Genetic Dissection of a Precocious Phenotype in Male Tiger Pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes) using Genotyping by Random Amplicon Sequencing, Direct (GRAS-Di).

The novel non-targeted PCR-based genotyping system, namely Genotyping by Random Amplicon Sequencing, Direct (GRAS-Di), is characterized by the simplicity in library construction and robustness against DNA degradation and is expected to facilitate advancements in genetics, in both basic and applied sciences. In this study, we tested the utility of GRAS-Di for genetic analysis in a cultured population of the tiger pufferfish Takifugu rubripes. The genetic analyses included family structure analysis, genetic map construction, and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for the male precocious phenotype using a population consisting of four full-sib families derived from a genetically precocious line.

Production of Tiger Puffer Takifugu rubripes Offspring from Triploid Grass Puffer Takifugu niphobles Parents.

The tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes is one of the most popular aquacultural fish; however, there are two major obstacles to selective breeding. First, they have a long generation time of 2 or 3 years until maturation. Second, the parental tiger puffer has a body size (2-5 kg) much larger than average market size (0.

Transitional reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in fertilized egg embryos of devil stinger (Inimicus japonicus), a marine fish species.

A time-course analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in fertilized eggs of the devil stinger (Inimicus japonicus) from 0 h post-fertilization (hpf) to the early larval stage indicated that the ROS level was highest in the 22 hpf embryo, and declined thereafter. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) had no effect on ROS generation by the 22 hpf embryo, whereas PMA significantly increased larval ROS generation, suggesting that the ROS generation mechanisms of the 22 hpf embryo and larva are different at least in terms of PMA-responsiveness. Our results suggest the presence of a specific ROS generation system in devil stinger embryo which can be transitionally activated during embryogenesis.

Estradiol-17beta treatment induces intersexual gonadal development in the pufferfish, Takifugu rubripes.

Estrogens are responsible for most characteristics of the female sex of a species, such as metabolic, behavioral, and morphological changes during reproduction. Artificial estradiol-17beta (E2) treatment Induces sex reversal in some fish. The Japanese pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes) has the most compact genome among vertebrates and great pottial for comparative genome analysis.

Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by various marine fish species during the larval stage.

Previous studies have indicated that the devil stinger produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) during early development from fertilized egg to larva. To determine whether ROS generation is a common feature in marine fish species, we conducted chemiluminescence analysis using ROS specific probe (L012) on larvae of six marine fish species. Marbled rockfish, black rockfish, and devil stinger showed higher levels of chemiluminescence response (CR), whereas the levels of CR of sevenband grouper, tiger puffer, and red seabream were fairly lower.

Expression of the DMRT gene and its roles in early gonadal development of the Japanese pufferfish Takifugu rubripes.

DMRT1, a gene containing the Doublesex/Mab-3 DNA-binding motif (DM domain), encodes a transcription factor that regulates early differentiation of Sertoli cells in the testes of vertebrates. Here, we describe the pattern of expression of six DMRT genes (DMRT1, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, and 5) during gonadal development in the Japanese pufferfish, Takifugu rubripes, for the first time. Conventional histological analysis showed that a primordial gonad is present 2 weeks after hatching and that sexual differentiation had occurred by 6 weeks after hatching, as determined by the formation of cavities in the ovaries.

Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by devil stinger (Inimicus japonicus) during embryogenesis.

In aqua-cultural industry, the seed production of devil stinger, a valuable fish in Japan, has not succeeded yet due to the cryptogenic mass mortality. We found that survival rate of the larvae of devil stinger increased by the addition of green tea extract rich in catechin into rearing tank. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected in the embryo of devil stinger by chemiluminescence analysis under the normal growth conditions without addition of specific stimulants.