Growth hormone gene transfer in common carp

The first successful case of transgenic fish was achieved in 1984. It is in a model system that the integration and expression of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) in host red common carp (Cyprinus carpio, red var.) have been thoroughly studied. Recently, the integration sites have been recovered and characterized. Compared with non-transgenic peers, hGH-transgenic fish are prior in dietary utilization and growth performance. In view of bio-safety and bio-ethics, an "all-fish" construct CAgcGH, grass carp growth hormone fused with common carp P-actin promoter, has been generated and transferred into Yellow River carp (C carpio, local strain in Yellow River) fertilized eggs. Under middle-scale trial, CAgcGH-transgenics show higher growth rate and food conversion efficiency than the controls, which is consistent to laboratory findings. To avoid the potential impact of transgenic fish on the environment, a sterile strain of transgenic triploid fish has been successfully produced. The "all-fish" transgenic common carp is also approved safe enough as daily food, according to a test based on the pathological principles of new medicines issued by the Ministry of Health of China. The "all-fish" transgenic common carp with growth enhancement is now ready for market, but looking for governmental authorization. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS and Ifremer/IRD/Inra/Cemagref. All rights reserved.