ARS | Publication request: GENETICS AND GENOMICS-INTREGRATION OF BREEDING AND MOLECULAR GENETICS PROGRAMS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: February 20, 2006
Publication Date: February 20, 2006
Citation: Silverstein, J., Weber, G.M., Rexroad Iii, C.E., Vallejo, R.L. 2006. Genetics and genomics-intregration of breeding and molecular genetics programs. Meeting Abstract. Presented at BARD sponsored workshop on Aquaculture Genetics in Eilat, Israel, Feb 20-23, 2006.

Technical Abstract: At the National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture (US Department of Agriculture, Ag. Research Service) in Leetown, WV, we have a rainbow trout broodstock development program now entering the 2nd generation of family based selective breeding using expected breeding values (EBVs). Our major breeding objectives are faster growth and resistance to Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the causative agent of bacterial coldwater disease. For these traits we have developed assays to evaluate phenotypic performance. In addition to our breeding program, our molecular genetics team, in a worldwide collaboration, is developing microsatellite markers linkage maps with the intent of identifying QTL¿s and using them in marker or gene assisted selection (MAS or GAS). There are several possible approaches to take with regard to the types and numbers of markers to develop, the strategies for using molecular information, and methods for employing the markers in a selective breeding program. This paper describes the choices we have made concerning QTL identification for traits of high, low and unknown degrees of heritability. These traits are cortisol response to stress (h2@ 0.4), feed intake (h2@ 0.1) and resistance to Flavobacterium psychrophilum (h2 not yet determined). In order to identify QTLs in a relevant commercially important rainbow trout line we are making crosses from within our resource population. The development of breeding/research family crosses, choice of markers for genome scanning, and planned steps to implementation of these results are described.