title: Induction of diploid gynogenesis in an evolutionary model organism, the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rapid advances in genomics have provided nearly complete genome sequences for many different species. However, no matter how the sequencing technology has improved, natural genetic polymorphism complicates the production of high quality reference genomes. To address this problem, researchers have tried using artificial modes of genome manipulation such as gynogenesis for fast production of inbred lines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Here, we present the first successful induction of diploid gynogenesis in an evolutionary model system, the three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus), using a combination of UV-irradiation of the sperm and heat shock (HS) of the resulting embryo to inhibit the second meiotic division. Optimal UV irradiation of the sperm was established by exposing stickleback sperm to a UV- light source at various times. Heat shock parameters like temperature, duration, and time of initiation were tested by subjecting eggs fertilized with UV inactivated sperm 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 minutes post fertilization (mpf) to 30°C, 34°C, or 38°C for 2, 4, 6 or 8 minutes. Gynogen yield was highest when stickleback eggs were activated with 2 minutes UV-irradiated sperm and received HS 5 mpf at 34°C for 4 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diploid gynogenesis has been successfully performed in three-spined stickleback. This has been confirmed by microsatellite DNA analysis which revealed exclusively maternal inheritance in all gynogenetic fry tested. Ploidy verification by flow cytometry showed that gynogenetic embryos/larvae exhibiting abnormalities were haploids and those that developed normally were diploids, i.e., double haploids that can be raised until adult size.
authors.affiliation: Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max-Planck Institute of Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann Str 2, Ploen 24306, Germany. samonte@evolbio.mpg.de
authors.forename: Irene E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Samonte-Padilla
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eizaguirre
authors.forename: Jörn P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Scharsack
authors.forename: Tobias L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Lenz
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milinski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005306:Fertilization; D016678:Genome; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D006238:Haploidy; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007178:Inbreeding; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D010063:Ovum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D023701:Smegmamorpha / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D004247:DNA