Sex-Associated Microsatellite Marker for Neomale Identification and Histological Analysis of Gonadal Maturation in Ompok bimaculatus
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Abstract
This study aimed to develop sex-associated microsatellite markers for identifying neomales in Ompok bimaculatus and to characterize their gonadal structures histologically. Newly hatched larvae were treated with 17α-methyltestosterone (MT), and MT-treated fish were sampled up to 180 days post-hatching. Gonadal tissues were examined histologically, and caudal fins from ten males, ten females, and ten MT-treated individuals were used for DNA extraction. MT-treated fish showed smaller, translucent testes with markedly reduced spermatozoa density. A novel sex-associated microsatellite marker was identified, characterized by a dinucleotide (CA)n repeat: (CA)₁₉ in males and (CA)₁₅ in females and neomales, indicating sex linkage. These findings support the molecular identification of neomales and provide a foundation for developing reliable markers for sex determination and controlled breeding in O. bimaculatus.
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