Size data for transgenic coho salmon from 5 rivers

Experiments examining potential impacts of growth hormone (GH)
transgenesis in fish typically use a single source strain, and do not
address potential differential impacts in strains of different genetic
backgrounds. Here, we examine the effects of differing genetic backgrounds
on the growth of transgenic and non-transgenic coho salmon produced by
mating sires from different rivers with transgenic dams from a single
origin. We found a significant difference in size between offspring of
sires originating from various river systems in British Columbia. This
difference was independent of differences between transgenotypes (i.e.,
transgenic vs. non-transgenic offspring). However, the effects of strain
or sire were relatively small compared to the effects of the transgene,
which were consistent regardless of sire origin. Thus, results derived
from studies of GH transgenic fish from a single source pouplation could
provide useful information for assessments of GH transgenic salmon from
other systems. This has important implications for examining potential
risks from introgression of a transgene into different populations.