Abstract
This study examines the way long-term feed intake should be recorded accurately for selective breeding purposes, and estimates selection potential in feed intake using the Xray method to record individual daily feed intake in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The analysis showed that the point estimates of daily feed intake displayed low repeatabilities (r = 0.09-0.32). This indicates that a minimum of three repeated records were needed to accurately record average feed intake at a fixed age. To effectively breed for feed intake over the whole growing period, it is necessary to determine average feed intake at different ages, since there were only moderate phenotypic and genetic correlations between average daily feed intake recorded at 140 g, 750 g and 2000 g wet mass. Heritability for average daily feed intake was low (average h = 0.10), indicating that modest genetic changes can be obtained in response to selection. It was concluded that selection to genetically change long-term feed intake can be successful, yet repeated observations at several life stages are needed to ensure the accuracy of feed intake estimates and the efficiency of selection.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 389-409 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | Genetics Selection Evolution |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2006 |
Keywords
- Atlantic salmon
- Salmo salar
- Oncorhynchus mykiss walbaum
- genetic variation
- conversion efficiency
- compensatory growth
- radioisotope method
- Salvelinus alpinus
- fod consumption
- Arctic charr
- feed efficiency
- repeatability
- heritability
- salmonids
- X-radiography