Sexual selection and semi-natural rearing environment in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) aquaculture: potential effects on the immune system.

BECKER, LA; DIXON, B

Montreal

Encuentro; 46th annual meeting of the Canadian Society of Zoologists; 2007

Canadian Society of Zoologists

Canada’s aquaculture industry has experienced a lot of growth in the last ten years, but most Canadian production relies on Atlantic salmon. Paradoxically, the most important producer of this species is British Columbia, where it has escaped frequently causing problems since it is now reproducing naturally. Therefore an alternative farmed species is needed. Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) has been cultivated at low levels for the last 20 years in British Columbia. This study addresses the immune performance of Chinook salmon being cultivated using both traditional techniques and a novel method based on sexual selection and semi-natural rearing environment. Humoral immune response and gene expression of cytokines such as IL-1B, INF-γ and TNF-α will be assessed following stimulation with different antigens.