Genetic parameter estimates of five immunological factors in turbot ( Scophthalmus maximus ) infected with Vibrio anguillarum

The genetic parameters and activity of five immune factors, including lysozyme (LZ), acid phosphatase (ACP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), together with the concentration of total protein (PC), were evaluated in the serum of turbot infected with Vibrio anguillarum. A total of 900 turbot individuals from 30 full-sib families were subjected to experimental infection with V. anguillarum. The genetic parameters of the above-mentioned traits were determined and subsequently analysed: the heritability values of PC, LZ, ACP, NOS and SOD were 0.27, 0.21, 0.27, 0.29 and 0.20 respectively. The ranges of phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlations within each of the five immune factors were −0.252–0.711, −0.223–0.685 and −0.268–0.730 respectively. Considering that the heritabilities of LZ, ACP, NOS and SOD were moderate and that the genetic correlations between LZ, ACP, NOS and SOD were highly positive, it is inferred that the whole immunocompetence of turbot against V. anguillarum can be optimized through genetic improvement of these four immune traits using multi-trait integrated breeding technology or indirect selection.