Location: Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture Research
Title: Genetic improvement through selective breeding: Part of an integrated strategy to reduce disease loss and Antibiotic use Authors
Submitted to: Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 2014
Publication Date: April 28, 2014
Citation: Wiens, G.D., Lapatra, S.E., Marancik, D.P., Leeds, T.D. 2014. Genetic improvement through selective breeding: Part of an integrated strategy to reduce disease loss and Antibiotic use [abstract]. Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop. A98. Technical Abstract: Bacterial cold water disease (BCWD) is a frequent cause of elevated mortality in rainbow trout, and outbreaks often require the use of antibiotic treatment. Since antimicrobial resistance is of concern, additional control methods are desirable. Family-based selective breeding offers new opportunities for rainbow trout genetic improvement. Since outbreaks of BCWD often occur at early life stages, we hypothesized that selective breeding might be used to augment survival prior to typical vaccination size. To date, we have conducted 5 generations of selective breeding and have produced 3 genetic lines that display divergent phenotypes in response to standardized laboratory challenge with F. psychrophilum strain CSF259-93. These lines have similar genetic background but differ in survival post-challenge: ARS-Fp-R (R-line, high survival), ARS-Fp-C (C-line, intermediate), ARS-Fp-S (S-line, low survival). In this presentation, performance results from three field trial locations will be summarized. In addition, challenge of the genetic lines with F. psychrophilum strain variants will be presented. Based on both laboratory and field trial data, the ARS-Fp-R line has been released to industry and government collaborators for further evaluation. Our results suggest that selective breeding can contribute to an integrated approach for controlling BCWD outbreaks on-farm.