Heritability of Immunity Traits and Resistance of Atlantic Salmon against the Sea Louse Caligus rogercresseyi

The immune response of Atlantic salmon to sea lice has been extensively studied, but we still do not know the mechanisms by which some fish become resistant and others not. In this study, estimated heritabilities three key proteins associated with innate immunity resistance Salmo salar against louse Caligus rogercresseyi. particular, quantified abundance 2 pro-inflammatory cytokines, Tnfα Il-8, an antioxidant enzyme, Nkef, in skin gill tissue from 21 families 268 individuals indirect ELISA. This covers a wide parasite load range low or (mean ± SE = 8.7 0.9) high susceptible 43.3 2.0). Our results showed that had higher levels Nkef than their gills skin, although Il-8 was fish, while no significant differences were found skin. Furthermore, moderate very heritable genetic variation for (h2 skin: 0.96 0.14 gills: 0.97 0.11) 0.53 0.17 0.32 0.14), 0.22 0.12 ns 0.09 0.08 ns). work provides evidence protein expressions are highly related salmon.