| This study investigated possible associations of serum transferrin phenotypes with some early life history traits in coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch. Electrophoretic methodology permitted determination of transferrin phenotypes in adult fish, enabling specified matings to be made for use in testing for these possible transferrin associations. No associations were detected among transferrin phenotypes with length, weight and condition factor of adult coho salmon. Also, significant differences were not detected among transferrin phenotypes in tests of hypotheses of equal egg number, egg size, egg weight, embryo length at hatching, embryo weight at hatching and mortality through incubation. However, significant differences were detected among transferrin phenotypes with alevin lengths, alevin weights at yolk absorption and length, weight and condition factor of fry during early growth.; Although associations between transferrin phenotypes and some early life history traits were detected, the possibility of incorporating transferrin phenotypes into a breeding program are assessed as offering minimal gains. |
