Artificial gynogenesis and assessment of homozygosity in meiotic gynogens of spotted halibut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Verasper variegatus</Emphasis>)

In the present study, methodology of gynogenetic induction in spotted halibut were developed and optimized; the sex ratio of putative meiotic gynogenetic diploids was determined using AFLP-based molecular sexing technique; the homozygosity of gynogenetic population was assessed as opposed to cultivated population. The results showed that high percentage of meiotic gynogenetic diploids were generated when the eggs fertilized with irradiated heterologous sea perch frozen sperm (30–50 mJ cm⁻²) were cold shocked in sea water of −1°C for 40–75 min at 5 min after fertilization. About 15,200 diploid gynogenetic larvae were achieved and they exhibited normal morphology similar to diploid control. The gynogenetic diploids were 100% female, which first confirmed the female homogamete (XX/XY) sex determination in spotted halibut. The genetic analysis showed that the average H _O was, respectively, 0.404 and 0.724 in gynogenetic population and cultivated population, indicating an increase of homozygosity in gynogenetic population.     

Haematological and biochemical characteristics of two aquacultured carnivorous cyprinids,topmouth culter Culter alburnus (Basilewsky) and yellowcheek carp Elopichthys bambusa (Richardson)

The haematological and biochemical characteristics of two healthy farmed cyprinids, the topmouth culter Culter alburnus and yellowcheek carp Elopichthys bambusa, were investigated in this study. Erythrocytes, thrombocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes (i.e. neutrophils and eosinophils) were observed in these two fish. Every type of these cells (excluding the erythrocyte and lymphocyte) showed similar sizes in the topmouth culter and yellowcheek carp. Thrombocytes and neutrophils were the two most abundant leucocytes in the topmouth culter while thrombocytes and lymphocytes were the two most frequent leucocytes observed in the yellowcheek carp. The erythrocyte counts, haemoglobin concentrations and values of serum glucose in these two fish were high. There were significant differences in the leucocyte counts, haemoglobin concentrations, mean cellular haemoglobin contents, mean cell haemoglobin concentrations and values of serum glucose, triglyceride, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and chlorine between the topmouth culter and the yellowcheek carp. The information of haematology and blood biochemistry obtained here would be useful for the prevention and diagnosis of diseases of farmed topmouth culter and yellowcheek carp.     

Identification of SNPs in the 5′‐flanking region and 3′‐UTR of the MIH gene and their association with precocity of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Moult‐inhibiting hormone (MIH), an important regulator of steroidogenesis, inhibits the synthesis of ecdysteroid in Y‐organ (YO) and plays a significant role in the regulation of moulting and post‐embryonic development of crustacean. Because unsuccessful moulting have been widely observed in precocious crabs, we investigated whether genetic variants in the 5′‐flanking region and 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of the MIH gene are associated with precocity of the Chinese mitten crab. Thirty individual DNA samples were sequenced to search for SNPs in the 5′‐flanking region and 3′‐UTR of the MIH gene. Five SNPs (g.196 T>A, g.230 C>T, g.305 T>C, g.323 C>A and g.372 C>T) in the 5′‐flanking region and 6 SNPs (g.2677 C>T, g.2759 T>A, g.2807 T>C, g.3042 A>G, g.3088 T>G and g.3295 T>G) in the 3′‐UTR of the MIH gene were selected for the individual genotyping in a two‐stage association study. We found that a SNP g.3088 T>G in the 3′‐UTR of MIH gene was consistently associated with precocity of the Chinese mitten crab in stage 1 and stage 2, with a per‐allele OR (Odds Ratio) of 1.469 (95% CI: 1.169–1.844) after two stages combined (P = 0.001). However, no significant associations were observed between the other 10 SNPs and precocity of the Chinese mitten crab. To our best knowledge, this is the first association study between various SNP genotypes and phenotype attributes in Chinese mitten crab. Our findings suggest that the SNP g.3088 T>G may be a candidate marker for effective marker‐assisted selection to decrease the precocity of the Chinese mitten crab in future studies.     

Verification of mitotic gynogenesis in ornamental (koi) carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) using microsatellite DNA markers

The Japanese ornamental (koi) carp is a popular decorative fish all over the world. In koi, clones have not yet been obtained, although production of fish with identical colour patterns could be of commercial interest. Mitotic gynogenetic progenies are essential for subsequent production of clones in fish. However, resulting late‐shocked progenies may be contaminated with meiotic gynogens from spontaneous suppression of the second meiotic division in eggs. In this study, microsatellite DNA markers were used to confirm mitotic gynogenetic origin of obtained late‐shocked progenies. Recombination rate (y) and mapping distance relative to centromere (M‐C) of 10 microsatellite loci were determined based on percentage of heterozygotes in meiotic gynogenetic progenies. The range of y varied from 0.01 to 0.96 and the M‐C map ranged from 0.5 to 48 cM. The mean value of y over the 10 loci was 0.481. Six loci, which had y 0.47 and higher, were used as markers in two late‐shocked gynogenetic progenies. Complete homozygosity was revealed at all six microsatellite loci indicating mitotic gynogenetic origin of analysed progenies.     

黄姑鱼异质雌核发育子代的遗传分析

为了解黄姑鱼（Nibea albiflora）异质雌核发育子代的基因纯合情况,利用微卫星标记（SSR）和扩增片段长度多态性标记（AFLP）对黄姑鱼异质雌核发育家系进行遗传鉴定和分析。结果显示：（1）雌核发育家系在4个SSR位点和5对AFLP引物组合扩增出的位点均未发现父本特异性等位条带,表明雌核发育体比率为100%。（2）用于遗传分析的7个SSR位点在雌核发育家系和正常交配家系中均未见完全纯合的情况,雌核发育家系7个SSR位点的平均纯合度为0.382,是正常交配家系（0.161）的2.37倍。雌核发育家系各个体的纯合位点数为0~6个,纯合位点所占比例为0~85.7%。（3）5对AFLP引物共扩增出182条清晰的扩增条带,其中有21条父本特异性条带和16条母本特异性条带。16条母本特异性条带中有7个条带在雌核发育家系中显著偏分离（P<0.05）。雌核发育家系和正常交配家系多态性条带比例分别为14.7%和20.3%。（4）雌核发育家系与母本的遗传相似度高于与正常交配家系的遗传相似度,正常交配家系同父本和母本的遗传距离大致相同。研究结果表明,黄姑鱼异质雌核发育二倍体家系的遗传纯合度显著高于正常交配家系,人工诱导雌核发育是促进基因纯合的一个有效途径,它不仅可以加速有利基因的纯合固定,还可以加速有害基因的淘汰,从而有效提高育种效率。     

Microsatellite–centromere mapping in bighead carp ( Aristichthys nobilis) using gynogenetic diploid families

Gene–centromere mapping using half‐tetrad analysis is a powerful tool for understanding chromosomal behaviour and determining the position of centromeres in relation to genes or markers in fish. In this study, eight gynogenetic diploid families induced by inhibiting of the second meiotic division were genotyped at 66 microsatellite loci for microsatellite–centromere (M‐C) mapping in bighead carp ( Aristichthys nobilis). The absence of paternal alleles verified the success of gynogenetic development in all gynogenetic families. All loci were consistent with Mendelian segregation in control families. The estimated recombination frequency (y) ranged from 0.057 to 0.875 with an average of 0.477 ± 0.222. Seventeen loci (25.76%) showed high M‐C recombination frequencies of over 0.667. M‐C distances ranged from 2.85 to 43.75 cM under the assumption of complete interference. Thus, these loci are distributed from the centromeres to the telomeres of their respective chromosomes, while mainly in the intermediate region. Information on centromere mapping could serve as a starting point to consolidate the genetic linkage groups in bighead carp.     

雌核发育草鱼的遗传结构分析和微卫星鉴别方法的建立

采用微卫星标记检测草鱼群体的遗传多样性,并根据纯合度的变化建立了雌核发育草鱼的鉴别技术。结果显示,8个位点共扩增出33个等位基因;在普通草鱼中,平均纯合度和PIC分别为0.203 1和0.552 8;在雌核发育群体中,则为0.716 1和0.357 2;2个群体间遗传相似度为0.873 3。其中,5个位点在雌核发育草鱼中纯合度明显提高,雌核发育草鱼在这5个位点的扩增总条带数为5~7个,普通草鱼则为8~10个,由此可100%区分2个草鱼群体。通过概率计算,理论鉴别概率达到99.92%。研究表明,雌核发育技术对草鱼的群体遗传结构改变较大,是快速建立纯系、固定优良性状的有效手段;根据群体遗传纯合度的改变、扩增条带数目差异,应用多态性微卫星分子标记可以简单、有效地区分雌核发育群体(或与之相似的高度近交群体)与普通群体。     

Genetic variability in meiotic gynogenetic muskellunge,Esox masquinongy (Mitchell), estimated from segregation of microsatellite alleles

Muskellunge, Esox masquinongy, is an important recreational freshwater fish native to North America. Since muskellunge populations are often maintained through stocking efforts, advances in muskellunge reproductive technologies are of direct relevance to fishery enhancement. We evaluated the efficiency of inbreeding through induced meiotic diploid gynogenesis. Eggs from six female muskellunge were manually stripped and activated using ultra violet‐irradiated yellow perch, Perca flavescens, sperm. Hydrostatic pressure shocking regimes (48 263 kPa) were then applied to the eggs to prevent second polar body expulsion producing unambiguous meiotic gynogens. Six female dams and samples of 12–20 of their gynogenetic progeny were genotyped at seven polymorphic microsatellite loci. Chromosomal recombination frequencies of microsatellite loci based on retention of heterozygosity among gynogens ranged from 0.043 to 0.839 (0.576 ± 0.237). There were no statistical differences in recombination frequency among females at any of the loci. The average inbreeding coefficient (F‐value) ranged from 0.581 to 0.979, equivalent to three to fourteen generations of full‐sibling crosses respectively. The average F‐value overall was 0.712, equivalent to between five and six generations of full‐sibling crosses. Centromere map distances of the seven microsatellite loci ranged from 2.15 to 41.95 cM and meiotic gynogenesis was useful in eliminating heterozygosity at loci proximal to the centromere, but not distal. Since the age at maturity of female muskellunge is approximately 5 years, gynogenesis may pose an expeditious alternative to traditional breeding strategies for creation of homozygous pedigrees for some loci that may be outcrossed to introduce positive heterozygosity effects in the offspring.     

Meiotic gynogenesis affects the individual and gonadal development in sterlet Acipenser ruthenus

Larval growth and gonadal differentiation of gynogenetic sterlet Acipenser ruthenus were studied. The gynogenetic fish were produced by activation of albino sterlet eggs with UV‐irradiated sperm (collected from healthy coloration specimens), following by a heat shock of 34°C. Embryos were reared at 18.0 ± 0.5°C in a recirculation system and initially fed with Artemia sp. for 4 weeks and then fed with formulated feed. During the experiment, the length and weight of fish were recorded for the gynogenetic and control groups. Additionally, the analysis of gonadal sex differentiation was conducted with a 2‐week interval at 289, 303, 317, 331, 345 and 373 DPH. The mean body weight of the control group was significantly higher (p < .05) than the gynogenetic group only at 345 and 373 DPH, while the mean total body length was significantly higher at 331 and 345 DPH (p < .05). The gonad investigation was started at 289 DPH, and ~80% of females were found in the gynogenetic group during the trial period while the number of females and males was similar at 303, 331 and 373 DPH in the control group. The first symptoms of morphological differentiation appeared at 289 DPH, and the final shaping macroscopic structure of the gonad took place earlier in females than in males.     

Microsatellite–centromere mapping in walking catfish Clarias macrocephalus (Günther, 1864) using gynogenetic diploids

Thirty new microsatellite loci were isolated from a microsatellite‐enriched genomic library of walking catfish Clarias macrocephalus. The CA motif was the most abundant, although several other motifs were also isolated. Two gynogenetic diploid families, each consisting of a female and 50 offspring, were genotyped at 56 microsatellite loci, including 30 loci developed in the present study and 26 loci reported in the previous study. Overall, 33 anonymous microsatellites derived from genomic library and 11 EST‐linked microsatellites were mapped to their centromeres. High levels of chiasma interference were apparent in the walking catfish genome as indicated by an average frequency of second‐division segregation (y) of 0.643 ± 0.248. Twenty‐six loci (59%) showed a high microsatellite–centromere recombination, with a frequency >0.67, and three loci had recombination frequencies >0.9. This study demonstrated that gene–centromere mapping provided a rapid method for the expansion of the initial linkage map of walking catfish.     

Development of methods for detection of SNPs in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Activin type IIB receptor</Emphasis> and a preliminary study on association between its polymorphism and growth parameters of the Asian seabass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lates calcarifer</Emphasis>

Molecular markers that allow selection of juveniles and broodstock with a high growth performance are useful for the aquaculture industry. In this study, association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the Activin type IIB receptor (LcActRIIB) and growth-related parameters of Asian seabass Lates calcarifer juveniles were examined by PCR-direct sequencing. Three SNPs (G>A_c.965+g.7, C>A>T _c.965+g.33 and G>A _c.965+g.189) generating seven composite SNP genotypes (diplotypes) were found in the LcActRIIB gene segment (398 bp). Among three identified SNPs, only a G>A_c.965+g.7 SNP showed significant association with growth traits (average body weight, total length, hepatic weight and hepatosomatic index) of examined fish (P < 0.01). Significant association between diplotypes and growth-related parameters were found. Juveniles exhibiting diplotypes I–V showed greater growth-related parameters than those exhibiting diplotypes VI (P < 0.001; N = 57). Simple methods for rapid genotyping of a G>A_c.965+g.7 SNP were successfully developed based on gel-based bi-allelic PCR amplification of specific alleles (Bi-PASA) and real-time PCR-based PASA analyses (N = 99). Identical genotypes were consistently obtained from different detection methods.     

运输时间和MS-222浓度对翘嘴鲌皮质醇、乳酸及氧气袋内水质的影响

釆用MS-222浓度为0(C0组)、5 mg/L(C1组)、10 mg/L(C2组)、15 mg/L(C3组)、20 mg/L(C4组),运输时间为0、2、4、6、8、10 h,运输密度为33 g/L,采用5×6双因素实验,氧气袋运输翘嘴鲌(Culter alburnus)稚鱼,研究了运输时间和MS-222浓度对翘嘴鲌全鱼皮质醇、乳酸含量及氧气袋内水质的影响。结果显示:翘嘴鲌全鱼皮质醇、乳酸水平随运输时间呈现先升高后降低的趋势,随麻醉剂浓度的增加而显著降低;C1-C4组的DO、p H随运输时间呈现先降低后升高的趋势,C0组则随运输时间的增加显著降低,各组的DO和p H随MS-222浓度的增加而显著增加;C1-C4组的氨氮(TAN)和游离CO_2浓度随运输时间呈现先升高后降低的趋势,而C0组则随运输时间的增加显著升高,各组的TAN和游离CO_2浓度随MS-222浓度的增加而显著降低。时间和浓度的交互作用都显著。运输时间T6 h时,MS-222刺激翘嘴鲌,不利于运输,运输时间T6 h时,MS-222能显著降低其应激水平及代谢强度,其中C4组皮质醇、乳酸含量最低,C3、C4组水质条件最好,其适宜的麻醉剂浓度为15~20 mg/L。     

Aurantiochytrium sp. meal as DHA source in Nile tilapia diet,part I: Growth performance and body composition

This study evaluated the inclusion of Aurantiochytrium sp. (ALL‐G‐RICH?), a source of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n‐3, DHA), in the diet of Nile tilapia and its effect on growth performance indexes and body composition. Fish (initial mean weight 8.35 ± 0.80 g) were fed different dietary inclusion levels of ALL‐G‐RICH?: 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.40 g/kg and a control diet using cod liver oil (CLO), to provide DHA content comparable to the inclusion of 0.10 g/kg ALL‐G‐RICH?. Although there was no significant effect (p > 0.05) on weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion, protein retention rate, and proximal body composition, the inclusion of ALL‐G‐RICH? in the Nile tilapia diet influenced positively the fatty acid profile in the body, resulting in a high DHA concentration. CLO‐fed fish accumulated significantly more DHA compared to those fed 0.10 g/kg ALL‐G‐RICH? (p < 0.05). A digestibility trial was also performed for ALL‐G‐RICH with 65.86 g mean‐initial‐weight fish. The digestibility was high for DHA (96.10%); however, it was low for palmitic acid (70.81%). The results show that the inclusion of up to 0.40 g/kg ALL‐G‐RICH? can be used in Nile tilapia diets without impairing growth performance.     

雌核发育草鱼群体及两个普通草鱼群体的微卫星遗传分析

以草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)养殖群体(YZ)为母本,以紫外线灭活的鲤鱼精子激活草鱼卵子,冷休克抑制第二极体排出的方法诱导获得异精雌核发育草鱼群体(CH)。利用12对微卫星引物对YZ群体、YS (扬州广陵长江系家鱼原种场引进草鱼群体)群体、CH群体进行PCR扩增并分析,共检测出194个等位基因,其中75.8个有效等位基因。YZ群体、YS群体、CH群体的平均等位基因数依次为13.0、12.6、4.7;平均有效等位基因数依次是7.7、6.6、2.3;平均期望杂合度依次为0.87、0.82、0.56;平均多态信息含量依次为0.84、0.79、0.49。从每个个体在微卫星位点的纯合率看,YZ群体中个体的纯合度在0.00～0.33, YS群体r中个体的纯合度在0.00～0.42, CH群体中个体的纯合度在0.42～0.92。这表明与YZ群体和YS群体相比,CH群体的遗传多样性显著下降,并且在每个位点的纯合率CH群体均高于普通草鱼群体,表明人工诱导减数雌核发育可加速草鱼大多数基因位点的纯合,是快速建立高纯品系的有效手段。同时,本研究筛选并利用微卫星位点组合建立了雌核发育草鱼子代不同家系及其母本亲缘关系的简易、高效鉴别技术,旨在为雌核发育草鱼标记辅助育种打下基础。     

A comparative study on protein‐sparing effects among juvenile Erythroculter ilishaeformis line,Ancherythroculter nigrocauda line and their hybrid F1 fed diets with different protein to carbohydrate ratios

To investigate the mechanism underlying the difference of dietary protein requirements among Erythroculter ilishaeformis line, Ancherythroculter nigrocauda line and their hybrid F₁ (E. ilishaeformis♀×A. nigrocauda ♂), juvenile fish of these three species with initial body weight (5.86 ± 0.10 g) were fed the six isoenergy diets with different dietary protein/carbohydrate ratios (P/C ratios were 0.56, 0.78, 1.11, 1.61, 2.52 and 4.43, respectively) for 8 weeks. The results showed that the hybrid culter had the higher weight gain rate (WGR), protein efficiency ratio and protein deposition ratio compared with its parents lines; using WGR as a response criteria, the dietary carbohydrate tolerant level of juvenile E. ilishaeformis line, A. nigrocauda line and their hybrid was 24.3%, 28.5% and 29.7%, respectively, and the optimal P/C ratio was 1.69, 1.35, 1.22 and respectively. Dietary carbohydrate activated hepatic protein kinase B (Akt), dietary protein activated hepatic target of rapamycin (TOR) and the induction of mRNA expression of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and pyruvate kinase showed a similar change in hybrid F₁ and its parents. A. nigrocauda had the highest enzymes activities in intestinal protease and amylase, and hybrid culter had the highest intestinal lipase activities. Our results demonstrated that the hybrid culter has the better protein‐sparing effects by increasing carbohydrate metabolism than its parent lines.     

Fast development of genetically uniform strains by gynogenesis in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The Japanese flounder is a major species in both aquaculture and research. Inbred strains of Japanese flounder were developed efficiently in our laboratory by meiotic and mitotic gynogenetic reproduction techniques. To determine the induction efficiency of gynogenesis and the rate at which full homozygosity is produced, six meiotic gynogenetic females (G1–G6) that had experienced meiotic gynogenesis once and three common females (C1–C3) were selected for production of mitotic gynogenesis in our experiments. Of the nine adult females, all six gynogenetic fish successfully produced viable offspring. However, only one of the three common fish did. Using microsatellite markers, we estimated the homozygosity of gynogenetic fish induced by mitotic gynogenesis. We found that the homozygosity of seven lines (C1, G1–G6) increased quickly, individually from 43%, 72%, 69%, 71%, 78%, 69% and 58% to 100%, 100%, 100%, 90%, 100%, 100% and 90% offspring complete homozygosity. Under mitotic gynogenesis, individuals with higher homozygosity had a higher induction rate. The G4 line showed the highest induction rate, achieving 44.59% convert hatching rate and 29.28% convert normality rate. We conclude that meiotic gynogenesis may be a feasible method to produce DH genetic material in Japanese flounder.     

Gastric coccidiosis in Thoracocharax stellatus caused by Goussia guamaensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Amazon region

Ninety‐seven specimens of spotfin hatchetfish, Thoracocharax stellatus, an ornamental freshwater species from the Amazon basin, were captured in the basin of the Guamá River in the municipality of Belém, in northern Brazil, and analysed for coccidiosis infection. Overall, 26 of the specimens were infected by apicomplexan parasites of the genus Goussia, with unsporulated forms being found in the gastric epithelium and sporulated forms in the intestinal lumen. The spheroid oocysts (mean diameter: 13.2 ± 1.7 μm) have four elliptical sporocysts. A partial sequence of the SSU rDNA of the new species was obtained, which contained 1,121 base pairs, with 43.8% guanine + cytosine (G + C), and the bases distributed as follows: A = 28.1%, C = 18.3%, G = 25.5% and T = 28.1%. The combined analysis of the morphometric and phylogenetic evidence confirmed that the specimens represented the genus Goussia and were allocated to a new species, Goussia guamaensis n. sp., which is described here.     

翘嘴鳊及其亲本肌肉营养成分分析

为研究新型杂交鱼翘嘴鳊(二倍体鲂鲌F1♀×团头鲂♂)的肌肉营养价值,实验运用生化方法测定和分析了翘嘴鳊、翘嘴红鲌、团头鲂、二倍体鲂鲌F1(团头鲂♀×翘嘴红鲌♂)的肌肉营养成分,包括这些样品的水分、脂肪、蛋白质和灰分含量,以及脂肪酸组成和氨基酸组成。结果表明,翘嘴鳊与其原始亲本相比具有较高的蛋白质和较低的碳水化合物含量;脂肪酸分析发现翘嘴鳊的不饱和脂肪酸,尤其是油酸、DHA等含量显著高于其原始父母本和其他有关鱼类(P0.05);翘嘴鳊肌肉中具有较高呈味氨基酸比例,该比例高于其父母本的相应比例。研究表明,翘嘴鳊是一种营养价值高、口感好的优质鱼类。     

Growth and survival rate of three genetic groups fed 28% and 34% protein diets

The strain by nutrition interaction in body weight and survival rate was examined by testing three genetic groups (Selection and Control lines of the GIFT strain, and Red tilapia) at two levels of protein in the diet (28% and 34%). The GIFT strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has been selected for high‐breeding values for body weight, whereas the Control was contemporaneously maintained and selected for breeding values of body weight close to the population mean. The Red tilapia (Oreochromis spp) was unselected at the time of the experiment. There were a total of 6000 fish at stocking in the study (2000 fish per genetic group). During the grow‐out period of 147 days, within each genetic group, the fish were randomly assigned to either a 28% or a 34% protein diet. Survival rate during grow‐out averaged 72%. A total of 4335 fish were harvested, with individual body measurements and survival recorded. The effect of genetic group accounted for the largest proportion of variation in body weight and survival, followed by sex and protein level. Across the two dietary protein levels, the GIFT strain had the highest growth. The difference in body weight between the Control and Red tilapia was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Responses in growth to dietary protein levels also differed between genetic groups. No differences (P > 0.05) in body weight were found in the GIFT selection and Control fish fed 28% or 34% protein diets. However, body weight of Red tilapia was greater in the high‐ than in the low‐protein diet. In contrast to body weight, survival rate from stocking to harvest was affected by protein level. The high‐protein diet significantly improved survival rate, averaging 24% across the three strains. The overall results indicate significant effects of genetic group and dietary protein level on both body weight and survival rate; however, the interaction between strain and dietary protein levels was small and possibly unimportant for these traits. It is concluded that the 28% protein diet used in the selection programme for the GIFT strain results in the selection of genotypes that can perform well under commercial feeds.