Non-lethal determination of sex and reproductive condition of Eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica Gmelin using protein profiles of hemolymph by Proteinchip® and SELDI-TOF-MS technology

As the demand for hatchery-produced oyster seed increases for both aquaculture and restoration purposes, techniques to improve seed production, such as accurate determination of broodstock oyster sex and gonad development, have become more important. In this study, we developed a novel method of determining oyster sex and developmental stage through protein profiling of hemolymph using a relatively new proteomic tool, Proteinchip® and SELDI-TOF-MS. Over 139 peptides/proteins were detected from oyster hemolymph, 62 of which appeared to be involved in reproductive activities. Using the protein-profile information, individual broodstock oysters were categorized successfully into one of five groups: undifferentiated, female developing, female ripe, male developing and male ripe. The accuracy of categorization, confirmed by subsequent, traditional histological methods, was 98.8% (p < 0.05). Wide application of this method is still limited by cost; however, results of this research open doors for further study to develop more-affordable and portable methods based upon detection of specific hemolymph peptides and proteins.