DNA FINGERPRINT BASED ANALYSIS OF PATERNAL AND MATERNAL EFFECTS ON OFFSPRING GROWTH AND SURVIVAL IN COMMUNALLY REARED RAINBOW-TROUT

This study was initiated to assess the feasibility of establishing ped igrees in mixed aquaculture populations and of selection programs for commercial aquaculture operations based on genetic profiling data from microsatellite markers. Complete factorial crosses between ten sires and ten dams were performed in a small rainbow trout farm. The largest and smallest progenies were sampled after 1 year of communal rearing, and their parentage was established with four or five microsatellite markers. About 91% of the fish could be traced to one or two parental couples out of the 100 possible couples. There were significant differ ences among sires and dams for the growth and survival of their progen y. There were also indications that progeny of inbred crosses have dep ressed performances. Based on these results, a breed improvement progr am has been implemented in this small hatchery.