Domestication and genetic improvement of French fish farmed broodstocks in SYSAAF

Abstract

Since 1991, French companies have initiated selection of rainbow trout, brown trout, sea bass, sea bream and turbot. The breeders have developed a collective expertise in selection, parental assignement using fingerprints, monosexing, triploidisation, spawning induction, gamete conservation and sperm cryopreservation in the SYSAAF (French union of poultry and aquaculture breeders). This domestication is based on the transfer of the PROSPER selection procedure on growth, developed by INRA (French institute of agricultural research), which is completed by selection on lipid content of the filet and gutted yield, and genealogical reproduction assisted by fingerprints. Genetic improvement of quality is also performed by monosexing and triploidisation. Since 2000, sperm cryopreservation procedure has been adapted for on-farm practice. In 2003, between 80 to 100% of the French production of these species, benefits from genetically improved juveniles.