Do maternal age and experience contribute to better growth, survival and disease resistance of offspring in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)?

Summary

Maternal age has influence on growth and survival of offspring in number of species, perhaps through enhanced immune system and overall fitness. We measured weight, survival and disease resistance from a total 100 Atlantic cod full-sib and half-sib families: 44 second generation (F2) and 66 third generation (F3) families produced using 2- or 3-year-old parents, respectively. Larval survival and growth in families produced by 3-year-old parents were 78 % higher and 36 % heavier, respectively, compared to larvae from 2-year-old parents. Irrespective of parental age, negative correlation was observed between larval survival at 85 days and tagging weight at 180 days. Disease challenge tests of juveniles with nodavirus revealed significantly higher (p <0.001) survival in offspring from older parents, but no significant difference (p >0.365) was observed for Vibrio anguillarum challenge test. It seems that age of broodfish possibly determines the growth, survival and disease resistance during early developmental stages in Atlantic cod, and this can play an important role in selective breeding programs.