Genotype and sexual maturation
Sexual maturation is a welfare and economic issue in salmon farming, as sexually mature fish are more prone to disease and have reduced flesh quality. There is a need for a greater understanding of what leads to salmon entering puberty prior to reaching harvest size. We know there is a genetic component to the age of puberty in wild salmon linked to vgll3. However, we do not know the extent to which it effects farmed salmon.
In the following experiment, the majority of animals will experience low stress asscoiated with tagging, genotyping, and moving fish between tanks. A sub sample of fish will be used for non-terminal blood sampling that is expected to induce some acute stress, but is not expected to have any long term effects.
Our project will
1) Determine whether genotype, relating to vgll3, effects the age of puberty in salmon reared under common farming conditions
2) Establish whether genotype, relating to vgll3, is related to differences in energy reserves, which are linked to the decision to mature.
3) Establish whether genotype interacts with photoperiod in triggering puberty
For this project we expect to use 5500 Atlantic salmon, the majority of which will experience standard husbandry procedures only. All experiments have been designed to mimimize the number of experimental animals, while still providing useful scientific data.
In the following experiment, the majority of animals will experience low stress asscoiated with tagging, genotyping, and moving fish between tanks. A sub sample of fish will be used for non-terminal blood sampling that is expected to induce some acute stress, but is not expected to have any long term effects.
Our project will
1) Determine whether genotype, relating to vgll3, effects the age of puberty in salmon reared under common farming conditions
2) Establish whether genotype, relating to vgll3, is related to differences in energy reserves, which are linked to the decision to mature.
3) Establish whether genotype interacts with photoperiod in triggering puberty
For this project we expect to use 5500 Atlantic salmon, the majority of which will experience standard husbandry procedures only. All experiments have been designed to mimimize the number of experimental animals, while still providing useful scientific data.