Genetic variability of response to pathogens : a tool to improve health of farmed fish and molluscs

Abstract

Controlling health of livestock has become of considerable importance to the aquaculture industry. Selective breeding of animals with increased resistance to pathogens is likely to complete efficiently the use of drugs, vaccines or prophylactic approaches that may be difficult to implement. A review of the scientific literature shows that the prospect of selecting for increased resistance is quite hopeful in both molluscs and fish. Yet, selecting for disease resistance is hampered by the difficulty to measure the resistance of individuals. Prospects for the development of «markers» that would predict the genetic merit of individuals without pathogen challenge are presented. The breeding schemes that may be implemented for fish and molluscs in the French industry are discussed.