A biotechnological method for silkworm sex regulation

Abstract The aim of this work is to use the biotechnological method of silkworm sex regulation as a breeding method. For this purpose, butterflies were mated immediately after their emergence in a chamber with a constant magnetic field for 4 h. By studying the natural fertilization of the Sheki-2 silkworm in a constant magnetic field, it was possible to change the natural sex ratio of the offspring from 1:1 to 1:3 in favour of males. A direct positive correlation was observed between the magnetic field strength and an increase in the number of males in the offspring, with the maximum number of males observed at a strength of 729.7 kA/m. The developed mathematical model made it possible to calculate the activation coefficient of magnetic fields influencing the cytogenetic process in the silkworm, which was 4.02 × 10 −3 kA/m. An attempt was also made to explain the mechanism behind the cytogenetic influence of a constant magnetic field on possible options for obtaining males during the natural fertilization of silkworm females. Implementation of the developed method in the breeding programme will enhance both the quantity and quality of silkworm productivity. This is achieved by increasing silk yield and improvement of the raw materials obtained from the males. If these positive outcomes are consistently observed in other silkworm breeds, this method has the potential to become widely adopted for large-scale breeding of the entire silkworm population in the country.