Differential Expression of the Dmrt1 Gene from Ovaries of Diploid and Triploid Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the differential expression of the Dmrt1 gene in ovaries of diploid and triploid rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) 10 and 20 months post-hatch. At 10 months post-hatch there was little relative difference in the expression of the Dmrt1 gene between triploid and diploid trout. However, at 20 months the expression of the Dmrt1 gene in triploids was more than 14 times higher than in diploids. Dmrt1 expression from 10 to 20 months suggests masculinization of the ovaries, which may be virilescent in triploid females at the later development phase (20 months). This study provides molecular evidence supporting the general claims that ovaries of female triploid rainbow trout do not develop normally resulting in sterility.