Plant & Animal Genomes XI Conference Plant & Animal Genomes XI ConferenceJanuary 11-15, 2003
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA
Workshop: Aquaculture
The demand for aquaculture products is expected to greatly increase during the next several years. The areas of greatest concern for meeting these expected demands are genetic improvement of current stocks, fish health and management, development of alternative feed sources, and the efficiency and environmental compatibility of sustained production systems. We have initiated a genetic selection program using families generated from four different strains of rainbow trout with the intention of enhancing their ability for growth and utilization of alternative protein sources, specifically cereal grains. Selected families are being screened for molecular markers for use in marker-assisted selection related to growth on cereal grain diets and the improvement of existing broodstock. Also included within this research program is the development of molecular assays for more precise monitoring of trait selection. Genes involved with growth, health, and metabolism are thought to be involved with these traits. Therefore, assays have been developed using real-time quantitative PCR for analyzing the expression levels of previously sequenced related genes. Developed assays include analysis of the expression levels for myosin, as a means of monitoring growth characteristics, several immunological factors for following health and disease resistance, and metabolic enzymes for the examination of nutrient utilization. Our results demonstrate that the expression level of some of these factors correlates with physiological changes occurring in fish reared either on different feed regimes or under varied environmental conditions. Incorporation of classical selection and molecular techniques for the enhancement of quantitative traits should provide rapid advancement toward specific genotypes.