Evidence for the possible existence of a remnant L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase (GULO) gene in a teleost genome.

DNA fragments related to the cloudy catshark Scyliorhinus torazame L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase (GULO) cDNA were detected in a distant fish species. Although the Southern hybridization pattern was more distinct in species with active GULO, DNA fragments related to the GULO gene were also discovered in the common carp Cyprinus carpio. Additionally, in the common carp, inter-individual variation of the hybridization pattern was observed. Regular screening of available teleost fish gene libraries did not reveal GULO related DNA sequences.

Genetic variability in residual feed intake in rainbow trout clones and testing of indirect selection criteria (Open Access publication).

Little is known about the genetic basis of residual feed intake (RFI) variation in fish, since this trait is highly sensitive to environmental influences, and feed intake of individuals is difficult to measure accurately. The purpose of this work was (i) to assess the genetic variability of RFI estimated by an X-ray technique and (ii) to develop predictive criteria for RFI. Two predictive criteria were tested: loss of body weight during feed deprivation and compensatory growth during re-feeding. Ten heterozygous rainbow trout clones were used. Individual intake and body weight were measured three times at three week intervals. Then, individual body weight was recorded after two cycles of a three-week feed deprivation followed by a three-week re-feeding. The ratio of the genetic variance to the phenotypic variance was found high to moderate for growth, feed intake, and RFI (VG/VP = 0.63+/-0.11, 0.29 +/-0.11, 0.29 +/-0.09, respectively). The index that integrates performances achieved during deprivation and re-feeding periods explained 59% of RFI variations. These results provide a basis for further studies on the origin of RFI differences and show that indirect criteria are good candidates for future selective breeding programs.

Group feeding behavior of brown trout is a correlated response to selection for growth shaped by the environment.

Group feeding pattern is a response correlated to selection for growth in brown trout. Previous results suggest that the feeding pattern of two lines (NL and SY), selected with the same process at two different fish farms, differ. This study addresses the following questions: (i) are the patterns differentially fixed by the selection process and if yes (ii) is this explained by the different genetic background of the lines? In a first experiment, we tested if the group feeding behavior can be inherited. We produced and reared under the same experimental conditions selected hybrids (NLS x SYS) and pure SY selected line (SYS). We compared their behavior on self-feeders when reared single or mixed (groups of 500 fish; mean initial BW = 6 g, 90-day period). Growth rates were comparable among the groups. In the lines reared single, NLS x SYS exhibited greater morning feeding activity than SYS. Feeding activity of SYS was higher later in the day. The inter-day variation of the morning peak was less variable for the hybrid than for the SYS line. In the mixed group, the pattern was intermediate between that of the hybrid and the pure line. In a second experiment we compared the feeding pattern of control hybrids (NLC x SYC) to pure control lines (SYC and NLC) reared single or mixed (groups of 500 fish; mean initial BW = 12 g, 92-day period). Feeding activity patterns were similar among the control groups. These results show that group feeding pattern is a heritable trait that can be indirectly selected with growth, which shape is less influenced by the growth performance and the genetic background than by the environmental conditions applied during the selection process.

Enhanced individual selection for selecting fast growing fish: the "PROSPER" method, with application on brown trout (Salmo trutta fario).

Growth rate is the main breeding goal of fish breeders, but individual selection has often shown poor responses in fish species. The PROSPER method was developed to overcome possible factors that may contribute to this low success, using (1) a variable base population and high number of breeders (Ne >100), (2) selection within groups with low non-genetic effects and (3) repeated growth challenges. Using calculations, we show that individual selection within groups, with appropriate management of maternal effects, can be superior to mass selection as soon as the maternal effect ratio exceeds 0.15, when heritability is 0.25. Practically, brown trout were selected on length at the age of one year with the PROSPER method. The genetic gain was evaluated against an unselected control line. After four generations, the mean response per generation in length at one year was 6.2% of the control mean, while the mean correlated response in weight was 21.5% of the control mean per generation. At the 4th generation, selected fish also appeared to be leaner than control fish when compared at the same size, and the response on weight was maximal (approximately 130% of the control mean) between 386 and 470 days post fertilisation. This high response is promising, however, the key points of the method have to be investigated in more detail.

The optimum dietary indispensable amino acid pattern for growing Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fry.

To determine the optimum indispensable (I) amino acid (AA) balance in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fry, a single protocol established for the pig was adapted. The balance was calculated from the reduction in N gain after replacing about 45% of a single IAA by a mixture of dispensable AA in isonitrogenous diets. We confirmed that the mixture of AA simulating the AA pattern of cod-meal protein and gelatine (46:3, w/w) was used with the same efficiency as cod-meal protein and gelatine. From the deletion experiment an optimum balance between the IAA was derived. Expressed relative to lysine = 100, the optimal balance was: arginine 76 (SE 0.2), histidine 28 (SE 2.2), methionine + cystine 64 (SE 1.7), phenylalanine + tyrosine 105 (SE 1.6), threonine 51 (SE 2.4), tryptophan 14 (SE 0.7), valine 59 (SE 1.7). No estimates were made for isoleucine and leucine. Expressed as g/16 g N, the optimal balance was: arginine 4.0 (SE 0.0), histidine 1.5 (SE 0.1), lysine 5.3 (SE 0.2), methionine + cystine 3.4 (SE 0.1), phenylaline + tyrosine 5.6 (SE 0.1), threonine 2.7 (SE 0.1), tryptophan 0.7 (SE 0.0), valine 3.1 (SE 0.1). This AA composition is close to that of the Atlantic salmon whole-body, but using it as an estimation of the IAA requirements may lead to an overestimation of the branched-chain AA requirements and an underestimation of aromatic and S-containing AA requirements. The results are discussed in accordance with the key assumptions associated with the model used (broken-line model, IAA efficiencies and maintenance requirements).

Analysis of cell-specificity and variegation of transgene expression driven by salmon prolactin promoter in stable lines of transgenic rainbow trout.

In order to identify the specificity and functionality of salmon prolactin (sPRL) promoter, transgenic rainbow trout carrying a construct comprising the 2.4 kb fragment of the 5' flanking region of Atlantic Chinook sPRL gene fused either to the reporter genes cat (sPRL-cat) or lacZ (sPRL-lacZ) were produced. sPRL-cat in transgenic F0 fish expressed strongly CAT only in the pituitary gland. Transgenic in F1-F4 lines harbouring sPRL-lacZ expressed beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) only in the follicular PRL-producing cells of the adenohypophysis. We observed heterocellular, mosaic distribution of beta-gal within PRL cell population and enormous variation of lacZ expression level between the littermates in the same transgenic line. Regardless of the transgene copy number, age or sex of transgenic fish, beta-gal expression was lactotroph-specific but variegated in all the nine F2 hemizygous lines analysed. One line harbouring a multicopy integration was followed up to F4 generation: the transgene was transmitted without modifications. Analysis of genomic DNA from pituitaries showed that lacZ sequences were highly methylated. LacZ expression was low and its transcripts, analysed by in situ hybridisation, showed a mosaic distribution within the pituitary gland. These data suggest that variegated expression of lacZ can occur at the transcription level owing to the silencing effect of lacZ gene. After proving the tissue-specific expression of reporter genes driven by the sPRL promoter, we tried to obtain the genetic ablation of PRL-producing cells,by transferring the same construct comprising diphtheria toxin DT-A gene (tox). However, the high mortality rate of sPRL-tox transformed embryos has embedded this study and no transgenic fish expressing tox were produced. The appropriateness of using transgenic strategies to analyse gene function in Salmonids is discussed, especially the implications of the multicopy integration patterns and of the variegated transgene expression.