Formation and Biological Characteristics Analysis of Artificial Gynogenetic WuLi Carp Induced by Inactivated Sperm of Megalobrama Amblycephala

Artificial gynogenesis is an essential technique for aquaculture breeding. Fertile offspring of the WuLi carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i> var. Quanzhounensis, 2<i>n</i> = 100, WLC) were successfully produced via gynogenesis using ultraviolet-irradiated sperm from the blunt snout bream (<i>Megalobrama amblycephala</i>, 2<i>n</i> = 48, BSB). As anticipated, gonadal section examination confirmed that all gynogenetic WuLi carp (2<i>n</i> = 100, GWB) were female. To investigate whether paternal DNA fragments from BSB were integrated into the GWB genome, comparative analyses of morphological traits, DNA content, chromosomal numbers, 5S rDNA sequences, microsatellite DNA markers, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), growth performance and nutritional composition were systematically conducted between GWB and maternal WLC. The results revealed pronounced maternal inheritance patterns across morphological characteristics, DNA quantification, chromosomal configurations, 5S rDNA sequences and FISH signals, while microsatellite detection unequivocally confirmed paternal BSB DNA fragment integration into the GWB genome. Remarkably, GWB demonstrated significantly superior growth performance and elevated unsaturated fatty acid content relative to the maternal line. This approach not only addressed germplasm degradation in WLC but also provided valuable theoretical foundations for breeding programs in this commercially significant species.