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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Aberdeen, Idaho » Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #148129
Title: MOLECULAR PROBES FOR THE ANALYSIS OF FISH HEALTH

Author
item Overturf, Kenneth - Ken
item LAPATRA, SCOTT - CLEAR SPRING FD BUHL,ID
item HARDY, RONALD - UNIV OF ID HAGERMAN, ID

Submitted to: Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2003
Publication Date: 3/28/2003
Citation: Overturf, K.E., Lapatra, S., Hardy, R. 2003. Molecular probes for the analysis of fish health. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health.

Interpretive Summary: In order to understand physiological changes that occur in fish under stress or in different environments it is necessary to have a sensitive method to monitor physical variations. While sequence mapping and cellular studies have greatly improved our understanding of cellular mechanisms and transcriptional changes involved with certain experimental and domesticated stocks, these methods have yet to be applied to wild stocks. Because prior studies have shown a correlation in gene expression with physical changes, studies were initiated to analyze gene expression levels in the tissues of animals under different experimental conditions. The research performed at this facility pertains to both aquaculture as well as wild conserved species, therefore initial analysis were performed examining traits such as growth on formulated fish diets using alternative protein sources, disease resistance, and health issues related to different diets and environmental conditions. Utilizing knowledge gained from previous work in fish and other animals, and the availability of sequence, certain transcribed genes relating to growth and health such as myosin, lysozyme, IL-8, and TNF were chosen for analysis using real-time PCR.

Technical Abstract: In order to understand physiological changes that occur in fish under stress or in different environments it is necessary to have a sensitive method to monitor physical variations. While sequence mapping and cellular studies have greatly improved our understanding of cellular mechanisms and transcriptional changes involved with certain experimental and domesticated stocks, these methods have yet to be applied to wild stocks. Because prior studies have shown a correlation in gene expression with physical changes, studies were initiated to analyze gene expression levels in the tissues of animals under different experimental conditions. The research performed at this facility pertains to both aquaculture as well as wild conserved species, therefore initial analysis were performed examining traits such as growth on formulated fish diets using alternative protein sources, disease resistance, and health issues related to different diets and environmental conditions. Utilizing knowledge gained from previous work in fish and other animals, and the availability of sequence, certain transcribed genes relating to growth and health such as myosin, lysozyme, IL-8, and TNF were chosen for analysis using real-time PCR.