Effects of temperature on broodstock conditions, gonadal development and survival of tetraploid and diploid oysters of 'Haida No. 3' line (Crassostrea gigas)

Tetraploid oysters are valuable germplasm resources for the production of triploid oysters. However, the broodstock condition and gonadal development of tetraploid oysters are poorly understood. To assess the effects of temperature on gamete quantity and quality, tetraploid and diploid oysters were held at controlled temperatures of 18, 20 and 22 degrees C for 120 days. The gametogenesis process in tetraploid and diploid oysters showed an accelerated trend in response to increased conditioning temperatures. Nonetheless, the gonadal development of tetraploid oysters was slower than that of diploid oysters. Histomorphometric analysis of gonadal tissues showed variations in observed sex ratio under different conditioning temperatures. The proportions of tetraploid and diploid males increased with elevated temperature. However, survival rates of tetraploid and diploid oysters at 22 degrees C were significantly lower than those at 18 and 20 degrees C (P < 0.05). In terms of the number of oocytes and spermatozoa, tetraploid oysters were fewer than diploid oysters. Overall, these results demonstrated the differences in broodstock conditioning and gonadal development between tetraploid and diploid oysters, suggesting the need for specialized broodstock cultivation strategies for tetraploid oysters.