Abstract
activin βA and βB from diploid and allotriploid crucian carp were cloned.The differential expression of activin βA and βB genes in female allotriploid and diploid red crucian carp Carassius auratus red var. were studied and found to be expressed in all the tested tissues; particularly, the expression of activin βA and βB was elevated in the ovaries of allotriploids and differential expression in pituitaries during the non-breeding season and the breeding season period. The immunohistochemistry indicated that the abnormal triploid ovaries were dominated by small oogonium-like cells with dense signals and that the elevated expression of activin βA and βB in the ovaries of allotriploids may be related to allotriploid sterility.