Bioenergetics of growth enhanced transgenic Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) reared under simulated aquaculture conditions

Although dramatic improvements in growth rates have been documented in growth enhanced transgenic salmonid fish, prior to commercial implementation of this technology, there is a need for more information relating to the bioenergetics, of several commercially important production traits. The primary objective of the study was to compare the growth rate, protein and energy digestibility, feed conversion, and body composition, of F2 generation growth enhanced transgenic Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with that of non-genetically modified salmon, over a presmolt growth interval of 8 to 55g. As a secondary objective, the routine oxygen consumption was measured to determine if rapid growth exhibited by transgenic salmon reared under simulated commercial culture conditions significantly altered metabolic rate. The third objective was to investigate the influence of food deprivation on metabolism in an attempt to relate oxygen consumption to the rate of mobilization of energy reserves in transgenic fish relative to their non-transgenic counterparts. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).