Genetic analysis of androgenetic rainbow trout.

We analyzed a number of genetic characteristics in androgenetic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and their progeny. The androgenetic progeny of individual androgenetic males appeared genetically identical to each other based on eight enzyme loci. Their viability was no higher than that of androgenetic progeny of outbred males. Homozygous androgenetic female rainbow trout produced very poor quality eggs. When common eggs and sperm from outbred individuals were used to produce androgenetic and gynogenetic progeny, the yield of gynogenetic progeny was higher but some were heterozygous at protein loci, while no androgenetic progeny were heterozygous. Some androgenetic diploid rainbow trout were successfully produced from cryopreserved sperm. The progeny of some androgenetic males crossed to normal females were virtually all males, while the progeny of other males were virtually all females. This suggests that both XX and YY androgenetic individuals may develop as males. Androgenesis is likely to be useful for generating homozygous clones for research and for recovering strains from cryopreserved sperm.