Development of breeding methodology for optimized resource allocation
1 Formål
The objective of the study is to develop methodology in breeding for optimization of resource allocation during growth development. The study comprises of two sets of experiments: early sexual maturation (which was conducted as separate experiment), and repeated body weight measurements of the back-up population of the breeding program for Atlantic cod.
To reach this aim, we will test following two hypotheses:
1. Time point of registration of body weight as selection criterium affects correlations with growth curve parameters.
2. Sexual maturation can be predicted from body weight recording using mixture model approach.
Growth curves for individual cod will be estimated from repeated growth records (a combination of routine measurements from the cod breeding program, additional records from the sexual maturation experiment and one extra registration to be performed in this project). This FOTS-application is directed to the last registration to be performed in November, where we also wish to collect tissue sample for future extraction of DNA and genotyping; currently a development of SNP-tool for Atlantic cod is ongoing within an other project (MABIT). Genomic analyses will allow us to unravel the genetic architecture of the growth curves in Atlantic cod.
2 Skadevirkninger
In the last weight registration, a very small piece (~4mm*4mm) of dorsal fin will be collected under anaesthesia. Fish is expected to be on average approximately 3 kg. The size of the tissue sample is not expected to cause damage to the fin or compromise the welfare of the fish. Fish will return to the cage and will be fed and reared under normal production conditions until the selected individuals from breeding nucleus are transported to land-based station for family production.
3 Forventet nytteverdi
Future cod breeding, based on these results, will be able to select for a fish with high and stable growth, optimal resource allocation and, results combined with the sexual maturation experiment, against early sexual maturation. In addition, the opportunity to measure sexual maturation through weight recording represents a simple, cost effective and non-invasive measurement of a trait that is currently difficult to measure. Collection of tissue samples secures material for future genotyping and investigation of genetic architecture either of single weight measurements or the growth curves.
4 Antall dyr og art
Samples will be collected of remaining ~2050 Atlantic cod.
5 Hvordan etterleve 3R
The material, as being the back-up of the breeding nucleus represents 173 families, and originally ~25 individuals were tagged to the test-station. A priori power calculations of similar experiments have shown, that to obtain reliable estimates of heritability and genetic correlations, 10-15 individuals per family should be recorded. The average number of individuals per family is expected to be 12 (based on recording in June), varying between 3-21. Due to the low number of individuals (<10) in minimum 36 families, registration and tissue sampling from all individuals is necessary. Genotyping will be done selectively relative to observed phenotypes combined with the results from earlier registrations: decision base not fully known at the time of registration.
The objective of the study is to develop methodology in breeding for optimization of resource allocation during growth development. The study comprises of two sets of experiments: early sexual maturation (which was conducted as separate experiment), and repeated body weight measurements of the back-up population of the breeding program for Atlantic cod.
To reach this aim, we will test following two hypotheses:
1. Time point of registration of body weight as selection criterium affects correlations with growth curve parameters.
2. Sexual maturation can be predicted from body weight recording using mixture model approach.
Growth curves for individual cod will be estimated from repeated growth records (a combination of routine measurements from the cod breeding program, additional records from the sexual maturation experiment and one extra registration to be performed in this project). This FOTS-application is directed to the last registration to be performed in November, where we also wish to collect tissue sample for future extraction of DNA and genotyping; currently a development of SNP-tool for Atlantic cod is ongoing within an other project (MABIT). Genomic analyses will allow us to unravel the genetic architecture of the growth curves in Atlantic cod.
2 Skadevirkninger
In the last weight registration, a very small piece (~4mm*4mm) of dorsal fin will be collected under anaesthesia. Fish is expected to be on average approximately 3 kg. The size of the tissue sample is not expected to cause damage to the fin or compromise the welfare of the fish. Fish will return to the cage and will be fed and reared under normal production conditions until the selected individuals from breeding nucleus are transported to land-based station for family production.
3 Forventet nytteverdi
Future cod breeding, based on these results, will be able to select for a fish with high and stable growth, optimal resource allocation and, results combined with the sexual maturation experiment, against early sexual maturation. In addition, the opportunity to measure sexual maturation through weight recording represents a simple, cost effective and non-invasive measurement of a trait that is currently difficult to measure. Collection of tissue samples secures material for future genotyping and investigation of genetic architecture either of single weight measurements or the growth curves.
4 Antall dyr og art
Samples will be collected of remaining ~2050 Atlantic cod.
5 Hvordan etterleve 3R
The material, as being the back-up of the breeding nucleus represents 173 families, and originally ~25 individuals were tagged to the test-station. A priori power calculations of similar experiments have shown, that to obtain reliable estimates of heritability and genetic correlations, 10-15 individuals per family should be recorded. The average number of individuals per family is expected to be 12 (based on recording in June), varying between 3-21. Due to the low number of individuals (<10) in minimum 36 families, registration and tissue sampling from all individuals is necessary. Genotyping will be done selectively relative to observed phenotypes combined with the results from earlier registrations: decision base not fully known at the time of registration.