Establishing a model fish for the Neotropical region: The case of the yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae in advanced biotechnology.

The use of model organisms is important for basic and applied sciences. Several laboratory species of fishes are used to develop advanced technologies, such as the zebrafish (Danio rerio), the medaka (Oryzias latipes), and loach species (Misgurnus spp.). However, the application of these exotic species in the Neotropical region is limited due to differences in environmental conditions and phylogenetic distances. This situation emphasizes the establishment of a model organism specifically for the Neotropical region with the development of techniques that may be applicable to other Neotropical fish species. In this work, the previous research efforts are described in order to establish the yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae as a model laboratory species for both laboratory and aquaculture purposes. Over the last decade, starting with artificial fertilization, the yellowtail tetra has become a laboratory organism for advanced biotechnology, such as germ cell transplantation, chromosome set manipulation, and other technologies, with applications in aquaculture and conservation of genetic resources. Nowadays, the yellowtail tetra is considered the most advanced fish with respect to fish biotechnology within the Neotropical region. The techniques developed for this species are being used in other related species, especially within the characins class.

Grooves surrounding the micropyle decrease the inseminating dose in fish.

In fish with external fertilization, sperm must reach the oocyte through the micropyle to enter the cytoplasm. Fertilization success is then influenced by characteristics of oocytes or sperm. In this study, we evaluated oocyte morphology and sperm motility parameters and their effects on the inseminating dose in a teleost fish Astyanax altiparanae. Interestingly, we found one of the lowest yet described inseminating doses in teleosts (2390 spermatozoa oocyte-1 ml-1). Such a fertilization efficacy may be explained by the long duration of sperm motility (>75 s), the small oocyte diameter (695.119 µm), large micropyle diameter (7.57 µm), and the presence of grooves on the oocyte surface that guides spermatozoon to the fertilization area. Additionally, we have described for the first time a structure that combines grooves on the chorion surface and a ridge in the micropylar area.

A Flow Cytometry Protocol to Estimate DNA Content in the Yellowtail Tetra Astyanax altiparanae.

The production of triploid yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae is a key factor to obtain permanently sterile individuals by chromosome set manipulation. Flow cytometric analysis is the main tool for confirmation of the resultant triploids individuals, but very few protocols are specific for A. altiparanae species. The current study has developed a protocol to estimate DNA content in this species. Furthermore, a protocol for long-term storage of dorsal fins used for flow cytometry analysis was established. The combination of five solutions with three detergents (Nonidet P-40 Substitute, Tween 20, and Triton X-100) at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4% concentration was evaluated. Using the best solution from this first experiment, the addition of trypsin (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5%) and sucrose (74 mM) and the effects of increased concentrations of the detergents at 0.6 and 1.2% concentration were also evaluated. After adjustment of the protocol for flow cytometry, preservation of somatic tissue or isolated nuclei was also evaluated by freezing (at -20°C) and fixation in saturated NaCl solution, acetic methanol (1:3), ethanol, and formalin at 10% for 30 or 60 days of storage at 25°C. Flow cytometry analysis in yellowtail tetra species was optimized using the following conditions: lysis solution: 9.53 mM MgCl2.7H20; 47.67 mM KCl; 15 mM Tris; 74 mM sucrose, 0.6% Triton X-100, pH 8.0; staining solution: Dulbecco's PBS with DAPI 1 µg mL-1; preservation procedure: somatic cells (dorsal fin samples) frozen at -20°C. Using this protocol, samples may be stored up to 60 days with good accuracy for flow cytometry analysis.

Stereological analysis of gonads from diploid and triploid fish yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae (Garutti & Britski) in laboratory conditions.

This study aimed to examine the gonadal morphology of diploid and triploid fish through stereological analysis. Triploid individuals were obtained after temperature shock (40°C for 2 min) at 2 min post-fertilization and reared until 175 days post-fertilization (dpf). Intact eggs were used to obtain the diploids. Gonads were collected for histological analysis at 83, 114, 144 and 175 dpf. Diploid females and males presented normal oogenesis and spermatogenesis through all the experimental period. Conversely, stereological analysis revealed that triploid females were sterile and oogonia were the prevalent cell type in the ovaries. Triploid males presented increased amounts of spermatocyte cysts and a large area of lumen when compared with diploids and in addition the amount of spermatozoa was lower than that observed for diploids. However, some triploid males presented spermatogenesis similar to diploids. Therefore, we concluded that triploidization is an interesting alternative to produce sterile individuals in A. altiparanae.