No AFLP sex-specific markers detected in Pangasianodon gigas and P. hypophthalmus

Sex-specific DNA markers are useful for hatchery management. Sex identification at early ages can reduce broodstock rearing costs. This study employed the Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) approach for the identification of sex-linked markers in Pangasianodon gigas and P. hypophthalmus. Eight DNA pools (4 females, 4 males) each from P. gigas and P. hypophthalmus were screened using a total of 570 and 102 different primer combinations, respectively. None of the 570 primer combinations gave sex-associated amplification for P. gigas while 31 of the 102 primer combinations gave apparent sex-associated amplification across the pooled DNA samples of P. hypophthalmus. However, none of the 45 SCAR markers derived from the presumed sex-specific fragments showed sex specificity when tested using DNA of individual P. hypophthalmus males and females.