Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and biochemical staining method were used in this study for the analysis on malate dehydrogenase (MDH,E.C. 1.1.1.37) isozymes zymogram in 11 different types of tissues of male and female Varicorhinus macrolepis. It had been found for the first time that the phenotype of malate dehydrogenase (MDH),acid phosphatase (ACP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed difference between male and female V. macrolepis,and there was no difference among different individuals in the same sex. Therefore,the electrophoresis band of malate dehydrogenase,acid phosphatase and superoxide dismutase could be used as an indicator for the identification of gender and tissues of V. macrolepis,which would provide basic data for the developmental genetics,variety improvement and directed breeding of V. macrolepis groups,thus facilitating the development and protection of this valuable fish species.
