Application of an electrophoretically detectable genetic marker to ploidy testing in brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) triploidised by heat shock

A phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) variant, of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.), expressed in adipose fin tissue, was incorporated into experimental batches through selective crossing of brood-stock having the PGI-3 (110) marker gene. PGI-3 (110) homozygous females were crossed with PGI-3 (100) homozygous males to yield all PGI-3 (110/100) progeny. These were subject to heat shock for 10 min at 28°C, commencing 10 min after insemination. Electrophoretic examination of fry indicated that diploids and triploids were separable on the basis of PGI-3 banding patterns, having staining ratios of 1:2:1 and 4:4:1, respectively. This confirmed the retention of an extra maternal PGI-3 (110) gene in triploid individuals. Potential applications of this marker in triploid studies in brown trout are discussed.