Detection of triploidy in fish using the cytokinesis-blocked method for erythrocyte and hepatic cells.

The use of two cytochalasin-blocked methods with erythrocyte and hepatic cells was developed to identify spontaneous and/or induced triploid fish by observing the presence of trinucleated cells. Spontaneous triploids were found in two specimens out of fifteen commercial rainbow trout from a hatchery at 2 years of age. Some rare spontaneous triploid (3n) trinucleated cells were also found in the other thirteen diploid (2n) trout specimens under investigation. The use of this novel technique in a study of the triploidy in vitro, allows evaluation of the polyploid specimens under field and laboratory experimental conditions. The potential contribution of binucleated hepatic and erythrocyte techniques in fish to the assessment of polyploidy is discussed.