Acta Univ. Agric. Silvic. Mendelianae Brun. 2026, 74(3), 79-89 | DOI: 10.11118/actaun.2026.006

Comparison of Genetically Improved and Conventional Rainbow Trout Lines: Preliminary Results from Czech Aquaculture

Eva Marešová1, Karel Halačka1, Iva Papežíková2, 3, Eva Poštulková3, Jan Mendel1
1 Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 00 Brno, Czech Republic
2 Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
3 Department of Zoology, Fisheries and Hydrobiology, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Between 2022 and 2025, five rainbow trout lines of different origins were tested in aquaculture, including two lines with genetically selected resistance to pathogens. Morphometric traits, tissue composition, haematological parameters, and mortality were evaluated. The Czech line from Hynčice showed the best overall condition, a higher proportion of energy reserves, and stable growth throughout the year. The Italian lines exhibited stable growth but had the lowest immune indicators and the highest mortality. The Danish lines showed balanced performance; however, their growth was dependent on water temperature. Genetic resistance in the Danish improved lines was only weakly expressed under natural farming conditions, but during early rearing stages they exhibited lower mortality. The results highlight the importance of selecting an appropriate line with respect to local conditions and economic considerations.

Keywords: rainbow trout, RAS, QTL line, aquaculture

Received: January 14, 2026; Revised: March 9, 2026; Accepted: April 16, 2026; Published: July 1, 2026  Show citation

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Marešová, E., Halačka, K., Papežíková, I., Poštulková, E., & Mendel, J. (2026). Comparison of Genetically Improved and Conventional Rainbow Trout Lines: Preliminary Results from Czech Aquaculture. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 74(3), 79-89. doi: 10.11118/actaun.2026.006
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