Genetic parameters and genomic prediction of resistance to koi herpesvirus disease using a low-density SNP panel on two Amur mirror carp populations

Koi herpesvirus disease (KHVD), caused by Cyprinid herpesvirus-3 (CyHV-3), is one of the most serious threats to carp farming. In the present study, we investigated the efficiency of a low-density (LD) SNP panel for estimating genetic parameters and breeding values to KHVD resistance in the Amur mirror carp (AMC). Two populations (Pop 1 and Pop 2) of AMC generated from unrelated parents were created using a partial factorial design. One-year old fish (Pop 1 = 1500 individuals.; Pop 2 = 1200 individuals) were challenged with CyHV-3 and phe-notyped to KHVD resistance. 218 SNPs originating from a medium genotyping platform previously applied to Pop 1 (15615 SNPs; denoted as MD panel) with the highest association to KHVD resistance were used as a LD panel to genotype individuals of Pop 2. Genetic parameters and estimated pedigree-based BLUP (EBV) and genomic-based GBLUP (GEBV_MD and GEBV_LD) breeding values were calculated and obtained for Pop 1 using either pedigree, MD or LD panel and for Pop 2 using either pedigree or the LD panel. The heritability estimates of KHVD resistance were very high for both populations ranging from 0.42 to 0.96. Selection for KHVD resistance in Pop 2 using the LD panel would have led to a relative increase of similar to 7% in prediction accuracy compared to the pedigree-based selection. Pearson correlation coefficients between pedigree-based and genomic-based estimated breeding values (EBV vs. GEBV_MD; EBV vs. GEBV_LD; GEBV_MD vs. GEBV_LD) showed a strong association for both populations (0.79 - 0.91). In addition, the concordance rate of individuals selected by pedigree-based (EBV) and genomic-based breeding values (GEBV_MD and GEBV_LD) within selection pressures of 5%, 10% and 20% were not statistically different in most cases. In conclusion, the low-density SNP panel could be useful for a selection program focused on the genetic improvement of KHVD resistance

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and goldfish (Carassius auratus) were not susceptible to challenge with ranavirus under certain conditions

Goldfish, Carassius auratus, and common carp, Cyprinus carpio, were challenged with a panel of 8 different piscine and amphibian ranavirus isolates. Goldfish were exposed at a water temperature of 16 degrees C and 23 degrees C, and carp at 15 degrees C and 25 degrees C. No significant mortality was registered, and virus could not be re-isolated from goldfish or carp bath-challenged with any of the isolates in the panel

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and goldfish (Carassius auratus) were not susceptible to challenge with ranavirus under certain challenge conditions

Abstract Goldfish, Carassius auratus, and common carp, Cyprinus carpio, were challenged with a panel of 8 different piscine and amphibian ranavirus isolates. Goldfish were exposed at a water temperature of 16°C and 23°C, and carp at 15°C and 25°C. No significant mortality was registered, and virus could not be re-isolated from goldfish or carp bath-challenged with any of the isolates in the panel

Investigation of ornamental fish entering the EU for the presence of ranaviruses

A survey was performed on ornamental fish imported into the EU to detect viral agents belonging to the genus Ranavirus. The objective was to gain knowledge of the potential for these systemic iridoviruses to gain entry into the EU via international trade in ornamental fish. A total of 208 pooled samples, representing 753 individual fish, were tested. The samples included 13 orders and 37 families, originating from different countries and continents. Tissues from fish that died during or just after transport were collected and examined by standard virological techniques in epithelioma papulosum cyprini cells, by transmission electron microscopy and by PCR for the detection of the major capsid protein and DNA polymerase gene sequences of ranaviruses. Virus was isolated from nine fish species but ranavirus was not identified in those samples. The results suggest that ranaviruses are not highly prevalent in ornamental fish imported into the EU