ARS | Publication request: A STANDARD GENETIC STOCK OF RAINBOW TROUT FOR RESEARCH STUDIES

Submitted to: Hatchery International Magazine
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 18, 2008
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The diversity of aquaculture species defies a united front to the scientific advancement of studies for these species as each is in a different phase of development. However as has been witnessed in research studies utilizing both terrestrial and aquaculture species, discrepancies in experimental results appear that are not due to experimental procedure and analysis but instead are due to differences in the genetic background of the animals used in the study. Furthermore, researchers attempting to replicate certain specific physiological symptoms due to postulated antinutritional factors found by other researchers have been unable to duplicate the original findings under their laboratory conditions. Numerous factors could have led to the variation in findings detected between these studies. In order to alleviate the problem comparing research between fish with unknown and likely quite diverse genetic backgrounds a collaborative project has been setup between the University of Idaho, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, and the US Soybean Board to produce a stock of rainbow trout with a defined genetic background for use in research. This stock will be derived from an equal crossing of the University of Washington Donaldson (obtained from the National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture) and Housecreek (College of Southern Idaho) strains.