Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 01085

Branch : Fish Health Branch

Study Plan Number : 01085

Study Title : Determination of Gender of White Sturgeon by Molecular Methods

Starting Date : 10/01/2001

Completion Date : 09/30/2003

Principal Investigator(s) : Schill, Bane (William)

Primary PI : Schill, Bane (William)

Telephone Number : (304) 724-4438

Email Address : bane_schill@usgs.gov

SIS Number : 5004889

Primary Program Element : Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Second Program Element : Status and Trends

Status : Completed

Abstract : BACKGROUND
This research seeks to develop rapid assessment technologies using DNA markers to differentiate male and female white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus. The non-lethal, non-surgical techniques will allow field and hatchery workers to readily discern gender of white sturgeon with a minimum of laboratory resources. The techniques will work on all age classes and sizes of fish regardless of state of maturity. This project should produce a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based diagnostic system to determine gender of white sturgeon at any life stage (including larvae). At least two scientific publications will be generated describing 1) the technology used to isolate sex specific sequences, and 2) the basis of sex determination in white sturgeon. It is expected that fishery and hatchery managers as well as researchers needing to know the gender of white sturgeon used in experiments will routinely use the diagnostic system. Ovaries and testes from unequivocally sexed fish will be collected and transported.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of this project is to produce a PCR based diagnostic system to determine gender of white sturgeon at any life stage (including larvae). The diagnostic system will significantly improve the efficiency of current stock assessment activities by eliminating the need to perform surgeries on fish in the field and will enable gender identification of immature fish. We expect that some of the genes identified will be suitable candidates for gender identification probes. Secondarily, the genetic libraries that will be created and the genes that will be characterized will greatly enhance the body of knowledge regarding reproduction in sturgeon, and will be of great value to the scientific community for the study of this animal’s physiology and genomic organization. In addition, these diagnostic tools may identify potential problems at hatcheries and in the natural environment.
HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED
State of the art methods of subtraction cloning can be used to identify sex associated genes and/or gene fragments. PCR and/or in situ hybridization can be used to detect the presence of these sex markers and thereby determine gender in all life stages of white sturgeon.

For More Information :

° Home

U.S. Department of the Interior || U.S. Geological Survey
11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov
Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov
Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn
Privacy Policy and Disclaimers || FOIA || Accessibility

Branch :	Fish Health Branch
Study Plan Number :	01085
Study Title :	Determination of Gender of White Sturgeon by Molecular Methods
Starting Date :	10/01/2001
Completion Date :	09/30/2003
Principal Investigator(s) :	Schill, Bane (William)
Primary PI :	Schill, Bane (William)
Telephone Number :	(304) 724-4438
Email Address :	bane_schill@usgs.gov
SIS Number :	5004889
Primary Program Element :	Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Second Program Element :	Status and Trends
Status :	Completed
Abstract :	BACKGROUND This research seeks to develop rapid assessment technologies using DNA markers to differentiate male and female white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus. The non-lethal, non-surgical techniques will allow field and hatchery workers to readily discern gender of white sturgeon with a minimum of laboratory resources. The techniques will work on all age classes and sizes of fish regardless of state of maturity. This project should produce a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based diagnostic system to determine gender of white sturgeon at any life stage (including larvae). At least two scientific publications will be generated describing 1) the technology used to isolate sex specific sequences, and 2) the basis of sex determination in white sturgeon. It is expected that fishery and hatchery managers as well as researchers needing to know the gender of white sturgeon used in experiments will routinely use the diagnostic system. Ovaries and testes from unequivocally sexed fish will be collected and transported. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this project is to produce a PCR based diagnostic system to determine gender of white sturgeon at any life stage (including larvae). The diagnostic system will significantly improve the efficiency of current stock assessment activities by eliminating the need to perform surgeries on fish in the field and will enable gender identification of immature fish. We expect that some of the genes identified will be suitable candidates for gender identification probes. Secondarily, the genetic libraries that will be created and the genes that will be characterized will greatly enhance the body of knowledge regarding reproduction in sturgeon, and will be of great value to the scientific community for the study of this animal’s physiology and genomic organization. In addition, these diagnostic tools may identify potential problems at hatcheries and in the natural environment. HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED State of the art methods of subtraction cloning can be used to identify sex associated genes and/or gene fragments. PCR and/or in situ hybridization can be used to detect the presence of these sex markers and thereby determine gender in all life stages of white sturgeon.
For More Information :
° Home


U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility