A simple method for homozygotic selection of Nd genes using artificial diet rearing in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Abstract

Recently, Sericin has attracted a lot of attention as a functional material. Practical sericin silkworms which produce sericin effectively have been developed by cross breeding Nd mutant and normal cocoon strains. It has become clear that the states of cocoons and pupae should be surveyed during cocooning and pupation to discover whether silkworms have an Nd gene. Furthermore, it is difficult to distinguish between homozygous and heterozygous strains in the case of dominant genes, such as the Nd gene. However, it was found that the homozygous transformation of Nd genes can be easily distinguished by differences in the behavior of the first instar larvae when they are reared on artificial diets.