Improving triploidy induction in the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria notata: cytological evaluation of fertilized eggs

Triploid organisms contain three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two, thereby rendering them essentially sterile, which may improve growth and stress resistance. Triploidy may be induced by inhibiting extrusion of the first polar body (PBI) or second olar body (PBII) during meiosis using chemicals, such as cytochalasin B (CB). In bivalves, which release large quantities of pre-meiotic stages of fertilized eggs producing high proportion of triploids relies upon synchrony of meiotic events after fertilization. Therefore, timing of meiotic stages of fertilized eggs of the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria notata was examined to improve triploid induction yield.