Monosex prawn production in aquaculture: innovation and biotechnology

• Grant number: 25/03861-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Aquaculture
• Principal Investigator: Marina Machado da Costa
• Grantee: Marina Machado da Costa
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/27458-4 - Monosex prawn production in aquaculture: innovation and biotechnology, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Sex determination in Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879), the giant freshwater prawn, is genetically regulated by the ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system and modulated by the insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (IAG). Sexual reversal, based on IAG manipulation in ZW females, enables the production of neo-males (ZW), which, when crossed with normal females, produce WW females. Previous studies resulted in the first successful sexual reversal in Brazil and the generation of WW females, culminating in patent application no. 24CI095. However, as no primers have been developed for exotic M. rosenbergii populations in Brazil, primers from Asian and Indo-Pacific native populations were used, showing limited efficiency. This required multiple PCR assays, histological analyses, and progeny tests to confirm the results, significantly increasing the time required for genetic identification, extending sex confirmation to up to 18 months and the production cycle to 24 months. This project aims to develop specific primers for genetic sex identification in exotic M. rosenbergii populations in Brazil, allowing the differentiation of ZZ, ZW, and WW individuals within 30 days and reducing the production cycle to 12 months. The generation of WW females is essential for the implementation of all-female monosex culture, which enables higher stocking densities (from 10 up to 50 individuals/m²), the production of homogeneous cohorts, and the elimination of the need for selective harvesting, making the production system more efficient and cost-effective. To achieve this, pooled sequencing of males and females will be conducted to identify genomic regions associated with sexual differentiation, facilitating the development of specific primers for the Z and W chromosomes. This innovation will eliminate the need for prolonged testing, reduce operational costs, and optimize production, strengthening the competitiveness of freshwater prawn aquaculture in Brazil. The project will advance the technology readiness level (TRL) of this innovation from 5-6 to 8, ensuring commercial validation and large-scale application. Consequently, Brazil will progress in the use of biotechnology applied to aquaculture, establishing itself as a reference in the sustainable production of M. rosenbergii. (AU)