PhD trial lecture and defence: Cecilia Campos Vargas - FBA

05 June 2015 10:15 - 05 June 2015 15:00

Auditorium A5 (Petter Thomassen)

Cecilia Campos Vargas will hold a trial lecture and defend her thesis on production of triploid sterile Atlantic cod (Gadhus morhua) for the degree Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture.

Title of dissertation: Production of triploid Atlantic cod: A comparative study of muscle growth dynamics and gut morphologyCecilia.jpg

Title of trial lecture: Adverse effects of sexual maturation of farmed fish

Time of trial lecture: 5 June at 10:15
Time of disputation: 5 June at 12:15

 

PhD committee members:
First opponent: Professor Octavio Lopez Albors, Universidad de Murcia (Dept. Anatomfa y Anatomfa Patologica Comparadas, Facultad de Veterinaria)
Second opponent: Professor Ian Mayer, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences
Third opponent (internal examiner, leader of committee): Associate professor Marit Bjørnevik, Universitety of Nordland (Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture)

Main supervisor:
Ørjan Hagen, Associate professor, Universitety of Nordland (Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture) 

Thesis abstract: 
Precocious puberty and unwanted escapes in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) are among the major constraints that have prevented the cod industry to be profitable. The production of triploid sterile cod may solve these problems meeting both industrial and environmental criteria. Triploids have the potential to grow faster and perform better than diploids and do not represent an environmental threat with regards to spawning in sea cages or interbreeding with wild stocks following accidental escapees.

It is known that triploid fish may differ from diploids in a number of morphological and physiological characteristics which can affect their culture performance, and particular focus is placed on the development of adapted culture protocols for these fish. Therefore, comparative studies between diploids and triploids can help to identify these differences that may affect triploids' performance. The present study has confirmed that triploidy affect the morphology of the digestive tract with possible effects on growth and welfare of the fish.

Therefore, further research should be encouraged to unveil possible deficiencies in nutrient digestibility and absorption in triploids versus diploids.

All are welcome!