome walking and obtained a 4,630 bp of Y‐specific sequence and 4,581 bp of X‐specific sequence from the 2b‐RAD‐tag ref189950 with 92.19% nucleotide identity between them. And 9,923 bp/3,935 bp of Y‐specific sequences and 8,491 bp/5,172 bp of X‐specific sequences were also identified with 77.49% and 57.07% nucleotide identity in ref208528 and ref210837, respectively. Subsequently, three different kinds of sex‐specific primers with different length products were designed based on the detected highly sex differentiated regions and could be used to distinguish males and females both in wild and artificially bred populations. What is more, the X‐specific fragment was discovered to produce the dosage effect association in females and in males. The data suggest that male heterogametic XX/XY sex determination system should exist in the redtail catfish. More significantly, the sex‐specific markers are of great value to protect wild resources and improve the efficiency of all‐male breeding practices for aquaculture in the redtail catfish.     

Comparative gonad histology and semen quality of normal (XY) and neo‐males (XX) of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

With an overarching objective of improving the hatchery production of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) all‐female progeny, this study comparatively evaluated the reproductive parameters between normal (genotype XY) and neo‐males (genotype XX). Four normal (XY) and seven neo‐ (XX) males, from the same brood stock, distinguished by their ability to or lack of expressing semen, respectively, were comparatively evaluated. The left testicular lobe was used for histomorphometric analyses, while the right for semen collection and sperm quality analyses. Histomorphometric observations revealed that neo‐male testes are irregularly shaped, and have poorly formed seminiferous ducts, higher proportions of interstitial tissue and lower gonadosomatic index (p < .05). In addition, hypertrophied and cyst forming Sertoli cells were found in these individuals which collectively appear to form a physical barrier, precluding the semen collection by standard stripping techniques and reducing sperm quality. Particularly, semen motility (80.69 ± 2.4% and 57.2 ± 36.5% for XY and XX respectively) and duration of motility (99.31 ± 28.03 s and 66.84 ± 23.83 s for XY and XX respectively) of neo‐males were most compromised (p < .05). Interestingly, the TUNEL assay indicated no signs of apoptotic tissue suggesting that the histological differences may relate to delayed physiological/sexual maturity of neo‐males.     

17β-雌二醇诱导黄颡鱼雌性化的研究

该研究通过对17β-雌二醇(E2)的投喂方式和投喂时间进行比较,探索了XY全雄黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)的雌性化方法,进而建立3个家系(XY♀×XY♂),结合性别分子标记对黄颡鱼雌性化诱导的成活率和性逆转率进行了对比研究。结果显示,卤虫(Artemia sp.)组从开口第1天进行诱导的性逆转率为75.20%,而从开口第5天进行诱导得不到发育好的雌性;从开口第1天投喂激素,饲料组的成活率与卤虫组无显著差异(P>0.05),而性逆转率显著高于卤虫组(P<0.05);分子标记Y1和Y2相结合能够准确鉴定黄颡鱼的遗传性别;对照组中3个家系的成活率和各个基因型性别比例均无显著差异(P>0.05),成活率为51.00%~56.67%,XX雌性占比为90.91%~97.44%,XY雄性占比为94.56%~95.96%,而YY则为雄性;诱导组中3个家系的成活率和性逆转率均无显著差异(P>0.05)。结果表明,采用含50 mg·kg-1 E2的微颗粒饲料从开口第1天开始诱导30 d,并运用遗传性别与表型性别鉴定相结合的方法能够有效筛选获得发育良好的XY/YY雌性黄颡鱼。     

Gynogenesis and sex determination in large-scale loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus (Sauvage)

Gynogenesis was induced using heterologous sperms in large-scale loach, Paramisgurnus dabryanus (Sauvage), in which a ZW/ZZ sex determination was previously proposed. Three microsatellite loci were used to monitor exclusive maternal inheritance of gynogenetic progenies. The results showed that high percentages of meiogynogens were produced at 4 min post-fertilization and mitogynogens were produced at 18 min post-fertilization by heat shocks, while meiotic gynogenesis was induced by cold shocks within a wide period and high heterozygosity was even observed in gynogens produced at 24 min post-fertilization. The sex ratios of the F₁ progenies in three gynogenetic families were significantly deviated from 1:1 expectation with a female bias in two families and a male bias in one family (P < 0.05), and the other four gynogenetic families showed approximate 1:1 sex ratios. Moreover, the self-mating between gynogenetic F₁ progenies and mating between gynogenetic F₁ progenies and normal individuals produced all-female progenies or identical proportions of females and males. The data of sex ratios generally confirmed that the sex determination in large-scale loach was determined by the putative ZW/ZZ system, and the possible reasons causing the biased sex ratios are discussed.     

Induction of meiotic gynogenesis in bagrid catfish (Pseudobagrus ussuriensis) with homologous sperm and its confirmation for female homogamety

The bagrid catfish, Pseudobagrus ussuriensis, exhibits significant sexual dimorphism in growth rate and body size with males growing faster than females. Therefore, an all‐male culture can dramatically increase the output and profitability of fishery products. According to the monosex breeding route, super‐male individuals’ acquirement by XY male sex reversal and artificial gynogenesis is the key step. An effective protocol to induce meiotic gynogenesis using homologous sperms has been developed in this study. The most effective UV irradiation for sperm genetic inactivation was found to be at a distance of 20 cm with 66 μW/cm² light intensity for 25 min. Optimal treatment for cold shock was 5 min post‐fertilization at 0‐4°C for 30 min, which gave the best survival rate of 13.65 ± 2.87%. The sex ratio in the meiotic gynogens showed a significant female‐biased deviation (p < .05); thirty meiogynogens and their parents were further analysed using a male‐specific AFLP marker, of which only the male parent produced a male‐specific DNA band of 412 bp. These results indicated the female homogametic XX/XY sex determination system in P. ussuriensis. The optimization of a protocol for the successful induction of meiogynogenesis in the bagrid catfish lays the basis for all‐male production and is useful in ascertaining the genetic sex determination system in this promising aquaculture species.     

All-male Tilapia Hybrids of Two Strains of Oreochromis niloticus

Hybridization between Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Local and Stirling University strains) and blue tilapia O. aureus was found to be a tool to produce monosex populations. In order to select a purebred that produces all- or nearly all-male hybrids with high productivity, O. niloticus females and their diploid gynogenetics (meiogynes and mitogynes) were hybridized with O. aureus males. The sex ratio of progenies was evaluated from inter- and intraspecific crosses of two strains of Nile tilapia. Single-pair matings and group spawns under hatchery conditions showed no deviation ( P > 0.01) from the expected sex ratio of intraspecific crosses among two strains of Nile tilapia. However, a higher proportion of male progenies in blue tilapia was observed in group spawns in pond ( P < 0.004) and hatchery conditions ( P < 0.01). Only the Stirling strain and mitogynes produced all-male progenies under laboratory conditions. There were significant differences ( P < 0.05) in growth among hybrid progeny groups, when gynogens and their regular O. niloticus (Local strain) females were crossed with O. aureus males. Six-month hybrid offspring from mitogyne female parents grew better than those from regular and meiogyne female broods.     

Reproductive performance and mature gonad morphology of triploid and diploid Black Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) siblings

Sibling harvest age Black Tiger shrimp triploids and diploids of both sexes were reared to reproductive maturity, crossed with wild caught females and males, conditioned for spawning and a comprehensive reproductive performance trial was undertaken. Ovarian development, spawning frequency, fecundity, hatch rate, gonad morphology, male reproductive tracts and thelycum impregnation rates of the wild female × triploid male cross were assessed. After ablation, ovarian development and cycling between wild G₀ diploid and G₁ diploids was not significantly different, whereas G₁ triploids failed to show any signs of ovarian development and cycling, thus resulting in no G₁ triploid female spawnings. There were 10 G₀ diploid female × G₀ diploid male first‐spawnings and 9 G₀ diploid female × G₁ diploid male first‐spawnings, all of which produced viable nauplii. In comparison, there were 7 G₀ diploid female × G₁ triploid male first‐spawnings, none of which produced viable nauplii. The 26 wild G₀ diploid female spawnings had more eggs than the 1 G₁ diploid female spawning. Gonad morphology and male reproductive tract assessments showed impaired reproductive development in triploid gonadal tissues of both sexes (compared with sibling diploids and wild shrimp) to a point where complete maturation had not occurred. The thelycum of 16 wild G₀ diploid females crossed with G₁ triploid males had no visible spermatophore present, suggesting that G₁ triploid males are incapable of developing viable spermatophores and mating with females. This study demonstrates that the triploid females and males are incapable of producing viable gametes and are thus reproductively sterile.     

1种快速鉴定金钱鱼遗传性别的方法

金钱鱼(Scatophagus argus)是我国东南沿海名优养殖鱼类, 具有 XY 性别决定系统, Dmrt1 是其性别决定候选基因。金钱鱼生长具有性别二态性, 雌鱼生长快于雄鱼。目前缺乏快速鉴定金钱鱼遗传性别的分子标记, 阻碍了其性别控制育种技术的建立。本研究以公布的金钱鱼基因组数据, 在 Dmrt1 附近设计多对标记引物, 并通过 PCR 扩增验证标记的性别特异性。其中, 标记引物 Dmrt1-Marker-4-F/R 在雌鱼中仅扩增出一条 593 bp X 染色体条带, 而在雄鱼中能扩增出 593 bp 和 693 bp 两条条带, 分别来自 X 和 Y 染色体, 表明该标记为共显性标记。利用该标记检测我国南海沿岸 3 个不同地理群体 213 尾金钱鱼的遗传性别与表型性别完全一致。此外, 快速 DNA 提取试剂盒提取的片段较短 DNA 样品也可用于该对标记引物准确鉴定遗传性别。本研究建立了一种快速、准确、经济可靠的金钱鱼遗传性别鉴定方法, 将旨为促进金钱鱼性别控制育种技术的建立, 并为金钱鱼性别决定与分化机制研究提供依据。     

When and why do smallmouth bass abandon their broods? The effects of brood and parental characteristics

Abstract Variation in brood abandonment was explored by conducting partial brood removals from smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, nests in two north temperate lakes. In both lakes, percent of the brood removed had no effect on nest failure rates. Nest failure prior to offspring swim‐up was more common, but unrelated to brood size after removal, in the lake with higher post‐spawning mortality and lower growth and fecundity. Brood size after removal was negatively related to nest failure in the lake with high survival, growth and fecundity. Nests guarded by young males failed more frequently than those of old males, and young broods failed more frequently than old broods. Dynamic programming and logistic regression models developed to predict nest fate worked better for the lake with selective pressures that theoretically favoured abandonment (e.g. high post‐spawning mortality). Both models identified male age and brood age as important factors in predicting nest fates. Because nest success is related to the age of the parent, this could have consequences for overall nest success for populations with different demographics.     

Differences in sex reversion and growth between normal and neomale stock in half-smooth tongue sole,Cynoglossus semilaevis

The present study evaluated the difference in the sex ratio (the genotypic and phenotypic female ratios) and the growth parameters between normal male offspring and neomale offspring under tank culture conditions. The phenotypic female ratio of normal male offspring (20.46–63.79 %) in four families and three stocks was remarkably higher than that of neomale offspring (5.21–10.53 %) in three neomale families and three neomale stocks (p < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between normal male offspring (30.41–70.60 %) and neomale offspring (29.7–70.83 %) in the genotypic female ratio (p > 0.05). The sex reversion ratio (SRR) was analyzed based on the genotypic and phenotypic female ratios. In neomale offspring, the SRR ranged from 84.25 to 92.53 %, while in normal offspring the SRR ranged from 9.65 to 34.60 %. There was a significant difference between normal male offspring and neomale offspring in the SRR (p < 0.01). The weight and length were measured at the ages of 300, 600, and 720 days. The growth rate was analyzed by the statistics, and there was a significant higher growth rate in the normal family than the neomale family (p < 0.05). The results suggest that the slower growth in the neomale offspring is responsible for the high SRR.     

Allelic segregation of sex‐linked microsatellite markers in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and validation of inheritance in YY population

Stocking of all‐male fingerling produced by direct administration of male hormone 17‐α‐methyltestosterone is the most preferred method for present‐day aquaculture of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. However, due to the growing concern of negative impact of steroid hormone in food fish, production of ‘genetically male’ tilapia, which depends on the concrete and thorough understanding of sex determination, has long been a scientific curiosity. The objective of the present study was to identify reliable sex‐linked markers and to evaluate the applicability of those markers in terms of monosex production approach. ‘XY’ neofemales were produced by using synthetic oestrogen and identified through selective breeding and progeny testing. Three females with progeny not deviating from 3:1 sex ratio (male:female) were designated as ‘XY’ neofemales and were used subsequently to produce putative YY progeny. Among the fifteen microsatellite markers tested, marker ARO172 was most informative in differentiating male and female genotypes. Twenty‐seven F₂ fish from three families were identified as putative YY males based on marker genotyping, and four of them were crossed to produce F₃ to validate marker association by progeny testing. The YY males produced 86%–100% male progeny indicating ARO172 a unique sex‐linked marker applicable in marker‐assisted selection.     

Multiple paternity,reproductive skew and correlates of male reproductive success in a wild population of the Trinidadian guppy

Abstract – In most species, males have a higher reproductive potential than females, leading to skewed reproductive success, particularly in mating systems where pre‐ or postcopulatory sexual selection reinforces inequality in male mating success. We investigated multiple paternity, reproductive skew and correlates of male reproductive success in a wild population of the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). We used nine microsatellite loci to assess the frequency of multiple paternity, number of sires per brood and reproductive skew. Across broods, the frequency of multiple paternity was high with 94% of broods having multiple sires (range: 1–5), resulting in a reproductive skew of 0.14. Variation in male reproductive success was high (range: 0–14 offspring per male), suggesting that there is considerable opportunity for sexual selection. Next, we examined correlations between male reproductive success and sexual coloration, sperm velocity and gonopodium length. Relative area of orange, black, iridescent and total coloration, and sperm velocity were not correlated with reproductive success. However, gonopodium length explained 14% of the variation in reproductive success, suggesting that gonopodium length is likely a sexually selected trait. We discuss these findings in the light of other studies that genetically dissect joint‐sex parentage and examine correlates of male reproductive success in wild populations.     

Production of meiotic gynogenetic and triploid sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax L.: 1. Performances, maturation and carcass quality

Meiotic gynogenetic and triploid sea bass were produced by pressure shocks according to a previously published protocol. Pressure-treated groups did not survive as well as controls during early development and larval rearing. Performances, sexual maturation and carcass quality were examined over a period of 34–45 months. At the age of 34 months, growth of the gynogenetic fish was comparable to that of the control but inferior in the triploid fish. A predominance of male fish was found within the triploid groups, while diploid and meiotic gynogenetic fish showed equal proportions of the sexes. Gonadal maturation in triploid fish was significantly impaired, particularly in the females that showed rudimentary ovaries. Triploid males exhibited primary maturation but proved to be gametically sterile. Pressure-induced triploids did not grow as well as diploids, but these results might be ascribed to specific on-growing conditions (communal rearing). The performance of gynogenetic sea bass was comparable to that of control. The superiority of diploid fish over their triploid counterparts was confirmed during the final growing period and more clearly so in females. Performances of triploids varied according to their maternal origin. Overall, striking qualitative differences between diploid and triploid fish were found at the age of 34 and 45 months, although the results varied in a gender-specific manner. A strong maternal effect was also observed. The potential advantages of triploid sea bass for aquaculture purposes are discussed.