Fish sex-specific molecular marker screening and marker-assisted sex-controlled breeding: history, progress and prospect

Sex-controlled breeding is a powerful technique in aquaculture organisms. China has made great progress in sex determination research and sex-controlled breeding in fish in the last 20 years. Firstly, the authors reviewed the research history of sex-specific molecular markers in fish in China, including the exploration period (2001-2006), breakthrough period (2007-2012) and rapid development period (2013-2023). Especially in the breakthrough period, the research and development of sex-specific markers for Cynoglossus semilaevis and Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, which provided important technical means for sex determination research and sex-controlled breeding of fish in China. Secondly, the research progress of molecular marker-assisted sex-controlled breeding was introduced. Sex-specific molecular markers have been used to breed new fish species, such as C. semilaevis "Tayou No.1", P. fulvidraco “Quanxiong No.1”, which greatly promoted the research on sex-controlled breeding of fish in China. Finally, the author prospected the future development direction of sex-specific molecular marker screening and marker-assisted sex-controlled breeding in China, and proposed research focuses on fish sex-controlled breeding in fish in the future. The paper will have important significance for sex determination research and sex-controlled breeding of fish in China.