Sex Determination

Image curtesy of JR Archeta, UAF URSA

(Photo: GI1088-58)

Identifying Genomic Regions Related to Sex Determination

Made possible by Alaska EPSCoR!

Project Overview

Current Progress

(complete!)

Project Overview

The Background Info:

The genomic basis of sex determination in Pacific herring is not known yet. Herring can be sexed by looking at their internal anatomy, but this can be less accurate and inconvenient in some circumstances. Finding genetic markers, such as sex chromosomes, that can identify sex in herring will be useful in current and future research.

Internal gonads of a mature male

(Photo: Sydney Almgren)

The Research Question:

What regions of the genome are related to sex determination in Pacific herring?

The How:

While sex chromosomes and related genomic regions haven't been identified yet in Pacific herring, they have been described in Atlantic herring, a very close relative. A reference genome from Atlantic herring can provide a roadmap for finding regions of the genome related to sex in Pacific herring.

Herring spawning grounds

(Photo: Shane Shepard, ADF&G)

Herring eggs on tree branches

(Photo: Bethany Goodrich, Herring Protectors)

The Why:

Besides providing fundamental information about herring genomics, identifying genomic sex markers can help researchers more easily determine the sex of a fish. Being able to genetically test for the sex of a fish can provide more certainty in some situations, particularly for juvenile or non-spawning fish. Developing a genetic assay also provides a non-lethal method of sexing herring.